1. 1 Computing Fundamentals Software and hardware interaction and types of software

2. 2 Hardware and Software Interaction Users interact with computers by:  Input devices  Output devices  Application programs

3. 3 Data Input Keyboard  Entering text and numbers  Uses software to interact with the user Mouse  Select and reposition items Scanner  Capture images Microphone  Input voice commands

4. 4 Software Commands Activate modules of instructions Ways to activate a command  Click a word in a menu  Click a button  Pressing a function key  Voice commands

5. 5 Software Applies Rules & Processes Rules make decisions for software Some common rules:  AutoCorrect Change commonly misspelled words  AutoFormat as you type Convert text to fractions  1/2 into ½ Convert e-mail address to hyperlink

6. 6 Software Communicates Results Results are often sent to output devices  Monitor Most common  Printer Hard copy of results  CNC – Computer Numeric Control Instructions for automated machinery

7. 7 Steps of the Development Process Software creation takes several steps Results of proper development  Reliable software  Easy to use

8. 8 Written in a language computers understand Words have single meanings Basic grammar structure (syntax) Computer languages  Visual Basic  C++  COBOL  Pascal Programming function myFunction() myFunction = "BLUE" end function document.write("My favorite color is " & myFunction()) A function procedure CAN return a result.

9. 9 Debugging Software malfunction called a bug Teamwork can reduce errors Ancillary programs  Catch simple mistakes  Does not stop problems with: Faulty logic Unanticipated input combinations Unrecognized hardware components

10. 10 Beta Review Review revised software prior to release Beta version  Newly revised version of software not yet released for public sale Beta tester  Report errors  Often voluntary  Requires confidentiality  Test software on their PC

11. 11 Instructions and Help Manuals Often created while in beta release Digital forms accompany software  Access methods Click Help (Menu bar) Press F1  Most up-to-date manuals and help files typically found on the company’s Web site

12. 12 Quality Control Beta tester comments compiled Software revisions are made  New version number assigned Versions can be numbers or text  Office XP  Corel Draw 10 Delicate balance  Do we fix all the bugs or do we sell the product now and fix problems later?

13. 13 Software Updates After release additional errors are identified Fixes are created to repair known issues Downloadable from the Web Often free for legal users Commonly known as:  Updates  Patches  Service packs

14. 14 Upgrading Software Major revision to software  New interfaces  New features  Support for new technology Investment required  Normally less expensive than full versions Check hardware requirements  Often requires newer, more powerful hardware RAM, CPU, hard disk space, video card, etc.

15. 15 Reasons to Update and Upgrade Updates protect us from:  Viruses – Antivirus updates  Hackers – Firewall updates  User meltdown – System locking up over and over again Upgrades allow us to:  Access new tools, features, and gizmos  Stay compatible with the rest of the world  Utilize new hardware to its full potential

16. 16 Methods of Staying Up-to-Date Downloads from the Web  Updates – Secure or unsecured downloads  Upgrades – Secure downloads Purchase key codes (access codes) online Order CD from manufacturer Network-based installation  Done by system administrator  Primarily for site licensed software

17. 17 Basic Word Processing Concepts Input is received Stored in RAM  Manipulated within capabilities of program Format - Bold, italics, font color, etc. Input graphics  Ideal for editing Faster than retyping on typewriters Displayed on the screen

18. 18 Word Processing Documents From memos and letters to entire books Can utilize advanced features  Index and table of contents  Save as a Web page  Graphics Common file extensions .docx – Microsoft Word 2007 .doc – Microsoft Word 2003 & earlier .odt – OpenOffice.org Writer

19. 19 Spreadsheet Concepts Used to display numbers in a variety of ways Formulas  Calculations of values in other cells Worksheet – Single table of cells Workbook – Collection of worksheets Layout  Columns – Letters  Rows – Numbers

20. 20 Spreadsheet Basics Cell – Where column and row cross  Identified by pairing column and row designation Formulas  Algebraic equation  Start with “=” (equal sign) Functions  Predefined equations  Functions can be a formula or part of a formula

21. 21 Spreadsheet Processes Variety of features Charts – Pie, bar, scatter plot Data analysis Sorting and filtering What-If analysis  Crunch values in equation to get desired results

