Computer fundamentals Computer fundamentals Computer Software What is

Computer fundamentals Computer fundamentals Computer Software

What is software ? Computer fundamentals Computer fundamentals • The term software refers to a collection of programs. • A program is a sequence of instructions written in a language, which can be understood by a computer. • A software package is a group of programs, which solve a specific problem, or perform a specific type of job. 2/6/2022 Afroza Nahar 2

What is software ? Computer fundamentals Computer fundamentals • Consists of computer programs and data files that work together to provide a computer with the instructions and data necessary for carrying out a specific type of task 2/6/2022 Afroza Nahar 3

Relation between Hardware and Software Computer fundamentals Computer fundamentals • In order for a computer to produce useful output, its hardware and software must work together. Nothing useful can be done with the computer hardware on its own, and software cannot be utilized without supporting hardware. • To take an analogy, a cassette player and the cassette purchased from marker are hardware. However, the songs recorded on the cassettes are its software. To listen to a particular song , first of all that song has to be recorded on one of the cassettes, which should then be mounted on the cassette player, and played. • Similarly, to get a particular job done by a computer, the corresponding software should be loaded in the hardware, before processing starts. 2/6/2022 Afroza Nahar 4

Types of Software Computer fundamentals Computer fundamentals • Although, the range of software available today is vast and varied, most software can be divided two major categories: • System software • Application software 2/6/2022 Afroza Nahar 5

System software Computer fundamentals Computer fundamentals – Programs that control the operations of the computer – Serves as the interface between the user, the application software, and the computer’s hardware 2/6/2022 Afroza Nahar 6

System software (cont…) Computer fundamentals Computer fundamentals • Some of the most commonly known types of system software : – Operating system. Every computer has an operating system software, which takes care of the effective and efficient utilization of all the hardware and software component of the computer system. – Programming Language translators. Programming language translators are system software , which transform the instructions prepared by programmers in a programming language, into a form , which can be interpreted and executed by a computer system. 2/6/2022 Afroza Nahar 7

System software (cont…) Computer fundamentals Computer fundamentals • Communications software. In a network environment ( where multiple computers are interconnected together by communications network), communications software enables transfer of data and programs from one computer system to another. • Utility programs ( also known as utilities ) are a set of programs, which help users in system maintenance tasks and in performing tassels of routine nature. Some of the tasks commonly performed by utility programs include formatting of hard disks or floppy disks taking backup of files stored on hard disk on to a tape or floppy disk, sorting of the records stored in a file in a particular order based on some key field(s), etc 2/6/2022 Afroza Nahar 8

How do you start an application? Computer fundamentals Computer fundamentals – From the desktop, click the Start button, point to All Programs, and click the name of the application – The program’s instructions load into memory Application 2/6/2022 Start button All Programs Afroza Nahar 9

What is a window? Computer fundamentals Computer fundamentals Ø A rectangular area of the screen that displays a program, data, and/or information Menu Bar 2/6/2022 Afroza Nahar 10

Application Software Computer fundamentals Computer fundamentals Ø Programs that perform specific tasks for users 2/6/2022 Afroza Nahar 11

Application Software (cont…) Computer fundamentals Computer fundamentals • Some of the most commonly known application software : – – – – 2/6/2022 Word-Processing Software: Spreadsheet Software Database Software Graphics Software Personal Assistance Software Education Software Entertainment Software Afroza Nahar 12

What is word processing software? Computer fundamentals Computer fundamentals – Allows users to create and manipulate text and graphics • Clip art is a collection of graphics that you can insert in documents 2/6/2022 Afroza Nahar 13

What are popular word processing features? Computer fundamentals Computer fundamentals Auto. Correct Columns Auto. Format Grammar Checker Tracking Changes 2/6/2022 Ink Input Reading Layout Mail Merge Smart Tags Collaboration Tables Macros Research Templates Voice Recognition Afroza Nahar Thesaurus Web Page Development 14

