Computer Application Packages
The goal of this course is to provide students with knowledge of the concepts of computer
application packages.
GENERAL OBJECTIVES:
On completion of this course you should be able to:
1.0 Know the existing application packages
2.0 Understand word processing packages
3.0 Know spread sheets
4.0 Know Data Base Management System (DBMS)
5.0 Know the existing statistical packages
6.0 Understand graphics packages
Required Application Packages
1. Microsoft Office Suite
2. SPSS
3. CorelDraw
4. Photoshop
5. Microsoft Visio
6. AutoCAD
1.0
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
Know the existing application packages
Differentiate between systems application packages. Software, program generators and
application packages
Identify the modes of packages acquisition
State the criteria for package acceptability
List various types of packages
INTRODUCTION
Application packages are software developed to performed specific task using the computer
system. The tasks cover business, scientific, graphics, animations, etc. Application packages are
used in various homes, offices, educational institutions, military, etc. However, before the
discussion continues it is important to differentiate between system software and application
software.
The differences between a System software and Application software
System software is used for operating computer hardware. On other hand Application software is
used by user to perform specific task. System software are installed on the computer when
operating system is installed. Application software cannot run independently of system software.
The table 1 shows the major differences between system software and application software.
Table 1: Differences between system software and application software
Definition
SYSTEM SOFTWARE
System Software is the type of
APPLICATION SOFTWARE
On other hand Application Software is
Usage
Installation
User
interaction
Development
Language
Dependency
software which is the interface
between application software and
system.
System software is used for
operating computer hardware.
System software are installed on the
computer when operating system is
installed.
As mentioned in above points
system software are specific to
system hardware so less or no user
interaction available in case of
system software.
In general System software are
developed in low level language
which is more compatible with the
system hardware in order to interact
with.
System software can run
independently. It provides platform
for running application software.
the type of software which runs as per
user request. It runs on the platform
which is provided by system software.
On other hand Application software is
used by user to perform specific task.
On other hand Application software are
installed according to user’s
requirements.
As mentioned in above points system
software are specific to system
hardware so less or no user interaction
available in case of system software.
While in case of Application software
high level language is used for their
development as they are developed as
some specific purpose software.
On other hand in application software
can’t run independently. They can’t run
without the presence of system
software.
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RELEVANCE OF COMPUTER APPLICATION PACKAGES
In almost all the professions, computer application packages are now being used to replace the
manual activities. The activity ranges from simple to complex. In engineering profession,
application packages are very relevance in calculations, report writing, preparation of bills of
quantities (BOQ) or BEME. Other activities are drawings, designs, simulations, animations, and
so on. Although, all these activities can be performed manually, but it better done using the
computer because of its speed, accuracy reliability, high storage capability, the output is also
very neat and precise. Moreover, the automation capability, where different applications can be
link together for easy manipulations between the applications cannot be overemphasized.
ACQUISITION OF APPLICATION PACKAGES
Software systems can be acquired through any of the following methods:
a) Open source
Open source are software system whose source code is available for anybody to
access and modify.
b) Shareware
Shareware is a type of proprietary software which is initially provided free of charge
to users, who are allowed and encouraged to make and share copies of the program.
Shareware is often offered as a download from a website or on a compact disc
included with a magazine.
c) Freeware
Freeware is software, most often proprietary, that is distributed at no monetary cost to
the end user. There is no agreed-upon set of rights, license, or EULA that defines
freeware unambiguously; every publisher defines its own rules for the freeware it
offers.
d) Sold
For this type of acquisition, once you purchase the software from the vendor. The
payment gives the right to own the copy legitimately. You have the right to resale the
software after purchase.
e) Licensed
Most of the application software packages available are licensed and sold. In this case
you only pay for the license to use. In many cases, you are expected to pay annually
for the license. Another clause to the license is that the license is mostly attached to
number of users. You are expected to pay per user of the software.
CRITERIA FOR PACKAGE ACCEPTABILITY
It is not enough to know the method of acquiring the application software. There are other
factors that must be taken into consideration before acquiring the software. The following are
the criteria that must be taken into consideration in acquiring computer application packages:
1. Hardware and Operating System
It is important to know the system requirement of the propose application software. These
include hardware requirement such the hard-disk capacity, RAM, Processor speed, and
Operating system platform.
2. The software interoperability
The application package must not be rigid. That document produced with the application
software on a particular computer should be accessible on other computers with related
applications.
3. Product support
The vendor must be ready to provide continue wide range of supports and service solutions.
4. User Training
The goal of the training of users of a particular application package of the software
company is to demonstrate the features and functionality of the application. The training
will make the user to optimize the use of the software.
5. Cost
The cost is also a very important factor to be considered when acquirement application
packages. The real cost of a product includes the price of the software and the cost
implementing it as well. The real cost of a product includes the price of the software and
the cost of implementing it as well. Contributing to the overall cost of implementation are
costs associated with; Computer hardware, Database platform, New System Maintenance,
Old System Maintenance, Data Conversion services, Project management services,
Technical training and User Training.
http://clydebalaman.blogspot.com/2009/03/criteria-for-acquiring-software.html
ACTIVITY
1. State and explain different 10 types of application software.
2. List ten examples each of system software and application software.
3. For each of the examples, highlight their functions.
TYPES OF APPLICATION PACKAGES
2.0
Understand word processing packages
2.1 Define a word processor
2.2 State the use of word processor
2.3 Explain the main menu
2.4 Carry out text input and editing using word processor
2.5 Use block editing commands
2.6 Use document and non-document text processing
2.7 Identify functions of professional word processors e.g. desktop publishing
WORD PROCESSOR
This is the most common application package. A word processor allows users to manipulate text
by using appropriate formatting, after which the document is printed using.
A word processor is used to produce the following and many others:
 Term paper
 Project report
 Curriculum vitae
 Business proposal
 Marking plan
 Memos and other correspondence within and outside an establishment
 And many more
Using the word processor typically involve typing the text in the space provided on the
computer. The software has provision to perform various editing functions. The editing functions
include:



Creating, editing, saving and printing documents.
Copying, pasting, moving and deleting text within a document.
Formatting text, such as font type, bolding, underlining or italicizing.



Creating and editing tables.
Inserting elements from other software, such as mathematical illustrations or
photographs.
Correcting spelling and grammar, and many more
The production, storage, and manipulation of text on a word processor is known as word
processing. The Word processing software or word processor has a number of tools to format
document pages. However, word processing does not give complete control over the look and
feel of the document. Many of the available word processor has additional tools for desktop
publishing. When further design becomes important, you may need to use desktop publishing
software to give more control over the layout of your pages.
Word processing software typically also contains features to make it easier to perform repetitive
tasks. For example, if you have a task to send a letter to many recipients. The letter is the same
for all the recipients except for the name and address at the top of the letter. A mail merge
function allows you to produce all the letters using one template document and a table with
customer names and addresses in the database.
Text editors should not be confused with word processing software. While they do also allow
you to create, edit and save text documents, they only work on plain text. Text editors do not use
any formatting, such as underlined text or different fonts. Text editors serve a very different
purpose from word processing software. They are used to work with files in plain text format,
such as source code of computer programs or configuration files of an operating system. An
example of a text editor would be Notepad on the Windows platform.
FEATURES OF A WORD PROCESSOR
Many word processing software applications has additional features in addition to typing and
formatting with bold, italic, justifying, line spacing, etc. Some of the other features available are
to add images, objects, sounds, videos, charts, and graphics. Figure 1 shows the typical view of a
word processor, using Microsoft Word as an example.
Figure 1: Microsoft Word 2010 Window
File Tab
This is where you click when you need to open or save files, create new documents, print a
document, and do other file-related operations. Click on all the tabs to get familiar with the back
stage view of each of them.
Quick Access Toolbar
This is found just above the File tab. This is a convenient resting place for the most-frequently
used commands in Word. The toolbar can be customized based on your comfort.
Ribbon
Ribbon contains commands organized in three components:
a) Tabs
These appear across the top of the Ribbon and contain groups of related commands.
Home, Insert, Page Layout are examples of ribbon tabs.
b) Groups
They organize related commands; each group name appears below the group on the
Ribbon. For example, group of commands related to fonts or group of commands related
to alignment, etc.
c) Commands
Commands appear within each group as mentioned above.
Title bar
This lies in the middle and at the top of the window. Title bar shows the program and document
titles.
Rulers
Word has two rulers - a horizontal ruler and a vertical ruler. The horizontal ruler appears just
beneath the Ribbon and is used to set margins and tab stops. The vertical ruler appears on the left
edge of the Word window and is used to gauge the vertical position of elements on the page.
Help
The Help Icon can be used to get word related help anytime you like. This provides nice tutorial
on various subjects related to word.
Zoom Control
Zoom control lets you zoom in for a closer look at your text. The zoom control consists of a
slider that you can slide left or right to zoom in or out; you can click the + buttons to increase or
decrease the zoom factor.
View Buttons
The group of five buttons located to the left of the Zoom control, near the bottom of the screen,
lets you switch through the Word's various document views.





