1. Chapter 3: Computer Software
Chapter 4: File Management, Virus Protection, and Backup
Chapter 1: Computer, Internet, Web, and Basics
Chapter 3: Computer Software 1 1 1 1

2. Chapter 3: Computer Software
Chapter 3 Preview
After this chapter, you should be able to:
Describe the components of a typical software package
Trace the development of a computer program
Describe the differences between system software and application software
Describe the way an operating system manages each computer resource
Identify operating systems for personal computers, PDAs, and servers
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3. Chapter 3: Computer Software
Chapter 3 Preview
After this chapter, you should be able to:
Describe key and features of database and spreadsheet software
List types of software available
Explain how to install and uninstall software
Describe the differences among new software versions, software patches, and service packs
Describe rights associated with software: for users and programmers
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4. Chapter 3: Computer Software
Chapter 3 Outline
Section A
Software Basics
Section B
Computer Operating Systems
Section C
Application Software
Section D
Software Installation and Copyrights
Chapter 3: Computer Software

5. Chapter 3 Computer Software
Section A: Software Basics
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6. Chapter 3: Computer Software
What is software?
Consists of computer programs and data files that work together to provide a computer with the instructions and data necessary for carrying out a specific type of task
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7. What kinds of files are included in a typical software product?
Software includes
A computer program is a set of instructions that tells a computer how to solve a problem or carry out a task
Executable files
Support modules
Data files
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8. Programmers and Programming Languages: Who creates computer software?
Computer programmers write the instructions for the computer programs
Software publishers distribute the software
They specialize in packaging, marketing, and selling commercial software
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9. How does a programmer “write” software?
Most software is designed to provide a task-related environment
Programmer defines the properties for each element in the environment
Height
Label
What happens when you click it
A computer language provides the tools that a programmer uses to create software
Source code
High-level languages
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10. How does a programmer “write” software?
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11. How are instructions converted to machine language?
A compiler translates all of the instructions in a program as a single batch
The resulting machine language instructions are called the object code
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12. How are instructions converted to machine language?
An alternative to a compiler is an interpreter, that converts one instruction at a time while program is running
Figure 3-7
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13. So how does software work?
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14. Application Software and System Software: How is software categorized?
Software is categorized as either application software or system software
Application software is designed to be used for a purpose
System software is designed to help the computer carry out the basic operating functions
Operating systems, utilities, and drivers
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15. Chapter 3 Computer Software
Section B: Personal Computer Operating Systems
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16. Operating System Overview: What does an operating system do?
The master controller for all of the activities that take place within a computer
Microsoft Windows XP, Mac OS, Linux, UNIX
Interacts with the application software
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17. What does an operating system do?
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18. Why does an operating system manage memory?
Must ensure that instructions and data from one area of memory don’t “leak” into an area allocated to another program
If it fails, data can get corrupted, programs can “crash”
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19. How does the OS keep track of storage resources?
Acts as a filing clerk
Remembers the names and locations of all your files
Keeps track of empty spaces where new files can be stored
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20. Why does the operating system get involved with peripheral devices?
To ensure that they function correctly
To ensure input and output proceeds in an orderly fashion
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21. How does the operating system affect the user interface?
A user interface can be defined as the combination of hardware and software that helps people and computers communicate with each other
Graphical user interface (GUI)
Command-line user interface
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22. Where is the operating system stored?
The OS’s small bootstrap program resides in ROM and supplies the instructions to load the core parts into memory when system boots
This component is called the kernel
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23. Do I ever interact directly with the OS?
Yes, typically through helpful tools called utilities
Launch programs
Manage files
Get help
Customize the user interface
Configure equipment
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24. Are different operating systems needed for different computing tasks?
Single-user operating system
Multiuser operating system
Network operating system
Multitasking operating system
Desktop operating system
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25. Is Mac OS similar to Windows?
