Computer software Software Software Software programs or instructions

Computer software

Software Software- Software programs or instructions that a computer must follow to do its task. The purpose of software is to process data into useful information for people. Software today often has a graphical user interface. With a graphical user interface (GUI pronounced gooey), you interact with the software using text, graphics, and visual images such as icons.

An icon is a miniature image that represents a program, an instruction, or some other object.

Categories of software The two categories of software system software and application software. System Software System software consists of the programs that control or maintain the operations of the computer and its devices. System software serves as the interface between the user, the application software, and the computer’s hardware. Two types of system software the operating system and utility programs.

Two types of system software the operating system and utility programs. Operating System An operating system is a set of programs that coordinates all the activities among computer hardware devices. It provides a means for users to communicate with the computer and other software. Many of today’s computers use Microsoft’s Windows or Mac OS, Apple’s operating system.

Utility Program A utility program allows a user to perform maintenancetype tasks usually related to managing a computer, its devices, or its programs. For example, you can use a utility program to transfer digital photos to an optical disc. Most operating systems include several utility programs for managing disk drives, printers, and other devices and media. You also can buy utility programs that allow you to perform additional computer management functions.

Application Software Application software consists of programs designed to make users more productive and/or assist them with personal tasks. A widely used type of application software related to communications is a Web browser, which allows users with an Internet connection to access and view Web pages or access programs.

v. Other popular application software includes word processing software, spreadsheet software, database software, and presentation software. Many other types of application software exist that enable users to perform a variety of tasks. These include personal information management, note taking, project management, accounting, document management, computer-aided design, desktop publishing, paint/image editing, audio and video editing, multimedia authoring, Web page authoring, personal finance, legal, tax preparation, home design/landscaping, travel and mapping, education, reference, and entertainment (e. g. , games or simulations).

Installing and running programs Installing is the process of setting up software to work with the computer, printer, and other hardware. When you buy a computer, it usually has some software preinstalled on its hard disk. To begin installing additional software from an optical disc, insert the program disc in an optical disc drive. To install downloaded software, the Web site typically provides instructions for how to install the program on your hard disk.

To begin installing additional software from an optical disc, insert the program disc in an optical disc drive. To install downloaded software, the Web site typically provides instructions for how to install the program on your hard disk.

Once installed, you can run the program. When you instruct the computer to run an installed program, the computer loads it, which means the program is copied from storage to memory. Once in memory, the computer can carry out, or execute, the instructions in the program so that you can use the program.

Software development A programmer, sometimes called a developer, is someone who develops software or writes the instructions that direct the computer to process data into information. Complex programs can require thousands to millions of instructions. Programmers use a programming language or program development tool to create computer programs.

Application Software Application software consists of programs designed to make users more productive and/or assist them with personal tasks. Application software has a variety of uses: 1. To make business activities more efficient 2. To assist with graphics and multimedia projects 3. To support home, personal, and educational tasks 4. To facilitate communications

Four categories of Application Software 1. Business 2. Graphics and Multimedia 3. Home/personal/Educational 4. Communications

Business software is application software that assists people in becoming more effective and efficient while performing their daily business activities. Business software includes programs such as word processing, spreadsheet, database, presentation, note taking, personal information manager, business software for phones, business software suites, project management, accounting, document management, and enterprise computing software.

Word processing software, sometimes called a word processor, allows users to create and manipulate documents containing mostly text and sometimes graphics. Millions of people use word processing software every day to develop documents such as letters, memos, reports, mailing labels, newsletters, and Web pages. A major advantage of using word processing software is that users easily can change what they have written. Word processing software also has many features to make documents look professional and visually appealing. For example, you can change the shape, size, and color of characters; apply special effects such as three-dimensional shadows.

Examples of word processing Microsoft Word Apple Pages Corel Word. Perfect

Spreadsheet Software allows users to organize data in rows and columns and perform calculations on the data. These rows and columns collectively are called a worksheet. Most spreadsheet software has basic features to help users create, edit, and format worksheets.

Examples of spreadsheet Microsoft Excel Open. Office Calc Apple. Numbers

Database Software A database is a collection of data organized in a manner that allows access, retrieval, and use of that data. In a manual database, you might record data on paper and store it in a filing cabinet. With a computerized database, the computer stores the data in an electronic format on a storage medium such as a hard disk.

Database software is application software that allows users to create, access, and manage a database. Using database software, you can add, change, and delete data in a database; sort and retrieve data from the database; and create forms and reports using the data in the database.

