syscall

noun

UK /ˈsɪs.kɔːl/

US /ˈsɪs.kɑːl/

A syscall is a way for a computer program to ask the computer's brain to do something for it.

The program made a syscall to read the file from the disk.

SYNONYMS

system call kernel call service call supervisor call

RELATED WORDS

kernel operating system API interrupt process

OTHER MEANINGS

2. A request from a program to the operating system for a service such as reading a file or starting a process.

Opening a network connection requires a syscall.

3. The instruction or mechanism a program uses to switch from user mode into kernel mode.

The debugger traced each syscall the application made.

4. In computing slang, any low-level call that crosses the boundary between a program and the operating system.

Too many syscalls can slow down a program.