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Vocabulary

Foundation Track - Operating Systems & Command Line Terms

Operating System Terms​

Operating System (OS)​

Software that manages computer hardware and runs applications
Like a manager coordinating between users, applications, and hardware

Desktop OS​

Operating system designed for personal computers and workstations
Examples: Windows 10/11, macOS, Ubuntu Desktop

Server OS​

Operating system designed for multi-user, 24/7 business operations
Examples: Windows Server, Linux Server distributions

Kernel​

Core component of OS that manages hardware and system resources
The "engine" that makes everything work together

Process​

Running program or application in computer memory
Each app you open creates one or more processes

Service (Windows) / Daemon (Linux)​

Background program that runs automatically without user interaction
Like invisible workers that keep systems running

Windows Server Terms​

Active Directory (AD)​

Centralized database that manages users, computers, and permissions
Like a company phonebook with security rules

Domain Controller​

Server that manages Active Directory authentication and authorization
The "security guard" that checks who can access what

Domain​

Group of computers managed centrally by Active Directory
Like all employees of a company working under same rules

Organizational Unit (OU)​

Container in Active Directory for organizing users and computers
Like departments in a company (Marketing OU, Finance OU)

Group Policy​

Rules applied automatically to users and computers in domain
Like company policies that everyone must follow

Server Manager​

Central console for managing Windows Server roles and features
Control panel for entire server infrastructure

NTFS Permissions​

File and folder security system in Windows
Controls who can read, write, or modify files

Share​

Folder made available over network for other users to access
Like a communal filing cabinet everyone can use

Linux Terms​

Distribution (Distro)​

Complete Linux operating system package with specific features
Examples: Ubuntu, CentOS, Red Hat Enterprise Linux

Shell​

Command-line interface for interacting with Linux system
Like a conversation window with the computer

Terminal​

Application that provides access to command line shell
The window where you type commands

Root User​

Administrative account with unlimited system access
Like having master keys to entire building

Sudo​

Command that allows regular users to run administrative tasks
Temporary administrative privileges for specific commands

Package Manager​

Tool for installing, updating, and removing software
Examples: apt (Ubuntu), yum (CentOS), rpm (Red Hat)

Mount​

Making a storage device accessible through file system
Like connecting a USB drive so you can use it

Daemon​

Background service that runs continuously
Linux equivalent of Windows services

File System and Permissions​

File System​

Method for organizing and storing files on storage devices
Like the organizational system in a filing cabinet

Directory/Folder​

Container that holds files and other directories
Digital equivalent of file folders

Path​

Location of file or directory in file system hierarchy
Like address showing exactly where something is stored

Absolute Path​

Complete path from root directory to specific file/folder
Linux: /home/john/documents/report.txt

Relative Path​

Path relative to current directory location
documents/report.txt (when already in /home/john/)

File Permissions​

Rules controlling who can access and modify files
Read, Write, Execute permissions for Owner, Group, Others

chmod​

Linux command to change file permissions
Like changing locks on doors

chown​

Linux command to change file ownership
Transferring ownership of files to different user

Command Line Terms​

Command Line Interface (CLI)​

Text-based method of interacting with computer
Typing commands instead of clicking icons

Command Prompt​

Windows command-line interface
Basic text interface for Windows systems

PowerShell​

Advanced Windows command-line and scripting environment
More powerful than basic Command Prompt

Bash​

Common Linux shell and command interpreter
Default command-line interface on many Linux systems

Script​

File containing series of commands executed automatically
Like a recipe that computer follows step-by-step

Batch File​

Windows script file with .bat extension
Automates multiple Windows commands

Shell Script​

Linux script file for automating command sequences
Usually starts with #!/bin/bash

Pipe (|)​

Sends output of one command as input to another
Chains commands together like assembly line

Redirect (> >>)​

Sends command output to file instead of screen
> overwrites file, >> appends to file

Wildcard (*)​

Character representing any number of other characters
*.txt finds all files ending with .txt

System Administration Terms​

User Account​

Identity and permissions assigned to person using system
Digital identity with specific access rights

Group​

Collection of users with similar access permissions
Like job roles with common responsibilities

Administrator/Root​

User account with full system control and access
Like having master key to entire building

Log File​

Record of system events, errors, and activities
Digital diary of what happened on system

Event Viewer​

Windows tool for viewing system logs and events
Like reading the system's diary

Systemd​

Modern Linux service management system
Controls which programs start automatically

Registry​

Windows database storing system and application settings
Central storage for all configuration information

Environment Variable​

System setting that programs can read and use
Like global settings available to all applications

Network and Security Terms​

DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol)​

Service that automatically assigns IP addresses to devices
Like automatic name tag system for network devices

DNS (Domain Name System)​

Service that converts website names to IP addresses
Like phonebook converting names to phone numbers

Firewall​

Security system that controls network traffic
Digital security guard checking who can enter/exit

Port​

Numbered endpoint for network communications
Like different doors for different types of traffic

Service​

Program that provides specific network functionality
Web server, email server, database server

Protocol​

Set of rules for network communication
Like language that computers use to talk

System Monitoring Terms​

CPU Usage​

Percentage of processor capacity being used
How hard the computer's brain is working

Memory Usage​

Amount of RAM currently being used by system and applications
How much temporary storage is being used

Disk Usage​

Amount of storage space used on hard drives
How full your digital filing cabinets are

Load Average​

Measure of system activity and resource demand
How busy the system is overall

Uptime​

Length of time system has been running without restart
How long system has been working continuously

Process ID (PID)​

Unique number assigned to each running process
Like employee ID number for each running program

Study Tips​

How to Master These Terms​

  1. Practice with real systems - Use terms while working with actual Windows and Linux systems
  2. Create concept maps - Draw connections between related terms
  3. Use analogies - Connect technical terms to familiar concepts
  4. Teach others - Explain terms to colleagues or friends
  5. Apply in context - Use terms when discussing real business scenarios

Memory Techniques​

  • Active Directory = Company Phonebook - Central directory of all employees
  • Root User = Master Key Holder - Has access to everything
  • Shell = Conversation with Computer - Command line is like talking to system
  • Daemon/Service = Invisible Worker - Programs working behind the scenes

Practice Exercises​

  • Explain to non-technical person - Can you describe Active Directory to your grandmother?
  • Compare platforms - How are Windows services similar to Linux daemons?
  • Real-world scenarios - When would you use command line vs. graphical interface?
  • Troubleshooting context - How do these terms help when solving problems?

Quick Self-Test​

  • Can I explain each term without looking at the definition?
  • Do I understand how these terms relate to each other?
  • Can I give real business examples for each concept?
  • Would I feel confident using these terms in a professional discussion?