Print Layout view: This displays pages exactly as they will appear when printed.
Full Screen Reading view: This gives a full screen view of the document.
Web Layout view: This shows how a document appears when viewed by a Web
browser, such as Internet Explorer.
Outline view: This lets you work with outlines established using Word’s standard
heading styles.
Draft view: This formats text as it appears on the printed page with a few exceptions. For
example, headers and footers aren't shown. Most people prefer this mode.
Document Area
This is the area where you type. The flashing vertical bar is called the insertion point and it
represents the location where text will appear when you type.
Status Bar
This displays the document information as well as the insertion point location. From left to right,
this bar contains the total number of pages and words in the document, language, etc. You can
configure the status bar by right-clicking anywhere on it and by selecting or deselecting options
from the provided list.
Dialog Box Launcher
This appears as very small arrow in the lower-right corner of many groups on the Ribbon.
Clicking this button opens a dialog box or task pane that provides more options about the group.
Word processors also provide advance features which are used for creating high quality
professional documents. To create a document, texts are typed using the keyboard. The word
processor places a blinking cursor (insertion point) at the beginning (top left corner) of the
screen. This indicates the starting point for typing. As the typing progresses, the cursor moves
forward from left to right direction. On reaching the end of the line, the cursor automatically
moves to the start of the next line and the process is repeated. The text in the document can be
changed and the document can be saved by using the Save command. The following highlights other
features of word processors.
Insertion Cursor
The Insertion cursor indicates the point where text is to be written in the document.
File management
These are the tools for copying, pasting, and deleting texts
Footnotes and Cross-References
This feature allows users to automatically add footnotes and automates the numbering in a
document and add cross-references.
Graphics
This feature allows users to embed illustrations and add graphics in a document. There are
additional tools for creating and editing graphics within a document.
Header, Footers and Page numbering
The word processor automatically keeps tract of the page numbers. This feature allows users to
add headers, Footers, and page numbers.
Layout
This feature allows users to specify page sizes, margins, indents, paragraph, line spacing, etc.
Macros
A macro is a small piece of code. It is executed by pressing a single key on the keyboard. It is
written to execute a series of commands. It saves lot of time by executing keystrokes.
Merges
This feature allows user to merge text from file to another file. This feature is helpful in
generating mailing labels, etc.
Spell checker
The spell-check utility uses dictionary to check spellings in a document. This utility highlights
the text which is unknown or not recognized.
Table of Contents and Indexes
This feature allows users to automatically generate table of contents and index.
Thesaurus
This feature helps users to find out the synonyms and antonyms of word in the document.
WYSIWYG
WYSIWYG stands for What You See Is What You Get. This means that a document appears in
the word processor window exactly as it would show on a printout.
Windows
Windows functions allow the user to edit different document at the same time, while each of the
document has separate windows.
http://www.tipsandarticles.com/word-processing-and-word-processor/
ACTIVITY
1. In tabular form list ten current word processors and the required operating platforms.
2. Create a two page letter on COVID-19 to ten recipients using mail merge. In addition to
the utilization of tools like bold, italic, subscripts and superscripts, the letter must include
the following:
a. Bullets and numbering
b. Tables
c. Mathematical equations
d. Images
The spacing should be Single.
Font style: Tahoma. Some aspect of the document should have highlighted sentence
coloured.
Text before and after paragraph: 6
Additional marks shall be award for additional reasonable formatting.
Note that the document you will create now will be useful in subsequent activities.
3. Explain how the Review tools are used in Microsoft Word
SPREADSHEET
3.0 Know Spread sheets
3.1
Name the types of spread sheets
3.2 Explain the use of spread sheet in forecasting
3.3 Use Lotus 1-2-3, Multiplan, Visical or any available spread sheet
3.4 Solve statistical analysis problem using a spread sheet package
Spreadsheet is computer application software for organization, analysis, and of data in tabular
form. It is made of rows and columns that help to sort, arrange, and calculate numerical data
easily. It is a unique software program because of its ability to calculate data in cells using
mathematical formula. A good example of how spreadsheet can be utilized is in creating an
overview of an invoice as shown in figure 2.
Figure 2: Example of utilization of Spread sheet
Spreadsheet overview
Figure 3 shows the view of a typical spreadsheet with all the important features. It has the same
general features as the word processor shown in figure 1. Additional features that are unique to
spreadsheets are highlighted.
Figure 3: Microsoft Excel User Interface
Just like any other windows application, the spreadsheet in windows environment consists of
menus, toolbars, dialog boxes, etc.
The Microsoft Excel program window containing this worksheet of the workbook is made up of the following
components:
Title Bar
The title bar displays the name of the current workbook. Also, on the title bar are the control
buttons to minimize, maximize, and restore.
Formula Bar
The formula Bar shows the value or data of the active cell. It is used to enter formula into a cell.
It is also used to edit the content or data of a cell.
Cell
This is the intersection of a column and a row. It is the basic unit in a worksheet. Data (text,
number, or formula) is enter into the cells of the worksheet.
Cell Address
The address is the location of a cell. It specifies the column letter and row number. For example
D4 means the cell is located at column D on row 4.
Column Header
Column Header is the horizontal bar at the top of the columns. It shows the labels of columns. In
Microsoft Excel the columns are labelled alphabetically from A through XFD, which is 256
columns in a worksheet. The Column Header is also used to select columns. A single click on the
column header selects the entire column.
Row Header
This is the vertical bar on the left of rows is called Row Header. It shows the row number.
Microsoft Excel the row is labelled in numbers from 1 through 1,048,576. Row Headers are also
used to select row. A single click on the Row Header selects the entire row.
Sheet Tab
These are set of tab at the bottom left of the workbook. The tabs show the number and name of
worksheet in the workbook, the worksheet name can be edited.
Quick Access toolbar: You can click the Save, Undo, and Redo buttons to perform common
tasks to save your work and undo and redo editing changes. You can also click the Customize
Quick Access Toolbar button to the immediate right of the Redo button to open a drop-down
menu containing additional common commands such New, Open, Quick Print, and so on, as well
as to customize the toolbar, change its position, and minimize the Ribbon.
Ribbon: Most Excel commands are contained in the Ribbon. They are arranged into a series of
tabs ranging from Home through View.
Worksheet area: This area contains all the cells of the current worksheet identified by column
headings, using letters along the top, and row headings, using numbers along the left edge, with
tabs for selecting new worksheets. You use a horizontal scroll bar on the bottom to move left and
right through the sheet and a vertical scroll bar on the right edge to move up and down through
the sheet.
Status bar: This bar keeps you informed of the program’s current mode and any special keys
you engage, and enables you to select a new worksheet view and to zoom in and out on the
worksheet.
SPREADSHEET, WORKBOOK, AND WORKSHEET
Microsoft Excel is an example of Spreadsheet. When Microsoft Excel is loaded, what you see is
the Workbook. In a workbook are many Worksheets. Workbook default setting provides three
worksheets which can be increase to 256 as needed.
Several sheets can be used for one project, containing it all in one file, or you can still use one
file for each part of the project, depending on your needs. It should be noted that the number of
sheets is limited to the available memory capacity of the computer.
WORKSHEET DESIGN
Before you can begin to build a new spreadsheet in Excel, you must have the design in mind. As
it turns out, the design aspect of the creative process is often the easiest part because you can
borrow the design from other workbooks. After you have settled upon the design of your new
spreadsheet, you are ready to begin entering its data. In doing the data entry in a new worksheet,
you have several choices regarding the method to use.
Each and every time you start Excel without also opening an existing workbook file, the program
presents you with a new workbook (with the generic filename, Book1), consisting of three totally
blank worksheets. At this point, you can either launch into building your new spreadsheet by
using the workbook’s three blank worksheets, or you can open a spreadsheet template or existing
workbook file and then adapt the template’s or workbook file’s design by entering the data for
the new spreadsheet.
Everything that you enter in any worksheet cell is either one of two types of data: text (also
known as a label) or a number (also known as a value or numeric entry). The reason that you
should care about what type of data you are entering into the cells of your worksheet is that
spreadsheets treats your entry differently, depending on what type of data it thinks you’ve
entered.
Text entries are automatically left-aligned in their cells, and if they consist of more characters
than fit within the column’s current width, the extra characters spill over and are displayed in
blank cells in columns on the right (if these cells are not blank, Excel cuts off the display of any
characters that does not fit within the cell borders until you widen its column).
Numbers are automatically right-aligned in their cells, and if they consist of more characters
(including numbers and any formatting characters that you add) than fit within the column’s
current width, spreadsheets displays a string of number signs across the cell (######), telling you
to widen the column (in some cases, such as decimal numbers, Excel will truncate the decimal
places shown in the cell instead of displaying the number-sign overflow indicators).
How Spreadsheet differentiates text data entries from numeric data entries.
 All data entries beginning with a letter of the alphabet or a punctuation mark are
considered text.
 All data entries that mix letters (A–Z) and numbers are considered text, even when the
entry begins with a number.
 All numeric data entries that contain punctuation other than commas (,), periods (.), and
forward slashes (/) are considered text, even when they begin with a number.
However, a problem exists with numbers that are separated by hyphens (also known as dashes):
If the numbers that are separated by dashes correspond to a valid date, Spreadsheets converts it
into a date (which is most definitely a kind of numeric data entry. For example, if you enter 1-211 in a cell, Spreadsheet thinks that you want to enter the date January 2, 2011, in the cell, and
the program automatically converts the entry into a date number (displayed as 1/2/2011 in the
cell).
If you want to enter a number as text in a cell, you must preface its first digit with an apostrophe
(’). For example, if you’re entering a part number that consists of all numbers, such as 12-30-09,
and you don’t want Excel to convert it into the date December 30, 2009, you need to preface the
entry with an apostrophe by entering into the cell: ‘12-30-09. Likewise, if you want to enter 3/4
in a cell, meaning three out of four rather than the date March 4, you enter ‘3/4 (Note that if you
want to designate the fraction, three-fourths, you need to input =3/4, in which case Excel
displays the value 0.75 in the cell display.) When you complete an entry that starts with an
apostrophe, the apostrophe is not displayed in the cell (it does appear, however, on the Formula
bar). Instead, a tiny green triangle appears in the upper-left corner of the cell, and an alert symbol
appears to the immediate left (as long as the cell cursor is in this cell). When you position the
mouse pointer on this alert indicator, a drop-down button appears to its right (shown in the left
margin). In this example, the first option indicates that the number is currently stored as text, and
the second option enables you to convert it back into a number (by removing the apostrophe).
If you start a cell entry with the equal sign (=) or the at symbol (@) followed by other characters
that aren’t part of a formula, Excel displays an error dialog box as soon as you try to complete
the data entry. Excel uses the equal sign to indicate the use of a formula, and what you have
entered is not a valid formula. The program knows that Lotus 1-2-3 used the @ symbol to
indicate the use of a built-in function, and what you have entered is not a valid built-in function.
This means that you must preface any data entry beginning with the equal sign and at symbol
that isn’t a valid formula with an apostrophe in order to get it into the cell.
Cell value
In a typical spreadsheet, numbers (or numeric data entries) can be as prevalent as the text entries.
This is because traditionally, spreadsheets were developed to keep financial records, which
included plenty of extended item totals, subtotals, averages, percentages, and grand totals. Of
course, you can create spreadsheets that are full of numbers that have nothing to do with debits,
credits, income statements, invoices, quarterly sales, and dollars and cents.
Number entries that you make in your spreadsheet can be divided into three categories:

