Transcript Using Information Technology

Using Information Technology
Chapter 3
Application Software
Application Software:
Tools for Thinking & Working More Productively
3.1 Application Software
3.2 Common Features of Software
3.3 Word Processing
3.4 Spreadsheets
3.5 Database Software
3.6 Specialty Software
3.1 Application Software
Application software is software that has been
developed to solve a particular problem, to
perform useful work on specific tasks, or to
provide entertainment.
Normally executables hold applications (.exe)
Command files
(.com)
Application Software
Commercial software
Public-domain software
Shareware
Freeware
Rentalware
Commercial software
Commercial software: Commercial software, also
called proprietary software, is software that’s offered
for sale, such as Microsoft Word or Office 2000.
Copyright: The exclusive legal right that prohibits
copying of intellectual property without the permission
of the copyright holder.
Software License: Sign a contract in which users
agree not to make copies of the software to give
away or for resale.
Public-domain software
Public-domain software is not protected by
copyright and thus may be duplicated by
anyone at will.
Shareware: Copyrighted software that is
distributed free of charge but requires users
to make a monetary contribution in order to
continue using it.
Freeware: Copyrighted software that is
distributed free of charge, today most often
over the Internet
Rentalware: Software that users lease for a
fee.
Pirated Software: Software obtained illegally.
Is piracy good for industry?
Tutorials & Documentation
Tutorial - an instruction book or program that helps you
learn to use the product by taking you through a
prescribed series of steps
Documentation - a user guide or reference manual that
provides a narrative and graphical description of a
program
Files
A file is a named collection of (1) data or (2) a
program that exists in a computer’s secondary
storage.
Three well-known types of data files:
Document files
Worksheet files
Database files
The applications on your computer are also files.
Exchanging files between programs
Importing: Defined as getting data from another
source and then converting it into a format compatible
with the program in which you are currently working.
Demo: Comma delimited text file imported in Excel
Exporting: Defined as transforming data into a format
that can be used in another program and then
transmitting it.
Demo: Excel file exported in comma delimited file.
Excel file exported in HTML format for www
Other Types of Software
Productivity software - software whose
purpose is to make users more productive at
particular tasks
Examples:
Word processing
Spreadsheets
Database managers
Industrial automation software like controlling a
machine or a robot with a computer
Other Types of Software
Office suite: Bundles several applications
together into a single large package.
Groupware: Online software that allows several
people to collaborate on the same project.
e.g. MS Source safe
3.2 Common Features of Software
User interface - the user-controllable display
screen that allows you to communicate, or
interact, with the computer
Graphical user interface (GUI) - allows you to
use a mouse or keystrokes to select icons and
commands from menus
Pointer - on-screen object that responds to
mouse movements; it changes shape
depending on the application
Desktop, Icons & Menus
Desktop - the system’s main interface screen, which
displays pictures that provide quick access to
programs and information
Desktop, Icons & Menus
Desktop, Icons & Menus
Menu - a list of options to choose from--a list of
commands for manipulating data
Pull-down menu - a list of options that pulls down from the
top of the screen
Desktop, Icons & Menus
Fly-out menus - menus that seem to explode out to the
right
Desktop, Icons & Menus
Pull-up menu - a list of
options that pulls up from
the bottom of the screen
Pop-up menu - a list of
command options that can
"pop up" anywhere on the
screen when you click the
right mouse button.
A Pull-up menu
Documents, Toolbars, & Windows
Toolbar - a bar across the top of the display window,
which displays menus and icons representing
frequently used options
TOOL BAR
Windows
A window is a rectangular frame on the
computer display screen. Through this frame
you can view a file of data--such as a
document, spreadsheet, or database--or an
application program.
The Help Command
Help command - a command generating a table of
contents, an index, and a search feature that can help you
