Operating System Concepts Summary

A set of flashcards reviewing key concepts from operating system fundamentals, including definitions and descriptions of essential terminology.

Operating System (OS)

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

CPU

Central Processing Unit, the primary component that executes instructions in a computer.

Memory Management

The function of an OS to manage computer memory, ensuring efficient use of RAM.

I/O Devices

Input/Output devices that facilitate interaction between the user and the computer.

Process

A program in execution; the basic unit of work in a computer system.

Kernel

The core component of an OS that manages system resources and communication between hardware and software.

System Calls

Programming interface to the services provided by the OS.

Interprocess Communication (IPC)

Mechanisms that allow processes to communicate and synchronize their actions.

Scheduling Algorithm

The method used by the OS to allocate CPU time to processes.

Multiprogramming

A method where multiple processes are loaded into memory for concurrent execution.

User Interface (UI)

The means by which a user interacts with a computer, including CLI and GUI.

File System

The method and structure used by an OS to manage files on storage devices.

Thread

The smallest sequence of programmed instructions that can be managed independently by a scheduler.

Bootstrapping

The process of starting up a computer by loading the operating system into memory.

Virtual Memory

A memory management capability that provides an