Operating System Functions and Components

Vocabulary flashcards covering core operating-system functions—execution, memory, scheduling, I/O, error handling, file systems, storage, protection, and device drivers.

Operating System (OS)

System software that provides an environment for programs to run while managing hardware resources and offering services such as memory allocation, I/O handling, and protection.

Program Execution

The process of loading a program into main memory and assigning the CPU to execute its instructions.

Memory Management

Operating-system activity that handles allocation and de-allocation of main memory to processes during execution.

Process Scheduling

The OS function that decides which process gets the CPU and for how long, enhancing overall system efficiency.

I/O Operations

Services provided by the OS that allow programs to perform input and output on devices such as files, printers, and other peripherals.

Error Detection

OS responsibility to monitor system and user programs, identifying conditions that could cause abnormal termination and reporting them.

File System Manipulation

OS capability that lets programs create, open, read, write, and delete files and directories on secondary storage.

Secondary Storage Management

Managing non-volatile storage (e.g., hard disks) so data can be retained and retrieved between program executions.

Protection

Mechanisms within the OS that control access to resources, ensuring each user or process can only perform permitted operations.

Device Driver

Software component that allows the OS to communicate with and control a specific hardware I/O device.