What is a spreadsheet? Computer fundamentals Computer fundamentals • Spreadsheet - numerical model or representation of a real situation – Checkbook • To use spreadsheet software, you: – Enter numbers – Indicate how the computer should manipulate those numbers • Particularly useful for what-if analysis 2/6/2022 Afroza Nahar 15

What does a computerized spreadsheet look like? Computer fundamentals Computer fundamentals • Worksheets – An on-screen spreadsheet – Based on grid of columns and rows • Cell - intersection of columns and rows • A cell can contain – Numbers (values) – Labels – Formulas (tells computer how to calculate) 2/6/2022 Afroza Nahar 16

Computer fundamentals Computer fundamentals = A 1+B 2 (*C 12) = D 1+E 2 (*F 12) = SUM (C 12: Y 12) 2/6/2022 Afroza Nahar 17

What does a computerized spreadsheet look like? Computer fundamentals Computer fundamentals 2/6/2022 Afroza Nahar 18

How does spreadsheet software work? Computer fundamentals Computer fundamentals • Cell reference - unique address given to cell – A 1 = column A, row 1 • You can modify a spreadsheet by – Changing text, numbers, formulas – Inserting rows and columns – Deleting rows and columns • Formulas can contain – Cell references – Mathematical operators – Numbers 2/6/2022 Afroza Nahar 19

How does spreadsheet software work? Computer fundamentals Computer fundamentals 2/6/2022 Afroza Nahar 20

What is database software? Computer fundamentals Computer fundamentals • Database software helps you to enter, find, organize, update and report information stored in a database Allows you to create and manage data Add, change, delete, sort, and retrieve data 2/6/2022 Afroza Nahar 21

What are the parts of a database? Computer fundamentals Computer fundamentals – A table contains records – A record is a row in a table that contains information about a given person, product, or event – A field is a column in a table that contains a specific piece of information within a record 2/6/2022 Afroza Nahar 22

What is database software? Computer fundamentals Computer fundamentals 2/6/2022 Afroza Nahar 23

Graphics and Multimedia Software Computer fundamentals Computer fundamentals • What are some popular graphics and multimedia software products? 2/6/2022 Afroza Nahar 24

What kind of software do I need to work with drawings, photos, and other pictures? Computer fundamentals Computer fundamentals • Graphics – refers to any picture, drawing, sketch, photograph, image or icon that appears on your computer screen • Graphics Software – Paint software – Photo editing software – Drawing software – 3 -D graphics software 2/6/2022 Afroza Nahar 25

What kind of software do I need to work with drawings, photos, and other pictures? Computer fundamentals Computer fundamentals • CAD software (computer-aided design software) Software that allows you to create engineering, architectural, and scientific designs 2/6/2022 Afroza Nahar 26

What is presentation graphics software? Computer fundamentals Computer fundamentals – Used to create visual aids for presentations – A presentation is sometimes called a slide show 2/6/2022 Afroza Nahar 27

What is video and audio editing software? Computer fundamentals Computer fundamentals – Video editing software allows you to modify a segment of a video, called a clip – Audio editing software allows you to modify audio clips 2/6/2022 Afroza Nahar 28

What is Web page authoring software? Computer fundamentals Computer fundamentals – Allows users of all skill levels to create Web pages • Some application software programs include Web page authoring programs video audio 2/6/2022 graphical images animation organize manage maintain Afroza Nahar Web pages and/or Web sites 29

Educational software Computer fundamentals Computer fundamentals • Educational software helps you to learn and practice new skills – Mind. Twister Math – 3 -D Froggy Phonics – SAT – GMAT – LSAT 2/6/2022 Afroza Nahar 30

Application Software for Communications Computer fundamentals Computer fundamentals • What software facilitates communication? Web browsers E-mail FTP 2/6/2022 Chat rooms Newsgroups Afroza Nahar Video conferencing Instant messaging 31

Application Software on the Web Computer fundamentals Computer fundamentals • What is a Web application? – A software application that exists on a Web site, such as maps and directions • Some Web applications store your data and information at their site • Some are free 2/6/2022 Afroza Nahar 32

