Software and Programs PDF

Software and Programs Software It is a series of related instructions, organized for a common purpose which tells the computer what tasks to perform and how to perform the tasks. Example: Windows 10 OS, Jollibee POS, Microsoft Word, Google Chrome, Shopee App Two Categories of Software...

Software and Programs Software It is a series of related instructions, organized for a common purpose which tells the computer what tasks to perform and how to perform the tasks. Example: Windows 10 OS, Jollibee POS, Microsoft Word, Google Chrome, Shopee App Two Categories of Software System Software Application Software Role of System Software It organizes the activities and functions of the hardware and software. Its role is to manage running application software, handling input and output, and provide an interface between users, application software, and hardware. It serves as a platform for other software to run, without it users cannot use any application software. Application Software It is a software program or a collection of programs intended for end- users. It is often referred to as productivity programs or end-user programs because they enable the user to complete one or more specific tasks such as creating documents doing online research sending email designing graphics playing Forms of Application Software 1. Packaged software 2. Custom software 3. Web application 4. Open-source software 5. Shareware 6. Freeware 7. Public-domain software Forms of Application Software 1. Packaged software copyrighted retail software that is massed-produced and meets the needs of a wide range of consumers 2. Custom software carries out tasks unique to a business or sector; a company can hire programmers to create a tailor-made custom software 3. Web application is a website that allows users to access and communicate with software from any internet-connected computer or device; designed for interaction with end users Forms of Application Software 4. Open-source software is created for use, modification, and redistribution; has no restrictions from the copyright holder regarding modification of the software’s internal instructions and its redistribution 5. Shareware copyrighted software distributed for a trial period at no cost and the user has to pay after the trial period to continually use the application software 6. Freeware copyrighted software provided at no cost to a user 7. Public-domain software has been donated for public use and has no copyright restrictions; anyone can copy or distribute it to others at no cost Uses of Application Software To make business activities more efficient To assist with graphics and multimedia projects To support home, personal, and educational tasks To facilitate communications Four Categories of Application Software System Software It consists of the programs that control or maintain the operations of the computer and its devices and serves as the interface between the user, the application software, and the computer’s hardware. Two Types of System Software 1. Operating System (OS) 2. Utility Programs Operating Systems It is a set of programs containing instructions that work together to coordinate all the activities among computer hardware resources. In most cases, OS is installed and resides on the computer’s hard disk and on a ROM chip for handheld and many mobile devices. Different sizes of computers typically use different OS because OS generally are written to run on a specific type of computer. a mainframe computer does not use the same operating system as a personal computer; even desktop computers, may not use the same operating system Operating Systems Functions Starting and Shutting Down a Computer Booting is the process of starting or restarting a computer Cold boot is when turning on a computer that has been powered off completely Warm boot is the process of using the operating system to restart a computer The kernel is the core of an operating system that manages memory and devices, maintains the computer’s clock, starts programs, and assigns the computer’s resources Each time you boot a computer, the kernel and other frequently used operating system instructions are loaded, or copied, from storage into the computer’s memory (RAM). Operating Systems Functions Providing a User Interface (UI) A user interface controls how you enter data and instructions and how information is displayed on the screen Two types of UI Graphical User Interface (GUI) - you interact with menus and visual images such as buttons and other graphical objects to issue commands Command-Line Interface (CLI)- a user types commands or presses special keys on the keyboard to enter data and instructions Operating Systems Functions Managing Programs A smartphone and desktop are single-user/multitasking operating system that allows a single user to work on two or more programs at the same time. Servers, mainframes, and supercomputers have multiuser operating systems that enable two or more users to run programs simultaneously. The foreground (active and currently in use) and background (running but not currently in use) Operating Systems Functions Managing Memory The purpose of memory management is to optimize the use of random access memory (RAM). The OS allocates or assigns, data and instructions to an area of memory while they are being processed – it then carefully monitors the contents of memory – and it releases these items from being monitored when the processor no longer requires them. Operating Systems Functions Managing Memory Virtual memory is a concept in which the OS allocates a portion of a storage device (hard disk), to function as additional RAM. The OS uses an area of the hard disk for virtual memory, in which it swaps data, information, and instructions between memory and storage and the swapping technique is called paging. If the OS has to swap data between virtual memory and RAM too often, the computer will begin to slow down -- this is called thrashing. Operating Systems Functions Coordinating Tasks The OS determines the order in which tasks are processed. A task or job is an operation the processor manages which includes receiving data from an input device, processing instructions, sending information to an output device, and transferring items from storage to memory and from memory to storage. A buffer (commonly used with printed documents)is a segment of memory or storage in which items are placed while waiting to be transferred from an input device or to an output device. Spooling sends documents to be printed to a buffer instead of sending them immediately