Software and Programming

Recall Software and Programs An important part of the computer that you can’t touch is called software Software is the set of instructions that controls the hardware Each complete set of instructions with a specific purpose is called a program Examples of programs… Microsoft Windows, MS Office, Video Games, MSN Messenger, viruses, hardware drivers

Who are YOU? Do you USE computer programs or do you MAKE them? Almost all of us USE computer programs If you use a computer, then you use programs But only some people MAKE computer programs These people are called computer programmers or simply programmers

Who are YOU? Computer programmers work in teams to make programs such as MSN Messenger, Adobe Photoshop, and MS Windows In this class, you will make programs and you will become a computer programmer

Levels of Software Application Software Operating System System Software Computer Hardware

System Software Before you can use any program, a computer must contain system software System software comes with the computer and is hardwired into the system System software controls the hardware and tells it how to function BIOS – Basic Input Output System

Operating System (OS) The Operating System (OS) is a large program that controls the interaction among various computer units The OS manages all your programs and files and also shares resources between them Examples of Operating Systems? Windows XP, Windows 2000, Mac OS, Linux, Windows 98, Unix, etc.

Application Software Application software consists of programs you use everyday MS Word, MSN Messenger, Adobe Photoshop, Internet Explorer, etc. Application programs are made by computer programmers You will soon make some application programs in this class!