Computer Skills Chapter 3 PDF

Common First Year Deanship | Computer Skills Chapter 3. COMPUTER SOFTWARE 1. Introduction to software Software is one of the main two components of computer systems. Computer software, or just software, is a collection of computer programs and related...

Common First Year Deanship | Computer Skills Chapter 3. COMPUTER SOFTWARE 1. Introduction to software Software is one of the main two components of computer systems. Computer software, or just software, is a collection of computer programs and related data that provides the instructions for telling a computer what to do and how to do it. Software refers to any set of instructions that guides the hardware and tells it how to accomplish each task. 2. Types of software There are three types of software: o Programming Software o System Software: o Application Software. 2.1 Programming software Programming languages o Programming software is a software, which helps the programmer in developing other software. 12 Common First Year Deanship | Computer Skills o Compilers, assemblers, debuggers, interpreters, linkers are examples of programming software. o Programming software involves programming language such as C, C++, C#, BASIC, JAVA, Visual Basic, Python, etc. Levels of programming languages There is a variety of software languages; these languages can be classified into a set of levels that can be hierarchically arranged by proximity to the language used by the computer (0, 1) or by proximity or distance from the human language. The most important of these levels: High Level Language Low Level Language 2.2 System software System software designed to operate the computer hardware to provide basic functionality and a platform for running applications. System software refers to the operating system and all utility programs that manage computer resources at a low level. 20 Common First Year Deanship | Computer Skills System software also includes system utilities, such as the disk defragmenter and System Restore. System Operating utilities System 1- Operating systems (OS) A. OS functions o Managing Resources: the OS manages the tasks and resources of a computer and allocating them as needed such as the printer, mouse, keyboard, memory and monitor. o Providing User Interface: the OS acts as an interface between the user and the computer hardware and software applications. o Running Applications: the OS runs programs, enabling them to operate and function as designed. o Support for built-in Utility Programs: the OS have programs that monitors the system to find errors and fix them. o Control Computer Hardware: the OS controls the entire computer's internal and external hardware, and telling them how to operate and interact. o Data Access: the OS responsible of accessing, storing and retrieving data on the computer's hard drive. It also manages data stored temporarily in the computer's RAM memory. o Network Communication: the OS facilitates network communication by enabling connected network devices to communicate with the computer and with any programs that require them. B. OS types I. Multi-tasking vs. Single-tasking o A multi-tasking operating system allows more than one program to be running at the same time, from the point of view of human time scales. o A single-tasking system has only one running program. II. Multi-user vs. Single user o A multi-user operating system allows multiple users to access a computer system concurrently. o Single-user operating systems, as opposed to a multi-user operating system, are usable by a single user at a time. 21 Common First Year Deanship | Computer Skills III. Distributed o A distributed operating system manages a group of independent computers and makes them appear to be a single computer. o The development of networked computers that could be linked and communicate with each other, gave rise to distributed computing. IV. Real-Time o A real-time operating system is a multitasking operating system that aims at executing real-time applications. o Real-time OS responds to input instantly. V. Embedded o Embedded operating systems are designed to be used in embedded computer systems. o They are designed to operate on small machines like PDAs with less autonomy. o They are able to operate with a limited number of resources. C. Graphical User Interface (GUI) vs Command Line Interface (CLI) a) GUI: Interaction with menus and visual images such as buttons and other graphical objects to issue commands. b) CLI: User types commands or presses special keys on the keyboard to enter data and instructions. D. Common Operating Systems 2- Utilities Utility software helps to manage, maintain and control computer resources. Examples of utility programs are antivirus software, backup software and disk tools. 22 Common First Year Deanship | Computer Skills 2.3 Applications 1- Productive apps Applications lets the user perform various tasks required at home, at school, and business. 2- Business apps Software for Large and Specialized Businesses o Vertical market software is designed for a specific industry. o Computer-aided design (CAD) creates automated designs, technical drawings, and 3D model visualizations. Small business software o Accounting software helps small business owners manage their finances more efficiently by providing tools for tracking accounts receivable and accounts payable. In addition, these applications offer inventory management, payroll, and billing tools. o If your business requires newsletters, catalogs, annual reports, or other large, complicated publications, consider using desktop publishing (DTP) software. 3- Multimedia & educational Apps. Digital Multimedia Software Multimedia Digital Audio Software App Creation Software 23  o You can use the editors and game engines available for games such as EverQuest, Oblivion, and Unreal Tournament to create custom levels and characters to extend the game. o Multimedia applications such as Unity, Adobe Flash, and RPG Maker VX provide the tools you need to explore game design and creation. Educational and Reference Software o Examples: Blackboard, Moodle, and Canvas. o Collaboration tools facilitate virtual office hour sessions. 4- Software licenses It is a legal instrument (by way of contract law) governing the usage or redistribution of software. It allows an individual and groups to use a piece of software. A license key is a data string that verifies authorized software product access. Nearly all applications are licensed. Types of Software License: o Register ware o Shareware/Demoware o Freeware o Open source o Abandon ware I. Register ware Refers to computer software, which requires the user to give personal information through registration in order to download or use the program. II. Shareware/Demoware Refers to copyrighted commercial software that is distributed without payment on a trial basis and is limited by any combination of functionality, availability, or convenience. III. Freeware Computer software that is available for use with no cost or for an optional fee. Freeware is different from shareware, where the user is obliged to pay. IV. Open Source Software (OSS) OSS is also a free software. OSS is software with source code that anyone can inspect, modify, and enhance. V. Abandon ware It refers to software that is no longer available for purchase or that is at least a certain amount of years old.