GCSE COMPUTER SCIENCE Computers 1.6 Software

Software Software is the term used to refer to the programs (applications/apps) that are run on computers. Operating SystemsApplications Software There are two main types of software:

Activity 1 An operating system is a collection of programs that manages the hardware and software of a computer system, including sharing the computer’s processor time, memory, hardware and other resources. List as many different desktop operating systems as you can: Examples Include: Microsoft Windows (3.1, 95, 98, XP, Vista, 7 and 10 etc) Apple macOS (Tiger, Leopard, Lion, Yosemite, Sierra etc) Linux (Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, Red Hat + 100s more)

Activity 2 Similarly, a mobile operating system is also a collection of programs (or applications/apps) that manages the hardware and software of a mobile system, including sharing the computer’s time, memory, hardware and other resources. Mobile operating systems cover both smartphones and tablet computers. List as many different mobile operating systems as you can: Examples Include: Apple iOS (1, 2, 3…8, 9 and 10) Google Android (Donut, Éclair, Froyo, Gingerbread, Ice Cream Sandwich, Jelly Bean, KitKat etc) RIM Blackberry (1, 2… 6, 7 and 10) Microsoft Windows Phone (CE, 7, 8 and 10)

Activity 3 Assuming that the user is the outer circle, use the labels hardware, application software and operating system for the other circles to show the roles each play in a system. Hardware Operating System Application Software User Note It an also sometimes be represented like above.

Activity 4 Match the function name to the correct description: File Management The operating system assigns a priority to each process which determines the order in which processes will run. Input / Output Management The operating system manages the user(s) of the computer system. Resource Allocation It is the operating system that manages the operation of the computer system’s network connections. Process Management The operating system manages the storage of files and directories (folders). Networking Management The operating system allocates the available hardware to the programs running (processes) at any one time. User Management The operating system manages data transfers between the CPU and the input and output devices.

Applications Software Applications software is software that allows the user to do something useful with the computer. You need to use accurate names, but do not use brand name such as Microsoft Word. Microsoft Word is from a type of applications software called a Word Processor. Other types of applications software includes Spreadsheets, Presentation, Databases, clients, Web Authoring, Graphics and design packages.

Activity 5 Use the internet to help you answer these questions in your exercise book: Model TypeDescription Briefly explain the purpose of application software. An application program (app or application for short) is a computer program designed to perform a group of coordinated functions, tasks, or activities for the benefit of the user. Identify four different types of applications software Word processing, presentation, spreadsheet, databases, graphics, games, accounting software, media players (+ lots more). Identify the difference between operating systems and applications software Operating systems manage a computers resources. Application software is a computer program designed to allow the user to perform a group of coordinated functions, tasks, or activities. Application software cannot run by itself but is dependent on the operating system software to run.

Activity 6 Use the Internet to help you complete the table below about applications software. Type of Application SoftwareExamplePurpose Word ProcessorMicrosoft Word Allows the user to create documents such as letters and mail merge. It allows you to mix text with graphics easily. PresentationMicrosoft Powerpoint SpreadsheetMicrosoft Excel DatabaseMicrosoft Access clientMicrosoft Outlook GraphicsAdobe Photoshop Web AuthoringAdobe Dreamweaver

Utilities Another important part of systems software are the utility programs. A utility program is a program designed to perform a common task. They provide handy extra functions for your computer.

Activity 7a Use the internet to help you answer these questions in your exercise book: Utility SoftwareDescription (What does it do?)Give an Example Program Disk Formatting When you format a disk it divides up the disk into areas, giving each area an address. It then sets up a table that will keep track of what is stored in each area. Windows Format Utility Disk Maintenance Checks to see if there are any problems areas on a disk and to try and fix them. If your computer has become sluggish, one reason might well be that your hard disk has become fragmented. Windows Scandisk Screensavers Screensavers are moving pictures that are displayed on your monitor after a set period of time. The original purpose of them was to prevent a ghost image of whatever was on a screen being burnt permanently onto the screen, if the monitor happened to be left on for a long time. Windows Screensaver

Activity 7b Use the internet to help you complete this table in your exercise book: Utility SoftwareDescription (What does it do?)Give an Example Program Compression software Sometimes, you need to compress a file or folder. This makes it smaller than the originals. Compressed files take less time to send across the Internet. You can also store more on a device if you compress the files/folders you want to store first. WinZip Drivers When you buy a new peripheral, you often get a driver with it or you can download the latest one from the Internet. A driver is a piece of software that allows communication between a peripheral and the operating system on the computer it is connected to. HP Printer Driver Virus Checkers They are designed to scan your computer for viruses and to intercept any that try to attack your computer, perhaps via a storage device or . Norton Anti-Virus

Activity 8 Use one page in your exercise books and split it into thirds horizontally In each third put the following three titles: 1. Operating Systems 2. Applications Software 3. Utilities In each third, you need to do the following: 1. List the three main types of operating systems and several versions /editions of each, along with their release date. 2. At least four types of applications software and their main purpose. 3. At least three utilities of the Windows operating system and what their purpose is.

Activity 9 Create a one page poster to help you remember the functions of operating systems using the FIRPNU acronym. F = File Management I=Input/Output Management R=Resource Management P=Process Management N=Network Management U=User Management Each function should have a clear description along with an example of what the function means. Each function should have an image to help you remember the phrase. Once completed it can be printed out and stuck into your exercise books. Help Teach-ICT.com | BBC Bitesize HELP