Chapter 3, 4, & 5
Computer Software
• System Software
• Basic Application Software
• Specialized Application
Software
McGraw-Hill
Copyright © 2011 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
System Software
McGraw-Hill
Copyright © 2011 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Introduction
Computers and computer applications are
ubiquitous in our lives so much so that we
expect them to “be there when we need them”.
We often give little thought to the processes and
programs running behind the scenes to keep our
computers functioning effectively.
These kinds of programs and processes (i.e.
operating systems, utility programs, device
drivers, etc…) fall under the topic of system
software and are covered in this chapter.
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Copyright © 2011 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
System Software
• Handles technical details
• Works with end users, application
software, and computer hardware
• Four types of programs
– Operating system
– Utilities
– Device drivers
– Language translators
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Copyright © 2011 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Operating Systems
• Manage computer resources
• Provide an interface between the users and
computer
• Runs applications
• A collection of programs that handle technical
tasks
• Every computer has an operating
system
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Copyright © 2011 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Functions of an Operating
System
• Performs three types of functions
– Manages computer resources
• Coordinate memory, processing storage, and printers
• Monitor system performance
• Provide security
• Start-up the computer
– Provides user interface
• Character-based interface
• Graphical user interface (GUI)
– Runs applications
• Multitasking
• Foreground & background applications
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Copyright © 2011 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Features of an Operating
System
• Booting
• Features in common with application software
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Icons
Pointers
Windows
Menus
Dialog boxes
Help
Copyright © 2011 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Categories of Operating
Systems
• Hundreds of operating systems
• Three basic categories
– Embedded operating systems – handheld
– Network operating systems – linked computers
– Stand-alone operating systems – desktop
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Copyright © 2011 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
More on Operating Systems
• OS often called software environment or
platform
• Operating systems commonly used by
individuals
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Windows – most widely used
Mac OS – powerful and easy to use
UNIX – network; originally designed for Web
LINUX – non proprietary; free from the Web
Copyright © 2011 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Windows
• The most popular microcomputer
operating system – over 90 percent of the
market
• Comes in a variety of different versions
• Windows 7
provides several
improvements
over Windows
Vista
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Copyright © 2011 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Mac OS
• An operating system designed to run on Apple
computers
• Not used as widely as Windows
• One of the most innovative operating systems
• Mac OS X is one of the latest versions
• Mac OS (Boot Camp)
allows the running of both
the Mac OS and
Windows
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Copyright © 2011 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
UNIX and LINUX
• UNIX operating system
– Originally designed to run on minicomputers on a
network
– Used by powerful microcomputers
• LINUX is a version
of UNIX
– Not proprietary
– Open source
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Utilities
• Specialized programs to make computing easier
• Most essential utilities
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Troubleshooting or diagnostic programs
Antivirus programs
Uninstall programs
Backup programs
File compression programs
Copyright © 2011 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Windows Utilities
• Backup and Restore
• Disk Cleanup
• Disk Defragmenter
Accessing Windows Vista utilities:
Click Start, Select All Programs, Select
Accessories, Choose System Tools
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Copyright © 2011 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Backup and Restore
• Utility program included
with many Windows
versions
• Makes a copy of all files or
selected files that have been
saved on a disk
• Helps prevent against
disk failure
Return
1-15
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Disk Cleanup
• Identifies and eliminates
nonessential files
• Frees up valuable space
and improves system
performance
Return
1-16
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Disk Defragmenter
• Identifies and eliminates unnecessary
fragments
• Rearranges files and
unused disk space to
optimize operations
• Speeds up file access
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Copyright © 2011 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Utility Suites
• A group of several utility programs bundled for
sale
• Buying the package is economical
• Popular suites
– Norton System Works
– McAfee Office
– V Communications
SystemSuite
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Copyright © 2011 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Device Drivers
• Specialized programs that allow communication
between a device
and the computer
• Loaded into memory each
time a computer is started
• When a new device is added,
new device drivers must be installed
1-19
Copyright © 2011 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Basic Application
Software
McGraw-Hill
Copyright © 2011 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Introduction
• Not long ago, trained specialists were required to
perform many of the operations you can now do with
a microcomputer.
