Learning Debian GNU/Linux

Glossary

Absolute Path

See Path.

Access Mode

An attribute of a file or directory, which determines what operations a user may perform on the file or directory.

Alias

An alternative name for a command.

Argument

A parameter that controls the operation of a program or command.

Background

A background program is temporarily suspended from execution and does not interact with the user. See Foreground.

BIOS (Basic Input/Output System)

The program built into a computer to control its operation, especially the booting of an operating system. Most computers let the user configure various BIOS options by means of a special screen or set of screens.

Boot diskette

A diskette that contains the parts of an operating system needed to start the operating system.

Boot Sector

A sector that contains a loader program for starting an operating system.

Browser

A client program that operates under user control, especially a web client.

Client

A program that makes a request (generally via a network) of a server.

Command Interpreter

A program that accepts commands and executes (interprets) them.

Daemon

A program that runs in the background; that is, without user interaction.

Desktop

A work environment provided by a graphical user interface, generally including a video monitor background, a screen saver, and one or more taskbars and icons.

Distribution

A combination of a Linux kernel, a suite of UNIX-like command programs, and other software for installing and maintaining a Linux system.

DNS (Domain Name Server)

A computer that translates ...