Transcript Computer Software

Computer Software
Software
According to the American Heritage
Dictionary software is
 "The programs, routines, and symbolic
languages that control the functioning
of the hardware and direct its
operation."

Software
In other words, software instructs the
hardware what to do, and uses the
hardware to perform specific tasks.
 Such as display information on a
screen, format a floppy disk, etc. There
are 2 main types of software
 What are the types...
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Types of Software
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Operating systems
– a set of programs that manage the
computer (e.g. loads & controls the
execution of other programs, manages the
storage of data on disks)
– examples???
Types of Software

Applications Software:
– Programs written for specific purposes in
order to perform functions specified by end
users.
– Why do we need them ???
– Examples ???
Operating Systems
Operating Systems
 MS-DOS (Microsoft Disk Operating
System), also known as PC-DOS
(Personal Computer Disk Operating
System),

– is the standard OS on Intel-based
microcomputers, and is often referred to
simply as DOS.
Operating Systems

MS Windows (Microsoft Windows):
– a GUI (Graphical User Interface) that
works with DOS to provide a more userfriendly and powerful interface to the
computer and its' applications.
– current versions of MS Windows (including
3.11) are not true operating systems, and
require DOS to be installed on the
computer before function.
Operating Systems
Windows NT & Windows 95 & Windows
98, 2000 and XP are true operating
systems (i.e.. they do not require DOS)
which have a GUI superior to MS
Windows.
 Windows NT has been around for a
number of years, is generally used in
high-end, commercial environments.

Operating Systems
It (Windows NT) is also the system in
use at St.F.X. with the WebFX system.
 Windows XP and 2000 are the latest
version of Windows from Microsoft,

– intend to replace Windows 95, DOS, and
MS Windows as the operating system of
the future for home uses.
Operating Systems
Given the rapid change of hardware
technology DOS and Windows are dying
rapidly.
 New systems come with a newer
version of OS installed automatically.
 Usually have a choice of one of:
Windows NT, Windows 95, or Windows
98, 2000 and XP.

Operating Systems
The Macintosh operating system is used
on Apple computers, and was the first
GUI-based operating system.
 Has always been the easiest to
learn/use operating system,
 But has been limited to the proprietary
Apple hardware, and therefore not as
popular as DOS and Windows.

Operating Systems
OS/2 was the first advanced GUI
operating system for Intel-based
microcomputers, and has been around
for a few years.
 Originally a joint project with IBM and
Microsoft, OS/2 is now maintained by
IBM, and was a competitive product to
the various MS Windows programs.

Operating systems

Such as network servers, and certain
business applications.

OS/2 is used heavily in the Banking
industry. You probably use OS/2 when
getting money from an ATM machine.
Operating Systems

UNIX is an operating system
– has been most popular on workstations
and other high-end computer systems.
– various flavours of UNIX, such as AIX (the
version used on Juliet), NeXTStep, and
Solaris, which tend to be developed for
specific vendor hardware platforms.
Operating Systems

UNIX-like operating system is Linux:
– developed firstly by a student from Finland
– works on a wide variety of vendor
systems, including Intel microcomputers.

UNIX is a very powerful and rich
operating system, but also very difficult
to master.
Applications Software

Word Processing
– Software for creating standard text
documents, such as reports, books, etc.
– examples are Microsoft Word,
WordPerfect, and Write.
Applications Software

Word processors are distinguished from
the simpler text editors, by
– the inclusion of more advanced features
(word wrap, headers & footers, etc.), and
– more complex proprietary data formats.
Text editors have limited functionally.
Application Software

Desktop publishing software:
– more sophisticated programs for creating
large documents (e.g. books), or
documents with a lot of graphic
(newsletters, brochures, etc.)
– examples are Pagemaker and Ventura.
Application Software

Spreadsheets
– Software for working with numeric data,
calculations and graphing/charting.
– examples:
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Microsoft Excel;
Lotus 1-2-3, and
Quattro Pro.
Application Software

Databases
– allows the creation of highly structured
containers for storing information about
things.
– examples: Microsoft Access, Paradox, and
ProFile.
– examples of types of database systems
would be inventory systems, or bank
accounts.
Application Software

Databases describe
– the characteristics of things (e.g. name,
address and phone number for a mailing
list), and
– allow the user to input values for storage,
and retrieve them at a later date.
Application Software

Communications
– allows one computer to communicate with
another.
– Examples are Procomm and Kermit.

Communications software often uses a
modem to provide the communications
link with another computer system.
Application Software

Graphics
– allows the user to create or edit images,
such as
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line art;
photographs, or
drawings.
– examples are Corel Draw, Morph and
Adobe Photoshop.
Application Software

Presentation/Multimedia
– allows the user to combine various data
formats (text, images, audio, video) to
create products like business
presentations, educational programs,
games, etc.
– examples are Microsoft Powerpoint and
Macromedia Director.
Application Software

Programming
– used to create other software programs.
– examples are QBasic and Borland C++.

Why do we have programming
software???
Application Software

Utilities
– performs a variety of functions for
maintaining and administering other
software programs, data files, and
hardware.
– examples are PCtools and Norton Utilities.
Application Software

Games & Edutainment - Games are,
well, games.
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Edutainment software
– a new term used to describe software that
uses a game-like environment to teach
about specific topics.
Application Software
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Viruses
– special software programs that can "infect"
other software, and
– cause it to malfunction, or
– do things its' creators did not intend to do.
– viruses can be very damaging, and
– anti-virus software protects computer
systems from becoming infected.
Application Software
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Industrial - Specialized software
– programs used to control machines or
devices such as:
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photocopiers;
robotics;
cars;
space shuttles;
etc.
Application Software
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Consumer - Specialized software
– programs used in commercial/personal
devices such as microwaves and other
household appliances.
– some modern homes are being designed
with built-in computer systems that can be
used to control heat, lights, etc.
Summary
Software concept
 Types of software
 Operating system
 Application software
 Next lecture on WEBFX and network
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