Numbers that you input directly into a cell. (You can do this with the keyboard, your
voice if you use the Speech Recognition feature, or even by handwriting if your keyboard
is equipped with a writing tablet.)

Date and time numbers that are also input directly into a cell but are automatically
displayed with the default Date and Time number formats and are stored behind the
scenes as special date serial and hour decimal numbers.

Numbers calculated by formulas that you build yourself by using simple arithmetical
operators and/or Excel’s sophisticated built-in functions.
Numeric formulas
Many numeric entries in a typical spreadsheet are not input directly but are returned as the result
of a calculation by a formula. The numeric formulas that you build can do anything from simple
arithmetic calculations to complex ANOVA statistical analyses (see Book III for complete
coverage of all types of numeric formulas). Most spreadsheet formulas use numbers that are
input into other cells of the worksheet in their calculations. Because these formulas refer to the
address of the cell containing the input number rather than the number itself, Excel is able to
automatically recalculate the formula and return a new result anytime you change the values in
the original cell.
The most important thing to remember about numeric formulas is that their calculated values are
displayed in their cells in the worksheet, whereas the contents of the formulas (that indicate how
the calculation is done) are displayed on the Formula bar whenever its cell contains the cell
cursor. All numbers returned by formulas inherit the nondescript General number format. The
only way to get these calculated numbers to appear the way you want them in the worksheet is to
select them and apply a new, more appropriate number format to them.
Formulas and Functions
Formulas are very important in actualizing any useful result in spreadsheet. Without formulas,
the electronic spreadsheet would be little better than its green-sheet paper equivalent.
Fortunately, Excel gives you the ability to do all your calculations right within the cells of the
worksheet without any need for a separate calculator. The formulas that you build in a
spreadsheet can run the gamut from very simple to extremely complex. Formulas can rely totally
upon the use of simple operators or the use of built-in functions, both of which describe the type
of operation or calculation to perform and the order in which to perform it. Or they can blend the
use of operators and functions together. When you use Excel functions in your formulas, you
need to learn what particular type of information that particular function uses in performing its
calculations. The information that you supply a function and that it uses in its computation is
referred to as the argument(s) of the function.
Building formulas with operators
Many of the simpler formulas that are built require the sole use of Excel’s operators, which are
the symbols that indicate the type of computation that is to take place between the cells and/or
constants interspersed between them. Excel uses four different types of operators: arithmetic,
comparison, text, and reference.
Order of operator precedence
When evaluating a formula, Excel follows a standard math protocol called "order of operations".
First any expressions in parentheses are evaluated. Next Excel will solve for any exponents.
After exponents, Excel will perform multiplication and division, then addition and subtraction. If
the formula involves concatenation, this will happen after standard math operations. Finally, Excel will
evaluate logical operators, if present.
1. Parentheses
2. Exponents
3. Multiplication and Division
4. Addition and Subtraction
5. Concatenation
6. Logical operators
Charts and Graphics
In Microsoft Excel, a chart is often called a graph. It is a visual representation of data from a worksheet
that can bring more understanding to the data than just looking at the numbers.
A chart is a powerful tool that allows you to visually display data in a variety of different chart formats
such as Bar, Column, Pie, Line, Area, Doughnut, Scatter, Surface, or Radar charts. With Excel, it is easy
to create a chart.
Data Management
In addition to its considerable computational abilities, Excel is also very accomplished at maintaining vast
collections of related data in what are referred to as database tables or data lists (which is a little more
accurate). In Excel, a data list or database is a table of worksheet data that utilizes a special structure.
Unlike the other types of data tables that you might create in an Excel spreadsheet, a data list uses only
column headings (technically known as field names) to identify the different kinds of items that the data
list tracks. Each column in the data list contains information for each item you track in the database, such
as the client’s company name or telephone number (technically known as a field of the data list). Each
row in the data list contains complete information about each entity that you track in the data list, such as
ABC Corporation or National Industries (technically known as a record of the data list).
After you have organized your data into a data list that follows this structure, you can then use a variety of
commands on the Ribbon’s Data tab to maintain the data, as well as to reorder the information it contains.
In data lists with numerical fields, you can also use the Subtotals command button to calculate subtotals
and totals in the list when a certain field changes.
Data Analysis
Because electronic spreadsheets are so good at updating their results by automatically recalculating their
formulas based on new input, they have long been used (and sometimes, misused) to create financial
projections based on all sorts of assumptions. Under the guise of what-if analysis, you will often find the
number crunchers of the company using Excel as their crystal ball for projecting the results of all sorts of
harebrained schemes designed to make the company a fast million bucks.
As you start dabbling in this form of electronic fortune-telling, keep in mind that the projections you get
back from this type of analysis are only as good as your assumptions. So when the results of what-if
analysis tell you that you are going to be richer than Alhaji Dangote after undertaking this new business
venture, you still need to ask yourself whether the original assumptions on which these glowing
projections are based fit in with real-world marketing conditions. In other words, when the worksheet tells
you that you can make a million bucks of pure profit by selling your lead-lined boxer shorts, you still
have to question how many men really need that kind of protection and are willing to pay for it.
In Excel, what-if analysis comes in a fairly wide variety of flavors (some of which are more complicated
than others). Some these are:

