Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which software is primarily used for creating text-based documents?
Which software is primarily used for creating text-based documents?
What is the primary function of spreadsheets?
What is the primary function of spreadsheets?
In a database, what are rows called?
In a database, what are rows called?
Which of the following is the most widely used spreadsheet program?
Which of the following is the most widely used spreadsheet program?
Signup and view all the answers
What structure is the most commonly used in databases?
What structure is the most commonly used in databases?
Signup and view all the answers
What do you call the intersection of a row and a column in a spreadsheet?
What do you call the intersection of a row and a column in a spreadsheet?
Signup and view all the answers
Which program is NOT considered a database management system?
Which program is NOT considered a database management system?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the purpose of presentation graphics software?
What is the purpose of presentation graphics software?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a characteristic of vector graphics format?
What is a characteristic of vector graphics format?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following is NOT an example of multimedia without user interactivity?
Which of the following is NOT an example of multimedia without user interactivity?
Signup and view all the answers
What is web authoring primarily concerned with?
What is web authoring primarily concerned with?
Signup and view all the answers
Which program is NOT associated with multimedia creation?
Which program is NOT associated with multimedia creation?
Signup and view all the answers
What aspect does artificial intelligence (AI) NOT simulate?
What aspect does artificial intelligence (AI) NOT simulate?
Signup and view all the answers
Which technology allows users to interact with a computer-generated environment?
Which technology allows users to interact with a computer-generated environment?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following is NOT a feature of multimedia with user interactivity?
Which of the following is NOT a feature of multimedia with user interactivity?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following is a popular program used for web authoring?
Which of the following is a popular program used for web authoring?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary function of expert systems?
What is the primary function of expert systems?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following statements about robots is true?
Which of the following statements about robots is true?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the role of BIOS in a computer?
What is the role of BIOS in a computer?
Signup and view all the answers
What does the power-on self-test (POST) perform?
What does the power-on self-test (POST) perform?
Signup and view all the answers
In what applications are virtual reality environments primarily used?
In what applications are virtual reality environments primarily used?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following is NOT a type of robot mentioned?
Which of the following is NOT a type of robot mentioned?
Signup and view all the answers
What defines system software?
What defines system software?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a key characteristic of mobile robots?
What is a key characteristic of mobile robots?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary function of device drivers in a computer system?
What is the primary function of device drivers in a computer system?
Signup and view all the answers
Which utility program is designed to create backups of files?
Which utility program is designed to create backups of files?
Signup and view all the answers
What do language translators accomplish in computing?
What do language translators accomplish in computing?
Signup and view all the answers
Which utility identifies and removes unnecessary files to improve system performance?
Which utility identifies and removes unnecessary files to improve system performance?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the role of the operating system in a computer?
What is the role of the operating system in a computer?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a feature of Plug and Play technology?
What is a feature of Plug and Play technology?
Signup and view all the answers
What function do antivirus programs serve?
What function do antivirus programs serve?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following does a file compression program do?
Which of the following does a file compression program do?
Signup and view all the answers
Which operating system is known for being smart on security?
Which operating system is known for being smart on security?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the main task of an operating system related to user interaction?
What is the main task of an operating system related to user interaction?
Signup and view all the answers
Which characteristic of an operating system allows it to run multiple programs concurrently?
Which characteristic of an operating system allows it to run multiple programs concurrently?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following is NOT a type of operating system category?
Which of the following is NOT a type of operating system category?
Signup and view all the answers
What type of interface do most modern operating systems use for user interaction?
What type of interface do most modern operating systems use for user interaction?
Signup and view all the answers
Which operating system is generally considered to be the best Windows version?
Which operating system is generally considered to be the best Windows version?
Signup and view all the answers
Which characteristic allows multiple users to run programs on the same operating system simultaneously?
Which characteristic allows multiple users to run programs on the same operating system simultaneously?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the function of managing resources in an operating system?
What is the function of managing resources in an operating system?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Basic Applications
- Word Processors are used to create text-based documents such as memos, letters, and reports. They are widely used software tools and the most flexible. Common word processing programs include Microsoft Word (most popular) and Pages for Macintosh computers.
-
Spreadsheets are used to organize, analyze and graph numeric data such as budgets and financial reports. Spreadsheets use formulas, functions, and charts for analysis. These programs are widely used in many professions.
- An Excel workbook is comprised of worksheets and charts. A worksheet is a set of rows and columns where the intersection is called a cell.
- Popular spreadsheet programs include Microsoft Excel ( most popular ) and Numbers for Macintosh computers.
-
Database Management System (DBMS) is a program that sets up a database, a collection of related data. It provides tools for entering, editing, and retrieving data.
- DBMS is used by all types of individuals, such as universities for student/instructor/course records and businesses to maintain employee information.
- Relational databases are the most widely used database structure, with data organized into tables.
- Tables consist of rows called records, each containing columns called fields.
- Common database programs include Microsoft Access (most popular), OpenOffice Base, Corel Paradox, and Lotus Approach.
Presentation Graphics
- Presentation graphics software uses visual objects to create professional presentations to communicate a message.
- These programs use vector graphics, allowing individual elements of the image to be isolated, moved and scaled without affecting other elements.
- Popular programs include Adobe Illustrator, FreeHand, Microsoft Visio, and AutoCAD.
