Operating Systems and Their Functions

These flashcards cover key concepts related to operating systems, their functions, and components to aid in exam preparation.

Virtual Machine (VM)

A virtual machine is a software-based emulation of a physical computer that runs an operating system and applications, allowing more efficient use of resources.

BIOS

Basic Input Output System; firmware that initializes and tests hardware during the booting process.

Interrupt Service Routine (ISR)

A special routine in the operating system that handles interrupts by executing the necessary actions to address them.

Paging

A memory management scheme that eliminates the need for contiguous allocation of physical memory and allows the computer to store and manage memory in fixed-size blocks.

Segmentation

A memory management approach that divides a program's memory into segments of varying lengths based on logical divisions.

Thin Client

A lightweight computer that relies on a central server to perform computing tasks, with limited processing power on the client side.

Multi-user Operating System

An OS that allows multiple users to use a single computer system simultaneously.

Real-Time Operating System (RTOS)

An OS that responds to inputs and events within a guaranteed time frame, crucial for applications requiring immediate processing.

Device Driver

Software that allows the operating system to communicate with hardware devices, enabling their functionality.

Virtual Memory

A memory management technique that uses a portion of the hard drive to extend the apparent available memory of a computer by swapping data between RAM and the disk.