| Boot Loader |
A program that loads the operating system kernel into memory and begins its execution. |
| Command Line Interface |
An interface that allows a user to interact with an operating system or program by typing commands into a terminal or console. |
| Deadlock |
A situation in which two or more processes are unable to proceed because each is waiting for another to release a resource. |
| Device Driver |
A software component that allows an operating system to communicate with and control a specific hardware device. |
| Disk Defragmentation |
A process that reorganizes the files on a disk to optimize their placement and improve access times. |
| Encryption |
The process of encoding data to make it secure and prevent unauthorized access or modification. |
| File Allocation Table (FAT) |
A file system used by some operating systems to manage the storage of files on a disk. |
| File Compression |
The process of reducing the size of a file by encoding its contents using an algorithm that removes redundancy. |
| File System |
The method used by an operating system to organize and manage the storage of files on a disk. |
| Graphical User Interface |
An interface that allows a user to interact with an operating system or program using graphical elements such as windows, icons, and menus. |
| Interrupt |
A signal sent to the processor by a device or program to request the processor's attention. |
| Kernel |
The core component of an operating system that manages the system's resources and provides basic services for other programs. |
| Multi-Tasking |
The ability of an operating system to run multiple programs or tasks concurrently. |
| Multi-User |
The ability of an operating system to allow multiple users to use the same computer simultaneously. |
| Operating System |
A software that acts as an interface between user applications and the computer's hardware. |
| Process |
An instance of a program in execution, including its current state and resources. |
| System Call |
A request made by a program for a service or resource provided by an operating system's kernel. |
| System Tray |
A feature of a graphical user interface that displays icons for system-related notifications and services. |
| Thread |
A segment of a sequence that can run independently and simultaneously with other segments within the same process. |
| Virtual Memory |
A technique used by an operating system to extend the amount of usable memory by temporarily transferring data from RAM to a disk. |
