Computer and Information Science Computer Software Computer Software Chapter 1.2.
Computer Software
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Transcript of Computer Software
Computer SoftwareComputer Software
SoftwareSoftware
According to the American According to the American Heritage Dictionary software is Heritage Dictionary software is
"The programs, routines, and "The programs, routines, and symbolic languages that control symbolic languages that control the functioning of the hardware the functioning of the hardware and direct its operation."and direct its operation."
SoftwareSoftware
In other words, software instructs In other words, software instructs the hardware what to do, and uses the hardware what to do, and uses the hardware to perform specific the hardware to perform specific tasks.tasks.
Such as display information on a Such as display information on a screen, format a floppy disk, etc. screen, format a floppy disk, etc. There are 2 main types of software There are 2 main types of software
What are the types...What are the types...
Types of SoftwareTypes of Software
Operating systemsOperating systems– a set of programs that manage the a set of programs that manage the
computer (e.g. loads & controls the computer (e.g. loads & controls the execution of other programs, execution of other programs, manages the storage of data on manages the storage of data on disks)disks)
– examples???examples???
Types of SoftwareTypes of Software
Applications Software:Applications Software:– Programs written for specific Programs written for specific
purposes in order to perform purposes in order to perform functions specified by end users.functions specified by end users.
– Why do we need them ???Why do we need them ???
– Examples ???Examples ???
Operating SystemsOperating Systems
Operating SystemsOperating Systems MS-DOS (Microsoft Disk Operating MS-DOS (Microsoft Disk Operating
System), also known as PC-DOS System), also known as PC-DOS (Personal Computer Disk Operating (Personal Computer Disk Operating System), System), – is the standard OS on Intel-based is the standard OS on Intel-based
microcomputers, and is often referred microcomputers, and is often referred to simply as DOS. to simply as DOS.
Operating SystemsOperating Systems
MS Windows (Microsoft Windows):MS Windows (Microsoft Windows):– a GUI (Graphical User Interface) that a GUI (Graphical User Interface) that
works with DOS to provide a more user-works with DOS to provide a more user-friendly and powerful interface to the friendly and powerful interface to the computer and its' applications. computer and its' applications.
– current versions of MS Windows current versions of MS Windows (including 3.11) are not true operating (including 3.11) are not true operating systems, and require DOS to be installed systems, and require DOS to be installed on the computer before function. on the computer before function.
Operating SystemsOperating Systems
Windows NT & Windows 95 & Windows Windows NT & Windows 95 & Windows 98, 2000 and XP are true operating 98, 2000 and XP are true operating systems (i.e.. they do not require DOS) systems (i.e.. they do not require DOS) which have a GUI superior to MS which have a GUI superior to MS Windows. Windows.
Windows NT has been around for a Windows NT has been around for a number of years, is generally used in number of years, is generally used in high-end, commercial environments.high-end, commercial environments.
Operating SystemsOperating Systems
It (Windows NT) is also the system in It (Windows NT) is also the system in use at St.F.X. with the WebFX use at St.F.X. with the WebFX system.system.
Windows XP and 2000 are the latest Windows XP and 2000 are the latest version of Windows from Microsoft, version of Windows from Microsoft, – intend to replace Windows 95, DOS, intend to replace Windows 95, DOS,
and MS Windows as the operating and MS Windows as the operating system of the future for home uses. system of the future for home uses.
Operating SystemsOperating Systems
Given the rapid change of hardware Given the rapid change of hardware technology DOS and Windows are technology DOS and Windows are dying rapidly. dying rapidly.
New systems come with a newer New systems come with a newer version of OS installed automatically. version of OS installed automatically.
Usually have a choice of one of: Usually have a choice of one of: Windows NT, Windows 95, or Windows NT, Windows 95, or Windows 98, 2000 and XP.Windows 98, 2000 and XP.
Operating SystemsOperating Systems
The Macintosh operating system is The Macintosh operating system is used on Apple computers, and was the used on Apple computers, and was the first GUI-based operating system.first GUI-based operating system.
Has always been the easiest to Has always been the easiest to learn/use operating system, learn/use operating system,
But has been limited to the proprietary But has been limited to the proprietary Apple hardware, and therefore not as Apple hardware, and therefore not as popular as DOS and Windows. popular as DOS and Windows.
Operating SystemsOperating Systems
OS/2 was the first advanced GUI OS/2 was the first advanced GUI operating system for Intel-based operating system for Intel-based microcomputers, and has been microcomputers, and has been around for a few years. around for a few years.
Originally a joint project with IBM and Originally a joint project with IBM and Microsoft, OS/2 is now maintained by Microsoft, OS/2 is now maintained by IBM, and was a competitive product IBM, and was a competitive product to the various MS Windows programs. to the various MS Windows programs.
Operating systemsOperating systems
Such as network servers, and Such as network servers, and certain business applications.certain business applications.
OS/2 is used heavily in the Banking OS/2 is used heavily in the Banking industry. You probably use OS/2 industry. You probably use OS/2 when getting money from an ATM when getting money from an ATM machine. machine.
Operating SystemsOperating Systems
UNIX is an operating system UNIX is an operating system – has been most popular on has been most popular on
workstations and other high-end workstations and other high-end computer systems. computer systems.
– various flavours of UNIX, such as AIX various flavours of UNIX, such as AIX (the version used on Juliet), (the version used on Juliet), NeXTStep, and Solaris, which tend to NeXTStep, and Solaris, which tend to be developed for specific vendor be developed for specific vendor hardware platforms. hardware platforms.
