Computing Fundamentals

Unit 5- Computer Software

Identify how hardware & software interact Explain how a software program works Describe the difference between application

and system software Describe the software distribution process

Objectives

What is Hardware?◦ Hardware is physical◦ You can touch it

What is Software?◦ Instructions to perform a task

Programming code◦ Program is another name◦ Program gets loaded into RAM

Both work together & interact

Hardware vs. Software

Hardware & Software Working Together

Computer processes data by applying rules◦ Algorithm

Steps to perform a task

What are the steps to doing laundry?

How a Program Works

Develop algorithm into flowchart

Programmer writes code

Beta testing◦ Evaluated by actual users◦ Does it meet requirements?◦ Report bugs

Debugging◦ Fixing the problems

Developing Software

Applications◦ Helps you do a task

Systems◦ OS & utility programs◦ Allows you to interact w/ hardware◦ Manages computer resources

2 Types of Software

Application Software AKA Productivity Software Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PhotoShop, IE,

etc.

Application Programs Runs on top of system software

Performs a specific function

◦ Word processing◦ Spreadsheets◦ Presentations◦ Databases◦ Graphics◦ Other

What are the two types of software categories?◦ Application & System

Describe hardware.◦ Physical device

What’s another name for software?◦ Programs

A new game has been developed. Who made it?◦ Programmer

Who tests it?◦ Beta tester/user

What process fixes all the problems?◦ Debugging

Review

Create, edit, format, print documents

Text editor

Word, Word Perfect

Word Processing

Evaluate & calculate data

Worksheet, workbook, cells, functions, formulas

Excel, Lotus 1-2-3, Quattro Pro

Spreadsheet

Organize & present information

Slide show

Present to audience

PowerPoint, Corel Presentations

Presentations

Presentations

Slide

Notes Page

Collection of info organized for quick retrievalCreate, maintain, provide access to dataKeywords:◦ Table◦ Records◦ Fields◦ Query

What business would use it & what info?

Access

Database Management

Database Management

Pictures

Photoshop

Formats◦ Tiff, jpg, gif, bmp◦ Each has different

qualities Tiff BEST but not

browser compatible

Graphics

Select Zoom Text Draw Shapes Erase

Paint

Multimedia- Video, Music, Animation◦ Mpg, mp3, wav

Email◦ Windows Mail/Outlook◦ Eudora (one of the 1st)

Browser◦ IE, Chrome, Opera,

Firefox

Other Software

What was one of the 1st email programs?◦ Eudora

A record can be found in which program?◦ Database

Name some picture formats.◦ Jpg, gif, bmp, tiff

Name some multimedia formats.◦ Mpg, mp3, wav

Which program can calculate data?◦ Spreadsheet

Review

What is the highlighted area called?

Record

Review

Systems Software Manage resources, files OS

◦ Communicates between user & hardware GUI

Utilities◦ Antivirus◦ Backup◦ File management (more on next slide)

Backup◦ Saves data on another drive

Antivirus◦ Protects PC from virus damage◦ Subscription◦ Scheduled Scans

Utilities

Defragmentation (example)◦ Files are all over the place◦ Defrag places parts of a file closer together

Disk Cleanup◦ Frees up disk space◦ Deletes Recycle Bin & temp files

File Compression◦ Makes one large file smaller

Disk Compression◦ Squeezes files on HD

Defrag, Cleanup, Compress

Getting Software Licensing

◦ Single-user (per machine) $$$◦ Network license (installed on server) $$◦ Site license (installed on PC) $

Web applications (SaaS)◦ Login online◦ Google Docs

Upgrade existing software to new version $$◦ New features & better compatibility◦ Like a new version of Office

Updates/Patches/Service Packs◦ Fix errors◦ Change minor

features◦ Get from

manufacturer’s web site Version 1.2.1 Windows 7 SP2

Updating Software

Freeware vs. Shareware

Freeware◦ Free software to download◦ Owner has copyright◦ For personal use

No rights for you to distribute

Shareware◦ Trial period◦ Pay after that

What is the purpose of defrag?◦ Moves parts of a file closer for faster access

Which software is a trial version?◦ Shareware

Where is the best place to get a download that will fix a security hole in Windows?◦ Microsoft (manufacturer of program)

Which utility option will squeeze files on a HD closer together to create more room?◦ Disk compression

Review

To use software legally, you must have what?◦ License

Which software is free for personal use only?◦ Freeware

What is a patch?◦ An update that fixes an error in a program

Which utility option will delete the Recycle Bin & temp files?◦ Disk cleanup

What protects a PC from viruses?◦ Anti-virus software

Review

Computing Fundamentals

Unit 5- Computer Software