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computing ESSENTIALS     2
CHAPTER
Application Software
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2. Competencies computing ESSENTIALS     Software applications
Common software features
General-purpose applications
Software suites
Integrated software
Some general purpose applications to be covered: Browsers, word processors, spreadsheets, database management systems, presentation graphics
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3. Software Applications
computing ESSENTIALS    
Software Applications
General-purpose application
Widely used software
Common tasks
Special-purpose application
Narrowly focused software
Specific tasks
General-purpose applications include browsers, word processors, spreadsheets, database management systems, presentation graphics. These types will be the focus of this presentation.
Special-purpose applications , also called advanced applications, are specific to one discipline or occupation. These include multimedia, Web authoring, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence (AI). (See chapter 10)
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Common Features
User Interface
Important part of software
Portion where the user interacts with the software
Graphical User Interface (GUI)
Windows
Menus
Toolbars
Help
The user interface is one of the most important part of a software application.
If the user doesn’t like or is confused by the interface, then they won’t use it.
Most common user interface today is a graphical user interface. (GUI) Pronounced “gooey”
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Windows
Rectangular area that displays information
Multiple applications in different windows
Can be resized, moved, and closed
Windows are the portion of the screen where the user interacts with the application software.
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Menus
Display commands
Present options
Drop down list
Held in menu bars
Menus are commands and options grouped together in common functionality. For example, the File menu displayed above lists commands and options associated with file maintenance.
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Toolbars
Contain buttons and menus
Commonly used commands
Common to many applications
Formatting toolbar
Standard toolbar
Toolbars allow quick access to commands in the application.
Toolbars can usually be found under the menu bar. However, they can also be found detached and floating somewhere in the application window. That allows the user to customize their screen.
The formatting toolbar above is seen in the vertical position as opposed to the horizontal like the standard toolbar.
Most applications in the Windows environment will have toolbars like those seen above.
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Help
Contains useful information
Access methods
Table of Contents
Keyword index
Text search
Explain what students would find using the different tabs
How is information listed on Contents Tab?
How is information listed on Index Tab?
How might a user use the Find Tab?
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Office Assistant
Another way to get help is to:
Access through F1 function key
or Help button on toolbar
or click on Office Assistant object (paperclip, ball, cat, dog, Einstein, robot…)
Click once to access or F1
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Web-based Apps
ASP – Application Service Provider
Provide access to different programs
Don’t need to upgrade
Store data files on the ASP site
Can access data from any location
Privacy and Security
Data may be compromised
ASP are web sites that offer access to different programs such as word processors, spreadsheets, etc. Users can also store their data on those servers.
The advantages are that programs and data are easily accessible from any location that has access to the Web.
A disadvantage is that the files are more vulnerable to hackers or others as compared to a local machine separate from the Internet. Balance must be found – security versus accessibility.
An example of an ASP is
Some ASPs require a fee, while others may only require registration.
See the McGraw-Hill website at for further updates and to learn more.
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Browsers
Connect to the Web
Open and transfer files
Display text and images
Web site address
How a browser locates a web page
Uniform Resource Locator (URL)
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Web Page
Document file that contains
Text and Images
Hypertext Markup Language (HTML)
Commands that describe layout of page
Hyperlinks
Connections to other documents
Navigating the Web
The browser interprets the HTML commands in the document to display the Web page.
The first page of a web site is called the Home page.
Navigating the web means following hyperlinks from document to document.
See Chapter 8 for more detailed discussion of Internet and the Web
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Searching the Web
Search services provide databases of Web pages and Internet sites
Topic Search
Successively select categories
Keyword Search
Specific word or phrase
Search services such as or AltaVista maintain huge databases that contain links to Web pages and Internet sites.
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14. Word Processing Programs
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Word Processing Programs
Create text-based documents, reports, letters, and memos
Widely used in business, school, and home
Most popular
Microsoft Word
Corel WordPerfect
Lotus Word Pro
Makes creation of professional looking documents easy.
Most make use of templates to standardize the look of documents created by teams of employees.
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15. Word Processor Features
computing ESSENTIALS    
Word Processor Features
Common features
Word Wrap, formatting
Spelling/Grammar Checkers
Thesaurus
Search and Replace
Multimedia object
Graphs, tables
Audio, video clips
Word processors make it easy to professionally layout, edit, and distribute documents.
Word wrap will automatically move text to new line when prior line is full.
Incorrect spelling is identified and alternatives offered.
Identifies poor grammar and makes suggestions.
Quickly locate with search or find commands.
Other features include AutoText and AutoComplete which anticipate phrases and words and will insert them upon request.
Modern word processors allow addition of multimedia objects, such as charts, audio/video clips. See object linking and embedding (OLE)
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Spreadsheets
Organize, analyze, and graph numeric data
Widely used in many professions
Most popular
Microsoft Excel
Corel Quattro Pro
Lotus 1-2-3
Also known as worksheets
Consist of grid of numbered rows and columns.
Common uses include analyzing sales trends, financial trends, home budgets, recording grades or scores
To learn more about software development leaders such as Microsoft, see the website at
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Spreadsheet Features
Manipulate numeric data
Grid of rows and columns
Data stored in cells
Common features
Functions
Formulas
What-if Analysis
Graphs and charts
The worksheet is a rectangular grid of rows and columns, the intersection of which is called a cell.
