Computer Software Computer Technology Day 5

Software  Provides step-by-step instructions that tell the computer how to perform  Categories  System Software  Application Software

System Software  Controls computer’s operations  Manages computer’s resources  Includes operating system, utilities, and computer programming tools

Operating System Software  Controls the allocation of hardware resources  Handles basic input and output (I/O) for data flowing from and to storage devices and peripherals  Enables application software to access system resources  Allocates resources and processing time between several programs that are running at the same time (also known as multitasking)

Multitasking  More than one program can run at a time.  Instructions and data from one area of memory do not interfere with memory allocated for other programs.  Enables users to perform multiple tasks at the same time  Copy a chart from an open Excel document, then pasting it into a report in Word and  Download a document from the Web

Operating Environment  Operating system software or “platform”  Windows  Macintosh  Types  Command-line interface—user must type in commands to control the computer  Graphical user interface (GUI)—users interact with the computer by using a mouse to point and click on icons, buttons, and menus

System Software Terms  Device driver—controls input and output to the peripherals  Virus checker—searches files for potentially harmful programs (for example, viruses, worms, or Trojan horses)  Firewall—protects your computer from unauthorized access over a network  Utilities—programs that perform a very specific task (for example, managing system resources)

Application Software  Runs on top of the operating system  Enables the user to perform a specific task  Word processing a letter  Calculating payroll in a spreadsheet  Reading messages  Manipulating digital photos  Managing a database of information

Application Types  Word Processors (for example, MS Word)  Users can create a variety of business documents  WYSIWIG (What You See Is What You Get) display  Spreadsheet (for example, MS Excel)  Worksheet consisting of rows and columns  Enable business and financial people to create “what if” scenarios  Database Management (for example, MS Access)  Graphics (for example, Adobe Photoshop)

Application Types  Presentation (for example, MS PowerPoint)  Web Authoring (for example, Dreamweaver)  Integrated Packages–combine functions from several different application programs