Computer Software

Chapter Contents Section A: Software Basics Section B: Popular Applications Section C: Buying Software Section D: Installing Software and Upgrades Section E: Security Software Chapter 3: Computer Software 2

Software Basics Software Categories Application Software Utility Software Device Drivers Chapter 3: Computer Software 3

Software Categories Figure 3-1 Chapter 3: Computer Software 4 4

Application Software Productivity software can be defined as any type of application software that has the potential to help people do their work more efficiently Groupware is designed to help several people collaborate on a single project using local networks or Internet connections Figure 3-2 Chapter 3: Computer Software 5 5

Utility Software Utility software (a type of system software) is designed to help you monitor and configure settings for your computer system equipment, the operating system, or application software A desktop widget is a specialized utility program that appears on a computer’s screen-based desktop Figures 3-3 and 3-5 Chapter 3: Computer Software 6 6

Device Drivers A device driver is software that helps a peripheral device establish communication with a computer Windows Device Manager Figure 3-6 Chapter 3: Computer Software 7 7

Popular Applications Document Production Software Spreadsheet Software “Number Crunching” Software Database Software Graphics Software Chapter 3: Computer Software 8

Popular Applications Music Software Video Editing and DVD Authoring Software Educational and Reference Software Entertainment Software Business Software Chapter 3: Computer Software 9

Document Production Software Assists you with composing, editing, designing, printing, and electronically publishing documents Word processing Desktop publishing Web authoring Figure 3-7 Chapter 3: Computer Software 10 10

Document Production Software Document production software may include: Spelling checker Spelling dictionary Thesaurus Grammar checker Feature to analyze the reading level Readability formula Search and Replace feature Chapter 3: Computer Software 11

Document Production Software The format for a document refers to the way that all elements are arranged on the page Figure 3-9 Chapter 3: Computer Software 12 12

Document Production Software Chapter 3: Computer Software 13

Document Production Software Mail merge automatically creates personalized letters by combining the information in a mailing list with a form letter Additional capabilities of word processing software include: Automatically generating table of contents and index Numbering and positioning footnotes Providing document templates Exporting to HTML format Chapter 3: Computer Software 14

Spreadsheet Software A spreadsheet uses rows and columns of numbers to create a model or representation of a real solution Spreadsheet software, such as Microsoft Excel, provides tools for creating worksheets Chapter 3: Computer Software 15

Spreadsheet Software When a cell contains a formula, it displays the result of the formula rather than the formula itself. To view and edit the formula, you use the Formula bar. You can think of the formula as working behind the scenes to perform calculations and then display the result. Figure 3-13 Chapter 3: Computer Software 16 16

Spreadsheet Software A formula tells the computer how to use the contents of cells in calculations Cell references Relative reference Absolute reference Mathematical operators Functions Automatic recalculations Figure 3-14 Chapter 3: Computer Software 17 17

Spreadsheet Software As shown in the examples, relative references within a formula can change when you change the sequence of a worksheet’s rows and columns. An absolute reference is anchored so that it always refers to a specific cell. Figure 3-15 Chapter 3: Computer Software 18 18

“Number Crunching” Software Provides a structured environment dedicated to a particular number crunching task Statistical software Mathematical modeling software Money management software Personal finance software Tax preparation software Figure 3-16 Chapter 3: Computer Software 19 19

Database Software A database is a collection of data Database software helps you enter, find, organize, update, and report information stored in a database Figure 3-17 Chapter 3: Computer Software 20 20

Database Software Database software provides tools for specifying fields for a series of records. Figure 3-19 Chapter 3: Computer Software 21 21

Database Software A query language such as SQL (Structured Query Language) provides a set of commands for locating and manipulating data Natural language query Query by example Figure 3-20 Chapter 3: Computer Software 22 22

Graphics Software Designed to help you create, manipulate, and print graphics Paint software Photo editing software Drawing software 3-D graphics software CAD software Presentation software Figure 3-21 and 3-22 Chapter 3: Computer Software 23 23

Graphics Software A computer-based presentation consists of a series of slides, created with presentation software. Figure 3-23 Chapter 3: Computer Software 24 24

Music Software Allows you to make your own digital voice and music recordings Audio editing software CD ripper software Audio encoding software Ear training software Notation software Computer-aided music software MIDI sequencing software Figure 3-24 Chapter 3: Computer Software 25 25

Video Editing and DVD Authoring Software Provides a set of tools for Transferring video footage from a camcorder to a computer Clipping out unwanted footage Assembling video segments Adding special visual effects Adding a sound track Figure 3-25 Chapter 3: Computer Software 26 26

Educational and Reference Software Educational software Helps you learn and practice new skills Reference software Provides a collection of information and a way to access that information Generally shipped on CD or DVD, or accessed on the Web Chapter 3: Computer Software 27