Data tables enable you to see how changing one or two variables affect the bottom line (for
example, you may want to know what happens to the net profit if you fall into a 45 percent tax
bracket, a 60 percent tax bracket, and so on).

Goal seeking enables you to find out what it takes to reach a predetermined objective, such as
how much you have to sell to make a N20 million profit this year.

Scenarios let you set up and test a wide variety of cases, all the way from the best-case scenario
(profits grow by 20 percent) to the worst-case scenario (you don’t make any profit).
Using Data Tables
In an Excel spreadsheet, you can see the effect of changing an input value on the result returned by a
formula as soon as you enter a new input value in the cell that feeds into the formula. Each time you
change this input value, Excel automatically recalculates the formula and shows you the new result based
on the new value. This method is of limited use, however, when you are performing what-if analysis and
need to be able to see the range of results produced by using a series of different input values in the same
worksheet so that you can compare them to each other.
To perform this type of what-if analysis, you can use Excel’s Data Table command. When creating a data
table, you enter a series of input values in the worksheet, and Excel uses each value in the formula that
you specify. When Excel is finished computing the data table, you see the results produced by each
change in the input values in a single range of the worksheet. You can then save the data table as part of
the worksheet if you need to keep a record of the results of a series of input values. When creating data
tables, you can create a one-variable or a two-variable data table. In a one-variable data table, Excel
substitutes a series of different values for a single input value in a formula. In a two-variable data
table, Excel substitutes a series of different values for two input values in a formula.
Activities
1. In tabular form list 15spreadsheet packages. For each of them, state operating and their
existence.
2. Using COVID-19 as a case study, create a workbook with 10 worksheets. Each
worksheet must contain COVID data for at least 30days. Each data should be broken
down as follows:
a. Male
b. Female
Number of deaths
a. Male
b. Female
Discharged
a. Male
b. Female
b) For each state plot not than 2 different graphs and not more than 4 different graphs.
c) Sheet 1 should contain the total number of the COVID-19 cases with links from other
sheets. Plot graphs for total as in different states.
Your discretions in achieving this activity will attract additional grade.
PRESENTATION PACKAGES
4.0 Know Presentation Packages
3.1
Name the types of spread sheets
3.2 Explain the use of spread sheet in forecasting
3.3 Use Lotus 1-2-3, Multiplan, Visical or any available spread sheet
3.4 Solve statistical analysis problem using a spread sheet package
PRESENTATION PACKAGES
A presentation program is a software package used to display information in the form of a slide
show. It has three major functions:
a) An editor that allows text to be inserted and formatted,
b) A method for inserting and manipulating graphic images, audio visual, etc.
c) A slide-show system to display the content.
FEATURES OF PRESENTATION PACKAGE
i.
Creation of Slides
A slide is a single screen of a presentation, and every presentation is composed of
several slides. Slides contain any mixture of text, images, video, animations, links and
sound
·
ii.
Animation
Animation effects allow the various elements on each slide to appear after a certain
amount of time or when a presenter presses a button.
iii.
Transitions
This is how the presentation software “moves” the display of one slide to another.
Transitions usually include dissolving from one slide to the next or the current slide
being moved in some way to show the next slide as though it was underneath.
·
To this end, a good presentation package has the capability to handle
advanced features including sound, images, animation, slide transitions, hyperlinks, hotspots
and navigation buttons as well as plain text of course. Each of these features are intended to add
something to the quality of the presentation. Using Microsoft PowerPoint as an example, the
following shows the procedure for using presentation package to create slides for presentation.
PowerPoint Operations
The following operations can be performed on MS PowerPoint.
i. Create new presentation
ii. Insert text, pictures and graphs
iii. Animate contents
iv. Add new slide
v. Save presentation
vi. Run slide show
vii. Print presentation
viii. Close presentation
It is not just about creating slides. There are guidelines that must be follows in other to make a
good presentation. The guidelines are highlighted below:
Guidelines for Creating a Good MS PowerPoint Presentation
i.
Font size should be such that the text is readable from the back of the room/by all
viewers.
ii.
Message/Points should be brief/concise and precise! straight to the point
iii.
Maintain consistent use of colour on all Slides.
iv.
Avoid too many texts on a slide, contrast text colour and backgrounds
v.
Transitions and animations sound should be used sparingly and consistently to
avoid distractions.
vi.
Add images to compliment messages and not to decorate slides.
vii.
Use font size and type consistently on all slides
Types of Presentations
Presentations come in a lot of different forms and have a variety of purposes. In the business
world, there are six main types of presentations. The knowledge of different types helps to
choose the right type while preparing and practicing presentation. Presentation can be made to
meet specific purpose. Everyone from those who present in front of large audiences on a stage
to managers who need to pitch their ideas to co-workers can improve their delivery and
impact of their message. The following are the types of presentations:
1. Providing information
This format encompasses anything from a team meeting that gives updates on a
project or upcoming event to a demonstration that shows product functions.
2. Teaching a skill
A company just installed a new system or implemented a new process that requires
people to learn how to use the new tool and apply the process.
3. Reporting Progress
As an example, as you integrate a new system in to daily routine, your boss wants to
know how it is working. You might schedule a divisional meeting or group off-site to
share the progress.
4. Selling a Product or Service
A briefing like this might include a recap of the product or service, next steps and
action items, or a discussion of needs and improvements before the product is ready
to sell.
5. Making a Decision
It is time for the annual holiday party and ideas are being tossed around the office.
When giving your input on the location, make sure to share the must-haves and niceto-haves for the event. When it is time for the final decision you can see how your
idea stacks up to the other options.
6. Solving a Problem
This could be in a panel setting or other meeting where the problem is identified, the
facts of the problem are presented and a list of causes is generated. From here, you
lay out the ideal outcome, present solutions and discuss your recommendation.
With any presentation, know your objectives. If your purpose is to inform or update, you will
most likely use one of the three types of presentations. On the other hand, if you are on a
mission to persuade someone, use one of the last three presentation types. Not every
presentation has to mold itself into a traditional presentation; it can be an interview, status
report, program, pitch, speech or demonstration.
Benefits of Presentation Package
Businesses, Academics, and professional firms use presentations to inform, educate, motivate
and persuade internal and external audiences. They build presentations into sales, training,
Conferences and workshops, using the power of words and images to engage their audience
and retain attention. A well-crafted presentation also demonstrates professionalism and helps
to reinforce an organization’s corporate image. The same method is used to share academic
findings and knowledge in conferences and workshops. These are further highlighter as
follows:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
vii.
viii.
ix.
x.
xi.
xii.
xiii.
Easy to create colourful and attractive design/presentation.
Easy to convey messages to the audience
Easy to present and maintain eye contact with large audience
Enhances the assimilation of information
It makes the presentation interesting
It supports multimedia
To add create slides effects
Useful for developing speaker interaction
It supports Object Linking and Embedding (OLE)
It engages multiple learning styles
It improves audience focus
It supports easy way to organize ideas and information
Presentation in the absence of the speaker.
Activities
1. What type of presentation will you use to:
a) Present your term paper to your lecturer
b) Deliver your seminar paper in the department
c) Defend your final project
2. From your previous submissions, create a presentation with not more than fifteen
slides
4.0
Know Data Base Management System (DBMS)
4.1 Define DBMS
4.2 Identify the types of DBMS
4.3 State the use of DBMS
4.4 Use D-base packages
4.5 Write simple program using D-base
4.6 Identify other Data Base Management packages
DATA STORAGE SYSTEM
Information is a basic requirement of any business. This information may include the details
regarding the employees in a company, the description about the products that the company is
dealing with, or the details regarding the organization structure of the company. Such
information, called data, can be stored on paper. However, a problem arise when the information
stored is vast and the requirement of information frequent. The efficiency of a business is largely
affected if information cannot be accessed fast. To facilitate fast and easy access to information,
