Chapter 4: Software Basics: The Ghost in the Machine

Objectives:
1. Computer Components
2. Bits and Bytes
3. CPU and its Features

4. Memory Features
5. Types of Memory
6. Buses, Slots and Ports

1. AlgorithmSet of step-by-step instructions that, when

19. Fragmented fileA file allocated to noncontiguous

completed, solves a problem.

clusters.

2. BootingLoading the non-ROM part of the operating

20. Defragmentation utilityEliminates as many fragmented

system into the main memory (RAM).

files as possible by changing the assignments of clusters to

3. BugsErrors in a software program.

files.

4. Debugging fixing\Correcting errors (bugs) in software.

21. Device driversSmall programs that enable IO devices

5. Command-line interfaceUser interface that requires the

keyboard, mouse, printers, and othersto communicate

user to type commands on a command line to

with the computer.

communicate with the operating system.

22. DocumentationPrinted instructions for installing and

6. Graphical user interface (GUI)User interface based on

using software.

graphical displays.

23. End-user license agreement (EULA)Disclaimer included

7. MenuOn-screen list of command choices.

with many software packages.

8. Menu-driven interfaceUser interface that allows user to

24. High-level languageLanguage that falls somewhere

choose commands from on-screen lists called menus.

between natural human language and machine language

9. CompatibilityAbility of software program to run on a

such as C++ and Java.

specific computer system.

25. Machine languageLanguage that computers use to

10. CompilerTranslator program that translates and

process instructions; It uses numeric codes to represent

compiles a complete program written in a high-level

basic computer operations.

programming language to machine language so it can run

26. Natural languageLanguages that people speak and write

on the PC.

every day.

11. Pop-up menusMenus that can appear anywhere on the

27. System softwareSoftware that handles the details of

screen when a certain action is performed.

computing; includes the operating system and utility

12. Context-sensitive menusMenus that offer choices based

programs.

on what onscreen object is selected.

28. Operating system (OS)System of programs that perform

13. CopyrightLaws that have traditionally protected forms of

a variety of technical operations, providing an additional

literary expression, including books, plays, songs, paintings,

layer of insulation between the user and the bits-and-bytes

programs, photographs, and movies.

world of computer hardware.

14. Copyrighted softwareLegal protection against

29. Utility programTools for doing system maintenance and

duplicating software for distribution to others.

some repairs that arent automatically handled by the

15. Consumer applicationApplication programmed for a

operating system.

specific client.

30. LinuxAn open-source operating system.

16. File-management utilityA program that lets the user

31. UNIXOperating system that allows a timesharing

view, rename, copy, move, and delete files and folders.

computer to communicate with several other computers or

17. PathnameAn identifier that specifies a file and folder and

terminals at once.

the folders in which it is contained.

18. Root directoryThe main folder on the hard drive.
1

32. Mac OSFirst operating system with a graphical user

interface, introduced in 1984 with the Apple Macintosh
computer.
33. Microsoft WindowsOperating system with a graphical
user interface.
34. MS-DOSMicrosoft Disk Operating System; the original
Microsoft operating system; MS-DOS has a command line
user interface.
35. Multitasking When the computer executes many
programs/ tasks/ instructions on the same time.

36. Open-source softwareSource code that is open and

available for others to use & modify.
37. Public-domain softwareFree software that is not
copyrighted.
38. SharewareSoftware that is free for the trying, with a
send-payment-if-you-keep-it honor system.
39. PlatformCombination of hardware and operating system
software on which application software is built.
40. Software licenseAgreement allowing the use of a
software program on a single machine.
41. Software piracyThe illegal duplication of copyrighted
software.
42. UpdateThe latest version of software or patches.
43. UpgradeNew and improved version of a software
program.
44. User interface (UI)Look and feel of the computing
experience from a human point of view; Its the layer that
allows the user to communicate with the operating System.
45. Vertical-market applicationComputer application
designed specifically for a particular business or industry.