1 Computer Software

Computers require software to function. Software is the instructions that allow users to communicate with the computer; also called programs.  Three categories:  Operating system software  Application (productivity) software  Communications software 2

Operating system software  Operating system (OS)--system software that acts as a "go-between", allowing computer hardware and other software to communicate with each other  Microsoft WindowsWindows  Mac OS  Linux  One component of an OS is file management: the ability to create, edit, view, print, rename, copy or delete files and folders 3

Platform  The hardware and the operating system together are referred to as a platform.  Windows platform  Mac platform  Dual-platform: the ability to run more than one operating system. 4

Basic functions of an OS FunctionDescription User interface Provides icons and menus to interact with computer Utilities to configure the system Provides connection to networks, installation of software and management of resources Manage computer resources Control the connections between the software and the hardware Secure data by controlling access Specifies authentication and authorization rights to the computer and its resources. 5

Definitions  Authentication: the process of validating a user’s logon information  Authorization: associating specific permissions to a username 6

Utility software  Utility software is a type of system software that runs system checks and makes sure everything is working properly;  One type of utility software is anti-virus software, which checks for viruses (programs designed to disrupt or destroy the normal operation of a computer  McAfee, Norton, Avast, AVG 7

 Word Processing  Spreadsheet  Presentation  Database  Desktop Publishing  Painting/Drawing  Digital Imaging  Web Design  Video/Audio Production  Gaming  Podcasting  Accounting 8 Application software Programs that allow the user to perform specific tasks; also known as productivity software

Word Processing  A software application that is designed to create, edit, format, print and save text-based documents, such as letters, reports, and memos  Microsoft Word, Apple Pages 9

Spreadsheet  A software application that stores data in a grid of horizontal rows and vertical columns. The software is designed to analyze data using formulas and calculations.  Microsoft Excel, Apple Numbers 10

Presentation  An application software designed to create a visual display of information; can include text, graphics, audio and video  Microsoft PowerPoint, Apple Keynote, Prezi 11

Database  An application software designed to collect and organize data for easy retrieval and analysis  Microsoft Access, FileMaker Pro, Oracle 12

Desktop Publishing  An application software that is designed to combine text and graphics to create professional print-ready publications  Adobe InDesign, Corel Draw, Microsoft Publisher 13

Communication software  Programs that make it possible for a computer to transmit and receive information to and from other computers.  Web Browsers  Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, Google Chrome   Yahoo, Gmail, Live, Hotmail, Outlook, etc. 14

File formats  Every file saved on a computer will have an extension at the end of a file name known as the file format—typically three characters.  The extension defines how the data is stored in the file. It may indicate which application was used to create a document or what type of application is needed to open the document 15

File types - continued  Examples: .docxMicrosoft Word document .pptxMicrosoft PowerPoint presentation .xlsxMicrosoft Excel spreadsheet .txta plain text file (generic) .rtfrich text format (generic) .jpggraphic image .pdfrequires Adobe Reader 16

File types - continued .mp3compressed audio file .wmvwindows media video file format .wmawindows media audio file format .htmhypertext markup file .movQuicktime movie .wpsMicrosoft Works word processing doc .zipcompressed file format .exeexecutable file 17