• A microcomputer can be an electric tool.
• Competent end users need to understand the
capabilities of basic application software including:
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Word processors
Spreadsheets
Database management systems
Presentation programs
Copyright © 2011 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Application Software
• Application software is end user software that
is used to accomplish a variety of tasks
• Two categories
– Basic
applications
(focus of this
chapter)
– Specialized
applications
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Copyright © 2011 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Basic Applications
• Basic applications are also called generalpurpose
• Common types
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Word processors
Spreadsheets
Database management systems
Presentation graphics
Return
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Copyright © 2011 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Specialized Applications
• Also known as special-purpose applications
• Includes thousands of other programs more
narrowly focused on specific disciplines and
occupations
• Best known
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Graphic programs
Audio and video editors
Multimedia creation programs
Web authoring
Virtual reality programs
Copyright © 2011 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Common Features
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•
•
•
•
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Graphical User Interface (GUI)
Icons
Windows
Menus
Toolbars
Copyright © 2011 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Toolbars
• Quick access to commonly used commands
• Contain buttons that provide shortcuts
• Examples
– Standard Toolbar
– Speech Recognition
Standard 
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Microsoft Office 2007
• Newest version of Microsoft Office
• New Interface
– Ribbons
– Contextual Tabs
– Galleries
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Word Processors
• Used to create text-based documents
– Memos, letters, and faxes
– Newsletters, manuals, and brochures
• Word processing programs
– Microsoft Word
– Corel WordPerfect
– Apple Pages
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Word Processor Features
• Word Wrap
• Editing
– Thesaurus
– Find and Replace
– Spelling and grammar checkers
• Formatting
– Font and font sizing
– Character effects
– Bulleted and numbered lists
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Copyright © 2011 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Spreadsheets
• Programs that manipulate numeric data
• Spreadsheet programs
– Microsoft Excel
– Corel Quattro
Pro
– Apple iWork's
Numbers
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Spreadsheet Features
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•
•
•
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Workbook files
Worksheet or spreadsheet or sheet
Formulas
Functions
Analytical
graphs or charts
• What-if Analysis
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Spreadsheet Case
• Creating a Sales
Forecast
• Creating a Chart
• Analyzing Your Data
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Database Management Systems
(DBMS)
• A collection of related data
• Sets up a structure for data storage
• Database programs
– Microsoft Access
– Corel Paradox
– Lotus Approach
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Database Features
• Relational
• Tables
– Records
– Fields
• Record sorting
• Queries
• Forms
• Reports
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Presentation Graphics
• Programs that create visually interesting
presentations
• Presentation programs
– Microsoft PowerPoint
– Corel Presentations
– Lotus Freelance
Graphics
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Presentation Graphics Features
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•
•
•
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Slides
AutoContent wizard
Design templates
Master slide
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Integrated Packages
• A single program that provides the
functionality of several widely used
programs
– Popular with many home users
– Classified as personal or home software
• Advantages are cost and simplicity
• Disadvantages are limited functions
• The most widely used package is Microsoft
Works
1-37
Copyright © 2011 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Software Suites
• Collection of separate application programs
sold as a group
• Four types of suites
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Productivity suite or Office Software Suite
Alternative office suite
Specialized suite
Utility suite
Copyright © 2011 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Specialized
Application Software
McGraw-Hill
Copyright © 2011 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Introduction
• Specialized applications make it possible to perform
advanced tasks at home.
• Home users can create Webs sites, work with graphic
images, and create music or art.
• Robots now provide security
and assistance in homes.