Specialized Applications
-
Multimedia Creation: combines multiple media tools to represent information and is a form of mass communication.
- Examples of multimedia include video (live recording), audio (voice and music), animation, text, and video games.
- Multimedia without user interactivity: Users cannot control the content they are viewing, such as a movie. (Example: Windows Movie Maker).
- Multimedia with user interactivity: Users control the content, such as interactive CDs or digital encyclopedias.
-
Web Authoring: The act of creating a website. Web authoring programs also known as web page editors or HTML editors are used to design websites and create HTML code.
- Popular programs include Macromedia Dreamweaver, NetObjects Fusion, iWeb, and Freeway.
-
Artificial Intelligence (AI): This field of computer science uses technology to simulate human actions, senses, and thought processes. This includes reasoning, learning from past experiences, and sensory input (vision and touch).
-
Three areas of AI:
- Virtual Reality (VR): An interactive, computer-generated simulated environment that users interact with in real-time. This includes 3D environments, data gloves, and head-mounted computer-graphic displays. Virtual reality is commonly used in the aviation industry to train pilots.
- Knowledge-Based (Expert) Systems: Software that uses a knowledge base of human experience to solve problems or provide clarification. This is often used where human experts would normally be needed; example: medical diagnosis expert systems.
-
Robotics: Machines controlled by computers. Robots are used in factories, home security, and the military. They can be programmed to perform multiple tasks and are used to handle dangerous and repetitive tasks. Types of robots include:
- Industrial robots: Operate in factories.
- Mobile robots: Capable of moving about to perform tasks.
-
Three areas of AI:
System Software
- System software is a collection of programs that handle technical details including where programs are stored, how commands are converted for processing, where documents are saved, and how output is printed.
-
Types of programs:
- BIOS (Basic Input Output System): Inbuilt software on the PC (ROM memory), activated when the computer powers up.
- The BIOS software's most crucial role is to load the operating system. When the computer powers on, the microprocessor requires initial instructions to access the operating system stored on the hard disk. The BIOS provides those instructions.
- The BIOS performs:
- Power-on Self-Test (POST): When the computer boots, it checks internal components (RAM, hard drive, CD-ROM etc.) to ensure they are functioning correctly.
- The POST happens before the operating system loads. If there are no errors, the computer boots normally.
- The BIOS performs:
-
Utilities: Programs that make computing easier.
- Troubleshooting Programs: Identify and resolve problems before they become serious.
- Antivirus Programs: Protect your computer from viruses that can invade your system.
- Uninstall Programs: Safely and completely remove programs and related files from your hard drive.
- Backup Programs: Create copies of files in case the original files are lost or damaged.
- File Compression Programs: Reduce the size of files for storage and/or sending over a network.
- Disk Cleanup: Identifies and removes unnecessary files like temporary internet files to free disk space and improve system performance.
-
Device Drivers: Special programs that enable devices like a mouse or keyboard to communicate with the rest of the system.
- Device drivers work with the operating system to facilitate communication between devices and the rest of the computer.
- New device drivers must be installed before a hardware device can be used.
- Plug and Play (PnP): A Microsoft Windows 95 (and later) capability that allows the computer to recognize a device when plugged in.
-
Language Translators: Convert programming instructions (high-level language) that programmers write into a language computers can understand (machine language, 0-1).
- For example, a C++ compiler translates C++ source code into an executable file.
Operating System
- The operating system is a collection of programs that manages computer resources, provides a user interface, and runs applications.
- It's the most critical type of computer program.
-
Examples
- Windows XP (2001): Known for stability, usability, and speed.
- Windows Vista (2007): Stressed security features.
- Windows 7 (2009): Introduced Windows Touch.
- Windows 8 (2012): Featured apps and tiles.
- Windows 10 (2015): Considered the "best Windows yet".
- Unix (Designed to run on Macintosh Computers).
- Linux (A version of Unix created by Linus Torvalds in 1991).
Operating System Main Tasks:
- Managing Resources: Includes managing memory, processing, and I/O devices (keyboard, mouse, printer, monitor, etc.).
- Providing a User Interface: The user interacts with application programs and hardware through the interface . Today's operating systems typically use a window-based Graphical User Interface (GUI) with graphical objects like menus, icons, and pointers.
- Running Applications: Load and run applications like word processors and spreadsheets.
-
Managing Files and Folders: The operating system manages the file structure on the hard disk drive.
- Files: Store data and programs.
- Folders: Organize files.
Operating System Categories:
- Desktop Operating System: Most commonly used on personal computers.
- Network Operating System: Coordinates and manages computer networks (examples: Windows NT, Windows Server family, NetWare, UNIX…).
- Embedded Operating System: Used on handheld devices (examples: Windows CE, Palm OS…).
Operating System Characteristics:
- Multiprogramming: The ability to load multiple programs into main memory and allow the processor to share its time amongst them.
- Multi-tasking: The computer can operate multiple applications simultaneously (multiple applications, one user, and one processor).
- Multi processing: The computer has two or more central processing units (CPUs ) that programs share.
- Multi-user: Multiple users can run programs concurrently (multiple users, one operating system).
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Related Documents
Description
Test your knowledge on the basic applications of computing, including word processors, spreadsheets, and database management systems. This quiz covers popular software tools like Microsoft Word, Excel, and their alternatives, explaining how they can be utilized in various professional settings.
