CSCI 1101 Intro to Computers 2 Basic Software

CSCI 1101 Intro to Computers 2. Basic Software and Its Evolution ACS 160 Computer Concepts Chapter 2

ACS 160 Computer Concepts Chapter 2 What is a Computer Program? n n 2 A computer program is a set of detailed, step-by-step instructions that tells a computer how to solve a problem or carry out a task. The steps in a computer program are written in a language that the computer can interpret and process.

ACS 160 Computer Concepts Chapter 2 Source Code example An example of a computer program 3

ACS 160 Computer Concepts Chapter 2 How do businesses acquire software? n n 4 Today, however, most organizations purchase commercially written programs to avoid the time and expense of writing their own. Working as a computer programmer for a government agency, business, or software publisher is a challenging career.

ACS 160 Computer Concepts Chapter 2 Software versus data n Software is the instructions and associated data, stored in electronic format, that direct the computer to accomplish a task. An example of computer software 5

ACS 160 Computer Concepts Chapter 2 I have a CD burner, can I just copy a friend's software CD? n n n 6 Just like books and movies, most computer software is protected by a copyright. A copyright is a form of legal protection that grants the copyright owner exclusive rights to copy the software, to distribute and sell it, and to modify it. Software pirates illegally copy, distribute, and modify software which is referred to as pirated software.

ACS 160 Computer Concepts Chapter 2 What is a software license? n n 7 Computer software is often protected by the terms of a software license. A software license is a legal contract that defines the ways in which you may use a computer program.

ACS 160 Computer Concepts Chapter 2 When is a software license granted? n n 8 Floppy disks, CD ROM, and/or DVD in the package are usually sealed in an envelope or plastic shrink wrapping. Opening the wrapping signifies your agreement to the terms of the software license, thus the term shrink-wrap license.

ACS 160 Computer Concepts Chapter 2 How many licenses do I need? n n 9 A single-user license limits the use of the software to only one user at a time. Most commercial software is distributed with a single-user license. A multiple-user license allows more than one person to use a particular software package. A concurrent-use license allows a certain number of copies of the software to be used at the same time. A site license allows the software to be used on all computers at a specific location.

ACS 160 Computer Concepts Chapter 2 What is shareware/freeware? n n n 10 Shareware is copyrighted software marketed under a “try before you buy” policy. The policy of “try before you buy” allows you to use the software for a specified amount of time. If you want to continue using it, you must pay a registration fee. You are allowed to make copies of the software and distribute them to others.

ACS 160 Computer Concepts Chapter 2 Public domain freeware n n 11 A software author has the right to abandon all rights to a particular software title. Public domain software, is owned by the public rather than the author and may be freely copied, distributed, and resold.

ACS 160 Computer Concepts Chapter 2 Types of software products n System software helps the computer carry out its basic operating tasks. à DOS, n Application software helps the human user carry out a task. à word 12 Windows, and Mac OS processing, entertainment, and business

ACS 160 Computer Concepts Chapter 2 Why do I need an operating system? n An operating system (OS) is the master controller for all of the activities that take place within a computer. à Microsoft Windows, Mac OS, Linux, UNIX, and DOS n 13 The operating system also interacts with the next functional layer called application software.

ACS 160 Computer Concepts Chapter 2 The guardian of the hardware OS interacts with application software and computer hardware 14

ACS 160 Computer Concepts Chapter 2 Operating System services n n n An operating system provides external services that help users start programs, manage stored data, and maintain security. An operating system provides internal services to ensure that the computer system functions efficiently. A system resource is any part of a computer system. à 15 disk drive space, memory capacity, or processor time

ACS 160 Computer Concepts Chapter 2 Types of operating systems n n n 16 Operating systems can be classified into two categories. A server operating system is designed for computers that provide centralized storage facilities and communications capabilities for networks and Web sites. A desktop operating system is designed for a single-user microcomputer.

