Computer Concepts 7 th Edition Chapter 3 Computer

Computer Concepts 7 th Edition Chapter 3: Computer Software 1

Chapter 3 Computer Software Section A: Software Basics Computer Concepts 7 th Edition Parsons/Oja

Chapter Preview After this chapter, you should be able to: – Describe the software components of a typical software package – Trace the development of a computer program – Describe the way an operating system manages each computer resource – Describe key features of popular software – List types of software available – Explain how to install and uninstall software – Describe rights associated with software: for users and programmers Chapter 3: Computer Software 3

What is software? • Software 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 Chapter 3: Computer Software 4

What kinds of files are included in a typical software product? • Software includes – A computer program is a set of detailed, instructions that tells a computer how to solve a problem or carry out a task – Executable files – Support modules – Data files Chapter 3: Computer Software 5

Programmers and Programming Languages: Who creates computer software? • Computer programmers write the instructions for the computer programs • Software publishers distribute the software, they specialize in packaging, marketing, and selling commercial software Chapter 3: Computer Software 6

How does a programmer “write” software? • Most software is designed to provide a taskrelated environment • Programmer defines the properties for each element in the environment – Its height – Its label – What happens when you click it • A computer language provides the tools that a programmer uses to create software – Source code – High-level languages Chapter 3: Computer Software 7

How does a programmer “write” software? Chapter 3: Computer Software 8

How are instructions converted to machine language? • A compiler translates all of the instructions in a program as a single batch • The resulting machine language instructions are called the object code Chapter 3: Computer Software 9

How does a high-level language relate to the microprocessor’s instruction set? • An alternative to a compiler is an interpreter, that converts one instruction at a time while program is running Chapter 3: Computer Software 10

So how does software work? Chapter 3: Computer Software 11

Application Software and System Software: How is software categorized? • Software is categorized as either application software or system software – Application software is designed to be used for a purpose such as drawing designs, creating documents, etc – System software is designed to help the computer carry out the basic operating functions • Operating systems, utilities, and drivers Chapter 3: Computer Software 12

Chapter 3 Computer Software Section B: Personal Computer Operating Systems Computer Concepts 7 th Edition Parsons/Oja

Operating System Overview: What does an operating system do? • An operating system (OS) is the master controller for all of the activities that take place within a computer. – Microsoft Windows XP, Mac OS, Linux, UNIX • The operating system also interacts with the application software. Chapter 3: Computer Software 14

What does an operating system do? Chapter 3: Computer Software 15

Why does an operating system need to manage memory? • The OS must ensure that instructions and data from one area of memory don’t “leak” into an area allocated to another program • If it fails, data can get corrupted, programs can “crash” and your computer will display error messages Chapter 3: Computer Software 16

How does the OS keep track of storage resources? • The OS acts as a filing clerk • It remembers the names and locations of all your files and keeps track of empty spaces where new files can be stored Chapter 3: Computer Software 17

Why does the operating system get involved with peripheral devices? • To ensure that they function correctly • OS controls peripherals to ensure input and output proceeds in an orderly fashion Chapter 3: Computer Software 18

How does the operating system affect the user interface? • A user interface can be defined as the combination of hardware and software that helps people and computers communicate with each other – Graphical user interface (GUI) – Command-line user interface Chapter 3: Computer Software 19

Where is the operating system? • The OS’s small bootstrap program resides in ROM and provides the instructions to load the core parts into memory when system boots • This component is called the kernel Chapter 3: Computer Software 20

Do I ever interact directly with the OS? • Yes, typically through helpful tools called utilities – Launch programs – Manage files – Get help – Customize the user interface – Configures equipment Chapter 3: Computer Software 21

Are different operating systems needed for different computing tasks? • • • Single-user operating system Multi-user operating system Network operating system Multitasking operating system Desktop operating system Chapter 3: Computer Software 22

Is Mac OS similar to windows? • Developed several years before windows, it still has a GUI interface • Both have windows, icons, menus and pointers Chapter 3: Computer Software 23

