AI engineering glossary · Computing foundations
What is system call?
System call (also called syscall): A controlled request from a program to the operating system kernel to perform a privileged action, such as reading a file, creating a process or sending network data. It is the only doorway from user programs into the kernel.
System call: an example
When Python's open() reads a file, it ends up making an operating-system read call on your behalf.
Related terms
More Computing foundations terms
Where you learn it
System call is part of the AI Engineering Program, which teaches it with notes, a hands-on lab and an exam. The first lesson is free.