Computer Software Overview

Computer Software

• Computer software provides instructions to perform tasks
• A routine is a set of instructions for a specific task
• A program is a complete set of instructions for related tasks
• Software (a program) contains instructions for a common purpose, telling the computer what tasks to perform and how
• User interacts with a program through its user interface
• User interface controls how data and instructions are entered and displayed

Computer Software: Categories

• System software manages computer operations
  • System management programs
  • General-purpose programs
  • System support programs
  • Application-specific programs
  • System development programs
• Application software helps users with tasks or productivity
  • More productive or assists with personal tasks
  • Wide use includes web browsers (for internet access)
  • Other types: word processing, spreadsheets, database management, photo editing, desktop publishing, and multimedia

Types of Application Software

• Spreadsheets: transforms screen into a grid (rows/columns) to enter numerical or textual data
  • Formulas can calculate answers
  • Macros are sequences of commands for single instructions
• Data Management: supports storage, retrieval, and manipulation of related data
  • Two basic types: simple filing programs (like traditional filing) and database programs (fast & accurate data storage/retrieval)
• Word Processing: manipulates text instead of numbers
  • Modern processors have writing and editing features
  • Integrated programs: editor, formatting, print, dictionary, thesaurus, grammar checker, mailing list, plus graphics, charts, and drawing

Other Types of Software

• Desktop Publishing: a level of sophistication beyond regular word processing
  • Useful for newsletters, announcements, advertising copy
  • Can use photographs, diagrams, and other images to produce a finished, ready-to-print document.
• Computer-Aided Design (CAD): used for designing items for manufacturing
  • Enables designers to build prototypes in software
  • Allows testing in software
  • Used to create parameters, parts, quantity lists, & outlining production & assembly
• Multimedia: combines at least two types of media (audio, voice, animation, video text, graphics, images)
  • Combines spatial-based media (text, images) with time-based media (sound, video)
• Internet Browser: displays and interacts with text, images, and other web content
  • Contains hyperlinks to other pages (on the same or different websites)
  • Format information using HTML
• Protocols and Standards:
  • Web browsers communicate with web servers primarily using HTTP (hypertext transfer protocol)

System Support Programs

• Programs that support efficient computer operation
• Provide services for users and management
• Includes: utility programs, security monitors, and performance monitors
• Utility programs frequently requested by other programs
  • Transfer data, format disks, and back up and sort files

Utility Programs

• Allows users to perform maintenance tasks on the computer, its devices, or programs
• Used for transferring digital photos to an optical disk and managing disk drives and printers

Other Software

• Antivirus software prevents, detects, and removes malware
  • Signature-based (looks for known patterns of malware) & heuristic (uses genetic signatures and virtual testing to find zero-day threats)
• Definition of a computer virus A program (or piece of code) that replicates and runs against user wishes without their knowledge.
  • Replicates frequently, uses memory, interrupts operations
  • Classifications: resident, multipartite, direct-action, overwrite, directory, encrypted, network

System Management Programs

• Manage hardware, software, and data resources of computer systems
• Including the operating system (coordinates activities, provides means of communication)
• Database Management Systems (DBMS) control creation, maintenance, and use of databases.

Operating System

• Functions as an intermediary between the user and the computer, managing resources (hardware, software, abstract resources)
• Allocates resources and controls operations
• Also manages and prevents user errors

Operating System Tasks

• Process Management: manages running programs (processes) and their resources
• Memory Management: allocates memory to programs & manages memory hardware
• File System Management: organizes and manages files
• Device Management: uses and manages devices/operations

Operating System Types

• Single-user OS: deals with one set of input devices at a time
• Multiuser OS: deals with multiple input devices simultaneously
• Server OS: manages distributed networks (e.g., email, web hosting)
• Desktop OS: for desktop/notebook computers
• Handheld OS: for handheld devices (like phones & tablets)
• Disk Operating System (DOS): manages input/output between a computer and its disks

DOS Commands

• Dir : lists directory contents
• Dir/p: lists contents page by page
• Dir/w: lists contents in a wider format
• Dir [drive]: lists contents of a specified drive
• MD`/Mkdir: creates a new directory
• CD: changes from one directory to another (using the path)
• **RD:**removes a subdirectory
• IPCONFIG: displays the list of IP addresses/ configurations

Other Operating Systems

• UNIX: developed in 1969 (primarily used in multiuser systems)
• OS/2 (IBM's): a 32 bit operating system (designed to work with other operating systems/applications, including MS DOS & Windows)

Windows Versions

• Multiple Windows versions exist, each with improvements and new features (e.g., Windows 1.0 to 8.1 – including XP, ME, and Vista)
• Windows 1.0 introduced a graphical user interface & changed how users interacted with their computers
• Graphical user interface (GUI): allows user communication through symbols & icons
• Windows operating systems, use DOS operating system as a base / employs GUI technology

This quiz covers the fundamentals of computer software, including the definitions of programs, routines, and user interfaces. It categorizes software into system and application software, detailing their functions and examples. Test your knowledge of how software operates and its various types.