Software & Operating Systems terms
53 Software & Operating Systems terms explained in plain English.
- AndroidAndroid is an operating system for smartphones, tablets, TVs, watches, and cars, developed by Google and based on the Linux kernel.
- App StoreAn app store is an online marketplace where you can browse, download, and install software on your device.
- AutosaveAutosave is a feature that automatically saves your work at regular intervals without you having to do anything.
- Background App / ProcessA background app or process is software that runs on your device without being visible on your screen.
- Beta SoftwareBeta software is a version of a program that is still being tested before its official release.
- Blue Screen of Death (BSOD)The Blue Screen of Death, or BSOD, is a full-screen error message that appears on Windows computers when something goes seriously wrong at the system level.
- Boot / StartupBooting is the process your computer goes through when you turn it on.
- Browser cacheA browser cache is a storage area where your web browser saves copies of website files, such as images, logos, stylesheets, and scripts, so pages load faster on your next visit.
- ClipboardThe clipboard is an invisible holding area on your computer that temporarily stores anything you copy or cut.
- Container (software)A software container is a lightweight, self-contained package that holds an application along with the libraries, settings, and tools it needs to run.
- Crash / FreezeA crash happens when a program or your entire computer suddenly stops working and closes or shows an error message.
- Cron jobA cron job is a command or script scheduled to run automatically at specific times or intervals on Unix-like systems such as Linux and macOS.
- Dark modeDark mode is a display setting that switches apps and operating systems to light text on dark backgrounds instead of the usual dark text on white.
- Desktop App vs Web App vs Mobile AppA desktop app is software you install on your computer, like Microsoft Word or Photoshop.
- Device ManagerDevice Manager is a built-in Windows tool that lists all the hardware in and connected to a computer, such as graphics cards, network adapters, printers, and USB devices, along with their drivers.
- Driver (Device Driver)A device driver is a small piece of software that lets your computer communicate with a specific piece of hardware, like a printer, graphics card, or keyboard.
- Dual bootDual booting means installing two operating systems, such as Windows and Linux, on the same computer, then choosing which one to start each time it boots.
- Environment variableAn environment variable is a named value stored by the operating system that programs can read to learn about their surroundings, such as where to find other programs (PATH), the user's home folder, or which database to connect to.
- Factory ResetA factory reset erases all your personal data, settings, and installed apps, returning your device to the exact state it was in when it left the factory.
- File systemA file system is the method an operating system uses to organize, store, and find files on a drive, keeping track of names, folders, sizes, permissions, and where each piece of data lives.
- Freeware vs SharewareFreeware is software you can download and use completely free of charge, with no time limits.
- HTTP cookieAn HTTP cookie is a small piece of data a website saves in your browser so it can remember information about you between visits, such as keeping you logged in, saving your shopping cart, or remembering language settings.
- HypervisorA hypervisor is software that creates and runs virtual machines, dividing one physical computer's processor, memory, and storage among several isolated virtual computers. 'Type 1' hypervisors, such as VMware ESXi, Microsoft Hyper-V, and KVM, run directly on server hardware, while 'Type 2' hypervisors, such as VirtualBox and Parallels, run as apps on a desktop.
- iOSiOS is the operating system that runs on Apple's iPhones, with a close sibling called iPadOS for iPads.
- KernelThe kernel is the central part of an operating system.
- LinuxLinux is a free, open-source operating system kernel, the core software that manages a computer's hardware, first released by Linus Torvalds in 1991.
- macOSmacOS is the operating system Apple makes for its Mac desktop and laptop computers.
- MacroA macro is a set of recorded or programmed instructions that automates a repetitive task on your computer.
- Open Source SoftwareOpen source software is software whose underlying code is made freely available for anyone to view, modify, and share.
- Operating system (OS)An operating system (OS) is the main software that runs a computer, phone, or tablet.
- Package managerA package manager is a tool that installs, updates, and removes software automatically, keeping track of which versions are installed and what other components, called dependencies, each program needs.
- Plugin / Extension (Browser)A browser plugin or extension is a small add-on that gives your web browser extra abilities.
- Progressive web app (PWA)A progressive web app (PWA) is a website built with modern web technologies so it can be installed on a phone or computer and act like a regular app.
- Proprietary SoftwareProprietary software is software owned by a company or individual that keeps its source code private.
- Real-time operating system (RTOS)A real-time operating system (RTOS) is an operating system designed to respond to events within guaranteed, predictable time limits, often thousandths of a second.
- Safe ModeSafe Mode is a special way to start your computer that loads only the most essential programs and drivers.
- ScreenshotA screenshot, or screen capture, is an image of exactly what's displayed on a screen, saved as a picture file.
- SDK (software development kit)An SDK, or software development kit, is a bundle of tools, code libraries, documentation, and examples that helps developers build software for a specific platform, device, or service.
- Shortcut (Keyboard Shortcut)A keyboard shortcut is a combination of keys you press at the same time to perform an action quickly, without using the mouse.
- Shutdown vs Sleep vs HibernateShutdown completely turns off your computer, closing all programs and saving nothing in memory.
- System RestoreSystem Restore is a Windows feature that lets you roll back your computer's settings and system files to an earlier point in time.
- System Tray / Menu BarThe system tray is the small area in the bottom-right corner of a Windows screen that shows tiny icons for background programs like antivirus, Wi-Fi, and volume controls.
- Task ManagerTask Manager is a built-in tool on your computer that shows you everything running on your system.
- Undo / RedoUndo reverses your last action on a computer, like deleting text, moving a file, or changing a setting.
- UnicodeUnicode is an international standard that assigns a unique number to nearly every character in the world's writing systems, from English and French letters to Chinese characters, Arabic script, Indigenous syllabics, mathematical symbols, and emoji.
- Video codecA video codec (short for coder-decoder) is technology that compresses video into much smaller files for storage and streaming, then decompresses it for playback.
- Virtual MachineA virtual machine is a software-based computer that runs inside your actual computer.
- Virtual memoryVirtual memory is a technique that lets an operating system use space on a drive as an extension of RAM.
- Web browserA web browser is an app that fetches web pages from the internet and displays them, letting you search, shop, bank, stream, and use web apps such as Gmail or Microsoft 365.
- What Is Software?Software is the set of instructions that tells your computer, phone, or tablet what to do.
- Windows 10 end of supportWindows 10 end of support refers to October 14, 2025, the date Microsoft stopped providing free security updates, bug fixes, and technical help for Windows 10.
- Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) is a Windows feature that lets you run Linux distributions, such as Ubuntu, alongside Windows.
- Windows UpdateWindows Update is the built-in Windows service that downloads and installs security patches, bug fixes, feature upgrades, and some drivers from Microsoft.