Chapter4 COMPUTER HARDWARE

Goal: … Learning outcome:... Objective: – Describe several important trends occurring in computer software. – Explain the purpose of several popular software packages for end-user productivity and collaborative computing. – Define and describe the functions of an operating system. – Describe the main uses of computer programming software, tools, and languages.

Content End-User Applications – Introduction to Software – Business Application Software Computer System Management – Operating Systems – Programming Languages

Introduction to Software What Is Software? Software is programs used to operate and manipulate computers and their peripheral devices. Types of Software have application software and system software. Application Software for End Users: – By function general-purpose and function-specific application. – Based on how the software was developed Custom software, COTS software(commercial off-the-shelf), open-source software.

The major types of application and system software

Business Application Software Thousands of function-specific application software packages are available to support specific applications of end users in business and other fields: – business application software supports the reengineering and automation of business processes with strategic e-business applications like customer relationship management, enterprise resource planning, and supply chain management. – Other human resource management and accounting and finance.

General purpose application software Software TypeFeatureExample program Software suiteBundled togetherMS-Office, Open Office Web BrowserFor browser web siteMozila Firefox , Instant Message, Web blog For send/receive Information by individual or group Gmail, ICQ, YahooMessenger Word Processing and Desktop publishing Transform the process of writing to document MS-Word,Publisher SpredsheetFor Analysis, Planning and ModelingExcel Presentation GraphicHelp to prepare multimedia presentation of graphic MS Powerpoint Personal Information Manager Help end uses store, organize, and received information about customer or schedule. MS Outlook GroupwareHelp workgroup and team collaborate to accomplish group assignment Video Conference

Operating Systems It is an integrated system of programs that manages the operations of the CPU, controls the input/output and storage resources and activities of the computer system, and provides various support services as the computer executes the application programs of users. Operating Systems Functions: – user interface is the part of the operating system that allows you to communicate with it so you can load programs, access files, and accomplish other tasks(command-driven, menu-driven,and graphical user interfaces). – Resource Management uses a variety of resource management programs to manage the hardware and networking resources of a computer system, including its CPU, memory, secondary storage devices, telecommunications processors, and input/output peripherals. – File Management contains file management programs that control the creation, deletion, and access of files of data and programs. – Task management programs of an operating system help accomplish the computing tasks of end users. – Multitasking is a task management approach that allows for several computing tasks to be performed in a seemingly simultaneous fashion. Operating System Program: – Microsoft Windows – UNIX – Linux – Mac OS X

Programming Languages A programming language allows a programmer to develop the sets of instructions that constitute a computer program. Type of programming Language: – Machine Languages – Assembler Languages – High-Level Languages(Use statement) – Fourth-Generation Languages – Object-Oriented Languages