compiler
~ a program that translates english language instructions into computer
language
ada lovelace
~ who translated an italian description of babbages engine to english and
added extensive notes, creating the best description of the machine
xerox alto
~ the first computer with a gra...
✓~ A set of software routines that allows one software system to work with
another.
Blocks of code that the CPU recognizes
Ex. Microsoft Direct X
Authentication
✓~ The process of identifying a computer user, based on a login or
username and password. The computer system determines whether the
computer user is authorized and what level of access is to be granted on the
network.
Basic Input/Output System (BIOS)
✓~ A program that manages the data between a computer's operating
system and all the input and output devices attached to the computer; also
responsible for loading the operating system (OS) from its permanent location
on the hard drive to random access memory (RAM).
,Boot Process
✓~ The process for loading the operating system (OS) into random access
memory (RAM) when the computer is turned on.
Cluster
✓~ The smallest increment in which data is stored on hard disks; hard disks
are divided into tracks, then wedges, then sectors, then clusters.
command-driven interface
✓~ Interface between user and computer in which the user enters commands
to communicate with the computer system.
device driver
✓~ Software that facilitates the communication between a device and the
operating system.
Directory
✓~ A hierarchical structure that include files, folders, and drives used to
create a more organized and efficient computer.
Drives, Libraries, Folders, Subfolders, Files
,Disk Cleanup
✓~ a Windows utility that removes unnecessary files from the hard drive
Disk Defragmentation
✓~ The process of regrouping related pieces of files on the hard drive,
enabling faster retrieval of the data.
Distributions (distros)
✓~ Linux download packages
event
✓~ The result of an action, such as a keystroke, mouse click, or signal to the
printer, in the respective device (keyboard, mouse, or printer) to which the
operating system responds.
extension (file type)
✓~ In a file name, the three letters that follow the user-supplied file name
after the dot (.); the extension identifies what kind of family of files the file
belongs to, or which application should be used to read the file.
file
, ✓~ A collection of related pieces of information stored together for easy
reference.
*Treated as a single unit*
Stored on permanent storage device
file compression utility
✓~ A program that takes out redundancies in a file in order to reduce the file
size.
File Explorer
✓~ The main tool for finding, viewing, and managing the contents of your
computer by showing the location and contents of every drive, folder, and file;
called Windows Explorer prior to Windows 8.
File History
✓~ A Windows utility that automatically creates a duplicate of your libraries,
desktop, contacts, and favorites and copies it to another storage device, such
as an external hard drive.
File Management
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