you can store data on a computer. The concept of storing data on a computer is known as data
storage system. You can store data in the form of text, numbers, pictures, or sound. Data storage
system ensures availability of information all the time. In addition, data storage system helps you
manage data efficiently. Managing data involves storing, organizing, adding, modifying, and
deleting data. Consider a situation where the details of the employees in a company are stored on
a computer. As the details are stored in an orderly manner, it becomes very easy to access the
details of an employee or make any changes to the data stored.
Database Concepts
A database is a collection of logically related information. In database, data is stored as tables.
Tables maintain data in rows and columns. Each database has one or more distinct application
programming interfaces (APIs) for creating, accessing, managing, searching, and replicating the
data it holds. An API is way to communicate with the database server to tell it to perform useful
work. Other kinds of data stores can be used, such as files on the filesystem or large hash tables
in memory, but when professionals talk about databases they mean a standalone application such
as Oracle or SQL Server or Sleepycat.
The task of maintaining databases, to ensure that information is readily available, is known as
database management. The software required to perform the task of database management is
called a Database Management System (DBMS). DBMSs are designed to maintain large volumes
of data.
Types of Database Management Systems
DBMSs support both single-user and multi-user systems. They ensure that the data stored is in a
systematic and orderly manner. Therefore, DBMSs help users locate and retrieve data easily. In
addition, DBMSs help users recover data during a system failure.
FLAT-FILE, RELATIONAL, AND OBJECT-RELATIONAL DATABASE
Databases are kind of like kitchen equipment: The simpler the tool, the more skilled the operator
needs to be to achieved a great result. Expert chefs can produce gourmet fare using nothing but a
very sharp knife and a few old pots and pans, whereas amateurs must whip out the Cuisinart and
the Calphalon to produce similar results.
So it is with databases. It can get almost laughable to read people’s arguments about the
purported failings of this or that database, knowing that the skill of the individual user is
reflected by this piece of software more than by almost any other. Suffice it to say that many
technical masterpieces live in the simplest hash tables, while untold botched messes are
simmering along on the latest and greatest object oriented Java-enabled DBMS.
The different types of DBMSs are:
1.
Flat-file or hashing database
Examples are Gnu DBM and Berkeley DB (aka Sleepycat DB2) are mostly used by
or within other programs such as e-mail servers. They provide the lightest-weight and
fastest means of storing and searching for data such as username/password pairs or
dated e-mail messages. Old-school C programmers usually have the most experience
with this type of database.
These databases do not themselves create a representation of more complex
relationships between data points. Instead, this is done by the accessing client
program. Although, the results can be extremely impressive, it all depends on your
skill as a programmer.
2.
Relational Database Management System (RDBMS)
This is the most popular type of DBMS. It was introduced by Dr. E. F. Codd in 1970.
Sybase, Microsoft Access, Ingres, Oracle, and SQL Server are some examples of
RDBMSs. An RDBMS is a collection of related data. In an RDBMS, each attribute is
considered as a column and each record as a row in a table. A table can be related
with one or more than one table based on a single column or multiple columns.
There is relational, and then there is relational. Certain very popular commercial
databases such as Filemaker Pro and Microsoft Access were not designed to be used
on the back end of a production Web site. Although they have a certain level of
ODBC support, and therefore PHP can get data from them, they were mostly
designed for ease of use rather than speed. We do, however know developers who use
Access or FileMaker Pro as development tools on their laptops so they can program
on the airplane, and there are always porting and other projects using legacy data
from these semi-relational databases. You may well find that the best use of these
types databases will be to prototype their eventual Web counterparts.
3.
Object Relational Database Management System (ORDBMS)
This is a recent concept of database management system that integrates an objectoriented front-end with an RDBMS. The object-oriented database is intended to work
more smoothly with object-oriented programming languages, whereas the objectrelational is a hybrid used for data types (such as astronomical and genetic data) that
are not well served by ordinary relational databases. Now let us discuss the concept of
object orientation.
Object-Oriented Concepts
In an object-oriented approach, systems are considered as a collection of real-world objects.
These objects can be categorized as classes. A class is a set of object that share common
attributes and behaviors. Consider a situation where you may have to store the details of student.
Students can be categorized as full-time or part-time. In this situation, student will be a class with
full-time students and part-time students as the object. The student class will have attributes such
as Student Name, Matric Number, and Score. Therefore, object-oriented programming can be
defined as a method of implementation in which programs are organized as collections of objects
where each object represents an instance of some class.
The features of the object-oriented approach are as follows:
Abstraction
Abstraction focuses on the essential characteristics of an object. Abstraction enables developers
to represent only the essential features of objects without including the background details or
explanations. For example, when you drive a car, you are concerned only with the essential
features of driving a car, such as shifting gear, using the steering and the accelerator, and
applying brakes. It is not essential for you to know how a car runs.
Inheritance
Inheritance is the concept of acquiring the capabilities or properties from another class. A class
that inherits the properties of another class is called a subclass, and the class from which
properties are inherited is called the base class. Consider the example of a class named vehicle,
which has some attributes, such as wheels. Automobiles and Pulled vehicles also have wheels.
Therefore, Automobiles and Pulled Vehicles can be classified as subclass of the base class,
Vehicles. Similarly, cars and buses are types of automobiles that have some common attributes
and some unique attributes. Therefore, car and bus are classified as subclasses of the
Automobiles class. A subclass inherits the attributes of the base class. In addition, a subclass may
have some specific attributes.
Encapsulation
Encapsulation is the concept of hiding specific behaviors and attributes fro a user. It is a method
of implementing data abstraction. In object-oriented programming, the data in objects can be
accessed only through the member functions or methods of an object. For example, in an
organization, data of a particular department is available to employees of that department only.
Employees of another department cannot access the data of other departments directly.
Therefore, the data related to a department and the department employees is encapsulated into a
single entity, the department.
Polymorphism
Polymorphism refers to the concept of an object of a class behaving differently under different
situations. Polymorphism is the ability of data to be processed in more than one form. For
example, the same wood can be used to create different types of furniture according to the
customer’s requirement. Wood in this example depicts polymorphism.
ENTITY RELATIONSHIP DIAGRAMS
Database Design consideration
A well designed database is the foundation for maintaining information that can be accessed in
an effective and easy manner. The factors to be considered while designing a database are:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Objective of creating the database
a. Business functions involved
b. Expectations of the customer
Performance of the database in an application
Easy maintenance of the database
cost that will be incurred in creating the database
Easy update of the database in case of changes to the design at a later stage
Collecting information and understanding expectations of a customer are the initial steps in
creating a database design. Data models can be used to explore ideas and understand the database
design. These models help in understanding and categorizing the different components involved
in a database. In addition data models help in describing the relationship among data and any
constraints that have to be defined on the data. The entity relationship model is one that satisfies
the requirements of a data model. Peter Chen introduced this model in 1976, and since then,
several people have added value to it. The entity relationship model is based on a real-world
perception that comprises a collection of objects or entities and the relationships among these
objects or entities.
Entity Relationship (ER) Diagram
The entity relationship model uses the technique of diagrammatically representing the logical
structure of a database. This diagrammatic representation is known as the Entity Relationship
(ER) diagram. An ER diagram lists the various components of a database and depicts the
relationships between the components. An ER diagram can be considered as the blue print of a
database.
Guidelines for Drawing an ER Diagram are:
 Identify the entities
 Identify the attributes of the entities

