1. Software and file types
Software types:
Operating systems
Utility software
Application software
File types:
Propriety
Open
Data Capture and coding:
Web forms
Coding to reduce file size

2. Operating systems Every computing device has an operating system.
Its purpose is to manage the hardware and allow software to be run on a computer.
Examples of operating systems are, MS Windows, Apple OS, Android.
Operating systems use Graphical User Interfaces (GUI) to view the task being carried out.
GUIs use small pictures or icons to represent the task being carried out.
Before GUIs were invented computers used a DOS system (text based) to carry out all tasks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

3. Utility software and Application software
Utility software adds extra functions to an operating system, such as firewalls, backups and analysing computer performance. (security tasks)
Many utilities carry out more technical tasks that are needed to make a computing device work e.g. disk formatting compression.
Application software
Application software is used to carry out tasks such as word processing, ing, using databases/ Spreadsheet and surfing the Internet.

4. Types of application software:
Uses
Word Processing
Writing documents/reports/letters
Database
Storing data and business records. E.g. customer or staff details
Spreadsheet
Handling financial information (money) and performing calculations
Multimedia
PowerPoints and videos
Creating presentations/videos for staff training or to advertise products to customers
Desktop Publishing
Used to make newsletters or magazines etc.
Graphics
Creating/editing images or photos
Web browser
Used to view web pages
Apps for portable devices
Applications written specially for portable devices

5. File types
Each software application stores its files in a way that it can use efficiently.
Different applications use different file types.
A particular file type/format will tell the operating system which application it needs to open it.
Propriety File format
Application
Open File format
.doc or.docx
Word
.rtf or .txt
Rich text / plain text
.xls or .xlsx
Excel (spreadsheet)
.csv
Comma separated variable. List of data
.ppt or .pptx
PowerPoint
.exe
Runs applications (games)
.fla
Flash movie
.pdf
Formatted documents
.wma
audio
.wav/mp3

6. Designing website data capture forms
The questions used to create a Portland Game’s account have to be designed so that the answers can easily be entered into a database file.
Web forms can limit the type of data entered by using:
Drop down boxes,
check boxes,
radio buttons,
text boxes,
pre-set date formats.
But it is also important to think about coding data to reduce the overall file size of the database.
For example:
M or F instead of male or female
Mr, Mrs, Miss or Ms instead of Mister etc.
12/01/1989 instead of 12th January 1989

7. Validation and verification of data
Verification – checks that data is entered exactly as it is shown on the web form. This ensures that the original answers are correctly entered into the database or spreadsheet.
Verification checks –
visual check, by re-reading (small amounts of data only)
Enter the data twice by different operators (the computer checks the data matches)
Validation – checks that the data being entered is allowed.
Validation checks –
Presence check – an answer exists
Format check – is the data in the correct format e.g. dd/mm/yyyy
Range check – is the data within set limits e.g. old enough to buy 18
Validity check – is the data sensible and valid e.g. DOB 01/01/1900