Operating SystemsOperating Systems
UNIX-like operating system is Linux:UNIX-like operating system is Linux:– developed firstly by a student from developed firstly by a student from
FinlandFinland– works on a wide variety of vendor works on a wide variety of vendor
systems, including Intel systems, including Intel microcomputers. microcomputers.
UNIX is a very powerful and rich UNIX is a very powerful and rich operating system, but also very operating system, but also very difficult to master.difficult to master.
Applications SoftwareApplications Software
Word ProcessingWord Processing– Software for creating standard text Software for creating standard text
documents, such as reports, books, documents, such as reports, books, etc.etc.
– examples are Microsoft Word, examples are Microsoft Word, WordPerfect, and Write. WordPerfect, and Write.
Applications SoftwareApplications Software
Word processors are distinguished Word processors are distinguished from the simpler text editors, by from the simpler text editors, by – the inclusion of more advanced the inclusion of more advanced
features (word wrap, headers & features (word wrap, headers & footers, etc.), and footers, etc.), and
– more complex proprietary data more complex proprietary data formats. Text editors have limited formats. Text editors have limited functionally.functionally.
Application SoftwareApplication Software
Desktop publishing software:Desktop publishing software:– more sophisticated programs for more sophisticated programs for
creating large documents (e.g. creating large documents (e.g. books), or documents with a lot of books), or documents with a lot of graphic (newsletters, brochures, etc.) graphic (newsletters, brochures, etc.)
– examples are Pagemaker and examples are Pagemaker and Ventura. Ventura.
Application SoftwareApplication Software
Spreadsheets Spreadsheets – Software for working with numeric Software for working with numeric
data, calculations and data, calculations and graphing/charting. graphing/charting.
– examples: examples: Microsoft Excel;Microsoft Excel; Lotus 1-2-3, and Lotus 1-2-3, and Quattro Pro. Quattro Pro.
Application SoftwareApplication Software
Databases Databases – allows the creation of highly allows the creation of highly
structured containers for storing structured containers for storing information about things. information about things.
– examples: Microsoft Access, Paradox, examples: Microsoft Access, Paradox, and ProFile. and ProFile.
– examples of types of database examples of types of database systems would be inventory systems, systems would be inventory systems, or bank accounts. or bank accounts.
Application SoftwareApplication Software
Databases describe Databases describe – the characteristics of things (e.g. the characteristics of things (e.g.
name, address and phone number for name, address and phone number for a mailing list), and a mailing list), and
– allow the user to input values for allow the user to input values for storage, and retrieve them at a later storage, and retrieve them at a later date.date.
Application SoftwareApplication Software
Communications Communications – allows one computer to communicate allows one computer to communicate
with another. with another. – Examples are Procomm and Kermit.Examples are Procomm and Kermit.
Communications software often Communications software often uses a modem to provide the uses a modem to provide the communications link with another communications link with another computer system.computer system.
Application SoftwareApplication Software
Graphics Graphics – allows the user to create or edit allows the user to create or edit
images, such as images, such as line art;line art; photographs, or photographs, or drawings. drawings.
– examples are Corel Draw, Morph and examples are Corel Draw, Morph and Adobe Photoshop.Adobe Photoshop.
Application SoftwareApplication Software
Presentation/MultimediaPresentation/Multimedia– allows the user to combine various allows the user to combine various
data formats (text, images, audio, data formats (text, images, audio, video) to create products like video) to create products like business presentations, educational business presentations, educational programs, games, etc. programs, games, etc.
– examples are Microsoft Powerpoint examples are Microsoft Powerpoint and Macromedia Director. and Macromedia Director.
Application SoftwareApplication Software
Programming Programming – used to create other software used to create other software
programs. programs. – examples are QBasic and Borland C+examples are QBasic and Borland C+
+.+.
Why do we have programming Why do we have programming software???software???
Application SoftwareApplication Software
Utilities Utilities – performs a variety of functions for performs a variety of functions for
maintaining and administering other maintaining and administering other software programs, data files, and software programs, data files, and hardware. hardware.
– examples are PCtools and Norton examples are PCtools and Norton Utilities. Utilities.
Application SoftwareApplication Software
Games & Edutainment - Games Games & Edutainment - Games are, well, games. are, well, games.
Edutainment software Edutainment software – a new term used to describe software a new term used to describe software
that uses a game-like environment to that uses a game-like environment to teach about specific topics. teach about specific topics.
Application SoftwareApplication Software
Viruses Viruses – special software programs that can special software programs that can
"infect" other software, and "infect" other software, and – cause it to malfunction, or cause it to malfunction, or – do things its' creators did not intend to do things its' creators did not intend to
do. do. – viruses can be very damaging, and viruses can be very damaging, and – anti-virus software protects computer anti-virus software protects computer
systems from becoming infected. systems from becoming infected.
Application SoftwareApplication Software
Industrial - Specialized software Industrial - Specialized software – programs used to control machines or programs used to control machines or
devices such as:devices such as: photocopiers;photocopiers; robotics;robotics; cars;cars; space shuttles;space shuttles; etc.etc.
Application SoftwareApplication Software
Consumer - Specialized software Consumer - Specialized software – programs used in programs used in
commercial/personal devices such as commercial/personal devices such as microwaves and other household microwaves and other household appliances. appliances.
– some modern homes are being some modern homes are being designed with built-in computer designed with built-in computer systems that can be used to control systems that can be used to control heat, lights, etc.heat, lights, etc.
SummarySummary
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