Identify the relationship between entities
Components of an ER Diagram
The components represented in an ER diagram are:
1. Entities
2. Attributes
3. Relationships
Entities
Entity is an object with a set of properties that make it easily identifiable. An entity can be an
object, a place, a person, or an activity about which data is recorded. In an ER diagram, a
rectangular box represents an entity. Customer, Employee and Student are examples of entity.
These entities can be represented an ER diagram as follows:
Figure 4: Entities
Attributes
Attributes are the properties of an entity. They provide information about an entity and
differentiate an entity from another. An ellipse in an ER diagram represents and attribute. For
example, Name is an attribute of the Customer entity. The following diagram represents the
attributes Name and Address of the entity Customer.
Figure 5: Attributes
Relationships
A Relationship refers to the association among entities. Providing the relationship between
logically related entities is essential when creating a database design. In an ER diagram, a
relationship is represented by the diamond symbol that contains the name of the relationship. The
following diagram represents the relationship between the Customer and Product entities.
Figure 6: Relationship
In this diagram, the two entities Customer and Product represent a relationship. This relationship
indicates that a customer purchases a product. Therefore, the name of the relationship specified
as Purchases.
An entity might associate with itself. Consider the example where employees in an organization
provide feedback to other employees. This relationship can be represented as follows:
Figure 7: Relating an Entity with itself
There can be more than one relationship between two entities. The following diagram represents
the relationship between the entities Employee and Department.
Figure 8: Multiple Relationships between the same Entities
Types of Relationships
One-to-One (1:1) Relationship
In a One-to-One relationship, one instance of an entity can relate to only one instance of another
entity. For example, a department can have only one department head and a department head can
manage only one department.
Figure 9: One-to-One analogy
In the figure given above, Bimpe, Ngozi, Adamu and Dele are the department heads of
Accounting, Marketing, Sales, and Purchase departments. As each department has only one
department head and each department head manages only one department, a one-to-one
relationship exists between the entities Department Head and the department. This ER diagram
for the above relation can be represented as follows:
Figure 10: One-to-One Relationship
One-to-Many (1: m) Relationship
In a one-to-many relationship, one instance of the first entity is related to one or more instance of
the second entity. However, every instance of the second entity will relate to only one instance of
the first entity. For example, a recruiting agency can supply many candidates.
Figure 5: One-to-Many Analogy
In the figure given above, the recruiting agency Totalight supplies the candidates Linda and
Joseph. However, Linda and Joseph are referred by only one recruiting agency. As each
recruiting agency supplies more than one candidate and each candidate can be referred by only
one recruiting agency, the relationship between the entities RecruitingAgency and Candidate is a
one-to-many relationship. The relationship is represented below:
Figure 6: One-to-Many Relationship
A many-to-one relationship is similar to a one-to-many relationship. In a many-to-one
relationship, every instance of the second entity is related to one or more than one instance of the
first entity. However, every instance of the first entity will relate to only one instance of the
second entity. For example, in the Employee and Department entities, every department included
in the Department entity will have one or more than one employee in the Employee entity. Every
employee in the Employee entity, however, will belong to only one department included in the
Department entity. Therefore, the relationship between the Employee and Department entities is
a many-to-one relationship.
Many-to-Many (m: m) Relationship
In a many-to-many relationship, more than one instance of an entity is related to more than one
instance to another entity. For example, a shopper can place orders for many toys.
Figure 7: Many-to-Many Analogy
In the above figure, Bimpe orders for both Electronic Set and Tie and Dye Kit. The Tie and Dye
Kit is ordered not only by Bimpe but also by Dele. A shopper can therefore order for more than
one goods. Similarly a good can be ordered by more than one shopper. This relationship between
Shopper and Goods entities is therefore a many-to-many relationship. The following ER diagram
represents many-to-many relationship between the Shopper and Goods entities.
Figure 8: Many-to-Many Relationship
Database Packages
Whether it is kept on the premises or off site, locally managed or handled by a third-party,
businesses need a reliable, searchable and adaptable database to handle the constant influx of
information. The following are some of the available database packages:
1. Oracle. No surprise here. Oracle has been making database products since 1979 and is
one of the well-recognized manufacturers worldwide. Worth noting about this database
management system: It’s powerful but complex. New users will want to invest in solid
training to ensure they’re getting the most from the software. Oracle also is embracing
the cloud. Its latest release, 12c, allows companies to consolidate and manage databases
as cloud services.
2. Microsoft SQL Server. Love it or hate it, Microsoft’s DBMS is one of the most popular
in the world. It’s also one of the most enduring. Server 2008, 2012 and 2014 are still
widely used even after the release of Server 2016. The SQL stands for “structured query
language,” and although Microsoft was late to the database management party, this
DBMS — which sports native BI tools links with other popular Microsoft offerings such
as Excel, Word and SharePoint — grabs a well-earned top spot.
3. MySQL. An open-source alternative to Microsoft’s offering that still uses structured
query language, MySQL has gained traction as the go-to DBMS for web-based business
applications, especially those running e-commerce sites or leveraging dynamic content.
Tech enterprises such as Facebook, Google and Adobe use this database management
tool. Although it now falls under the Oracle umbrella, the project remains an open-source
resource.
4. PostgreSQL. You probably haven’t heard much about PostgreSQL, but this open-source
object-relational DBMS shows up in a lot of places — for example, online gaming apps,
database automation tools and domain registries. Enjoying 25 years with an active,
engaged community, PostgreSQL runs on a host of operating systems, including
Windows, Linux, Solaris and now Mac OS X.
5. Microsoft Access. Think of it like a lighter-weight version of SQL Server and you’re not
far off. This desktop database application is quickly finding use as a database for ecommerce sites and content management systems. While it doesn’t offer the depth of
features found in SQL proper, Access comes standard with the Microsoft Office Suite
and is easy to get up and running.
6. Teradata. If you’re dealing with big data, Teradata is the very large database (VLDB)
system for you. Credited with creating some of the original warehouses, Teradata also
rolled out the very first terabyte database for Wal-Mart almost 25 years ago. Today,
Teradata version 15.10 is a great choice for companies looking to handle high-volume big
data, BI and the Internet of Things (IoT).
7. IBM DB2. No surprise that IBM makes the list with its DB2 Universal Database (UDB)
Enterprise Server Edition. Designed for high-load, high-availability enterprise workloads,
DB2 is used by several global corporations to help improve database performance and
lower costs.
8. Informix. Another offering from IBM, Informix often is used by educational institutions,
but recently made the jump to corporate databases. Described as an “intelligent
database,” the solution integrates well with SQL, JSON and spatial data and often ranks
first in terms of customer satisfaction.
9. SAP ASE. Originally known as Sybase, SAP’s Adaptive Server Enterprise is designed to
handle high-performance, transaction-based applications — such as those used in
banking and finance — and support thousands of concurrent users.
10. Amazon’s SimpleDB. Looking for a solid DBMS starting point? Amazon’s offering
comes free with an EC2 deployment and provides the ability to store and query data
items via web services requests along with true cloud integration.
OVERVIEW OF MICROSOFT ACCESS
Microsoft Access is a Database Management System (DBMS) from Microsoft that combines the
relational Microsoft Jet Database Engine with a graphical user interface and software
development tools. It is a member of the Microsoft Office suite of applications, included in the
professional and higher editions. Some of the features are stated as follows:

Microsoft Access is just one part of Microsoft’s overall data management product
strategy.

It stores data in its own format based on the Access Jet Database Engine.

Like relational databases, Microsoft Access also allows you to link related information
easily. For example, customer and order data.

It can also import or link directly to data stored in other applications and databases.