22. 22 Spreadsheet Documents Possible uses  P&L (profit & loss statement)  Investment tracking  Expense reports  Grade book  Budget Common file extensions .xlsx – Microsoft Excel 2007 .xls – Microsoft Excel 2003 & earlier .ods – OpenOffice.org Calc

23. 23 Presentation Software Concepts Visual aids Graphics  Clip art and digital pictures  Charts Text  Titles  Bulleted lists Animation  Holds audience attention

24. 24 Presentation Basics Slides  Image composed of text, graphics, etc. Slide show  Group of slides Extra features  Speaker notes Displayed on screen  Student handouts Printouts  Slide miniatures

25. 25 Presentation Documents Possible uses  Educational presentation  Display at trade shows  Interactive Web pages Common file extensions .pptx – Microsoft PowerPoint 2007 .ppt – Microsoft PowerPoint 2003 & earlier .odp – OpenOffice.org Impress

26. 26 Database Concepts Database  A collection of organized data  Stores huge amounts of information  Used in the retail sales environment Inventory system Point of sale Considered more difficult for beginners

27. 27 Database Basics Primary components of most databases  Tables Store the data  Queries Filter the data  Ask a question of the data  Which customers live in Colorado?  Forms Input, edit, and view data  Reports View the data – On screen or printed

28. 28 Database Documents Possible uses  Customer records  Inventory system  Bill payment tracking Common file extensions .accdb – Microsoft Access 2007 .mdb – Microsoft Access 2003 & earlier .odb – OpenOffice Base

29. 29 Memory Usage Database programs use RAM differently Store only active record in RAM Automatically saves  Saves a record when moving to the next record  Power failure Loss of current record, not all records

30. 30 Graphic and Multimedia Basics Limited by hardware  CPU, RAM, hard drive, video card Limited by software  Necessary software not installed  Purchase legal copies  Download trial versions Adobe – 90-day try and die  Avoid copyright infringement Don’t share your legal software Microsoft Hotline: 1-800-RU-LEGIT

31. 31 Graphics Software Concepts Basic graphics programs  Built into some software PowerPoint, Word, etc.  Microsoft Paint – Windows Sophisticated programs  Able to manipulate pictures Remove items, recolor hair, etc.  Adobe Photoshop Elements  Adobe Photoshop  Microsoft PhotoDraw

32. 32 File Types Image types .bmp – Bitmap .gif – Graphics interchange format 256 colors maximum and could be animated .jpg – Joint Photographic Expert Group 16 million colors maximum Sound and video .wav – Uncompressed audio .mp3 – Compressed audio .mov – QuickTime movie

33. 33 Other Multimedia Software Software for manipulating sound and video  High hardware requirements  Can be very expensive Examples  Liquid Edition 6 Pro ≈ $1000 Video and audio editing + DVD authoring  ULead Studio ≈ $150 Video and photo editing + DVD authoring  AlamDV ≈ $100 Futuristic video tweaking  Laser blast, Fire, Star Wars style light sabers

34. 34 Other Types of Software Bundle or suite  Designed to complement each other  Convenient exchange of data Personal information manager (PIM)  Microsoft Outlook, Act, GoldMine Accounting  Microsoft Money, Quicken, Peach Tree Web authoring  Flash MX, Microsoft FrontPage, Dream Weaver Project management  Microsoft Project

35. 35 How to Select Software Similar to choosing a computer Identify the tasks:  What are you making?  Is it simple or complex? Look for software that meets your needs Problems that arise  Too complex to use  Incompatible with other software

36. 36 Software Performs Similar Tasks Not apparent which software to use Example: Table  Word processing programs use tables  Spreadsheets and databases also use tables  Choose software based on need Word processing – Basic table of entries Spreadsheet – Calculated values Database – Large quantities of data

37. 37 Common Incorrect Uses Generating queries and reports  Spreadsheets are great for storing data  Spreadsheets are not great for complex queries and complex summarization reports  Need to convert to database Calculations in tables  Microsoft Word tables support formulas Formulas do not auto recalculate like a spreadsheet Manual “formula refreshing” required  Right-click cell  Refresh