Entertainment Software Computer games are the most popular type of entertainment software Role-playing Action Adventure Puzzle Simulation Sports Strategy Chapter 3: Computer Software 28

Business Software Vertical market software is designed to automate specialized tasks in a specific market or business Horizontal market software is generic software that just about any type of business can use Payroll software Accounting software Project management software Chapter 3: Computer Software 29

Buying Software Consumer Basics Software Copyrights and Licenses Chapter 3: Computer Software 30

Consumer Basics Most operating systems include a handful of small applications and a good variety of useful utility software Figure 3-27 Chapter 3: Computer Software 31 31

Consumer Basics A software suite is a collection of application software sold as a single package Figure 3-28 Chapter 3: Computer Software 32 32

Consumer Basics Available in many types of stores Software contained on distribution media Make sure your computer meets the system requirements Figure 3-29 Chapter 3: Computer Software 33 33

Software Copyrights and Licenses A copyright is a form of legal protection that grants the author of an original “work” exclusive rights Copyright notice Software licenses define the ways in which you may use a computer program Single-user Site Multiple-user Concurrent Shrink-wrap Figure 3-31 Chapter 3: Computer Software 34 34

Software Copyrights and Licenses A EULA (end-user license agreement) is displayed on-screen when you first install software Different types of software licenses Commercial software Demoware Shareware Freeware Open source BSD GPL Chapter 3: Computer Software 35

Installing Software and Upgrades Installation Basics Installing Local Applications Installing Portable Software and Web Apps Software Updates Uninstalling Software Chapter 3: Computer Software 36

Installation Basics Software installation is a process that places a program into a computer so that it can be run or executed Figure 3-34 Chapter 3: Computer Software 37 37

Installing Local Applications Figure 3-37 Chapter 3: Computer Software 38 38

Installing Local Applications Figure 3-38 Chapter 3: Computer Software 39 39

Installing Portable Software and Web Apps Portable software is designed to run from removable storage, such as a CD or USB flash drive Installation is simply a matter of getting program files to the media on which they are supposed to run A Web application is software that is accessed with a Web browser May require client-side program to be installed Chapter 3: Computer Software 40

Software Updates Software publishers regularly update their software Add new features Fix bugs Update security Software patches replace part of the software you currently have installed Service packs correct problems and address security vulnerabilities, usually in operating systems Chapter 3: Computer Software 41

Software Updates Updates are usually available online for registered software Always install patches and service packs when they become available Many software publishers require users to type in a validation code to complete an update Chapter 3: Computer Software 42

Uninstalling Software Uninstall routines delete the software’s files from the various folders on your computer’s hard disk Figure 3-42 Chapter 3: Computer Software 43 43

Security Software Security Software Basics Security Suites Antivirus Modules Chapter 3: Computer Software 44

Security Software Basics Security software is designed to protect computers from various forms of destructive software and unauthorized intrusions The terms malicious software and malware refer to any computer program designed to surreptitiously enter a computer, gain unauthorized access to data, or disrupt normal processing operations A blended threat describes malware that combines more than one type of malicious program Chapter 3: Computer Software 45

Security Software Basics Computer virus Computer worm Mass-mailing worm Trojan horse Keylogger Remote Access Trojan (RAT) Bot Zombie Botnet Spyware Chapter 3: Computer Software 46

Security Software Basics What does malware do? Chapter 3: Computer Software 47

Security Software Basics The term rootkit refers to software tools used to conceal malware and backdoors that have been installed on a victim’s computer A virus hoax usually arrives as an e-mail message containing dire warnings about a supposedly new virus on the loose Chapter 3: Computer Software 48

Security Suites A security suite integrates several security modules to protect against the most common types of malware, unauthorized access, and spam A security suite costs less than purchasing standalone security modules Chapter 3: Computer Software 49

Security Suites The Norton Protection Center includes modules for scanning viruses, detecting spyware, and activating a firewall against unauthorized intrusions Chapter 3: Computer Software 50

Antivirus Modules Antivirus software is a type of utility software that looks for and eradicates viruses, Trojan horses, worms, and bots A virus signature is a section of program code, such as a unique series of instructions, that can be used to identify a known malicious program, much as a fingerprint is used to identify an individual Virus signatures and other information that antivirus software uses to identify and eradicate malware is stored in one or more files usually referred to as virus definitions Chapter 3: Computer Software 51

Antivirus Modules Chapter 3: Computer Software 52

Antivirus Modules Most experts recommend that you configure your antivirus software to periodically scan all the files on your computer If, during the scanning process, your virus protection software identifies a virus, worm, Trojan horse, or bot in a file or attachment, it can try to remove the infection, put the file into quarantine, or simply delete the file Chapter 3: Computer Software 53