As its name implies, Access can work directly with data from other sources, including
many popular PC database programs, with many SQL (Structured Query Language)
databases on the desktop, on servers, on minicomputers, or on mainframes, and with data
stored on Internet or intranet web servers.

Access can also understand and use a wide variety of other data formats, including many
other database file structures.

You can export data to and import data from word processing files, spreadsheets, or
database files directly.

Access can work with most popular databases that support the Open Database
Connectivity (ODBC) standard, including SQL Server, Oracle, and DB2.

Software developers can use Microsoft Access to develop application software.
Microsoft Access stores information which is called a database. To use MS Access, you will
need to follow these four steps:
a) Database Creation - Create your Microsoft Access database and specify what kind of
data you will be storing.
b) Data Input - After your database is created, the data of every business day can be
entered into the Access database.
c) Query - This is a fancy term to basically describe the process of retrieving information
from the database.
d) Report (optional) - Information from the database is organized in a nice presentation that
can be printed in an Access Report.
Architecture
Access calls anything that can have a name an object. Within an Access desktop database, the
main objects are tables, queries, forms, reports, macros, data macros, and modules. If you have
worked with other database systems on desktop computers, you might have seen the term
database used to refer to only those files in which you store data. But, in Access, a desktop
database (.accdb) also includes all the major objects related to the stored data, including objects
you define to automate the use of your data.
Microsoft Access Relational Database Management System
Microsoft Access has the look and feel of other Microsoft Office products as far as its layout and
navigational aspects are concerned, but MS Access is a database and, more specifically, a
relational database.

An Access desktop database (.accdb or .mdb) is a fully functional RDBMS.

It provides all the data definition, data manipulation, and data control features that you
need to manage large volumes of data.

You can use an Access desktop database (.accdb or .mdb) either as a standalone RDBMS
on a single workstation or in a shared client/server mode across a network.

A desktop database can also act as the data source for data displayed on webpages on
your company intranet.

When you build an application with an Access desktop database, Access is the RDBMS.
Data Definition
Let us now understand what Data Definition is:

In document or a spreadsheet, you generally have complete freedom to define the
contents of the document or each cell in the spreadsheet.

In a document, you can include paragraphs of text, a table, a chart, or multiple columns of
data displayed with multiple fonts. In spreadsheet, you can have text data at the top to
define a column header for printing or display, and you might have various numeric
formats within the same column, depending on the function of the row. An RDBMS
allows you to define the kind of data you have and how the data should be stored.