Applications on the Web Computer fundamentals Computer fundamentals • What is an application service provider (ASP)? Third-party organization that manages and distributes software and services on the Web 2/6/2022 Allows companies to outsource information technology (IT) needs Afroza Nahar 33

Learning Aids and Support Tools for Application Software Computer fundamentals Computer fundamentals • What is a wizard? Ø 2/6/2022 An automated assistant that helps you complete a task Afroza Nahar 34

Business Software Computer fundamentals Computer fundamentals • What is business software? Ø 2/6/2022 Software that assists people in becoming more effective and efficient Afroza Nahar 35

What is note taking software? Computer fundamentals Computer fundamentals Ø Ø 2/6/2022 Enables users to enter typed text, handwritten comments, drawings, or sketches anywhere on the page Notes are organized like a notebook Afroza Nahar 36

What is PDA software? Computer fundamentals Computer fundamentals – Allows PDA users to create documents, take notes, manage budgets, view photographs, and more – Most include personal information manager (PIM) software • Calendar, address book, synchronization with desktop computer 2/6/2022 Afroza Nahar 37

What is a software suite? Computer fundamentals Computer fundamentals A collection of individual applications sold as a single package Two major advantages: lower cost 2/6/2022 Afroza Nahar ease of use 38

What is project management software? Computer fundamentals Computer fundamentals Ø 2/6/2022 Allows you to plan, schedule, track, and analyze the events, resources, and costs of a project Afroza Nahar 39

What is accounting software? Computer fundamentals Computer fundamentals Ø 2/6/2022 Helps companies record and report their financial transactions Afroza Nahar 40

Acquiring Software Computer fundamentals Computer fundamentals • A user can acquire a desired software in one or more of the following ways – By buying pre-written software – By ordering customized software – By developing customized software – By downloading public-domain software • Each of these ways of acquiring software has its own advantages and limitations. 2/6/2022 Afroza Nahar 41

Software Development Steps Computer fundamentals Computer fundamentals • Developing a software and putting it to use is a complex process, which involves the following steps: • Analyzing the problem at hand, and putting the program (s) to solve the problem. • Coding the program(s). • Testing, debugging and documenting the program(s) • Implementing the program(s) • Evaluating and maintaining the program(s) 2/6/2022 Afroza Nahar 42

Document Production Software: How can my computer help me with my writing? Computer fundamentals Computer fundamentals • Word processing software • Desktop publishing software • Web authoring software 2/6/2022 Afroza Nahar 43

What is a software suite? Computer fundamentals Computer fundamentals • A collection of application software sold as a single package – – 2/6/2022 Microsoft Office Star Office Open Office Word. Perfect Office Afroza Nahar 44

What’s the best-selling entertainment software? Computer fundamentals Computer fundamentals • Over $6 billion of computer and video games are sold each year in the U. S. alone – 90% are people 18 and older – 13% are people over 50 – About 43% are women 2/6/2022 Afroza Nahar 45

What’s the best-selling entertainment software? Computer fundamentals Computer fundamentals • Computer games – Role-playing – Action – Adventure – Puzzle – Simulation – Sports – Strategy 2/6/2022 Afroza Nahar 46

Software Copyrights: Is it legal to copy software? Computer fundamentals Computer fundamentals • A copyright is a form of legal protection – Purchaser has right to copy software to a computer’s hard disk in order to install it – Purchaser can make a backup copy – Purchaser is allowed to copy and distribute sections of a software program for use in critical reviews and teaching • Most software displays a copyright notice 2/6/2022 Afroza Nahar 47

Software Licenses: What is a software license? Computer fundamentals Computer fundamentals • A software license is a legal contract that defines the ways in which you may use a computer program • A shrink-wrap license goes into effect as soon as you open the packaging 2/6/2022 Afroza Nahar 48

Are all software licenses similar? Computer fundamentals Computer fundamentals • • • Commercial software Shareware Freeware Open source software Public domain software 2/6/2022 Afroza Nahar 49

Computer fundamentals Computer fundamentals • An installation agreement is displayed on the screen when you first install the software 2/6/2022 Afroza Nahar 50