ACS 160 Computer Concepts Chapter 2 Microsoft's operating system n Microsoft Windows is the most popular operating system because it supports a vast array of application software and peripheral devices. à provides icons, buttons, and other on-screen controls à gets name from the rectangular work areas visible on the screen à working on more than one project at a time is called multitasking. 17

ACS 160 Computer Concepts Chapter 2 Microsoft's current release n Windows 2000 Professional is designed for the desktop. à offers increased security, greater reliability à ability to support some specialized software à cannot run some software or support all of the peripheral devices designed for Windows 98 18

ACS 160 Computer Concepts Chapter 2 Apple Computer systems n n 19 In 1984, Apple Computer introduced the revolutionary Lisa computer. The Macintosh computer, with its graphical user interface, Mac OS, was a major factor contributing to its success. The i. Mac computer

ACS 160 Computer Concepts Chapter 2 What is (was) DOS? n DOS stands for disk operating system. à has been incorporated into Windows à operates behind the scenes so Windows users do not have to memorize and type complex commands 20

ACS 160 Computer Concepts Chapter 2 A DOS screen example 21

ACS 160 Computer Concepts Chapter 2 Are servers different? n n 22 Two of the most popular server operating systems are Microsoft Windows NT Server and Windows 2000 Server. Novell Net. Ware is a server operating system designed specifically for microcomputer networks UNIX has become popular for network and Web servers of all sizes. Linux is a server operating system for microcomputers and minicomputers and is available as freeware.

ACS 160 Computer Concepts Chapter 2 What are utility programs? Why are they important? n Utilities are a subcategory of system software designed to augment the operating system. à let the user control the allocation and use of hardware resources à can be purchased from software publishers and vendor à Encryption, retrieving data from damaged disks, and virus protection are some examples of utilities 23

ACS 160 Computer Concepts Chapter 2 What does a device driver do? n n 24 A device driver helps the computer control peripheral devices. Peripheral devices come with installation instructions.

ACS 160 Computer Concepts Chapter 2 What are programming languages? n n n 25 A computer programming language allows a programmer to write a program using Englishlike instructions. BASIC, Visual Basic, C, C++, COBOL, and JAVA are a few computer programming languages. Most computers do not come with a computer programming language.

ACS 160 Computer Concepts Chapter 2 What are groupware, suites, and productivity software? n Productivity software is designed to help you work more effectively. Examples of productivity software are: à à à n n 26 Word processing Spreadsheet Data managemen Office suite refers to a number of applications that are packaged together and sold as a unit. Groupware provides a way for more than one person to collaborate on a project.

ACS 160 Computer Concepts Chapter 2 How do I connect to the Internet and other network-based systems? n Connectivity software connects your computer to a local computer network and includes à Communications software à Remote control software à E-mail software à Web browsers 27

ACS 160 Computer Concepts Chapter 2 Educational software n There is educational and training software for people of all ages to help with ABCs, to the SATs. An example of education software 28

ACS 160 Computer Concepts Chapter 2 Entertainment software n An example of entertainment software 29 Worldwide computer and video game software sales annually exceed $10 billion.

ACS 160 Computer Concepts Chapter 2 Financial software n Personal finance software is geared towards individual finances. It helps with: à à n Some packages also support online banking which help with: à à à 30 bank accounts investments credit card balances Bill downloading transactions transferring funds paying bills

ACS 160 Computer Concepts Chapter 2 Horizontal versus vertical market software n n 31 Horizontal market software is a generic software package that can be used by many different kinds of businesses. Vertical market software is designed to automate specialized tasks in a specific market or business.

ACS 160 Computer Concepts Chapter 2 What is multi-media? n Multimedia is an integrated collection of computer-based media including: à text à graphics à sound à animation à photo à video 32 images

ACS 160 Computer Concepts Chapter 2 What does multi-media require? n Multimedia requires sound and graphics capability. à fast processor chip and CD-ROM drive or DVD drive also desirable n A Sound card gives the computer capability to record and play sound files and video tracks. à connect 33 speakers, headphone, microphone

ACS 160 Computer Concepts Chapter 2 Why is a graphics card important? n A Graphics card takes signals from the processor and uses them to “paint” images on the screen. à installed inside computer à provides connection for monitor’s data cable n 34 A fast processor can handle huge amounts of digital data quickly.

ACS 160 Computer Concepts Chapter 2 A typical multimedia computer system An example of a multimedia system How is this different from your personal computer? 35

ACS 160 Computer Concepts Chapter 2 What does software compatibility mean? n To be compatible, software must be: à written for the type of computer you use à written for your computer’s operating system n System requirements specify operating system and minimum hardware capacity à listed 36 outside software package

ACS 160 Computer Concepts Chapter 2 How to chose software n n Make sure software is written for PC or Macintosh. Make sure software will work with your operating system. à n Operating systems are typically downward compatible, meaning you can use software designed for earlier versions of the software, but not later. à 37 higher number = more recent version This is not always true!