With most personal computer database programs, a database consists of a collection of tables, organized in rows and columns. Each row, called a record, contains data about a given person, product, object, or event. Each column, called a field, contains a specific category of data within a record. Example: Corel Paradox Microsoft Access Sun MYSQL

Presentation Software is application software that allows users to create visual aids for presentations to communicate ideas, messages, and other information to a group. The presentations can be viewed as slides, sometimes called a slide show, that are displayed on a large monitor or on a projection screen

Presentation software typically provides a variety of predefined presentation formats that define complementary colors for backgrounds, text, and graphical accents on the slides. This software also provides a variety of layouts for each individual slide such as a title slide, a two-column slide, and a slide with clip art, a chart, a table, or a diagram. In addition, you can enhance any text, charts, and graphical images on a slide with 3 -D, animation, and other special effects such as shading, shadows, and textures.

When building a presentation, users can set the slide timing so that the presentation automatically displays the next slide after a preset delay. Presentation software allows you to apply special effects to the transition between slides. One slide, for example, might fade away as the next slide appears.

Example: Microsoft Powerpoint Apple Keynote Impress Corel Presentations

Note Taking Software Note taking software is application software that enables users to enter typed text, handwritten comments, drawings, or sketches anywhere on a page and then save the page as part of a notebook. Users also can include audio recordings as part of their notes. Users find note taking software convenient during meetings, class lectures conferences, in libraries, and other settings that previously required a pencil and tablet of paper for recording thoughts and discussions.

Example: Microsoft One. Note Agilix Go. Binder Corel Grafigo Snap. Files Key. Note

Project Management Software -allows a user to plan, schedule, track, and analyze the events, resources, and costs of a project. Project management software helps users manage project variables, allowing them to complete a project on time and within budget. A customer service manager might use project management software to schedule the process of administering customer surveys, evaluating responses, and presenting recommendations.

Examples: CS Odessa Concept. Draw PROJECT Microsoft Project Oracle Primavera Sure. Trak Project Manager

r e g a n a M n o i t a m r o f n I Personal Software Perso nal Info rmatio A p n Mana ersona ger Sof l softwa inform tware ation re tha t book, notepa includes an manager (P IM person d al infor , and other appointment ) is applic mation feature a Mob c. ile dev s to he alendar, add tion ices su lp user ress among c s h organiz synchr many other as smart p e onize, h o mobile or coo features, PI nes and PD M r organiz device an dinate, infor functionali As include, d you ty. Yo mation u can inform ation’s serve r so tha person r have ation. al com t both t the lat he puter est ver and/or sion of any up dated

Business Software for phones In addition to PIM software, a huge variety of business and other software is available for phones. Some software is preloaded on the phone, while other programs can be downloaded or accessed on memory cards. Business software for phones enables users to create documents and worksheets, manage databases and lists, create slide shows, take notes, manage budgets and finances, view and edit photos, read electronic books, plan travel routes, compose and read e-mail messages, send instant messages, send text and picture messages, view maps and directions, read the latest news articles, and browse the Web.

Examples CNet. X Pocket Slide. Show Data. Viz Documents To Go Microsoft Word Mobile Excel Mobile Power. Point Mobile Outlook Mobile

Accounting Software Accounting software helps companies record and report their financial transactions. With accounting software, business users perform accounting activities related to the general ledger, accounts receivable, accounts payable, purchasing, invoicing, and payroll functions. Accounting software also enables business users to write and print checks, track checking account activity, and update and reconcile balances on demand.

The cost of accounting software for small businesses ranges from less than one hundred to several thousand dollars. Accounting software for large businesses can cost several hundred thousand dollars. Example: Intuit Quick. Books Microsoft Accounting Sage Software Peachtree

Document Management Software It provides a means for sharing, distributing, and searching through documents by converting them into a format that can be viewed by any user. A popular file format that document management software uses to save converted documents is PDF (Portable Document Format), developed by Adobe Systems. To view and print a PDF file, you need Acrobat Reader software , which can be downloaded free from Adobe’s Web site.

Examples Adobe Acrobat Enfocus Pit. Stop Nuance PDF Converter

GRAPHICS AND MULTIMEDIA SOFTWARE Many people work with software designed specifically for their field of work. Power users such as engineers, architects, desktop publishers, and graphic artists often use sophisticated software that allows them to work with graphics and multimedia. This software includes computer-aided design, desktop publishing, paint/image editing, photo editing, video and audio editing, multimedia authoring, and Web page authoring.

Computer-Aided Design is a sophisticated type of application software that assists a professional user in creating engineering, architectural, and scientific designs. For example, engineers create design plans for vehicles and security systems. Architects design building structures and floor plans. Scientists design drawings of molecular structures.

