| A | B |
|---|
| internal command | an operating system command that remains in memory ready for use |
| program manager | takes care of creating the Windows program groups and allowing you to select the program you want to use |
| terminate and stay resdient | a type of program frequently used for destop accessory purposes with a single-program-execution operating system |
| operating system | software that controls the operation of the computer and enables communication between components to take place |
| foreground task | the task which receives proessor time priority, usually the one with which the user is interacting |
| Winodws NT, Windows 95, and OS/2 | complete multitasking PC operating systems that provides a graphic user interface |
| single-program execution | operating systems that can execute just one application program at a time |
| executive | portion of the operating system that acts as the manager of all other operating system functions and provides the interface between user demands and the capabilities of the other parts of the operating system |
| file manager | is used in Windows to look at directories and to copy, move, and erase files |
| external commands or transients | the instructions to carry out functions or cammands that reside on a disk and are loaded into memory as a program and executed |
| encryption | the coding of data |
| drivers | the term usually used in the PC world to refer to extensions to the operating system |
| background task | the task that the computer works on when the foreground task is not active |
| logical device | devices that operating systems are frequently designed to use on a generic basis |
| finder | a shell or application used by the Macintosh to launch programs, show the contents of disks, and move, copy, or delete files |
| hierarchical directory structure | a structure used by most operating systems in which the directory is arranged as an inverted tree with multiple branches |
| multitasking | an operating system that can juggle more than one action at a time |
| tree structure | a type of directory structure similar to the scheme of a file cabinet |
| virtual memory | refers to the use of disk space to simulate memory |
| accessory | a small "application-ette" |
| extensions | an addition to the Macintosh operating system to provide additional functionality |
| command line entry | a method in which commands are entered by typing them on a keyboard |
| DOS | the operating system originally used on IBM PCs |
| Windows for Workgroups | a version of Windows that runs with DOS and provides built-in networking |
| System 7 | the multitasking, current version of Apple's operating system for the Macintosh |
| restoring | the process of copying data from the backup media to a hard disk after a failure has been rectified |
| physical device | each of the actual peripherals attached to a computer |
| formatting | prepares the disk surface for storing data |
| decryption | the decoding of data |
| backing up | the process of copying the data to another medium so that a duplicate is available for use should the original copy de destroyed or become unusable |
| configuring | refers to the process of making the desired match between logical and physical computer devices |
| Windows | an extension to DOS that provides a graphic user interface |
| time slicing | the process of devoting a portion of processor time to each of several tasks |