Each cell is referenced by a letter (column) and number (rows). Data is stored in the cells.
Workbooks are made up of several worksheets.
Values are numbers used for calculations;
Labels are letters, numbers, or symbols used to represent text (social security number, phone number)
Formulas are calculations user creates that calculate results from referenced cells
Functions are predefined formulas created by spreadsheet
“What if “ scenarios - allows a user to create different scenarios for different results
- probably one of the most powerful tools of spreadsheet
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18. Database Management Systems
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Database Management Systems
Organize related data for easy access
Database is a specially formatted file that contains data
Structured
Most popular DBMS
Microsoft Access
Corel Paradox
Lotus Approach
Establishes a structure for data storage, usually relational using related tables, so related data can be easily retrieved; also known as DBMS (database managements systems)
Can edit, retrieve, and display in different formats (reports or forms)
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Database Structures
Relational
Most common, simple to create
Hierarchical
Older, more complex
Network (CODASYL)
Powerful, complex schemas
Object-oriented
Data stored as objects
Relational databases organize data into fields, records, tables
Tables can be linked by a key field, one that is common to both the tables in question
Access, Oracle are examples of relational databases.
Hierarchical databases are not seen much today.
Old databases include IBM’s DL/1, and Unisys DMS1100
Network, or also known as CODASYL, databases are structured in records connected by sets.
Example is Micro Data Base Systems, Inc. TITANIUM.
Object oriented databases are structured with data objects stored in classes.
ODMG is a set of standards developed for object databases.
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field names
table
field value
record
Identify the key organization features of a standard database
Relational Database
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DBMS Features
Capability to locate and display data
Sort and analyze data
Programming control language
Structure Query Language (SQL)
Used to create complex, sophisticated applications
All DBMSs allow the user to access the data by locating, analyzing and displaying data in an organized manner
Used for parts catalog, flight schedules, employee records, search engines, grocery store prices
People use DBMS on daily basis – just not always aware
Locate and display - ability to quickly locate records based on various criteria
Sort and analyze - rearranging or computation based on various criteria
Program Control languages - allow sophisticated users to access the database to perform complex queries, joins, deletes, or modifications.
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Picture of relationship table built in Microsoft Access
Data from one table is related to the data in a second table by way of common key fields. A series of links let the users sort through, search, and display the data in a structured manner dependent on the search criteria.
Link tables using a common (key) field
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23. Presentation Graphics
computing ESSENTIALS    
Presentation Graphics
Create interesting, professional presentations
Combine visual objects, audio/video, text
Most Widely Used
Microsoft PowerPoint
Corel Presentations
Lotus Freelance Graphics
This presentation was created using PowerPoint
Combines variety of visual objects to present attractive, professional presentations
Many people learn better when information is visually presented
Used in mostly in business and school environments
See more on Lotus at
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24. Presentation Graphics Features
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Presentation Graphics Features
Layout files
Templates
Text layout
Background colors and patterns
Borders
Animations
Templates are files that include predefined settings that is used as a pattern to create a presentation.
Used to maintain consistency between slides
Animations add special visual and sound effects
Delivery:
Slide show – actual presentation to audience (similar to what we are doing now)
Speaker notes – along with a picture of each slide, the audience receives a “notes” area to the right of each slide on which they can take notes as you give your presentation
Link parts of your presentation to another application or another part of your presentation or even to the Web.
Visual effects
Audio effects
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Software Suites
Separate applications bundled and sold together
Less expensive
More convenient
Ability to share data between applications
Object Linking and Embedding (OLE)
Most popular
Microsoft Office
A collection of separate applications bundled and sold as a group that share information between applications
Less expensive than individual applications
Microsoft Office Professional includes Word, Access, Excel, PowerPoint
Other bundled suites: Corel WordPerfect Office, Lotus SmartSuite
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Object Linking
Sharing of information between applications
Destination file linked to source file
Data is automatically updated
Always displays most up-to-date data
Can automatically update data from one application to another with proper link.
An example is a chart in an Excel file is linked into a Word file. The data in the Word file will reflect any changes made to the Excel file.
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Object Embedding
Object is part of destination document
Data is not automatically updated
Object can be opened and edited from inside destination document
Added to a destination document where you can modify without altering original (source) document
Files are not linked, so update in destination doesn’t affect source document
Object in embedded app has look and feel of source application
Can run the embedded file from the destination document
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Integrated Packages
Single program
Multiple functionality
Word processor, spreadsheet, DBMS
Compared to Suites
Lower cost
Simpler
Capabilities not as extensive
Microsoft Works
Kind of a Jack-of-all-trades
Ideal for less sophisticated users, like home or school, who don’t need the more sophisticated features found in the applications suites.
Consult the O’Leary Expansion CD for more information on the Microsoft Works
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A Look to the Future
Web-based application software
Pay as you go
Access only when needed
focus is on increased functionality, not a new command and menu structure
More powerful functions increase the time for creativity, quality, and quantity
New versions taking on look and feel of Internet (Windows XP and Office XP)
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