locate answers
Usually activated by
F1 Key
3.3 Word Processing
Use of computers to create, edit, format, print,
and store text material.
•
•
•
•
•
•
Creating
Editing
Formatting
Saving
Printing
Web documents creation
Features of the Keyboard
Special-purpose keys used to enter, delete, and
edit data, and to execute
commands
End
Ctrl
Alt
Del
Ins
Home
Features of the Keyboard
Function keys - keys
labeled F1.. F12, etc.,
positioned along the top or
left side of the keyboard,
which are used to execute
commands specific to the
software being used
Macros
A single keystroke or command--or a
series of keystrokes or commands-used to automatically issue a longer,
predetermined series of keystrokes or
commands.
Demo: Record a macro to change color
of a column.
Creating Documents
Cursor - the movable symbol on the display screen that
shows you where you may next enter data or commands
Creating Documents
Scrolling - moving
quickly upward,
downward, or
sideways through the
text or other screen
display
Word wrap
Automatically continues text on the next
line when you reach the right margin.
The text "wraps around" to the next line.
Editing Documents
Editing – The act of making alterations in the
content of your document. Some features of
editing are insert and delete, undelete, find
and replace, cut/copy and paste, spelling
checker, grammar checker, and thesaurus.
Insert and delete
Inserting is the act of adding to the document.
Deleting is the act of removing text, usually
using the Delete or Backspace keys.
Find and replace
The Find, or Search, command allows users
to find any word, phrase, or number that
exists in a document.
The Replace command allows users to
automatically replace it with something else.
Cut/Copy and paste
In a word processing application users can
select (highlight) the portion of text they want
to copy or move. Then they can use the Copy
or Cut command to move it to a special area
in the computer’s memory called the
clipboard. Once the material is on the
clipboard, the user can "paste," or transfer, it
anywhere in the existing document or in a
new document.
Spelling checker – Tests for incorrectly spelled
words.
Grammar checker – Highlights poor grammar,
wordiness, incomplete sentences, and awkward
phrases.
Thesaurus – Presents users with the appropriate
word or alternative words.
Formatting Documents with the Help of
Templates & Wizards
Formatting - determining the appearance of a document
Template - a preformatted document that provides basic
tools for shaping a final document
Wizard - answers your questions and uses the answers
to lay out and format a document
Formatting Documents
Font - typeface and type
size
18 point
Comic Sans MS
24 points
Tahoma
18 points
Verdana
10 point
Times New Roman
14 point
Arial Black
16 point
Courier New
32 point
Arial
Formatting Documents
Spacing and columns:
Single-spaced
Double-spaced
One-column
Two columns
Many columns
Users can choose
whether they want the
lines to be single
spaced or doublespaced. Users can
specify whether they
want text to be one
column, two columns,
or several columns.
Formatting Documents
Margins and justification:
Left margin
Right margin
Top margin
Bottom margin
Justification
Left-justification
Users can indicate the
dimensions of the
margins--left, right, top,
and bottom--around the
text. Justify means to align
text evenly between left
and right margins, as for
example, is done with
most newspaper columns
(and the text in this
Instructor’s Manual). Left
justify means to not align
the text evenly on the right
side, as in many business
letters ("ragged right").
Formatting Documents
Pages, headers, footers:
Page numbers
Headers
Footers
Other formatting:
Borders
Shading
Tables
Footnotes
Graphics
Clip art
3.4 Spreadsheet
A grid of Rows and Columns that allows users to
create tables and financial schedules by entering
data into rows and columns.
In Microsoft Excel a workbook is a collection of
worksheets.
Spreadsheet – Organization
Column headings appear across the top ("A"
is the name of the first column, "B" the
second, and so on).
Row headings appear down the left side ("1"
is the name of the first row, "2" the second,
and so forth).
Labels are any descriptive words, such as
APRIL, RENT, or GROSS SALES
Excel
The Basics: How Spreadsheets Work
Where columns and rows meet:
Cell - the place where a row and a column
intersect
Cell address - position of a cell, such as A2
Value - a number or date entered in a cell
The Basics: How Spreadsheets Work
Why the spreadsheet has become so popular:

Formulas - instructions for calculations

Functions - built-in formulas

Recalculation - process of recomputing values

What-if analysis
The Basics: How Spreadsheets Work
Analytical graphics - graphical forms that make numeric
data easy to analyze
3.5 Database
A database is any electronically stored
collection of data in a computer system. The
data may be in any form, text, picture, sound
etc.
Or
A collection of interrelated files.
A Simple Data Management
Problem:
Suppose we want to save Phone Numbers…
Solution 1
• A blank notebook OR a phone/address book
• Entries recorded by pen, in time order
Advantages
• Cheap, simple, private, reliable, space efficient
Disadvantages
• Hard to search, update, share, expand
• Hard to add information, e.g. email addresses
Database software
A program that sets up and controls the
structure of a database and access to the
data, called a Database Manager or
Database management System (DBMS).
Advantages of Integrated Database Approach
Sharing of Data
Files owned by single user – DB is owned by organization
Control of Redundancy
Different users may have same data (Names of NIIT
students) – DB contains only one occurrence of same
data
Data Consistency
Effect of eliminating redundancy. Data needs to be
updated only once at one place. Files are distributed
and data needs to be updated in all of the files.
Advantages of Integrated Database Approach
(cont)
Improved Data Standards
DBA defines organization-wide standards on how to
represent data in a database. (format, conventions)
Better Data Security
Files are not secure. DB can give security to the very basic
level.
Remember you could not enter evaluation information for
teacher in your evaluation database after time expired…
Improved data Integrity
DB gives DBA the power to define integrity constraints. E.g
BIT-4 student cannot study a course offered to BIT-3
Constraints can be within the records (Intra-Record) or
between the records (Inter-record)
Advantages of Integrated Database Approach
(cont)
Balancing of Conflicting Requirements
Each department has different conflicting requirements. DB
can be designed in a manner to avoid conflicts.
Faster Development of New Applications
A well-designed DB is always modular.
When a new application is purposed DB mostly contains
data for such a DB application.
Better Data Accessibility
Query Language support allows any user to get data
required anytime. No need for a programmer.
Advantages of Integrated Database Approach
(cont)
Economy of Scale
Cost and resources are pooled. So lower cost per
department.
More Control of Concurrency
Simultaneous access by two or more users is allowed.
Better Backup and Recovery Procedures
Simple backup. Imagine backing up all the files of all the
departments.
Disadvantages
High Cost of DBMS
SQL Server is costs around 4,000 USD for 10 Users
Higher Hardware Costs
Cost of high end servers is more than 100K USD
Higher Programming Cost
You guys wont work for FREE! 
High Conversion Cost
Data to be removed from files and filled into the DB
Slower Processing of Some Applications
Sequence of records might not be there and you may need to
arrange it.
Increased Vulnerability
HACKERS!!! 
More Difficult Recovery
Unlike files there are certain rules by which DB is recovered.
Roles in the Integrated Database Environment
End Users
Naïve
Users
Prewritten
Program
Casual
Users
Application
Programmers
SQL
Interface
Applications
In C/C++
VB, Java, ASP, JSP etc
DBMS
DB
DBA
Commands To
Create, Maintain,
modify DB
Relational Database Management
System (RDBMS)
A database management system in which the
data is organized into related tables.
Table is based upon real world entity
It is based upon relational algebra i.e. Union,
Join, Intersection etc.
You can’t just keep mathematics out 
Organization of RDBMS
Tables of rows and columns
Row (record) - example: a person’s address
Column (field) - example: the person’s last name
Entity
Entity is basically a single
ROW in the table.
Attributes
Attributes are columns in
the database table
Entity set is the Table containing
entities
Working of RDBMS
Key field – A unique identifier - a field that
can be used as a common identifier.
Querying - locating and displaying
records
Working of RDBMS
Analyzing – Sorting and applying formulas
Putting Search Results into Use – Saving,
formatting, printing or transmitting
Lab on databases will be after web
development lab
Personal Information Managers
Personal information manager (PIM) - software to help you
keep track of and manage information you use on a daily
basis, such as addresses, telephone numbers,
appointments, to-do lists, and miscellaneous notes
Microsoft Outlook
3.6 Specialty Software









Presentation Graphics
Financial Software
Project Management Software
Computer Aided Design
Computer Aided Manufacturing
Desktop Publishing
Drawing & Painting Programs
Web page design/authoring software
Video/audio editing software
Presentation Graphics
Presentation graphics software - uses graphics, animation,
sound, and data or information to make visual presentations
PowerPoint outline view
Financial Software
Financial software - a growing category that ranges from
personal-finance managers to entry-level accounting
programs to business financial-management packages
Quicken software
Project Management Software
A program to plan and schedule the people, cost,
time and resources required to run and complete a
project with a timeline.
Microsoft Project is an excellent software. Do try it
Computer Aided Design (CAD)
Programs intended to assist design of electronics
circuits or other products, structures, maps etc.
AutoCAD, Solid Edge are world leaders
Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM)
Software that allows a computer aided designed
product to be manufactured over automated
manufacturing machines.
G-Code language
Desktop Publishing
Desktop publishing (DTP) - mixing text and graphics to
produce high-quality output for commercial printing, using a
microcomputer and mouse, scanner, laser or ink-jet printer,
and DTP software
Drawing & Painting Programs
Drawing program graphics software that
allows users to design and
illustrate objects and
products
Vector image
Painting program graphics program that
allows users to simulate
painting on screen
Raster
image