to the printer. By spooling documents to a buffer, the processor can continue interpreting and executing instructions while the printer prints. Operating Systems Functions Configuring Devices A driver is a small program that tells the OS how to communicate with a specific device. Plug and Play means the OS automatically configures new devices as you install them. Establishing an Internet Connection Windows includes a Set Up a Connection or Network wizard that guides users through the process of setting up a connection between a computer and an Internet access provider. Operating Systems Functions Monitoring Performance A performance monitor is a program that assesses and reports information about various computer resources and devices. Providing File Management and Other Utilities OS often provides users with the capability of managing files, searching for files, viewing images, securing a computer from unauthorized access, uninstalling programs, cleaning up disks, defragmenting disks, diagnosing problems, backing up files and disks, and setting up screen savers. Operating Systems Functions Updating Software Automatically Most OS include an automatic update feature that automatically provides updates to the program. Automatic update feature automatically alerts users when an update is available; it can be configured to download and install the update automatically Controlling a Network A server operating system is an operating system that organizes and coordinates how multiple users access and share resources on a network. A server OS allows multiple users to share a printer, Internet access, files, and programs. The network administrator, the person overseeing network operations, uses the server operating system to add and remove users, computers, and other devices to and from the network Operating Systems Functions Administering Security Computer and network administrators typically have an administrator account that enables them to access all files and programs on the computer or network, install programs, and specify settings that affect all users on a computer or network. Three Types of Operating Systems Stand-alone OS is a complete operating system that works on a desktop computer, notebook computer, or mobile computing device Server is an operating system that is designed specifically to support a network Embedded is the OS on most mobile devices and many consumer electronics which resides on a ROM chip Utility Programs It is a type of system software that allows a user to perform maintenance-type tasks, usually related to managing a computer, its devices, or its programs. Most operating systems include several built-in utility programs. Functions of Utility Programs File Manager file manager performs are displaying a list of files on a storage medium, organizing files in folders, and copying, renaming, deleting, moving, and sorting files Functions of Utility Programs Search Utility is a program that attempts to locate a file on your computer based on criteria (word or words contained in a file, date the file was created or modified, size of the file, location of the file, file name, author/artist) you specify Functions of Utility Programs Uninstaller is a utility that removes a program, as well as any associated entries in the system files Functions of Utility Programs Image Viewer allows users to display, copy, and print the contents of a graphics file Functions of Utility Programs Disk Cleanup searches for and removes unnecessary files Functions of Utility Programs Disk Defragmenter is a utility that reorganizes the files and unused space on a computer’s hard disk so that the OS accesses data more quickly and programs run faster Functions of Utility Programs Backup & Restore Utilities backup utility allows users to copy, or back up, selected files or an entire hard disk to another storage medium such as another hard disk, optical disc, USB flash drive, or tape restore utility reverses the process and returns backed up files to their original form backup utilities work with a restore utility. Functions of Utility Programs Screen Saver is a utility that causes a display device’s screen to show a moving image or blank screen if no keyboard or mouse activity occurs for a specified time Functions of Utility Programs Personal Firewall is a utility that detects and protects a personal computer from unauthorized intrusions when connected to the Internet, your computer is vulnerable to attacks from a hacker Functions of Utility Programs Antivirus Programs protects a computer against viruses by identifying and removing any computer viruses found in memory, on storage media, or on incoming files Functions of Utility Programs Spyware & Adware Removers Spyware is a program placed on a computer without the user’s knowledge that secretly collects information about the user, often related to Web browsing habits. Adware is a program that displays an online advertisement in a banner or pop-up window on Web pages, e-mail, or other Internet services. A spyware remover is a program that detects and deletes spyware, and similar programs. An adware remover is a program that detects and deletes adware. Functions of Utility Programs Internet Filters Filters are programs that remove or block certain items from being displayed. Four widely used Internet filters are anti-spam programs - a filtering program that attempts to remove spam before it reaches your inbox Web filters - Web filtering software is a program that restricts access to certain material on the Web phishing filters - a program that warns or blocks you from potentially fraudulent or suspicious Web sites pop-up blockers - a filtering program that stops pop-up ads from displaying on Web pages Functions of Utility Programs File Compression Is a utility that shrinks the size of a file/s. A compressed file takes up less storage space than the original file Compressed files sometimes are called zipped files To uncompress or unzip, a file, you restore it to its original form Functions of Utility Programs Media Player is a program that allows you to view images and animation, listen to audio, and watch video files on your computer Functions of Utility Programs Disk Burning Disc burning software writes text, graphics, audio, and video files on a recordable or rewritable CD, DVD, or Blu-ray Disc Personal Computer Maintenance OS typically include a diagnostic utility that diagnoses computer problems but does not repair them identifies and fixes operating system problems, detects and repairs disk problems, and includes the capability of improving a computer’s performance