1. System and Application Software
Chapter 3
System and Application Software 1

2. What’s inside and on the CD?
In this chapter you will learn about:
Many kinds of software
The types of tasks they can carry out
How to add software to your computer
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3. Practical Computer Literacy, 2nd edition Chapter 3
What is software?
Instructions that tell a computer how to carry out a task is a computer program
Programs form software to do tasks such as:
Document production
Video editing
Graphic design
Web browsing
Practical Computer Literacy, 2nd edition Chapter 3

4. Practical Computer Literacy, 2nd edition Chapter 3
What is software?
Software is classified as system software or application software
System software is to help computer carry out its basic operating functions
Application software is used to help people carry out tasks such as creating documents, tracking finances, and editing photos
Practical Computer Literacy, 2nd edition Chapter 3

5. Practical Computer Literacy, 2nd edition Chapter 3
What is software?
Practical Computer Literacy, 2nd edition Chapter 3

6. Practical Computer Literacy, 2nd edition Chapter 3
What is software?
System and application software work together to perform tasks
Practical Computer Literacy, 2nd edition Chapter 3

7. Practical Computer Literacy, 2nd edition Chapter 3
What is software?
Application software is subcategorized in a variety of ways
Productivity software refers to word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, and database applications
A software suite is related software bundled together
Microsoft Office Suite
CorelDRAW Graphic suite
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8. Practical Computer Literacy, 2nd edition Chapter 3
What is software?
Business software is a broad umbrella for vertical and horizontal market software
Vertical market software is designed to automate specialized tasks in a specific market
Horizontal market software is generic software any business can use
Payroll
Accounting
Project management
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9. Practical Computer Literacy, 2nd edition Chapter 3
What is software?
Groupware is a type of application software frequently used in business
Used to help several people collaborate
Practical Computer Literacy, 2nd edition Chapter 3

10. What is an operating system?
An operating system is master controller for all activities within a computer
An Operating system (OS) does not help people perform application-specific tasks
Older operating systems used a command-line interface
Most modern operating systems feature easy-to-use graphical user interface (GUI)
GUI represents controls and commands as easily manipulated pictures
Practical Computer Literacy, 2nd edition Chapter 3

11. What is an operating system?
Operating systems designed for handheld devices also feature GUIs
Windows Mobile OS
Symbian
Palm OS
Practical Computer Literacy, 2nd edition Chapter 3

12. What is an operating system?
Large-scale computer systems allow monitoring of:
Multiple users
Set up network security
Maintain regular backups
Optimize performance
Operating systems also establish limits:
DOS limits program names to eight characters
Amount of memory that can be installed
Size of disk storage
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13. What is an operating system?
Corrupted operating system files can result in an unstable computer
Incompatibilities between operating systems and application software, files, or devices can cause computers to become unresponsive
Practical Computer Literacy, 2nd edition Chapter 3

14. What is document processing software?
Document production software assists with:
Composing
Editing
Designing
Printing
Electronic publishing
Practical Computer Literacy, 2nd edition Chapter 3

15. What is document processing software?
Word processing software has replaced typewriter for:
Creating
Spell-checking
Editing
Formatting
Desktop publishing software helps with graphic design to enhance format and appearance
Web authoring software helps you design and develop customized Web pages
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16. What is document processing software?
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17. What is spreadsheet software?
Spreadsheet software allows creation of electronic spreadsheets called worksheets
Use worksheets to make calculations from inputted formulas
Worksheets can be grouped to share data
Turn data into colorful graphs
Sort data
Search for data that meets specific criteria
Print reports
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18. What is spreadsheet software?
Practical Computer Literacy, 2nd edition Chapter 3

19. What is presentation software?
Presentation software supplies tools needed for combining into electronic slides:
Text
Photos
Clip art
Graphics
Animation
Sound clips
Practical Computer Literacy, 2nd edition Chapter 3

20. What is presentation software?
Software is used:
In classroom lectures and oral presentations
To create virtual classrooms for distant learning
To illustrate ideas at company meetings, conferences, and sales events
Practical Computer Literacy, 2nd edition Chapter 3

21. What is presentation software?
Software includes tools for creating:
Speaker notes
Line drawings, arrows, other simple shapes
Complex diagrams
Digital photographs
Animation
Videos
Software includes templates, master slides, and themes to ensure uniformity
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22. What is presentation software?
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23. What is database software?
A database is a collection of data stored in one or more computers
Database software helps you:
Enter
Find
Organize
Update
Report
Database software stores data as a series of records
Many database software packages include tools to create:
Queries
Electronic forms
Reports
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24. What is database software?
Practical Computer Literacy, 2nd edition Chapter 3

25. What about graphics software?
The term graphics refers to:
Pictures
Drawings
Sketches
Photographs
Images
Icons
Graphics software is designed to create, manipulate, and print graphics
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26. What about graphics software?
Paint software provides a set of electronic pens, brushes, and paints
Photo editing software includes features designed to fix poor-quality photographs by:
Modifying contrast and brightness
Cropping out unwanted objects
Removing “red eye”
Drawing software and CAD provide a set of lines, shapes, and colors to produce:
Diagrams
Corporate logos
Architectural blueprints
Schematics
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27. What about graphics software?
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28. Can I create videos and music on my computer?
Video editing software provides tools for transferring video footage from camcorder to computer to:
Clip out unwanted footage
Assemble video segments in any sequence
Add special visual effects
Add soundtracks
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29. Can I create videos and music on my computer?
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30. What software do I need for music and other audio applications?
Digital audio is sound represented in binary format
You store recordings on computer’s hard disk in waveform audio format
Windows operating system has built-in utility called Sound Recorder
MP3 software converts CDs into digital format called MP3
MIDI format allows computers to communicate with music synthesizers
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31. What software do I need for music and other audio applications?
Practical Computer Literacy, 2nd edition Chapter 3

32. What about educational and entertainment software?
Educational software helps you learn and practice new skills
Computer-based training (CBT), sometimes referred to as e-Learning, can refer to a variety of ways of using computers for teaching and learning
Teleconferencing
Web-based tutorials
Virtual classrooms
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33. What about educational and entertainment software?
Computer games are the most popular type of entertainment software
Multiplayer games provide an environment in which two or more players can participate in the same game
Moving closer to virtual reality
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34. What is utility software?
Utility software includes programs to optimize computer’s performance, protect data, and facilitate communication
Desktop widgets
Antivirus software
Antispyware utilities
Compression utilities
Defragmentation utilities
Backup software
Various types of communications software
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