Monday, November 4, 2024

Chapter 5: System Software Key Terms

Operating System - Software that provides an environment in which applications can run and provides an interface between hardware and human operators.

HCI - Human-Computer Interface

GUI - Graphical User Interface

CLI - Command Line Interface

Memory Management - Part of the operating system that controls the main memory.

Memory Optimisation - Function of memory management that determines how memory is allocated and deallocated.

Memory Organization - The function of memory management determines how much memory is allocated to an application.

CMOS - Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor

Icon - Small picture/symbol used to represent an application on screen.

WIMP - Windows, Icons, Menu and Pointing device

POST WIMP - Interfaces that go beyond WIMP and use touchscreen technology rather than a pointing device.

Pinching and Rotating - Actions by fingers on a touch screen to carry out tasks such as move, enlarge, reduce and so on.

Security Management - Part of the operating system that ensures data integrity, confidentially and availability.

Contiguous - Items next to each other.

Virtual Memory Systems - Memory management that uses hardware and software to enable computers to compensate for the shortage of actual physical memory.

Memory Protection - Function of memory management that ensures 2 completing applications cannot use the same memory locations at the same time.

Process Management - Part of the operating system that involves the allocation of resources and permits the sharing and exchange of data.

Bad Sector - Faulty sector on HDD, which can be soft or hard.

Back-up Utility - Software that makes copies of files on another portable storage device.

Hardware Management - Part of the operating system that controls input/output devices connected to the computer (made up of sub-management systems such as printer management, secondary storage management, and so on).

Device Driver - Software that communicates with the operating system and translates data into a format understood by the device.

Utility Program - Parts of the operating system, which carry out certain functions, such as virus checking, and defragmentation/hard disk formatted.

Disk Formatter - Utility that prepares a disk to allow data/files to be stored and retrieved.

Antivirus Software - Software that quarantines and deletes files/programs infected by a virus (or other malware). It can be run in the background/initiated by the user.

Heuristic Checking - Checking software for behaviour that could indicate a possible virus.

Quarantine - File/Program identified as being infected by a virus, which has been isolated by antivirus software before it is deleted at a later stage.

False Positive - File/Program identified by virus checker as being infected but the user knows this is incorrect.

Disk Defragmenter - Utility that reorganises the sectors on the hard disk so that files can be stored in contiguous data blocks.

Disk Content Analysis Software - Utility that checks disk drivers for empty space and disk usage by reviewing files and folders.

Disk Compression - Software that compresses data before storage on HDD.

Program Library - A library on the computer where programs and routines are stored which can be freely accessed by other software developers for use in their own programs.

Library Program - Program stored in a library for future use by other programmers.

Library Routine - Tested and ready-to-use routine available in the development system of programming language that can be incorporated into the program.

Dynamic Link File (DLL) - Library routine that can be linked to another program only at the run-time stage.

Translator - Systems software used to translate sources written in any language other than machine code.

Compiler - A computer program that translates source program written in a high-level language to p-code, object code. (machine code).

Interpreter - A computer program that analyses and executes programs written in high-level language line by line.

Prettyprinting - Practice of displaying/printing well-set-out formatted source code, making it easier to read and understand.

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