CompTIA ITF Lesson 5: Operating Systems

operating system (OS)

• System software that manages computer hardware, software resources, and provides common services for computer programs.
• A computer program at the core of a computer's operating system with complete control over everything in the system.
• Graphical User Interface. An interface that allows users to interact with electronic devices through icons, a cursor, and menu items.
• Command Line Interface. Processes commands to a computer program in the form of lines of text.

multitasking

• The running of multiple independent computer programs on the same computer at the same time.
• System software that manages computer hardware, software resources, and provides common services for computer programs.
• A computer program at the core of a computer's operating system with complete control over everything in the system.
• Graphical User Interface. An interface that allows users to interact with electronic devices through icons, a cursor, and menu items.

supervisor mode

• Used by the kernel for low level tasks that need unrestricted access to hardware.
• The running of multiple independent computer programs on the same computer at the same time.
• System software that manages computer hardware, software resources, and provides common services for computer programs.
• A computer program at the core of a computer's operating system with complete control over everything in the system.

user mode

• Used for application programs.
• Used by the kernel for low level tasks that need unrestricted access to hardware.
• The running of multiple independent computer programs on the same computer at the same time.
• System software that manages computer hardware, software resources, and provides common services for computer programs.

authentication

• A process to establish identity.
• Used for application programs.
• Used by the kernel for low level tasks that need unrestricted access to hardware.
• The running of multiple independent computer programs on the same computer at the same time.

authorization

• A process to verify permission to access a resource.
• A process to establish identity.
• Used for application programs.
• Used by the kernel for low level tasks that need unrestricted access to hardware.

auditing

• Tracking of requests for access to resources.
• A process to verify permission to access a resource.
• A process to establish identity.
• Used for application programs.

server operating system

• Provides functionality for other programs or devices, called "clients".
• Tracking of requests for access to resources.
• A process to verify permission to access a resource.
• A process to establish identity.

embedded operating system

• An operating system that has a dedicated function within a larger mechanical or electrical system.
• Provides functionality for other programs or devices, called "clients".
• Tracking of requests for access to resources.
• A process to verify permission to access a resource.

firmware

• A specific class of computer software that provides the low-level control for a device's specific hardware.
• An operating system that has a dedicated function within a larger mechanical or electrical system.
• Provides functionality for other programs or devices, called "clients".
• Tracking of requests for access to resources.