You can also usually define rules that the RDBMS can use to ensure the integrity of your
data. For example, a validation rule might ensure that the user can’t accidentally store
alphabetic characters in a field that should contain a number.
Data Manipulation
Working with data in RDBMS is very different from working with data in a word processing or
spreadsheet program. In a word processing document, you can include tabular data and perform a
limited set of functions on the data in the document. You can also search for text strings in the
original document and, with ActiveX controls, include tables, charts, or pictures from other
applications. In a spreadsheet, some cells contain functions that determine the result you want,
and in other cells, you enter the data that provides the source information for the functions. An
RDBMS provides you many ways to work with your data. For example, you can search a single
table for information or request a complex search across several related tables. You can update a
single field or many records with a single command. You can write programs that use RDBMS
commands to fetch data that you want to display and allow the user to update the data.
Access uses the powerful SQL database language to process data in your tables. Using SQL, you
can define the set of information that you need to solve a particular problem, including data from
perhaps many tables.
Data Control
Spreadsheets and word processing documents are great for solving single-user problems, but
they are difficult to use when more than one person needs to share the data. When you need to
share your information with others, RDBMS gives you the flexibility to allow multiple users to
read or update your data. An RDBMS that is designed to allow data sharing also provides
features to ensure that no two people can change the same data at the same time. The best
systems also allow you to group changes (which are also known as transaction) so that either all
the changes or none of the changes appear in your data. You might also want to be sure that no
one else can view any part of the order until you have entered all of it. Because you can share
your Access data with other users, you might need to set some restrictions on what various users
are allowed to see or update.
Microsoft Access Objects
MS Access uses “objects" to help the user list and organize information, as well as prepare
specially designed reports. When you create a database, Access offers you Tables, Queries,
Forms, Reports, Macros, and Modules. Databases in Access are composed of many objects but
the following are the major objects:
a) Tables
Table is an object that is used to define and store data. When you create a new table,
Access asks you to define fields which is also known as column headings. Each field
must have a unique name, and data type. Tables contain fields or columns that store
different kinds of data, such as a name or an address, and records or rows that collect
all the information about a particular instance of the subject, such as all the
information about a customer or employee etc. You can define a primary key, one or
more fields that have a unique value for each record, and one or more indexes on each
table to help retrieve your data more quickly.
b) Queries
Query is an object that provides a custom view of data from one or more tables.
Queries are a way of searching for and compiling data from one or more tables.
Running a query is like asking a detailed question of your database. When you build a
query in Access, you are defining specific search conditions to find exactly the data
you want. In Access, you can use the graphical query by example facility or you can
write Structured Query Language (SQL) statements to create your queries. You can
define queries to Select, Update, Insert, or Delete data. You can also define queries
that create new tables from data in one or more existing tables.
c) Forms
Form is an object in a desktop database designed primarily for data input or display or
for control of application execution. You use forms to customize the presentation of
data that your application extracts from queries or tables. Forms are used for entering,
modifying, and viewing records. The reason forms are used so often is that they are
an easy way to guide people toward entering data correctly. When you enter
information into a form in Access, the data goes exactly where the database designer
wants it to go in one or more related tables.
d) Reports
Report is an object in desktop databases designed for formatting, calculating, printing,
and summarizing selected data. You can view a report on your screen before you
print it. If forms are for input purposes, then reports are for output. Anything you plan
to print deserves a report, whether it is a list of names and addresses, a financial
summary for a period, or a set of mailing labels. Reports are useful because they
allow you to present components of your database in an easy-to-read format. You can
even customize a report's appearance to make it visually appealing. Access offers you
the ability to create a report from any table or query.
e) Macros
This object is a structured definition of one or more actions that you want Access to
perform in response to a defined event. An Access Macro is a script for doing some
job. For example, to create a button which opens a report, you could use a macro
which will fire OpenReport action. You can include simple conditions in macros to
specify when one or more actions in the macro should be performed or skipped. You
can use macros to open and execute queries, to open tables, or to print or view
reports. You can also run other macros or Visual Basic procedures from within a
macro. Data macros can be attached directly to table events such as inserting new
records, editing existing records, or deleting records. Data macros in web apps can
also be stand-alone objects that can be called from other data macros or macro
objects.
f) Modules
No
ACTIVITY
STATISTICAL PACKAGES
Statistical packages are collections of software designed to aid in statistical analysis and data
exploration. An understanding of statistical packages is essential to correct and efficient
application of many quantitative and statistical methods.
5.0
Know the existing statistical packages
5.1 Explain statistical packages
5.2 State various type of statistical packages available
5.3 Apply some of the packages to solve practical problems
Statistical analysis is a science of collecting, organizing, exploring, interpreting, and presenting,
uncovering patterns and trends of data. Government activities for developmental purposes,
economy, and business product development rely on statistical analysis and it is becoming more
and more important. One of the main reasons is that statistical data is used to predict future
trends and to minimize risks.
Statistics allows businesses to dig deeper into specific information to see the current situations,
the future trends and to make the most appropriate decisions.
There are different types of statistical analysis; the following are the key types:
TYPES OF STATISTICAL ANALYSIS
i.
Descriptive Analysis
It describes the basic features of data and shows or summarizes data in a rational way.
ii.
Inferential Analytics
This type of statistical analysis is used to study the relationships between variables
within a sample, and conclusions, generalizations, or predictions about a bigger
population.
iii.
Predictive Analytics
Predictive analytics uses techniques such as statistical algorithms and machine
learning to define the likelihood of future results, behavior, and trends based on both
new and historical data.
iv.
Prescriptive Analytics
Prescriptive analytics is aimed to find the optimal recommendations for a decision
making process. It is all about providing advice.
v.
Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA)
EDA is an analysis approach that focuses on identifying general patterns in the data
and to find previously unknown relationships.
vi.
Mechanistic Analysis
The mechanistic analysis is about understanding the exact changes in given variables
that lead to changes in other variables. However, mechanistic does not consider
external influences.
vii.
Causal Analysis
This type of analysis is used to show understanding and identify the reasons why
things are as they are.
http://intellspot.com/types-statistical-analysis/
From the list above, you will understand the importance of statistical analysis to computer
engineering. Statistical packages are collections of software designed to aid in statistical analysis
and data exploration. An understanding of statistical packages is essential to correct and efficient
application of many quantitative and statistical methods.
Statistical software are computer programs used for statistical analysis. There are many statistical
application packages in the market. They can be found under different acquisitions just like any
other computer packages. For the course Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) is our
example.
Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS)
SPSS is a software package used for conducting statistical analyses, manipulating data, and
generating tables and graphs that summarize data. It is a widely used program for statistical
analysis in social science. It is also used by market researchers, health researchers, survey
companies, government, education researchers, marketing organizations, data miners, and others.
It analyses range from basic descriptive statistics, such as averages and frequencies, to advanced
inferential statistics, such as regression models, analysis of variance, and factor analysis. SPSS
also contains several tools for manipulating data, including functions for recoding data and
computing new variables, as well as for merging and aggregating datasets. SPSS also has a
number of ways to summarize and display data in the form of tables and graphs.
SPSS for Windows consists of six different windows which can be opened when using the
package. The windows are:
1. The Data Editor
This is the spreadsheet where data is entered and variables defined
2. Output Navigator
This is the window that displays the statistical result tables and charts from the analysis.
3. The Pivot Table editor
Output displayed in pivot tables can be modified in many ways with the Pivot Table
Editors.
4. The Chart Editor
The Chart Editor is used to modify Charts and plots. The modifications include colours,
fonts, etc.
5. The Text Output Editor
The text output not displayed in the pivot table can be modified with the Text Output
Editor.
6. The Syntax Editor
The dialog box selection can be pasted in a Syntax Editor window. The selection appears
in form of command syntax.
SPSS (The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) software is widely used to analyse data
and make predictions based on specific collections of data. SPSS is easy to learn and enables
teachers as well as students to easily derive results with the help of a few commands. The
implications of the results are fairly evident and are statistically valid. Using the software, one
can conduct a series of studies quickly and effectively. If you are worried about conducting your
data analysis on SPSS, here are a few guidelines and an overview of the process.
The following documents and/or any other should be read in other to have hands-on experience
of SPSS package:
1. Computer Application Packages for Engineers by Yekini, N. A. and Adebari, F. A.
2. SPSS: Getting Started for Windows
https://stat.utexas.edu/images/SSC/documents/SoftwareTutorials/SPSS_GettingStarted.pdf
3. SPSS Basics https://www.westga.edu/academics/research/vrc/assets/docs/spss_basics.pdf
GRAPHICS PACKAGES
6.0
Understand graphics packages
6.1 Explain graphics packages
6.2 List the uses of graphics packages
6.3 Solve problems using available package
A graphic package is a software package that can be used to create and manipulate images on a
computer system. There are two main types of graphic packages:
1. Painting Packages
A painting package is used to create images by changing colour of pixels to form pattern of
bits to create a bitmapped file. The bitmapped graphics are used for images such as scanned
photographs or pictures taken with digital cameras. Examples are Microsoft Paint, Adobe
Photoshop etc.
The main advantage of Painting Package is that individual pixels can be changed which
makes very detailed editing possible.
It has the following disadvantages:
a. Individual parts of an image cannot be resized. Only the whole picture can be resized.
b. It produces large files because information has to be stored about every pixel in an image.
2. Drawing Packages
A drawing package produces images that are made up from lines are shapes such as
rectangles, squares, polygons, and circles. When an image is saved, it is stored in a vector
graphics file as a series of instructions. Examples of Drawing Packages are CorelDraw,
AutoCAD, etc.
The main advantage of drawing Package is that they use less storage space than bitmap
graphics. Another advantage is that each part of an image is treated as a separate object,
which means individual parts can be modified.
The major disadvantage of Drawing Packages is that they do not look realistic as bitmap
graphics.
The following are the common features of Graphics Packages:
i.
Drawing straight lines and ‘freehand’ lines;
ii. Drawing regular pre-defined shapes like squares, rectangles and circles using a
special ‘tool’;
iii. Entering text and changing the style and size of font;
iv. Changing the size of an object, or scaling;
v.
Rotating objects in either clockwise or anticlockwise by specifying the direction
and angle of rotation;
vi. Stretching objects either horizontally or vertically. ‘Flipping’ an object either
horizontally or vertically.
vii. A paint palette from which different colours and patterns can be chosen.
viii. Most graphics packages have a built-in library of clipart pictures.
ix. Zoom or magnify is a feature that allows an area of the screen to be seen close up
for detailed work.
x. Special brushes such as an airbrush can be used to achieve different paint effects
on the screen.
xi. In most graphics these features are chosen from a toolbar or tool palette where
they are displayed as icons.
xii. Exporting is a special way of saving a file produced using a graphics package so
that it can be used in another application package.
xiii. When an exported file is needed in another application it is opened in a special
way called importing.
Computer-aided design (CAD)
Computer-aided design, or CAD, is the use of a computer to display designs, accept any changes
to them and calculate and display the results. CAD has many different applications, which
include:a) Designing new cars;
b) Bridge and building design and testing;
c) Printed circuit board (PCB) design;
d) Designing new aircraft;
e) Designing fitted kitchens.
f) Urban planning and Surveying
g) And many more
Input to CAD systems is normally given using a mouse and keyboard but other input devices
such as graphic tablets and scanners are also used. Output from a CAD system is produced using
a high quality printer such as a laser printer or a plotter.
Using Computer Aided Design has many advantages which gave it a universal acceptance by
professionals.
The advantages of CAD systems are:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
Changes to a design can be made quickly and their effects seen straight away;
Designs can be viewed from any angle without being re-drawn;
Designs can be tested without the need to build expensive models or prototypes;
Drawings can be stored on disk and re-used at any time;
Designs can be instantly sent anywhere in the world using electronic communications;
Designs can be used directly in computer aided manufacturing processes.
Computer Aided Manufacture (CAM)
Computer-aided manufacture, or CAM, is the use of a computer to control all or part of a
manufacturing process. Some examples of CAM include the production of printed circuit boards,
car manufacture, pattern cutting for clothing manufacture and making postage stamps. Very
often a CAM process follows directly on from a CAD process, in such cases the complete design
and manufacture process is called CAD/CAM. The main advantage of this approach is that the
CAD design can be used to generate the program which will control the manufacturing process.
The advantages of CAM systems are:a) Products can be made very accurately and consistently;
b) Around the clock production is much cheaper;
c) A product's design can be modified without the need to bring production to a complete
standstill;
d) Waste can be kept to a minimum
https://revisionworld.com/gcse-revision/ict/software/graphics-packagescc
Activities
Photoshop
Create a New Document
When we create a new Photoshop document, we create what is essentially a blank
canvas. Then once we've created the canvas (the document), we can import images,
graphics or other assets into it. New documents are perfect for design layouts, whether
for print or for the web. You simply create a new blank document at the size you need
and then begin adding and arranging your various elements.
New documents are also great for digital painting with Photoshop's brushes, and for
creating composites from multiple images. Basically, any time you want to start with a
blank canvas and then add your content as you go, you'll want to create a new
Photoshop document.
If you're a photographer, then instead of creating a new document, you'll most likely want to
start by opening an existing image into Photoshop. Opening images is different from creating
new documents, since the image itself determines the document's size.
One way is from Photoshop's Home Screen. By default, when you launch Photoshop
CC without opening an image, or if you close your document when no other documents
are open, you're taken to the Home Screen.
The content on the Home Screen changes from time to time, but in general, you'll see
different boxes you can click on for learning Photoshop or for seeing what's new in the
latest version. And if you've worked on previous images or documents, you'll see them
displayed as thumbnails that you can click on to quickly reopen them:
The default New Document dialog box in Photoshop CC.