COMPUTER SOFTWARE
TC2-Computer Literacy
Mr. Sencer
February 8, 2010
Software
 Software, sometimes called a program,
consists of a series of instructions that tells
the computer what tasks to perform and how
to perform them.
 You interact with a program through what is
called the user interface.
User Interface
 The user interface controls how you enter
data and instructions and how information is
displayed on the screen.
 Almost all software today has a graphical
user interface.
 Using the graphical user interface (GUI), you
interact with the software using text,
graphics, and visual images such as icons.
 GUI - pronounced gooey
Software before GUI
 Microsoft Word for DOS
Software Now
 Microsoft Word 2007
Types of Software
 Two categories of software exist:
 System software
 Application software
Examples of Application &
System Software
System Software
 System software are the programs that
control/maintain the operations of the
computer and devices connected to it.
 System software is the interface between the
user, application software, and hardware.
Types of System Software
 Two types of system software exist.
 Operating system
 What operating systems have you used?
 Utility programs
 What utility programs do you have/use on your
computer?
Operating System
 What is an operating system?
 An operating system is a set of programs that
coordinate all the activities among computer
hardware devices.
 It provides a means for users to communicate with
the computer and other software.
 Many of today’s computers use Microsoft’s
Windows or Mac OS, Apple’s operating
system.
Operating System
 When a user starts their computer, portions
of the operating system are loaded.
 Where does the Operating System load the
information?
 Why do we have to wait for the computer when
we shutdown?
Utility Programs
 What is a utility program?
 A utility program allows a user to perform tasks
usually related to managing a computer, its
devices, or its programs.
 Most operating systems include several utility
programs for managing disk drives, printers,
and other devices and media.
 You also can buy utility programs that allow
you to perform additional functions.
Application Software
 What is application software?
 Application software are programs designed to
make users more productive and/or assist them
with personal tasks.
 A widely used type of application software
related to communications is a Web browser.
 What does a Web Browser do?
 Allows users with an Internet connection to access
and view Web pages or access programs.
Application Software
 Other popular application software includes:
 word processing software
 spreadsheet software
 database software
 presentation software
 Many other types of application software
exist that enable users to perform a variety of
tasks.
Installing and Running Programs
 In most cases, when you purchase software
from a store, you receive a box that includes
an optical disc(s) that contains the program.
 If you acquire the software from a Web site on
the Internet, you do not receive media,
instead you download it from the site.
 The instructions in software are placed on
storage media, either locally or online.
Installing Programs
 Installing is the process of setting up software to
work with the computer, printer, and other
hardware.
 To use software that is stored locally, such as on
a hard disk or optical disc, you usually need to
install the software first.
 Do you have to install Web Applications?
 Web applications are stored online, and usually do not
need to be installed, but sometimes require a
component to be installed so they can be used.
 When you buy a computer, it usually has some
software preinstalled on its hard disk.
Installing Programs
 Depending on how you obtained the
software you either insert the media into a
drive or launch a file you downloaded, and
follow the instructions to install the software.
 Once installed, you can run the program.
Installation Process
Running Programs
 When you instruct the computer to run an
installed program, the computer loads it.
 What does “loading” the program mean?
 It means the program is copied from storage to memory
 Once in memory, the computer can carry out,
or execute, the instructions in the program so
that you can use the program.
Software Development
 Where does software come from? Who creates
it?
 Software is created by a programmer, sometimes
called a computer programmer or software developer.
 The job of a programmer is to develop software or
write the instructions that tell the computer how to
process data into information.
 Programmers write these instructions using a
programming language or a program
development tool.
 Some popular programming languages are C++,
Java, JavaScript, Visual C#, and Visual Basic.
Sample Payroll Application Code
Sample Payroll Application GUI