Developed several years before windows, it still has a GUI interface
Both have windows, icons, menus and pointers
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26. Is Mac OS similar to Windows?
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27. Are UNIX and Linux the same?
UNIX was developed in 1969 at AT&T’s Bell Labs
Linux was developed in 1991
Is distributed under the terms of a General Public License (GPL)
Mandrakelinux, Linspire, College Linux, and Xandros Desktop
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28. Are UNIX and Linux the same?
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29. Why do I keep hearing about DOS?
First operating system that most people have used
DOS (Disk Operating System) was developed by Microsoft
Part of the kernel of Windows 3.1, 95, 98 and ME
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30. What are the options for handheld operating systems?
Palm OS
Windows Mobile OS
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31. Chapter 3 Computer Software
Section C: Application Software
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32. Chapter 3: Computer Software
Document Production Software: How can my computer help me with my writing?
Word processing software
Desktop publishing software
Web authoring software
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33. Chapter 3: Computer Software
How does document production software help me turn my ideas into sentences and paragraphs?
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34. How do I get my documents to look good?
The format for a document refers to the way that all the elements of a document are arranged on the page
Font
Point size
Paragraph style
Paragraph alignment
Line spacing (leading)
Style
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35. How do I get my documents to look good?
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36. How do I get my documents to look good?
Page Layout refers to the physical position of each element on a page
Headers and footers
Page numbers
Graphical elements
Tables
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37. How do I get my documents to look good?
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38. Does document production software increase productivity?
Mail Merge - process of creating a series of personalized letters by combining information in a mailing list with a blank form letter
Some additional capabilities
Automatically generating a table of contents and index
Automatically numbering footnotes and positioning them
Providing document templates
Exporting a document into HTML format
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39. Spreadsheet Software: What is a spreadsheet?
Spreadsheet - numerical model or representation of a real situation
Checkbook
To use spreadsheet software, you:
Enter numbers
Indicate how the computer should manipulate those numbers
Particularly useful for what-if analysis
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40. What does a computerized spreadsheet look like?
Worksheets
An on-screen spreadsheet
Based on grid of columns and rows
Cell - intersection of columns and rows
A cell can contain
Numbers (values)
Labels
Formulas (tells computer how to calculate)
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41. What does a computerized spreadsheet look like?
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42. How does spreadsheet software work?
Cell reference - unique address given to cell
A1 = column A, row 1
You can modify a spreadsheet by
Changing text, numbers, formulas
Inserting rows and columns
Deleting rows and columns
Formulas can contain
Cell references
Mathematical operators
Numbers
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43. How does spreadsheet software work?
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44. What happens when I modify a worksheet?
Automatic recalculation – recalculates all formulas whenever contents of any cell are changed
Relative reference - cell reference
Absolute reference - never changes when you insert rows or move formulas
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45. What happens when I modify a worksheet?
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46. Chapter 3: Computer Software
Aside from spreadsheets, what other “number crunching” software is available?
Statistical software
Mathematical modeling software
Money management software
Personal finance software
Tax preparation software
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47. Database Software: What is database software?
Database software helps you to enter, find, organize, update and report information stored in a database
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48. What is database software?
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49. Chapter 3: Computer Software
How do I create records?
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50. How do I locate specific data?
A query language is a set of command words to direct the computer to:
Locate information
Sort records
Change data in records
SQL ( Structured Query Language)
Some software even allows a natural language query
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51. How do I locate specific data?
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52. How can I use search results?
Print reports
Export data to other programs
Convert the data to other formats
Transmit data to other computers
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53. Chapter 3: Computer Software
Graphics Software: What kind of software do I need to work with drawings, photos, and other pictures?
Graphics – refers to any picture, drawing, sketch, photograph, image or icon that appears on your computer screen
Graphics Software
Paint software
Photo editing software
Drawing software
3-D graphics software
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54. Chapter 3: Computer Software
What kind of software do I need to work with drawings, photos, and other pictures?
