What is Computer Software? - Walton County School District
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Transcript What is Computer Software? - Walton County School District
What is Computer Software?
Hardware vs Software
Got to have both to get the job done!
How does Software Work?
Computer Algorithms
Step by step
directions telling
computer what to do
Software development
First programmer –
Grace Hooper – created
FLOW MATIC (later
known as – COBOL)
Programming language
that was close to English
Applications Software
Programs designed
to make users more
productive
Assist with personal
tasks
Word
PowerPoint
Media Player
Variety of uses:
Business
Graphics and
Multimedia
Home/Personal/
Educational
Communications
Systems Software
Interface between the user, the
application software, and the computer’s
hardware
Examples:
Operating systems
Utilities (diagnostics, servers)
Language translators
Operating Systems
Helps user communicate with computer
Uses a desktop to provide on-screen
work area (graphical user interface)
Windows
Linux
Mac-OS
DOS
Networking Operating System
Two or more computers to be connected
Utility Software
Helps perform housekeeping chores
Tasks include:
Antivirus programs
Copy file from hard drive to another location
Convert graphics file to be used in another
program
Backup copy of hard drive (image, ghost)
CD/DVD Burning
Language Translators
Convert English code, to computer
instructions
Helps computer process data
I don’t
understand! I
need a
translator.
User Interfaces
What you see, touch, click
Part we interact with when using the
computer
“User friendly”
Command-line interface such as DOS
(not used frequently)
Graphical interfaces such as Windows
Command Line
Early computers used only this
Have to memorize codes
Not very user friendly
Not colorful – usually written in black and
white
No pictures
DOS
Command
line
operating
system
Memorize
commands
Graphical User interfaces
Came about with menus
Graphical user interface (GUI)
Apple’s development of Macintosh
Finder
Pictures (icons) represent software
Colorful
Reason for explosion of computer use
(after DOS scared people)
Vista Operating System
Project
Software Project