Operating System Concepts - 10th Edition

A set of flashcards covering key concepts related to Operating System concepts.

Operating System (OS)

A program that acts as an intermediary between a user of a computer and the computer hardware.

Kernel

The one program running at all times on the computer, part of the operating system.

Interrupt

A signal that causes the CPU to stop its current activity and execute a special routine called the interrupt service routine.

Multiprogramming

Organizes jobs so the CPU always has one to execute, optimizing CPU utilization.

Multiprocessing

Use of two or more CPUs to execute multiple processes simultaneously.

Virtual Machine Manager (VMM)

Software that manages virtualization and allows multiple operating systems to run on a single physical machine.

Client-Server Architecture

Computing model where multiple clients request and receive services from a centralized server.

Peer-to-Peer (P2P) System

A distributed network where each node can act both as a client and as a server.

Cloud Computing

Delivery of computing services (servers, storage, databases, networking) over the internet.

Real-Time Operating System

An operating system designed to serve real-time application requests without delay.

Free and Open-Source Operating Systems (FOSS)

Operating systems made available in source-code format, allowing users to study and modify the code.

I/O (Input/Output)

The communication between an information processing system and the outside world.

Memory Management

The process of controlling and coordinating computer memory, including allocation and deallocation of memory space.

Process Management

The activity of the operating system that manages processes in a concurrent environment.

Resource Allocation

The distribution of available resources among processes or users to optimize performance.

Security and Protection

Mechanisms to control access to resources and protect against unauthorized access.