Understanding Software: Types and Purposes

• Software is the general term used to describe instructions that direct a computer's hardware to perform specific tasks.
• Software consists of instructions communicated electronically to computer hardware.

Software Purposes

• Software is needed because computers do not directly understand human language.
• Software translates human language instructions into machine language.
• Packaged or stored software is needed to make computers economical work tools.

Types of Software

• System software "boots up" and initializes the computer system.
• Also controls input, output, and storage, and manages application software.
• Application software includes programs users require for day-to-day tasks and supports the actual work of the user.
• Utility programs help maintain the system, remove unwanted programs, protect against viruses.
• They also allow users to access the World Wide Web.

System Software

• System software programs control the computer and enable the user's application programs to function effectively with the hardware.
• It speeds up processing, expands power via cache memory, and reduces confusion when running multiple programs.
• It also efficiently manages storage and performs system-managed tasks.

Level of System Control: BIOS

• The Basic Input Output System (BIOS) is the first level of system control, stored on a read-only memory (ROM) chip on the motherboard.
• The software on the BIOS chip is the first functional part of the computer when the system is turned on.
• The BIOS is a combination of hardware and software, consisting of permanently burned-in instructions on a computer chip.
• Programs on chips are often referred to as "firmware," as they exist between hardware and software.

Operating System

• Operating Systems (OSs) are actual software loaded from the hard drive into RAM when the computer is turned on.
• The OS can be upgraded or entirely changed through software, while firmware cannot be upgraded without replacing the hardware chip.
• Users delete OS files from the hard drive and install a new OS from a CD-ROM, floppy diskettes, or a web download.

OS User Interface Types

• Disk Operating System: Initially designed for mainframe computers, replicating manual OS procedures used by programmers.
• Graphical User Interface: Introduced by OSs like Microsoft Windows, making computers more accessible for everyday users and leading to an explosion in the PC market.
• GUIs made computers more user-friendly with minimal training, using built-in tutorials and online help.

GUI OS

• A GUI OS employs graphic images or "icons" to represent commands to the computer.
• Each icon resembles the physical operation the user wants to initiate.
• Similar to restaurant menus, GUI menus list common commands or operations the computer can execute.
• GUI offers nested menus in complex programs with many commands.
• These nested menus offer submenus and sub-submenus, presenting another menu of choices instead of immediately executing the command.

Application Software

• Application software is used to perform tasks, process data, play games, communicate, or watch multimedia on a computer.
• Unlike system and utility programs, application programs are written by or for system users.
• Application programs are written in a specific programming language.
• Then it is "compiled" (translated) into machine language for the computer to understand and execute.

Utility Programs Details

• Utility programs are system programs that enhance the functions of the OS or add capabilities not offered by the basic OS.
• Utility programs include algorithms for efficiently sorting numbers or character-based items.
• They also deal with copying files, providing security, and managing the system.

Language Translation Utilities

• Language translation utilities reconcile the differences between human and computer languages.
• Computers understand only binary, while humans do not naturally speak binary.
• Translation programs are essential for converting English-like instructions into machine-readable code.

WWW and Web browers

• The WWW is a network system utility program for the internet that provides a protocol for document transfer across the internet.
• Web browsers are utility programs that enable users to access the Web and the materials available on the web
• The Internet is a system of data and voice lines routed through dedicated servers to create a network of networks.
• It allows users to access documents and files available on other networks.

Programming Languages

• Programming languages are a means of communicating with computers.
• CPUs only understand binary or machine language.
• Writing directly in binary is tedious and inefficient.
• Updating and debugging such programs is virtually impossible.

Generations of Programming Languages

• Machine Language: The true language of the computer, consisting of binary numbers 1 and 0 that represent on and off electrical impulses.
• All data are represented by combinations of these binary digits.
• Assembler Language: More English-like but still close to machine language.
• Assembler language instructions have a one-to-one correspondence with machine language instructions.
• It is useful for system programmers and when application programmers need to manipulate functions at the machine level.
• Third Generation Language: Includes procedural languages and marks the second level in programming languages.
  • Procedural Languages: Require programmers to specify both what the computer is to do and how to do it.
  • These are more English-like than assembly and machine language.
• Visual Programming Languages: Arose with the popularity of GUI technology to ease program development in graphics-based environments.
• Microsoft marketed two very popular programs, Visual Basic and Visual C++.
• They are have been widely used for various applications
• Fourth Generation Languages: Specialized application programs that need more user involvement in directing the program to do work.
• Includes programs like spreadsheets, statistical analysis programs, and database query languages.
• Fifth Generation Languages: Also known as natural language, which allows users to tell the machine what to do using their own natural language or English-like commands.
• True natural language recognition is being developed to allow users to give understandable commands in their own word style and accent.

Software Packages for Microcomputers

• The most common package is a standard office package featuring word processing, spreadsheet, presentation graphics, and database management.
• The two most commonly used programs are e-mail systems and word processors.
• Desktop publishers are also common. Most programs have to be written in versions for both IBM PC and Macintosh platforms.

Common Software for Nurses

• Software used by nurses in hospitals includes admission, discharge, and transfer (ADT) systems for patient tracking and medication administration record (MAR) software.
• Chat rooms are like electronic conference calls.
• Multiple users can send and receive messages simultaneously.
• The person the user is “chatting” with can be at another computer in the same room, or halfway around the world.

Electronic Bulletin Boards

• Electronic bulletin boards were an early form of computer conferencing.
• They can be public or private and are called by different names, such as discussion boards, listservs, or electronic forums.
• This technology lets users post messages and are important technology in distance courses offered over the internet.

Listservs

• Listserv is the least powerful version of an electronic bulletin board and functions more like an electronic mailing list than a true discussion board.
• When a user posts a message to the board, it is emailed to all members of the conference.

Computer Programing

• Computer programming is the process of writing a computer program, which is a structured series of instructions designed to solve a specific problem.

Steps for Writing Computer Programs

• Problem Definition: Defining the problem or tasks to be performed by the program is most critical.
• Program Design Specifications: After defining the task, the program's creation involves two specifications. -Functional Specifications: Identifies all program functions with a narrative description and a graphical process flow. -Design Specifications: Detailed instructions given to programmers that may be highly technical.
• Program Preparation: The writing (or coding) of the program, which involves translating the design specifications into the programming language. -The program instructions or algorithms must be detailed and logically sequenced for correct data processing.
• Documentation: Consists of two documentation types created when programming. -The program itself must be designed in a structured, top-down way and carefully commented. -A user's manual provides directions and examples for using the program as intended.
  • Also includes instructions for users in case of problems.
• Program Testing: Program testing occurs during and after coding.
• Alpha Testing: Involves the programming team and system analysts checking the program, confirming if processes function as specified in flow charts, functional specifications, and design specifications.
• Beta testing is the second level, where the program is installed in the user environment.
• Screen design and user interface are further refined, and users test the system by entering real data to check for accuracy.