Module 4: Operating Systems and File Management

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering key concepts, components, models, and terminology from Module 4: Operating Systems and File Management.

System Software

The software that runs a computer, including the operating system and utility programs.

Operating System

Software that manages the complete operation of your computer, lets you interact with it, and directs the processor, RAM, and storage space.

User Interface

The component of an operating system that provides a way for a user to interact with the computer.

Graphical User Interface (GUI)

A visual interface controls how you interact with menus, apps, and images through touching, pointing, tapping, or clicking buttons.

Natural User Interface (NUI)

A graphical user interface that enables users to train it to respond to gestures and voice commands.

Desktop or Home Screen

The main workspace of the operating system containing icons for programs and files, tools to start apps, and a notification area.

Icon

Small pictures that represent apps, files, or devices on an operating system screen.

Button

Icons that you tap or click to execute commands.

Window

Rectangular work areas that display an app or collection of files, folders, or tools.

Menu

A list of related items in an operating system interface.

Dialog Box

Windows with controls that let you tell the operating system how to complete a command.

Software as a Service (SaaS)

Software distributed online for a subscription or fee, where subscribers receive updates including fixes or additional functionality.

Closed Source

Programs that keep all or some of their source code hidden, allowing developers to control and profit from the software.

Open Source

Programs distributed with no restrictions for modification or redistribution, allowing users to add functionality and sell or give away versions.

Single-User Operating System

Desktop or mobile operating systems that interact with only one user at a time and only control the device on which they are installed.

Utilities

Apps that enable users to perform maintenance tasks, diagnose, and repair problems.

Desktop Operating System

A single-user operating system designed for personal computers, such as Microsoft Windows, Apple's macOS, Unix, Linux, or ChromeOS.

Mobile Operating System

An operating system designed to run using limited memory while supporting touchscreens, voice recognition, and Wi-Fi.

Android

A mobile operating system developed by Google that is based on Linux.

iOS

A mobile operating system that runs on Apple mobile devices.

Server Operating System

An operating system that controls a single, centralized server supporting many users on networked computers and controlling network access.

Virtualization

The practice of sharing computing resources, such as servers or storage devices, among computers and devices on a network.

File

A collection of information stored as a text document, spreadsheet, photo, or song.

Data File

A file containing words, numbers, and pictures that you manipulate.

Executable File

A file that contains instructions to run apps.

Folder

A named location that contains related documents.

File Hierarchy

A nested organization of folders and subfolders used to group related files.

Library

A special folder that catalogs files and folders such as pictures, music, documents, and videos.

File Format

The organization and layout of data in a file that determines the types of apps that can open it.

File Extension

A three- or four-letter sequence preceded by a period at the end of a filename that identifies the type of file.

RAM (Random Access Memory)

Electronic memory that temporarily stores open apps and document data during processing.

Virtual Memory

Storage space allocated to store data in a swap file when RAM capacity is exceeded.

Page

The amount of data and instructions that can be swapped between memory and storage.

Paging

The time-consuming process of swapping items between memory and storage.

Boot Process

The multi-step startup sequence where power is sent to circuitry, the bootstrap program starts, tests are executed, and the operating system and kernel load into RAM.

Kernel

The core of an operating system.

Buffer

An area of memory that stores data and information waiting to be sent to an input or output device.

Spooling

The process of placing data into a buffer.

Default Settings

Standard settings that control the setup of screens and documents in an operating system.

Shortcut

A link to a file or app where the original object remains saved in its original location.

Active Window

The current window being interacted with on the computer screen.

Program Window

A window that displays a running program.

Folder Window

A window that displays the contents of a folder, drive, or device.

Resources

Components required to perform work—such as RAM, storage space, processor power, and network connections—that are controlled by the operating system.

Virtual Machine (VM)

A software program that enables a computer or device to run multiple operating systems.

Partition (or Volume)

The section of the hard disk used to run a virtual machine, where only one partition can be accessed at a time.

Administrator Account

A user account that provides full access to the computer, enabling app installation, security setting adjustments, and network access management.

Kilobyte (KB)

A unit of file size measurement equal to thousands of bytes of data.

Megabyte (MB)

A unit of file size measurement equal to millions of bytes of data.

Gigabyte (GB)

A unit of file size measurement equal to billions of bytes of data.

Terabyte (TB)

A unit of file size measurement equal to trillions of bytes of data, where one terabyte is equal to 1,00 GB.

File Compression

The process of reducing file size for faster transfer and reduced storage, requiring extraction or uncompressing before editing.

File Properties

Attributes of a file including name, type, location, size, and dates created, modified, or accessed.