• Competent end users need to
be aware of specialized
applications
– Graphics programs
– Audio and video editing software
– Multimedia
– Web authoring
– Artificial intelligence
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Copyright © 2011 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Specialized Applications
•
•
•
•
Graphics Programs
Audio and Video Software
Multimedia Programs
Web Authoring Programs
• Artificial Intelligence
– Virtual Reality
– Knowledge-based Systems
– Robotics
1-41
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Graphics
• Desktop publishing
• Image editors
• Illustration programs
• Image galleries
• Graphic suites
1-42
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Desktop Publishing
• Programs that allow you to create publications
– Mix text and graphics
– Professional quality
• Popular programs
– Adobe InDesign
– Microsoft Publisher
– QuarkXPress
Return
1-43
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Image Editors
• Programs for creating and editing bitmap images
– Bitmap images use dots or pixels to represent an
image
– Bitmap images are also called raster images
• Popular programs
– Paint.NET
– Adobe Photoshop
– Corel Paint Shop Pro
Return
1-44
Copyright © 2011 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Illustration Programs
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•
•
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Programs used to create & edit vector images
Drawing programs
Vector images use geometric shapes or objects
Popular programs
– Adobe Illustrator
– Inkscape
– CorelDRAW
Return
1-45
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Image Galleries
• Libraries of electronic images
• Used for a variety of applications
• Two basic types
– Stock photographs
– Clip art
• There are numerous
Web image galleries
Return
1-46
Copyright © 2011 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Graphic Suites
• Bundled graphic programs
• Can buy a larger variety of graphics programs at
a lower cost
• CorelDRAW Graphics Suite
– Five individual programs
– Library of clip art, media clips & fonts
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Audio and
Video
• Video editing software
– Enhances digital video
footage
– Apple's iMovie & Windows
Movie Maker
• Audio editing software
– Creates and edits audio
clips
– Can create your own MP3s
– Apple’s Garage Band and
Sony’s ACID
1-48
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Digital Video Editing
• Capture Video
• Edit a Movie
• Create a DVD
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Multimedia
• The integration of a variety of media into one
presentation
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Video
Music
Voice
Graphics
Text
• Include user interactivity
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Copyright © 2011 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Links & Buttons
Links can be to…
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Video
Sound
Graphics
Text Files
• Buttons are links and
provide the ability to
navigate through a
presentation
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Copyright © 2011 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Multimedia Authoring Programs
• Special programs used to create multimedia
presentations
• Bring together all the video, audio, graphics, and
text elements
• Popular programs
– Adobe Director
– Toolbook
1-52
Copyright © 2011 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Web Authoring
• Corporations use the Web to reach new
customers
• Many individuals create their own personal sites,
called Web logs or blogs, to keep in touch with
friends and family
• Web Site Design
• Web Authoring
Programs
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Copyright © 2011 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Web Site Design
• Interactive multimedia
form of
communication
– Create a graphical
map of overall content
– Add multimedia
elements like
animation
• Macromedia's
Flash
Return
1-54
Copyright © 2011 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Web Authoring Programs
• Known as Web page editors or HTML editors
– Provide support for Web site design
– Creates HTML coding
• Popular programs
– Adobe Dreamweaver
– NetObjects Fusion
– Microsoft Expression
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WYSIWYG
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Artificial Intelligence
• Attempts to simulate
human senses, thought
processes, and actions
• Designed to help people
and organizations
become more productive
• Three areas of AI
– Virtual reality
– Knowledge-based (expert)
systems
– Robotics
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Virtual Reality
• Artificial or simulated reality
– Generated in 3-D by a computer
– Commonly known as VR, artificial reality, or virtual
environments
Return
1-58
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Knowledge-Based
(Expert) Systems
• Artificial intelligence that uses a database for
assistance
• Database is known as a knowledge base
• Many use "fuzzy logic"
Return
1-59
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Robotics
• The field of study concerned with using robots
• Robots are computer-controlled machines
– Mimic the motor activities of living things
– Four types of robots
• Perception system robots
• Industrial robots
• Mobile robots
• Household robots
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