IT Basics Week 3: Software Overview Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the purpose of application software?

To interact with and perform tasks on the computer (correct)

To create new software programs

To manage the computer's hardware components

To provide instructions to the computer

What distinguishes proprietary software from open-source software?

Proprietary software has few licensing and copyright restrictions, while open-source software requires payment for use

Proprietary software has limited functionality, while open-source software offers more features

Proprietary software is created by companies for profit, while open-source software is available free of charge (correct)

Proprietary software is free of charge, while open-source software is sold for profit

What is the main difference between local installation and Software as a service (SaaS) for software distribution?

Local installation requires a constant internet connection, while SaaS can run without internet

Local installation offers better security than SaaS

Local installation allows for free upgrades, while SaaS requires payment for upgrades

Local installation involves a one-time fee, while SaaS requires recurring payments (correct)

What is the function of system software?

To provide instructions to the computer's hardware components Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of periodically upgrading software?

To improve functionality Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of a database management system (DBMS)?

Querying and outputting data Signup and view all the answers

What is the main advantage of a relational database over a flat database?

Improved data organization and integrity Signup and view all the answers

What type of databases handle unstructured data?

Object-oriented databases Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary benefit of cloud-based Software as a Service (SaaS)?

Automatic upgrades Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of software licenses?

To grant permission to use the program Signup and view all the answers

How can students help developers find bugs in software?

By accessing beta versions for free Signup and view all the answers

What does SQL (Structured Query Language) primarily facilitate?

Data retrieval from databases Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of object-oriented databases?

Handle unstructured data efficiently Signup and view all the answers

What does a software subscription typically provide?

Automatic upgrades and updates Signup and view all the answers

What is the main concern of software engineering?

Developing and delivering useful software quickly and economically Signup and view all the answers

Which type of software access requires a monthly/annual fee?

Software accessed over the Internet without installation Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of the Waterfall model in software process models?

Each phase results in approved documents before the next phase begins Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a macro in programming?

To group a series of commands to run as a single command Signup and view all the answers

What kind of problems are good candidates for computerization?

Repetitive tasks and tasks that work with electronic information Signup and view all the answers

What do programmers handle through error handling?

Invalid input data Signup and view all the answers

What are the three elements of a problem statement according to the given example?

Input, Output, Processing Signup and view all the answers

What are the four common elements present in all programming languages?

Rules of syntax, Keywords set, Data types, Allowed operators Signup and view all the answers

What does a syntax error refer to in programming?

Violations of the strict rules defining the programming language's structure Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Application software can be accessed over the Internet without installation (Google Docs, Microsoft Office Online) or require a monthly/annual fee for download and installation (Adobe Creative Cloud, Microsoft Office 365)
Software can be purchased online and downloaded, or in disc form for machines with optical drives, and electronically for mobile devices
Students can purchase discounted software, or access beta versions for free to help developers find bugs
Software should be periodically upgraded for improved functionality; automatic upgrades are available with subscriptions and cloud-based Software as a Service (SaaS)
Software licenses grant users permission to use the program; piracy is illegal
A database is a collection of related data that can be efficiently managed and shared
Databases centralize data for easy access, ensure data accuracy, and prevent duplicate entries
Flat databases are simple and easy to use but have limitations regarding data organization and integrity
Relational databases organize data into tables and define relationships between records
Object-oriented databases handle unstructured data and are becoming more popular
A database management system (DBMS) is software that allows computers to perform database functions, including storing and defining data, querying and outputting data
Data can be manually entered into a database or imported from other files, and SQL is used to extract records from databases and generate reports as output.

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Description

Test your understanding of the different areas of IT software, including application software, databases, software engineering, and programming. Explore the creation of proprietary (commercial) software, and its role in instructing computers and facilitating user interaction.