It Systems Vocab -- Ch. 4

Front 1

Backward compatibility

Back 1

The ability to work with products designed for prior-generation hardware or software

Front 2

Boot process

Back 2

The sequence of events that occur between the time you turn on the power and the time it is ready for you to use.

Front 3

Cluster

Back 3

A group of sectors or blocks on a disk drive.

Front 4

Command-line interface

Back 4

Syntax-specific commands typed to run programs and accomplish tasks.

Front 5

Defragmentation utility

Back 5

Arranges the files on a disk so that they are stored in contiguous clusters.

Front 6

Desktop

Back 6

Icons and windows can be displayed on screen area.

Front 7

Dialog box

Back 7

Displays options associated with a command.

Front 8

Disk mastering

Back 8

The process of creating a CD or DVD by selecting all the files and then copying them in a single session.

Front 9

Disk partition

Back 9

A section of the hard disk drive that is treated as separate storage.

Front 10

Disk-operating system (DOS)

Back 10

Operating system that uses command line interface (e.g. "run" command).

Front 11

Dual boot

Back 11

A utility that can switch between Mac OS and Windows operating systems.

Front 12

File allocation table (FAT32) NTFS.

Back 12

File system used for Windows 95, 98, and Me.
File system used for Windows XP and Vista

Front 13

File extension

Back 13

Optional file identifier that is separated from the main file name by a period. Gives clues as to the file's contents.

Front 14

File format

Back 14

Dictates the arrangement and formatting of the data.

Front 15

File header

Back 15

A section of data at the beginning of the file that contains information about the file (e.g. date created, updated, size, and file type).

Front 16

File management utilities

Back 16

Help locate files on disks and helps you work with them.

Front 17

File naming conventions

Back 17

Individual operating system rules for case, length, spaces, numbers, characters allowed, etc.

Front 18

Folder

Back 18

Sub-directory which helps to organize files

Front 19

Formatting

Back 19

The process of dividing a hard disk/CD/DVD into tracks/sectors

Front 20

Fragmented files

Back 20

Data stored on a disk in noncontiguous clusters

Front 21

Graphical user interface (GUI)

Back 21

A way to point and click a mouse to select menu options and manipulate icons

Front 22

Icon

Back 22

A small picture that represents a program, file, or hardware device

Front 23

Kernel

Back 23

Essential part of the OS which stays in memory while the computer is on

Front 24

Linux

Back 24

Open source operating system which allows users to make copies, sell, or change code

Front 25

Mac OS

Back 25

Operating system created for Macintosh computers

Front 26

Memory leak

Back 26

A situation in which instructions and data from one area of memory overflow into another area

Front 27

Menu bar

Back 27

Contains headings for File, Edit, View, Format, etc.

Front 28

Microsoft Windows

Back 28

Operating system used mainly in computers from the IBM PC environment

Front 29

Multi-processing

Back 29

An operating system capability to support a division of labor among all processing units

Front 30

Multi-tasking

Back 30

Provides process and memory management to allow two or more tasks to run simultaneously

Front 31

Multi-threading

Back 31

Within a single program, multiple threads can be run simultaneously

Front 32

Native file format

Back 32

A software application which can open files created for it

Front 33

Operating system

Back 33

System software that acts as a master controller for all activities

Front 34

Packet writing

Back 34

Recording technology that lets you record in multiple sessions

Front 35

Path

Back 35

File specification which includes drive letter, folder, file name, and extension

Front 36

Resource

Back 36

Any component that is required to perform work such as RAM, storage, and peripherals

Front 37

Sectors

Back 37

A numbered subdivision of tracks on a disk

Front 38

Server operating system

Back 38

Provides tools for managing distributed networks, e-mail services, and Web hosting sites

Front 39

Single-user operating system

Back 39

Provides tools for managing one set of input devices controlled by one person at a time

Front 40

Sub-menu or command

Back 40

Additional set of options that the computer displays after you make a selection from the main menu

Front 41

Tracks

Back 41

Series of concentric storage areas on a hard disk/CD/DVD

Front 42

User interface

Back 42

Software and hardware that enable people to interact with computers

Front 43

Virtual machine

Back 43

Software that creates an operating environment that emulates another computer platform