Vocabulary / Main Concepts
Vocabulary / Main Concepts
An operating system is a special computer program that controls and monitors the hardware and software within a computer system.
A directory is a main branch in a file management system. The root directory is where the directories are located.
A subdirectory is a directory which is located on levels below the directory level. For example, if you see C:\WINDOWS\WORD> in your file management system, WORD is the subdirectory.
A file is a collection of data that exists at the end of the directory structure; below the last subdirectory branch. The three character extension in a file name helps you tell where the file was created.
A small picture you may click on to do things on a computer.
The interface helps you interact with the computer; it is what comes between you and the hardware and software.
Graphic User Interface. This interface allows you to point and click on an icon to perform computer operations. Windows 3.1 and Windows 95 are examples of operating systems that have graphical user interfaces.
An interface in which you must type all the commands which are to be executed by the computer. MS-DOS and UNIX are examples of this type of interface.
An operating system that responds differently to lower case characters and upper case characters. UNIX is an example of this kind of operating system.
Loading the operating system into memory, i.e. turning on your computer. This expression originated with the idea that the computer is becoming active by "pulling itself up by its bootstraps".
Preparing a disk drive to receive information. Disks must be formatted for the specific operating system they are to be used on.
The file handling system in Windows 3.1. This system allows you to move files, copy or delete files, create directories, etc..
Drive boxes let you click on them to choose different drive views in the File Manager program of Windows 3.1.
The bar in Windows 95 which is usually at the bottom of the screen. The task bar has the start button, and holds icons for minimized programs.
In command line interface operating systems the prompt is what appears when your computer is booted up. It "prompts" you to type in commands.
The path includes the directories and subdirectories you must go through to find a particular file; i.e. in a command line operating system, what you must type and in what order to locate a file.
The exact way a command must be entered or typed in order to work correctly.
An operating system developed by Microsoft with a GUI interface.
Windows 95 is an upgrade to Windows 3.1 which was released in August of 1995. It is also a GUI operating system.
Microsoft Disk Operating System. Sold to IBM by Bill Gates for use with their PC in 1981, MS-DOS became the industry standard for IBM and IBM type computers.
UNIX is a command line interface operating system which is the most commonly used operating system for multiple computers.
System 7+ is the operating system developed by Apple Computer for its Macintosh computer. It is a GUI operating system
Running more than one program at the same time on a computer, i.e., having more than one program open.