Examples of CAD Autodesk Auto. CAD Chief Architect Microsoft Visio

Desktop Publishing Software (for the Professional) Enables professional designers to create sophisticated documents that contain text, graphics, and many colors. Professional DTP software is ideal for the production of highquality color documents such as textbooks, corporate newsletters, marketing literature, product catalogs, and annual reports. Designers and graphic artists can print finished publications on a color printer, take them to a professional printer, or post them on the Web in a format

Examples of desktop publishing software Adobe In. Design Corel Ventura Quark. XPress

Paint/Image Editing Software (for the Professional) Paint software, also called illustration software, allows users to draw pictures, shapes, and other graphical images with various on-screen tools such as a pen, brush, eyedropper, and paint bucket. Image editing software provides the capabilities of paint software and also includes the capability to enhance and modify existing pictures and images. Modifications can include adjusting or enhancing image colors, adding special effects

Examples Paint/Image Editing software for professional Adobe Illustrator Corel Painter Microsoft Expression Design

Photo Editing (for the Professional) Adobe Photoshop Arcadia Photo. Perfect Ultimate Nik Software Nik Professional Suite

Professional photo editing software is a type of image editing software that allows photographers, video graphers, engineers, scientists, and other high-volume digital photo users to edit and customize digital photos. With professional photo editing software, users can retouch photos, crop images, remove red-eye, change image shapes, colorcorrect images, straighten images, remove or rearrange objects in a photo, and apply filters.

Video and Audio Editing Software (for the Professional) Video editing software allows professionals to modify a segment of a video, called a clip. For example, users can reduce the length of a video clip, reorder a series of clips, or add special effects such as words that move horizontally across the screen. Audio editing software lets users modify audio clips, produce studio quality soundtracks, and add audio to video clips. Most television shows and movies are created or enhanced using video and audio editing software.

Adobe Audition, Premiere Pro, Soundbooth Avid Technology Avid Media Composer Cakewalk SONAR Sony ACID Pro

Multimedia Authoring Software allows users to combine text, graphics, audio, video, and animation in an interactive application. With this software, users control the placement of text and images and the duration of sounds, video, and animation. Once created, multimedia presentations often take the form of interactive computer- based presentations or Web-based presentations designed to facilitate learning, demonstrate product functionality, and elicit direct-user participation.

Training centers, educational institutions, and online magazine publishers all use multi media authoring software to develop interactive applications.

Examples Adobe Director Agilix Go. Course Sum. Total Systems Tool. Book Instructor

Web Page Authoring Software helps users of all skill levels create Web pages that include graphical images, video, audio, animation, and special effects with interactive content. In addition, many Web page authoring programs allow users to organize, manage, and maintain Web sites.

Application software, such as Word and Excel, often includes Web page authoring features. This allows home and small business users to create basic Web pages using application software they already own. For more sophisticated Web pages, users work with Web page authoring software.

Adobe Dreamweaver Adobe Fireworks Adobe Flash Microsoft Expression Web Microsoft Share. Point Designer

Software for Home, Personal and Educational use Personal finance software is a simplified accounting program that helps home users and small office/home office users balance their checkbooks, pay bills, track personal income and expenses track investments, and evaluate financial plans. Most personal finance software includes financial planning features, such as analyzing home and personal loans, preparing income taxes, and managing retirement savings. Other features include managing home inventory and setting up budgets. Most of these programs also offer a variety of online services, such as online banking, which require access to the Internet.

IGG Software i. Bank Intuit Quicken

LEGAL SOFTWARE Legal software assists in the preparation of legal documents and provides legal information to individuals, families, and small businesses. Legal software provides standard contracts and documents associated with buying, selling, and renting property; estate planning; marriage and divorce; and preparing a will or living trust. By answering a series of questions or completing a form, the legal software tailors the legal document to specific needs.

Examples Cosmi Perfect Attorney Nolo Quicken Legal Business Quicken Will. Maker

Tax preparation software Tax preparation software, which is available both as packaged software and Web applications, can guide individuals, families, or small businesses through the process of filing federal taxes. These programs forecast tax liability and offer moneysaving tax tips, designed to lower your tax bill. After you answer a series of questions and complete basic forms, the software creates and analyzes your tax forms to search for missed potential errors and deduction opportunities.

2 nd Story Software Tax. ACT H&R Block Tax. Cut Intuit Turbo. Tax

Desktop Publishing Software (personal use) Personal DTP software helps home and small business users create newsletters, brochures, flyer advertisements, postcards, greeting cards, letterhead, business cards, banners, calendars, logos, and Web pages. Although many word processing programs include DTP features, users often prefer to create DTP documents using DTP software because of its enhanced features.

examples Broderbund The Print Shop Print. Master Microsoft Publisher

Photo Management Software photo management software, you can view, organize, sort, catalog, print, and share digital photos. Some photo editing software includes photo management functionality.

examples Yahoo! Flickr Google Picasa Microsoft Windows Live Photo Gallery

Reference and Educational Software Reference software provides valuable and thorough information for all individuals. Popular reference software includes encyclopedias, dictionaries, and health/medical guides. Educational software teaches a particular skill. Educational software exists for just about any subject, from learning how to type to learning how to cook to preparing for college entrance exams. Educational software often includes games and other content to make the learning experience more fun.

Fogware Publishing Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary & Thesaurus Microsoft MSN Encarta