CAD software (computer-aided design software)
Presentation software
Slides
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55. Music Software: Why would I need music software?
Audio editing software lets you make your own digital voice and music recording
Ear training software
Audio encoding software
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56. Music Software: Why would I need music software?
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57. Video Editing Software: Is video editing software difficult to use?
Provides a set of tools for:
Transferring video footage
Clipping out unwanted footage
Assembling video segments in any sequence
Adding special visual effects
Adding a sound track
DVD authoring software offers tools for creating DVDs with Hollywood-style menus
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58. Software Suites: What is a software suite?
A collection of application software sold as a single package
Microsoft Office
Star Office
Open Office
WordPerfect Office
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59. Chapter 3: Computer Software
Educational and Reference Software: How can I use my computer to learn new things?
Educational software helps you to learn and practice new skills
MindTwister Math
3-D Froggy Phonics
SAT
GMAT
LSAT
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60. What’s reference software?
Reference software provides a collection of information and a way to access that information
Encyclopedias
Microsoft Encarta
Britannica
Dictionaries
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61. Chapter 3: Computer Software
Entertainment Software: What’s the best-selling entertainment software?
Over $6 billion of computer and video games are sold each year in the U.S. alone
90% are people 18 and older
13% are people over 50
About 43% are women
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62. What’s the best-selling entertainment software?
Computer games
Role-playing
Action
Adventure
Puzzle
Simulation
Sports
Strategy
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63. Business Software: Do businesses use specialized software?
Vertical market software
Horizontal market software
Payroll software
Accounting software
Project management software
Groupware
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64. Chapter 3 Computer Software
Section D: Software Installation and Copyrights
Computer Concepts 8th Edition Parsons/Oja 62

65. Installation Basics: What’s included in a typical software package?
The key ingredients necessary to install new software are the files that contain the programs and data
Usually supplied on distribution media
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66. How do I know if a software program will work on my computer?
System requirements specify the operating system and minimum hardware requirements necessary for a software product to work correctly
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67. Why is it necessary to install most software?
When you install software, the new software files are placed in the appropriate folders on your computer’s hard disk
Copies files from distribution disk
Uncompresses files
Analyzes computer’s resources
Analyzes hardware components and peripheral devices
Looks for any system files and players
Updates necessary system files
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68. Chapter 3: Computer Software
Installing from a Distribution Media: How do I install software from distribution media?
A setup program guides you through the installation process
Following the program will make installation easy
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69. Chapter 3: Computer Software
Installing Downloaded Software: Is the installation process different for downloaded software?
Sometimes files are zipped, so they must be unzipped
Other types
Self-installing executable file
Self-executing zip file
Non-executing Zip file
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70. Chapter 3: Computer Software
Is installing a software update different from installing a the original version?
Similar to installing a full version
Update provides a setup file that checks to make sure that your computer contains a valid version of software to upgrade
Software patches
Service packs
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71. Uninstalling Software: How do I get rid of software?
Uninstall routine deletes the software’s files
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72. Software Copyrights: Is it legal to copy software?
A copyright is a form of legal protection
Purchaser has right to copy software to a computer’s hard disk in order to install it
Purchaser can make a backup copy
Purchaser is allowed to copy and distribute sections of a software program for use in critical reviews and teaching
Most software displays a copyright notice
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73. Software Licenses: What is a software license?
A software license is a legal contract that defines the ways in which you may use a computer program
A shrink-wrap license goes into effect as soon as you open the packaging
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74. What is a software license?
An installation agreement is displayed on the screen when you first install the software
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75. Are all software licenses similar?
Commercial software
Shareware
Freeware
Open source software
Public domain software
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76. Chapter 3: Computer Software
Conclusion
You should now be able to:
Describe the software components of a typical software package
Trace the development of a computer program
Describe the way an operating system manages each computer resource
Describe key features of popular software
List types of software available
Explain how to install and uninstall software
Describe rights associated with software: for users and programmers
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