Software Chapter 1 Terms

Functions ot programming features in an operating system that programmers can use for network links, links to messaging services, or interfaces to other systems.

A word processor, spreadsheet, database, computer game, or other type of application that a user runs on a computer. Application software consists of computer code that is formatted so that the computer or its operating system can translate that code into a specific task, such as writing a document.

Low-level program code that conducts basic hardware and software communications inside the computer. A computer's BIOS basicallu resides between computer hardware and the higher leveloperating system, such as UNIX or Windows.

A computing style frequently employed by large systems. A request for a series of processes is submitted to the computer; information is displayed or printed when the batch is complete. Batches might include processing all of the checks submitted to a bank for a day, or all of the purchases in a wholesale inventory system.

An English-like computer programming language originally designed as a teaching tool, but which evoled into a useful and relatively powerful development language.

A computer hardware and software design in which different portions of an application execute on different computers, or on different components of a single computer. Typically, client software supports iser I/O, and server software conducts database searches, manages printer output, and the like.

Instructions written in a computer programming language.

A computer hardware and software design in which the operating system temporarily hands off control to an application and waits for the application to return control to the operating system.

A computer operating system that typically is installed on a PC type of computer, used by one personat a time, that may or maynot be connected to network.

Computer software designed to provide the operating system and application software access to specific computer hardware.

An interface between the user and an operating system, which presents information in an intutitve graphical format that employs multiple colors, figures, icons, windows, toolbars, and other features. A GUI is usually deployed with a pointing device, such as a mouse, to make the user more productive.

The physical devices in a computer that you can touch (if you have the cover off), sich as the CPU, circuit boards (Cards), disk drives, monitor, and modem.

Input is information taken in a computer device to handle or process, such as characters typed at a keyboard. Output is information sent out by a computer device after that information is handled or processed, such as displaying the characters typed at the keyboard on the monitor.

An essential set of programs and computer code built into a computer operating system to control processor, disk, memory, and other functions central to the basic operation of a computer. The kernel communicates with the BIOS, device drives, and the API to perform these functionis. It also interfaces with the resource managers.

The first widely distributed operating system for microcomputers, created by Tim Patterson and a team, including Bill Gates, at Microsoft. This is generic computer code used to control many basic computer hardware and software functions. MS-DOS is sometimes referred to as DOS.