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ComputerSoftware

SoftwareComputers require software to function. Software is the instructions that allow users to communicate with the computer; also called programs.Three categories:

Operating system software Application (productivity) software Communications software

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Operating system software

Operating system (OS)--system software that acts as a "go-between", allowing computer hardware and other software to communicate with each other

Microsoft Windows Mac OS Linux

One component of an OS is file management: the ability to create, edit, view, print, rename, copy or delete files and folders

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Platform

The hardware and the operating system together are referred to as a platform. Windows platform Mac platform

Dual-platform: the ability to run more than one operating system.

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Basic functions of an OS

Function Description

User interface Provides icons and menus to interact with computer

Utilities to configure the system

Provides connection to networks, installation of software and management of resources

Manage computer resources

Control the connections between the software and the hardware

Secure data by controlling access

Specifies authentication and authorization rights to the computer and its resources.

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Definitions

Authentication: the process of validating a user’s logon information

Authorization: associating specific permissions to a username

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Utility software

Utility software is a type of system software that runs system checks and makes sure everything is working properly; One type of utility software is anti-virus

software, which checks for viruses (programs designed to disrupt or destroy the normal operation of a computer McAfee, Norton, Avast, AVG

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Word Processing Spreadsheet Presentation Database Desktop Publishing Painting/Drawing

Digital Imaging Web Design Video/Audio Production Gaming Podcasting Accounting

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Application softwarePrograms that allow the user to perform specific tasks; also known as productivity software

Word Processing A software application that

is designed to create, edit, format, print and save text-based documents, such as letters, reports, and memos

Microsoft Word, Apple Pages

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Spreadsheet A software application that

stores data in a grid of horizontal rows and vertical columns. The software is designed to analyze data using formulas and calculations.

Microsoft Excel, Apple Numbers

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Presentation

An application software designed to create a visual display of information; can include text, graphics, audio and video

Microsoft PowerPoint, Apple Keynote, Prezi

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Database

An application software designed to collect and organize data for easy retrieval and analysis

Microsoft Access, FileMaker Pro, Oracle

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Desktop Publishing

An application software that is designed to combine text and graphics to create professional print-ready publications

Adobe InDesign, Corel Draw, Microsoft Publisher

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Communication software

Programs that make it possible for a computer to transmit and receive information to and from other computers. Web Browsers

Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, Google Chrome

Email Yahoo, Gmail, Live, Hotmail, Outlook, etc.

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File formats

Every file saved on a computer will have an extension at the end of a file name known as the file format—typically three characters.

The extension defines how the data is stored in the file. It may indicate which application was used to create a document or what type of application is needed to open the document

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File types - continued Examples:

.docx Microsoft Word document .pptxMicrosoft PowerPoint presentation .xlsx Microsoft Excel spreadsheet .txt a plain text file (generic) .rtf rich text format (generic) .jpg graphic image .pdf requires Adobe Reader

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File types - continued .mp3compressed audio file .wmv windows media video file format .wma windows media audio file format .htm hypertext markup file .movQuicktime movie .wps Microsoft Works word processing doc .zip compressed file format .exe executable file

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