Operating Systems Overview

Programs that control and manage the computer hardware and software, allowing them to work together seamlessly.

A set of programs that manage the computer's hardware and software resources, providing a common interface for software programs to interact with the hardware.

The process of starting or restarting a computer, initializing its hardware and software components to a usable state.

Turning on a computer that has been powered off completely.

Restarting a computer without fully powering it off. The computer doesn't need to go through the initial initialization process.

The physical hard drive where the files necessary to start the computer are located.

A disk containing a few system files that can start the computer when the main boot drive is corrupted or unavailable.

A set of options that allow users to gracefully shut down the computer without causing data loss or damaging the hardware.

A feature that saves all open documents and programs to RAM, turns off unnecessary functions, and puts the computer into a low-power state. The computer can quickly resume from this state.

A feature that saves all open documents and programs to the hard drive, completely removing power from the computer. This preserves the current state and allows the user to resume from where they left off.

A way for users to enter commands and instructions into the computer. It controls how you interact with the computer and view information.

A type of user interface that displays menus and visual images, making it user-friendly and intuitive.

A text-based user interface where users enter commands using the keyboard. It's often used in older systems or for advanced users.

A way an operating system handles programs, particularly regarding multitasking and resource allocation.

Allows only one user to access the computer at a time. The user can run only one program at a time.

Allows multiple users to access the computer simultaneously, but each user can run only one program at a time.

Allows a single user to run multiple programs simultaneously. For example, you can edit a document while listening to music.

Allows multiple users to run multiple programs simultaneously, efficiently managing resources and providing a smooth experience for everyone.

A technique where the operating system switches between running programs at regular intervals, allowing each program to get a slice of processing time. This gives the illusion that all programs are running simultaneously, even if only one program is actively executing at a time.

Allows the computer to utilize multiple processors or cores simultaneously, improving performance and allowing complex tasks to be broken down into smaller parts that can be handled concurrently. This is particularly useful for high-performance computing and demanding applications.

A system that optimizes the use of RAM, managing the allocation of memory to different programs. This ensures that programs have access to the necessary resources without overwhelming the system.

A portion of the storage medium, like a hard drive, that functions as additional RAM. It's used to store temporary data, allowing the computer to run programs that require more memory than available physically.

A small program that tells the operating system how to communicate with a specific device. This allows the operating system to recognize and properly use the device, like a printer or webcam.

A feature that automatically configures new devices as they are connected to the computer. This simplifies the setup process by eliminating the need for manual configuration.

A program that monitors and reports information about the computer's performance and resource usage. It helps identify bottlenecks, potential problems, or areas for improvement.

Operating systems designed to run on a single computer, like a desktop or laptop. They provide a complete set of functions required for a standalone system.

Operating systems specifically designed for servers, handling multiple users and resources on a network. They focus on security, stability, and efficiency when managing shared resources.

Operating systems designed for mobile devices, consumer electronics, and embedded systems. They are typically lightweight, efficient, and specifically customized for the target device's hardware and functionality.

A type of system software that performs maintenance tasks, like file management, disk cleanup, and security checks. They help maintain the overall health and efficiency of the computer.

A utility program used to manage files and folders on the computer. It allows users to display, organize, copy, rename, move, and delete files, as well as create and manage folders.

A utility program used to search for files on the computer. It allows users to specify criteria, like filename, file type, or location, to locate specific files quickly.