Technology Literacy Unit 3: Software

The Language of Computers Electronic Computers The difference between an electronic and mechanical computer is that electronic computers have no moving parts. Information is kept in tiny forms of electricity 5V = on, 0v = off.

The Language of Computers Electronic Computers On and off signals are represented by the digits 1 and 0. These 1s and 0s (bits) are the basic building blocks of computer communication. 8 bits = 1 byte.

The Language of Computers Number Systems The decimal system most widely used is the decimal system (0 thru 9). The decimal system is not the only system. We also use binary and hexadecimal number systems in certain applications.

The Language of Computers Number Systems Decimal numbering system This is a positional system. The position a digit holds in a number indicates its value.

The Language of Computers Number Systems Binary Numbering System

The Language of Computers Number Systems Hexadecimal Numbers Hex is a base-16 number system. When counting in base-16, new symbols are required to represent digits higher than 9. The 16 digits are represented in the chart below.

The Language of Computers Code It is important for an IT professional to understand and use number systems. They are more than numbers. Computers use them to Convert media instructions Make programing codes, Identify memory locations and peripherals Computers also use them to represent data and run programs

The Language of Computers Encoding Instructions The process of converting human-readable data and computer programs into a a computer readable format. Cross platform tools allow programmers to write a program once and then encode it for different CPUs

The Language of Computers Encoding Data Agreements have been made to make sharing data easier – this is called standards The American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII) Pronounced as askee, is a standard for representing text that most computers support.

The Language of Computers Unicode Because the need to represent more than 256 characters, the Unicode system was developed. Text characters are represented by 2 bytes. This allows for a much greater number of characters as well as support for other features.

The Language of Computers Computer programing language Programs – are the sets of instructions that carry out task. Using 1s and 0s was the original way to write a program. Today, languages appear similar to English. There are two basic levels of programming languages: high and low.

The Language of Computers Computer programing language High Level Languages: This is what most programmers use. It contains instructions that are far removed from the instructions the CPU uses. It contains a limited set of near-to-English words, so they are easy for a person to read.

The Language of Computers Computer programing language High Level Languages: Continued… Instructions may be commands such as PRINT< IF< NEXT and GET. Can be like algebra: add 42 to another number that is stored in a veriable named Falcon/Number Write: Jersey/Number + 42 Examples of high level language are Visual Basic, C++, COBOL and Java

The Language of Computers Computer programing language Low Level Languages: Once a program is written in high-level language it must be converted into a digital format the the CPU can process. This language is very close to the language used by the CPU.

The Language of Computers Computer programing language Low Level Languages: Continued… Machine Language (or Code) is a low level language composed of 0s and 1s that the CPU uses. It is the ONLY language that a CPU undestands. An assembler is used to convert the program into machine code.

The Language of Computers Data Types used in Computer Programing Integers are the positive and negative counting numbers and zero Floating point numbers are decimal numbers Boolean types only hold values for true or false Characters are single letters, digits or other symbols Strings hold alphabetic and numeric data, along with special symbols Data types hold time and date information

The Language of Computers Algorithms – a series of steps used to perform and action Not a programing language or code. It’s a map of what needs to be done.

System Software Operating Systems System Software includes four types of software: The operating system Utility programs Device Programs Programs

System Software Operating Systems All computers must have an operating system. It provides communication between the user and the hardware. It works silently behind the scenes.

System Software Operating Systems – This is the Apollo Guidance Computer located at the Smithsonian Museum. Simple commands of nouns and verbs were entered and this was used to control the spacecraft.

System Software Operating Systems Task: Powering system off and on Logging in and out Switching users Locking and unlocking the interface Order of processing events Manages movements of files and storage systems Interacts with peripheral devices Manages allocation of memory and data as well as system security and passwords

System Software System Utility Programs – Assist in managing and optimizing a computer’s performance. Provide extra protection against viruses and malware Assist in installing and removing software Finds files Speeds up communication Example is disk defragmenter

System Software Device Drivers – a special software program that provides instructions to the operating system for how to use a specific peripheral. Example would be how a computer program such as MS Word would communicate with a printer.

System Software Programs – make it possible to organize, create and modify documents, spreadsheets, slide shows, digital images, videos and many other types of data.

Application Software Software Licenses and Versions – When a company develops software, it makes money by selling the license to use the software.

Application Software Software Licenses and Versions – Software licenses are governed by an end-user license agreement. The end user license agreement (EULA) is a contract outlining the set of rules that every user must agree to before using software.

Application Software Software Licenses and Versions Proprietary software – is owned by the creator and cannot be sold, copied or modified without the users permission Open Source Software – has no licensing restrictions. The code is available to any one that wants to alter the software Shareware - can be installed and used, then purchased if you decide to continue to use it Freeware – is fully functional software that can can be used without purchasing it.

Application Software Application Software – allows a user to perform specific activities such as writing term papers, sending e-mail, paying taxes, editing photos, playing games, or taking online courses.

Application Software Productivity Software – supports the completion of task. It includes software for word processing, creating spreadsheets and presentations, editing graphics, and videos and managing databases. A Suite is a group of programs, usually with similar interfaces, such as MS Office Suite or Adobe Creative Suite

Application Software Spreadsheet Software is used to create, organize, and edit data in a table composed of rows and columns

Application Software Data Management Software – is information sored in tables and is used for tracking large amounts of data.

Application Software Presentation Software – provides tools to combine text, photographs, clip art, video, and graphs into a series of slides for playback

Application Software Updates – sometimes called patches or service pacts, are fixes to the software to correct bugs, remove security issues or otherwise improve a version of a software program.

Chapter Summary Communication inside a computer is conducted through a series of on-off signals. These signals are electronic and represent either a 1 or a 0 There are various number systems in the owrld. Computers are based on binary and hexadecimal systems Code is computer-readable instructions. Programs are compiled to create computer-readable code.

Chapter Summary The operating system performs communiucation with the user and the hardware. System utility programs assist in managing and optimizing a computer’s performance Device drivers provide instructions to the operating system for particular hardware. They are used to simplify the process of creating compatible hardware and software Programs are what you use to get the job done. They allow you to create and edit documents among other things.

Chapter Summary The software license specifies how the software may be legally used. Application software allows the user to perform specific activities. It may be related to productivity, entertainment, or education. Software must be installed in order to be used. Once installed, it must be updated periodically

Chapter 3: Software Technology Literacy The End Chapter 3: Software Technology Literacy