Is Mac OS similar to windows? Chapter 3: Computer Software 24

Are Unix and Linux the same? • UNIX was developed in 1969 at AT&T’s Bell Labs • Linux was developed in 1991 – Is distributed under the terms of a General Public License (GPL) • Red Hat Linux, Caldera Open. Linux, and Debian GNU/Linux Chapter 3: Computer Software 25

Are Unix and Linux the same? Chapter 3: Computer Software 26

Why do I keep hearing about DOS? • First operating system that most people have used • DOS (Disk Operating System) was developed by Microsoft • Is in kernel of Windows 3. 1, 95, 98 and ME Chapter 3: Computer Software 27

What are the options for PDA operating systems? • Palm OS • Windows Mobile OS Chapter 3: Computer Software 28

Chapter 3 Computer Software Section C: Application Software Computer Concepts 7 th Edition Parsons/Oja

Document Production Software: How can my computer help me with my writing? • Word processing software, such as Microsoft Word, is used for producing reports, letters, papers, and manuscripts • Desktop publishing software helps you use graphic design techniques to enhance the format and appearance of a document • Web authoring software helps you design and develop customized Web pages Chapter 3: Computer Software 30

How does document production software help me turn my ideas into sentences and paragraphs? Chapter 3: Computer Software 31

How do I get my documents to look good? • The format for a document refers to the way that all the elements of a document are arranged on the page – Font – Point size – Paragraph style – Paragraph alignment – Line spacing (leading) – Style Chapter 3: Computer Software 32

How do I get my documents to look good? Chapter 3: Computer Software 33

How do I get my documents to look good? • Page Layout refers to the physical position of each element on a page • Header is text that you specify to automatically appear in the top margin of every page • Footer is text that you specify to automatically appear in the bottom margin of every page • Page Numbers • Graphical elements are photos, diagrams, etc. • Tables are a grid-like structure that can hold text and pictures Chapter 3: Computer Software 34

How do I get my documents to look good? Chapter 3: Computer Software 35

Does document production software increase productivity? • Index and Table of Contents - automatically produced by most document production software • Mail Merge - process of creating a series of personalized letters by combining information in a mailing list with a blank form letter • Automatically numbering footnotes and positioning them • Providing document templates • Exporting a document into HTML format Chapter 3: Computer Software 36

Spreadsheet Software: What is a spreadsheet? • 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 • Spreadsheet software is particularly useful for what-if analysis Chapter 3: Computer Software 37

What does a computerized spreadsheet look like? • Worksheets – An on-screen spreadsheet – Based on grid of columns and rows • Cell - intersection of columns and rows • A cell can contain – Numbers (values) – Text (labels) – Formulas (tells computer how to calculate) Chapter 3: Computer Software 38

What does a computerized spreadsheet look like? Chapter 3: Computer Software 39

How does spreadsheet software work? • 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 Chapter 3: Computer Software 40

How does spreadsheet software work? Chapter 3: Computer Software 41

What happens when I modify a worksheet? • Automatic recalculation – recalculates all formulas whenever contents of any cell are changed • Relative reference - cell reference • Absolute reference - never changes when you insert rows or move formulas Chapter 3: Computer Software 42

What happens when I modify a worksheet? Chapter 3: Computer Software 43

Aside from spreadsheets, what other “number crunching” software is available? • Statistical software • Mathematical modeling software • Money management software – Personal finance software • Tax preparation software Chapter 3: Computer Software 44

Database Software: What is database software? • Database software helps you to enter, find, organize, update and report information stored in a database Chapter 3: Computer Software 45

What is database software? Chapter 3: Computer Software 46

How do I create records? Chapter 3: Computer Software 47

How do I locate specific data? • A query language is a set of command words to direct the computer to: – Locate information – Sort records – Change data in records • SQL ( Structured Query Language) • Some software even allows a natural language query Chapter 3: Computer Software 48

How do I locate specific data? Chapter 3: Computer Software 49

How can I use search results? • You can do the following – Print reports – Export data to other programs – Convert the data to other formats – Transmit data to other computers Chapter 3: Computer Software 50

Graphics Software: What kind of software do I need to work with drawings, photos, and other pictures? • 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 Chapter 3: Computer Software 51

