Study the 19 vocabulary terms below. Then continue to the activities.
- CLI (command line interface)
- Compression
- Customizable
- Device driver
- Efficient manner
- File permissions
- Format
- Foundational
- GUI (graphical user interface)
- Hidden file
- HCI (Human-Computer Interaction)
- Kernel
- Linux
- Multitasking
- OS (operating system)
- Sign in
- Sign out
- Ubuntu
- VM (virtual machine)
Noun (thing)
a text-only link between a computer and its operator
The technician enjoyed administering the Unix server with the CLI tools.
Noun (thing)
a method of packing data in order to save disk storage space or download time
Zip and mp3 are examples of two common file compression algorithms.
Adjective
able to be changed or adjusted to fit a user’s personal needs or preferences
Most operating systems today are customizable, allowing users to change themes, security settings, and default applications.
Noun (thing)
software which converts the data from a component or peripheral into data that an operating system can use
The IT support technician asked the end user if he had recently updated any device drivers.
Collocation
a way of doing something that saves time, energy, or resources
Good programmers write code in an efficient manner so that it runs quickly and uses less memory.
Noun (thing)
a set of strict rules for controlling read, write, and execute access to a file or directory
The company switched from FAT32 to NTFS file system because the former did not support file permissions.
Noun (thing)
prepare a device to store data, erasing any existing data
One must format a flash memory drive or a hard disk drive before it can be used to store data.
Adjective
something that is basic and important because other things are built on it
Concrete and steel are foundational elements of a building, because they support all the floors above.
Noun (thing)
an icon based link between a computer and its operator
Most users prefer an icon-based GUI over a command line option.
Noun (thing)
a file which does not appear by default in a directory listing; normally for security reasons or to spare confusion in end users
The administrator was upset when the end user found a way to display and then delete several hidden files.
Noun (concept)
how people and computers work together, especially through screens, keyboards, and other controls.
A consultant with a deep background in HCI was called in to study the usability of the proposed operating system changes.
Noun (thing)
the fundamental part of an operating system responsible for resource management and file access
The system administrator needed to upgrade the kernel in order to provide native support for Serial ATA drives.
Proper noun (thing)
an open source version of Unix developed by Linus Torvalds
Linux was originally developed by Linus Torvalds, who wanted a free Unix-like operating system that ran on standard PC hardware.
Noun (thing)
concurrent execution of two or more tasks by a processor
UNIX is the original multitasking environment and was designed from the beginning to share resources over a network.
Noun (thing)
a GUI or CLI software link between the computer and operator; also provides a framework for productivity software such as an office suite, web browser, or programming languages
The programmer tested his Java code on many operating systems including: Windows, Linux, and Macintosh.
Verb (infinitive)
to enter information related to an account name and its password in order to access a computer resource
The man could not sign in to his Windows computer because he forgot his username and password.
Verb (infinitive)
to end a session with computer or network resource
The server was set to automatically sign out users after 10 minutes of inactivity.
Proper noun (thing)
a popular linux distribution based on Debian linux and available in both desktop and server editions
Ubuntu is a popular linux operating system known for its compatibility, driver support, and long term support options
Noun (thing)
a software program which mimics the performance of one or more hardware devices in order to run software independently of the actual hardware
In order to run Java programs in Windows one needs to download an appropriate virtual machine.