Operating Systems Overview Lecture

Vocabulary flashcards covering fundamental terms, technologies, system types, functions, and historical milestones discussed in the lecture on operating systems.

Operating System (OS)

A large collection of software that manages computer hardware resources and provides an interface for user interaction.

Kernel

The core component of an operating system that runs at all times, controlling hardware resources and coordinating all other software components.

Shell

The interface between the user and the kernel that allows interaction through commands or graphical elements.

Graphical User Interface (GUI)

A visual operating-system interface that lets users interact with the computer through windows, icons, and menus.

Command Line Interface (CLI)

A text-based interface where users type commands to interact with the operating system.

Windows

Microsoft’s widely used GUI operating system for personal computers.

macOS

Apple’s desktop operating system known for sleek design and tight integration with Apple hardware.

Linux

An open-source operating system valued for flexibility, security, and extensive use on servers and supercomputers.

Android

A Linux-based operating system designed for smartphones and tablets.

iOS

Apple’s mobile operating system for iPhones and iPads known for smooth performance and ecosystem.

Batch Operating System

An OS that groups many jobs and processes them sequentially to improve efficiency.

Multiprogramming Operating System

An OS that keeps multiple programs in main memory so any one can execute when the CPU is free.

Multiprocessing Operating System

An OS that uses more than one CPU to execute processes simultaneously.

Multitasking Operating System

A multiprogramming OS enhanced with a Round-Robin scheduling algorithm to allow many tasks to run seemingly at once.

Preemptive Multitasking

A multitasking method where the OS can interrupt tasks to allocate CPU time to others.

Cooperative Multitasking

A multitasking method where tasks voluntarily yield control of the CPU.

Time-Sharing Operating System

An OS that allocates small time slices of the CPU to each user or task to ensure smooth concurrent use.

Distributed Operating System

An OS that coordinates a network of autonomous computers which communicate over a shared network; also called loosely coupled systems.

Network Operating System

Server-based OS that manages data, users, security, and shared resources over a small private network; known as tightly coupled systems.

Program Execution

OS function of loading programs into memory, running them, and handling their termination.

I/O Operation

OS function that manages communication between hardware devices and the system.

File Management

OS function that organizes, creates, deletes, reads, and writes files and directories on storage devices.

Resource Allocation

OS task of distributing CPU, memory, and storage resources among programs and users.

User Interface

Component of the OS that allows user interaction, including GUI and CLI options.

Security (OS)

Protects data and resources from unauthorized access and maintains data integrity.

Error Detection

OS activity of monitoring for hardware or software faults and taking corrective action.

Process Management

OS responsibility for creating, scheduling, synchronizing, and terminating processes.

Memory Management

OS process of keeping track of each byte in memory and handling allocation/deallocation.

Task Scheduling

OS function that decides the execution order of processes to optimize CPU utilization.

First Generation Computers

1945-1955 era using vacuum tubes; no operating systems—programs communicated directly with hardware in machine language.

Vacuum Tubes

First-generation technology used for circuitry before transistors were introduced.

Second Generation Computers

1955-1965 era using transistors; operating systems such as GMOS and early UNIX appeared.

GMOS (General Motors Operating System)

First recognized operating system, developed in the 1950s for IBM computers.

UNIX

An influential operating system first developed in the 1960s; initially free and used for batch processing.

Transistors

Second-generation technology replacing vacuum tubes, enabling smaller, more reliable computers.

Third Generation Computers

1965-1980 era introducing multiprogramming and rapid growth of minicomputers like the DEC PDP-1.

Minicomputer (DEC PDP-1)

Early smaller computer highlighted in third generation, fostering multiprogramming concepts.

Fourth Generation Computers

1980-present era marked by personal computers and GUI operating systems like Microsoft Windows and macOS.

Microsoft Windows

Family of operating systems launched in 1975 that evolved through versions such as Windows 95, 98, XP, and 7.

MacOS

Apple’s graphical operating system for Macintosh computers, emerging alongside Windows in the fourth generation.

Round-Robin Scheduling

CPU scheduling algorithm that cycles through processes in fixed time slices, used in multitasking systems.