What kind of software do I need to work with drawings, photos, and other pictures? – CAD software (computer-aided design software) – Presentation software • Slides Chapter 3: Computer Software 52

Music Software: Why would I need music software? • Audio editing software – lets you make your own digital voice and music recording – MP 3 • MP 3 Player • CD ripper • MP 3 encoding software – Ear training software • Notation software • Computer-aided software • Midi sequencing software Chapter 3: Computer Software 53

Music Software: Why would I need music software? Chapter 3: Computer Software 54

Video Editing Software: Is video editing software difficult to use? • Video editing software provides a set of tools for transferring video footage, editing video, adding special effects, and adding a sound track Chapter 3: Computer Software 55

Software Suites: What is a software suite? • A collection of application software sold as a single package – Microsoft Office – Star Office – Open Office – Word. Perfect Office Chapter 3: Computer Software 56

Educational and Reference Software: How can I use my computer to learn new things? • Educational software – helps you to learn and practice new skills – Mind. Twister Math – 3 -D Froggy Phonics – SAT – GMAT – LSAT Chapter 3: Computer Software 57

What’s reference software? • Reference software – provides you with a collection of information and a way to access that information – Encyclopedias • • • Microsoft Encarta Grolier’s encyclopedia Comptons encyclopedia World Book Britannica – Dictionaries Chapter 3: Computer Software 58

Entertainment Software: What’s the best-selling entertainment software? • 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 Chapter 3: Computer Software 59

What’s the best-selling entertainment software? • Computer games – Role-playing games – Action games – Adventure games – Puzzle games – Simulation games – Sports games – Strategy games Chapter 3: Computer Software 60

Business Software: Do businesses use specialized software? • Vertical market software • Horizontal market software – Payroll software – Accounting software – Project management software • Groupware Chapter 3: Computer Software 61

Chapter 3 Computer Software Section D: Software Installation and Copyrights Computer Concepts 7 th Edition Parsons/Oja

Installation Basics: What’s included in a typical software package? • The key ingredients necessary to install new software the files that contain the programs, support modules, and data modules • Usually supplied on distribution disks Chapter 3: Computer Software 63

How do I know if a software program will work on my computer? • System requirements specify the operating system and minimum hardware requirements necessary for a software product to work correctly Chapter 3: Computer Software 64

Why is it necessary to install most software? • When you install software, the new software files are placed in the appropriate folders on your computer’s hard disk – – Copies files from distribution disk Uncompresses files Analyzes computer’s resources Analyzes hardware components and peripheral devices – Looks for any system files and players – Updates necessary system files Chapter 3: Computer Software 65

Installing from a Distribution Disk or CD: How do I install software from distribution media? • A setup program guides you through the installation process • Following the program will make installation easy Chapter 3: Computer Software 66

Installing Downloaded Software: Is the installation process different for downloaded software? • Sometimes files are zipped, so they must be unzipped • Other types – Self-installing software – Self-executing zip file – Manual download and install Chapter 3: Computer Software 67

Is installing a software upgrade different from installing a full version? • Installing an upgrade is similar to installing a full version • Update provides a setup file that checks to make sure that your computer contains a valid version of software to upgrade then it guides you through the rest of the upgrade process Chapter 3: Computer Software 68

Uninstalling Software: How do I get rid of software? • Uninstall routine deletes the software’s files Chapter 3: Computer Software 69

Software Copyrights: Is it legal to copy software? • 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 Chapter 3: Computer Software 70

Software Licenses: What is a software license? • 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 Chapter 3: Computer Software 71

What is a software license? • An installation agreement is displayed on the screen when you first install the software Chapter 3: Computer Software 72

Are all software licenses similar? • Commercial software – typically sold in computers or a Web site • Shareware – copyrighted software that you “try before you buy” • Freeware – copyrighted software available for free • Open source software – makes the source code available to programmers • Public domain software – not copyrighted, and in public domain Chapter 3: Computer Software 73

Conclusion You should now be able to: – Describe the software components of a typical software package – Trace the development of a computer program – Describe the way an operating system manages each computer resource – Describe key features of popular software – List types of software available – Explain how to install and uninstall software – Describe rights associated with software: for users and programmers Chapter 3: Computer Software 74