1Copyright © Prentice Hall 2000 Computer Software Chapter 2 Applications Software and Operating Systems

2Copyright © Prentice Hall 2000 Software: Telling the Machine What to Do Software - the planned, step-by-step set of instructions required to turn data into information.Software - the planned, step-by-step set of instructions required to turn data into information. Divided principally into systems and applications.Divided principally into systems and applications.

3Copyright © Prentice Hall 2000 Applications Software Programs designed to perform specific tasks and functionsPrograms designed to perform specific tasks and functions Often found in the mass market asOften found in the mass market as –packaged software or –commercial software

4Copyright © Prentice Hall 2000 But What Would I Use It For? Office ApplicationsOffice Applications GamesGames HobbiesHobbies Surfing the InternetSurfing the Internet

5Copyright © Prentice Hall 2000 Acquiring Software Freeware - authorized software released for free, placing it in the public domain Commercial - copyrighted software released for price of purchase –This software may be pirated, or used illegally.

6Copyright © Prentice Hall 2000 Some Task-Oriented Software Most commonly known in the workplace as productivity software.Most commonly known in the workplace as productivity software. Intended for specific tasks described in the following slides:Intended for specific tasks described in the following slides:

7Copyright © Prentice Hall 2000 Word Processing/Desktop Publishing Most commonly used productivity softwareMost commonly used productivity software Used to create memos, reports,, minutes of meetings, other documents.Used to create memos, reports,, minutes of meetings, other documents. Can create, edit, format, store, and print text and graphics from one document.Can create, edit, format, store, and print text and graphics from one document.

8Copyright © Prentice Hall 2000 Electronic Spreadsheets Just like a manual spreadsheet except the computer does the repetitive workJust like a manual spreadsheet except the computer does the repetitive work Allows the ability to ask mathematical “What ifs?” and then see the results on the computer before making costly decisions.Allows the ability to ask mathematical “What ifs?” and then see the results on the computer before making costly decisions.

9Copyright © Prentice Hall 2000 Database Management Software used for the management of a collection of interrelated facts.Software used for the management of a collection of interrelated facts. Useful for professions keeping record of large numbers of related facts (i.e. Billing, crime detection)Useful for professions keeping record of large numbers of related facts (i.e. Billing, crime detection)

10Copyright © Prentice Hall 2000 Graphics Software used to create visual images such as:Software used to create visual images such as: –drawings, –graphs, –charts, –maps and –many more.

11Copyright © Prentice Hall 2000 Communications Communications is now mostly via the Internet, butCommunications is now mostly via the Internet, but Many businesses have long been heavy users of communications, among them:Many businesses have long been heavy users of communications, among them: –weather forecasters –stock brokers –the government

12Copyright © Prentice Hall 2000 Office Suites Typically include:Typically include: –word processing, –spreadsheet, –database Modern suites are feature-laden and require substantial hard disk spaceModern suites are feature-laden and require substantial hard disk space

13Copyright © Prentice Hall 2000 Business Software Companies often use a mix of off-the-shelf and custom-made softwareCompanies often use a mix of off-the-shelf and custom-made software An aircraft company may use spreadsheets heavily, butAn aircraft company may use spreadsheets heavily, but They will not find an off-the-shelf package for designing planesThey will not find an off-the-shelf package for designing planes

14Copyright © Prentice Hall 2000 Vertical Market Software Designed to serve the specific needs of a group of similar businesses, such as auto repair.

15Copyright © Prentice Hall 2000 Software for Workgroups Groupware (collaborative software) lets a group of people share information.Groupware (collaborative software) lets a group of people share information. These programs may include , scheduling and database technologyThese programs may include , scheduling and database technology

16Copyright © Prentice Hall 2000 Getting Software Help at Work The company Help Desk may provide assistance with applications, software selection, and network and hardware repair

17Copyright © Prentice Hall 2000 Software for a Small Business AccountingAccounting Writing and advertisingWriting and advertising Customer serviceCustomer service Keeping up and making contactsKeeping up and making contacts Making sales pitchesMaking sales pitches

18Copyright © Prentice Hall 2000 Accounting Companies may use accounting software ranging from a simple spreadsheet to a specialized accounting package that prints checks and has payroll capability

19Copyright © Prentice Hall 2000 Writing and Advertising Heavy users of: Word processingWord processing Desktop publishingDesktop publishing

20Copyright © Prentice Hall 2000 Customer Service Customer service companies need databases to store: AddressesAddresses purchase preferencespurchase preferences Example: a pet store.Example: a pet store.

21Copyright © Prentice Hall 2000 Keeping up and Making Contacts Business connections are available from many sites on the Internet

22Copyright © Prentice Hall 2000 Making Sales Pitches Presentation software can help you create colorful demonstrations

23Copyright © Prentice Hall 2000 Ethics and Applications Software Incentives to pirate: Illegally copied software is identical to the original and works just as wellIllegally copied software is identical to the original and works just as well Illegally copied software may be valued at several hundreds of dollarsIllegally copied software may be valued at several hundreds of dollars

24Copyright © Prentice Hall 2000 OK If I Copy That Software? Companies may be at risk for litigation if an employee installs illegally copied software on his office computer

25Copyright © Prentice Hall 2000 Why Those Extra Copies? Legal copying includes making an archive copy in case of disk failure

26Copyright © Prentice Hall 2000 Operating Systems: Hidden Software Operating systems tell computer hardware what to doOperating systems tell computer hardware what to do An operating system is a set of programs that lies between applications software and the computer hardwareAn operating system is a set of programs that lies between applications software and the computer hardware

27Copyright © Prentice Hall 2000 Control of the Operating System (OS) The most important OS program is the supervisor programThe most important OS program is the supervisor program The supervisor program loads other operating programs into memory as neededThe supervisor program loads other operating programs into memory as needed Memory Program2Program1 Supervisor

28Copyright © Prentice Hall 2000 Functions of an OS An OS has 3 main functions: Manage computer resourcesManage computer resources Establish a user interfaceEstablish a user interface Execute and provide services for applications softwareExecute and provide services for applications software

29Copyright © Prentice Hall 2000 Operating Systems for Personal Computers Software is often written for one particular OS, butSoftware is often written for one particular OS, but Popular software is available for more than one OS:Popular software is available for more than one OS: –Windows –Mac OS

30Copyright © Prentice Hall 2000 Microsoft Windows Windows is a popular OS that is often pre- installed on computers with Intel processors

31Copyright © Prentice Hall 2000 A Windows Overview Windows includes: Browsing capabilitiesBrowsing capabilities Support for state-of-the-art hardwareSupport for state-of-the-art hardware Support for very large disk drivesSupport for very large disk drives TV viewer and broadcast abilityTV viewer and broadcast ability WizardsWizards

32Copyright © Prentice Hall 2000 Windows NT Windows NT (“new technology”) is a more robust, heavy duty version designed for use with networked computers in a business

33Copyright © Prentice Hall 2000 Windows 2000 Windows 2000 will merge features of both the current home user version and Windows NT Windows 2000 will use ordinary language, rather than menus

34Copyright © Prentice Hall 2000 Computers and People Essential personnel required to run large computer systems include: Data entry operatorsData entry operators Computer OperatorsComputer Operators ProgrammersProgrammers Systems AnalystsSystems Analysts Network ManagersNetwork Managers

35Copyright © Prentice Hall 2000 Conclusion We have described computer software and operating systems in general terms.We have described computer software and operating systems in general terms. Subsequent chapters will describe computer hardware in more detailSubsequent chapters will describe computer hardware in more detail