Pass ECDL41 European Computer Driving Licence Module 1 – Concepts of IT Chapter Software

Pass ECDL42 What is software? ZPrimarily a list of instructions coded in a special way that computers can understand, Operating system software – eg Windows which works in the background and controls your software and hardware devices, Applications software – eg Microsoft Word – software used to perform tasks

Pass ECDL43 Software Updates ZSoftware is constantly updated to give the user improved features ZMost software manufacturers will provide updates to solve problem issues ZSoftware manufacturers will provide new versions to comply with new operating systems ZBe careful with software versions – a file created in Word 2003 may not be opened on a PC running Word 97

Pass ECDL44 Operating System Software ZA series of programs that organise and control a computer, Provides an interface so that the user can communicate with the computer, Communicates between software and hardware devices, Organises the storage and retrieval of information, Manages the smooth running of programs running in RAM by allocating the required resources

Pass ECDL45 Popular Operating Systems ZMicrosoft Windows is the most widely-used operating system (OS) ZOS2 is an OS created by IBM ZMacintosh (MacOS) was created by Apple ZLinux is a popular alternative open-source OS ZMS-DOS was precursor of Windows but text-based ZUnix is another OS used in companies or universities

Pass ECDL46 Graphical User Interface ZEnables users to click and point at icons and menus on screen, instead of typing in computer commands

Pass ECDL47 Applications Software ZWord processor – used for typing letters, memos, reports etc ZSpreadsheet – used for performing calculations (eg Accounts) and for creating Charts ZDatabase – used for storing large quantities of data which can be interrogated to display specified pieces of information ZDesktop Publishing – used for creating newsletters, booklets, posters, cards etc ZPresentation – used for creating presentations which can either be displayed on screen, or printed onto overhead projection film or 35 mm slides. ZWeb browsers – allows users to view and download information from the world wide web

Pass ECDL48 Examples of Application Software ZMicrosoft Office – which comprises:, Word (word processing), Excel (spreadsheet), Access (database), PowerPoint (presentation), Publisher (desktop publishing), Outlook ( software), Frontpage (web page creation) ZInternet Explorer / Netscape Navigator / Mozilla / Opera (web browsers) ZCorelDraw! (graphics) ZSage (accounts and payroll)

Pass ECDL49 Systems Development ZComputer-based systems are developed by specialist teams of system analysts and programmers ZDevelopment of large computer-based systems can involve dozens of people working over a few months or even years ZFormal methods and procedures are applied to ensure the project is delivered on time ZThis process is known as the Systems Life Cycle

Pass ECDL410 The Systems Life Cycle Evaluation Testing Design Analysis Programming

Pass ECDL411 The Different Stages ZAnalysis, When the need for a computer system is identified, a systems analyst will analyse the requirements – how will information be input? What processing is required? What output is required? ZDesign, The overall system is designed with each subsection in fine detail, including screen layouts, user interfaces, format of stored data, processing and output ZProgramming, A team of programmers will each work on a module of the final package.

Pass ECDL412 The Different Stages (cont’d) ZTesting, Each section is tested individually and then as part of the whole suite. Data is supplied (including ‘normal’ and ‘erroneous’) to test the system to make sure it is stable. ZEvaluation, Once the system has been put into operation, it must be evaluated to see how well it performs., A new system may be needed and the whole process starts again