COMPUTER SOFTWARE

COMPUTER SOFTWAREOBJECTIVES:Define software.Appreciate the importance of software.Identify the major classifications of software.Differentiate the different user interfaces.Understand the concept of peopleware.

SOFTWAREIntangible component of the computerLogical, step-by-step, and detailed instructions that tell hardware what to doWritten coded commands that dictate computers what to do

SOFTWARE FUNDAMENTALSComputer Programs- This are sequence of instructions for the computer, which comprise software.Stored Program Concept- modern hardware architecture in which stored software programs are accessed and their instructions are executed on computers CPU one after the other.Documentation- written description of the functions of a software programs.

SOFTWARE FUNDAMENTALSComputer Programs- This are sequence of instructions for the computer, which comprise software.Stored Program Concept- modern hardware architecture in which stored software programs are accessed and their instructions are executed on computers CPU one after the other.Documentation- written description of the functions of a software programs.

2 MAJOR TYPES OF SOFTWARE:Designed and written to perform specific jobs for particular operations and applicationsAn Essential part of the computer system that controls the Hardware and other programsApplications SoftwareSystem SoftwareApplication Software- is a set of computer instruction that provide more specific functionality to user.System Software is a set of instructions that serves primarily as intermediary between computer hardware and application program.

6RELATIONSHIP:Application SoftwareSystem SoftwareHARDWARE7Types of Application SoftwareEntertainment Software- The serious matter of videogames. - e.g. Pac-man, Super MarioEducational and Reference Software- helps student to be more receptive to learning. - e.g. Math blaster(problem-solving game), Encarta, encyclopedias, maps, etc.Business and Specialized Software- includes programs for desktop publishing, persona; finance, projects management, computer-aided design, drawing and painting, and hypertext.

Types of Application SoftwareBasic Productivity Software- consist of programs found in most offices and probably on all campuses, on PCs and other computer systems.

Example: Word Processing allows the user to manipulate text rather than just numbers. Modern word processors contains many productive writing and editing features. (e.g. Microsoft Word) WYSIWYG acronyms for What you see is what you get

Types of Application SoftwareSpreadsheets -software's that use a grid coded rows and columns to display numeric or textual data in cell. -with spreadsheets, user can also develop and use macros (which are sequence of commands that can be executed with just one simple instruction. - created in 1987 by Daniel Bricklyn and Daniel Flystra as study tool Example: MS Excel (common)

Types of Application Software3) Database Software- is a program used to manage multiple data files. Each table is contains(rows) and fields(Columns). Examples: dBase, Microsoft Access, Delphi, Oracle and Paradox.

4) Specialty SoftwarePresentation Graphics Software- uses graphics, animation, sound and data to make visual presentations, commonly called slide shows.

Types of Application SoftwareContinuation.Financial Software's - includes personal-finance managers, entry-level accounting programs, and business financial management packages.Desktop-publishing(DTP) Software -enables users to mix text and graphics to produce high-quality output for commercial printing. E.g. Page Maker, Adobe In Design, Microsoft publisher.

Types of Application SoftwareContinuation.Project Management Software - helps user plan and schedule the people, costs and resources required to complete a project on time.

Computer-Aided Design (CAD) programs -used to design products, structures, engineering drawings and maps.

COPYRIGHTThe exclusive right that prohibits copying of intellectual property without the permission of the copyright holder.Copyright is described under the umbrella term Intellectual Property.Types of Software acquired:Commercial Software - also called Proprietary Software - Refers to any software that is designed for sale to serve a commercial need. Copyrighted.Public-domain Software - is not protected by copyrighted and thus may be duplicated by anyone at will. They are often available through sites on the internet.Shareware - is copyrighted software that is distributed free of charge but requires users to make a monetary contribution in order to continue using it.

Types of Software acquired:Freeware - is copyrighted software that is distributed free of charge.Rentalware - is copyrighted software and lease for a fee.

SYSTEM SOFTWAREEnables the application software to interact with the computer and helps the computer manage its internal and external resources.

3 BASIC COMPONENTS: 1. Operating System (OS) 2. Device Drivers 3. Utility Programs1. OPERATING SYSTEM- supervises the over all operations of the computer, allocates CPU time and main memory to programs, and provide an interface between the user and the hardware.- it is the principal component of system software in any computing system. - Also called Software Platform2. DEVICE DRIVERS - Helps the computer control the peripheral devices.

3.UTILITY PROGRAMS - generally used to support, enhance, or expand existing programs in a computer system. - It is designed to help analyze, configure, optimized and maintain the computer.UTILITY PROGRAMSBackup utility is used to make duplicate copy of the information on your disk.Data-recovery utility is used to restore data that has been physically damaged or corrupted.Antivirus software is a utility program that scans hard disks, floppy disks, and memory to detect viruses.Data Compression utility remove redundant elements, gaps, and unnecessary data from a computers storage space so that less space is required to store or transmit data.Fragmentation is the scattering of portions of files about the disk in nonadjacent areas, thus greatly slowing access to the file.Defragmentation utility program will find all scattered files on your disk and reorganized them as contiguous files.

