Unit Two: Developing Foundations

Basic Computer Literacy Basic Computer Literacy Terms You Need to Terms You Need to UnderstandUnderstand

Software--another word for programs.

Program and software are interchangeable words.

Programs are just written instructions

telling a computer what to do. A computer system can only do what program directions tell it to do.

Booting—preparing computer to accept data

1. Cold Boot—turning computer on, loading operating system, loading application program

2. Warm Boot—restarting computer and loading application program

Data—any facts that go into the CPU (processor of computer)◦Input and Data are interchangeable words!

Information—any organized facts that come out of the CPU.◦Output and Information are interchangeable words!

Operating System—Foundation programIn PCs, it’s usually a version of Windows. This program “wakes the computer up and tells it to get ready to work!”

Application Program—a program written for a specific purpose.

We will be using these TYPES of application programs. word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, and database

Application SoftwareApplication SoftwareThe main TYPES of application software for

business & personal use are: Word processing—deals primarily with

words, sentences, paragraphs, etc. Spreadsheets—grid/table that deals

primarily with number and math data. Presentation—used as a visual aid when

giving presentations to an audience. Database—an electronic filing system for

data facts of people and things.

Integrated Software—programs that EASILY swap and share data.

These one-package purchases have more than one program—example:

Microsoft Office.

Microsoft Office 2007—the NAME of our integrated software application package. Within

Microsoft Office, we have: WORD—deals primarily with words,

sentences, paragraphs, etc. EXCEL—grid/table that deals primarily with number and math data. POWERPOINT—designed for data

presentations such as this. ACCESS—designed to keep data facts of

people and things.

REMEMBER: These share similar ribbons & can share data!

Icon—a picture with/or in place of a word. First developed by Apple computers and referred to as a GUI.

Insertion Point/Cursor: the flashing line on screen that shows next text positioning.

Format: The appearance of a document. Changing the format does NOT change the data meaning.

Default Settings: setting that the program automatically sets—examples, font style, size, margins, single-spacing, etc.

Font—print style—WORD 2007 default is Calibri

Font Point—the size of characters—WORD 2007 default is 11 pt.

SummarySummaryRemember: Computers can only do

what they are told to do. YOU, through the program instructions, are responsible for all output. It is the user, not the computer, that is responsible for incorrect results!

GIGOGarbage In . . . Garbage

Out!