USERAPPLICATION SOFTWAREWord processing, spreadsheets, database, graphics,etc.DEVICE DRIVERSUTILITY PROGRAMSSYSTEM SOFTWAREOperating System

HARDWARESYSTEM SOFTWARE FUNCTIONS1) Booting- the process of loading an OS into the computers main memory.2) CPU ManagementKernel is the supervising the software that manages the CPU.Memory management - the OS keeps track of the memory locations to prevent programs and data from overlapping each other.Queues, Buffer, Spooling

SYSTEM SOFTWARE FUNCTIONSQueue: first-in, first-out(FIFO) sequence of data or programs that waits inline for its turn to be processed.

Buffer: the place where the data or programs sit while they are waiting

Spooling: the act of placing a print job into a buffer.

3) File Management File is either a:Data File: a named collection of data Program File: a program that exist in computers secondary storage.

SYSTEM SOFTWARE FUNCTIONS4) Task Management Required for users that accommodate multiple users.

Multitasking the management of 2 or more task, or programs, running concurrently on the computer system.

Multiprocessing Simultaneous processing of more than one program by assigning them to different processors.

Time-sharing - is the sharing of a computing resource among many users by means of multiprocessing and multi-tasking.

5) Formatting -process of preparing a disk so that it can store data or programs.

6) Security Management

COMMON FEATURES OF SOFTWARE:User Interface-the user-controllable display screen that allows you to communicate, or interact with the computer.

2 TYPES:Command-Driven InterfaceGraphical User Interface (GUI)MS-DOSMAC OS, Windows, LinuxCOMMON FEATURES OF SOFTWARE:Command-Driven InterfaceRequire you to type in strange-looking instructions.

Graphical user Interface(GUI)Pronounced as gooeydisplay format that enables the user to choose commands, start programs, and see lists of files and other options by pointing to pictorial representations (icons) and lists of menu items on the screen.

3 FEATURES OF GUI: DesktopThe systems main interface screen, displays pictures(icons) that provide quick access to program information.Iconsare small figures that represent programs, data files, or procedures.Menusa list of options from which a program user can select in order to perform a desired action.

TYPES OF OPERATING SYSTEM:Real-time Operating System: It is a multitasking operating system that aims at executing real-time applications.

Multi-user and Single-user Operating Systems: The operating systems of this type allow a multiple users to access a computer system concurrently.

Multi-tasking and Single-tasking Operating Systems -When a single program is allowed to run at a time, the system is grouped under a single-tasking system, while in case the operating system allows the execution of multiple tasks at one time, it is classified as a multi-tasking operating system.

TYPES OF OPERATING SYSTEM:Distributed Operating System: manages a group of independent computers and makes them appear to be a single computer

Embedded System: The operating systems designed for being used in embedded computer systems -They are designed to operate on small machines like PDAs with less autonomy. -They are able to operate with a limited number of resources. -They are very compact and extremely efficient by design.

EXAMPLE OF OPERATING SYSTEM:Windows XPWindows 7Linux powerful version of the UNIX OS that is open source software (publicly and freely available).Java OS OS designed to execute programs written in Java, for internet and intranet applications, embedded devices, hand-held products, and client computing.Etc..

Data Storage Hierarchy:Character is a letter, number, or special character. Fieldconsist of one or more characters(bytes). E.g. name, address, or Social security number.Record is a collection of related fields. File is a collection of related records .e.g data collected on everyone employed in the same department of a company.Database is an organized collection of integrated files.

PEOPLEWARE

PEOPLEWARE:Consist of the users or personnel involved in data processing operations.The are the most important part of and beneficiaries of computer-communication system.

TYPES OF PEOPLE USING I.T.Professionals - these are people who have had formal education in the technical aspects of using a computer and communication systems.

End Users - these are those without much technical knowledge of information technology, who use computers for entertainment, education or work-related tasks.

COMPUTER JOB DESCRIPTION:System Programmer develop, acquire and effectively utilize programming languages.Develop technical specifications for future computers system and applications.Establish programming standards.

COMPUTER JOB DESCRIPTION:System AnalystDetermining proposed computerized applications to be effectively integrated into the operational structure of the organizations. -They produce outline designs and costing's of new IT systems, specifying the operations the system will perform, and the way data will be viewed by the user, present their design to the client and, once it is approved, work closely with the client team to implement the solution.

COMPUTER JOB DESCRIPTION:System DeveloperSystems developers work on the internal operations of computers. They work within organizations to solve computer problems using existing systems or incorporating new technologies to meet particular needs.Systems developers may also create systems in response to technical specifications supplied by an IT analyst.

COMPUTER JOB DESCRIPTION:Network AdministratorIs as modern professional responsible for the maintenance of computer hardware and software that comprise a computer network.This normally includes the deployment, configuration, maintenance and monitoring of active network equipment.

COMPUTER JOB DESCRIPTION:Web DeveloperIs a software developer who is specially engaged in the development of WWW (World Wide Web) applications, or distributed network applications that are run over the HTTP protocol from the web server to a web browser.

COMPUTER JOB DESCRIPTION:Database Administratoris responsible for the performance, integrity and security of a database. Additional role requirements are likely to include planning, development and troubleshooting.DBA roles are increasingly identified by the databases and processes they administer and the capabilities of the database management system (DBMS) in use.