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Computer Software

Computer Software. Software. According to the American Heritage Dictionary software is "The programs, routines, and symbolic languages that control the functioning of the hardware and direct its operation.". Software.

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Computer Software

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  1. Computer Software

  2. Software • According to the American Heritage Dictionary software is • "The programs, routines, and symbolic languages that control the functioning of the hardware and direct its operation."

  3. Software • In other words, software instructs the hardware what to do, and uses the hardware to perform specific tasks. • Such as display information on a screen, format a floppy disk, etc. There are 2 main types of software • What are the types...

  4. Types of Software • Operating systems • a set of programs that manage the computer (e.g. loads & controls the execution of other programs, manages the storage of data on disks) • examples???

  5. Types of Software • Applications Software: • Programs written for specific purposes in order to perform functions specified by end users. • Why do we need them ??? • Examples ???

  6. Operating Systems • Operating Systems • MS-DOS (Microsoft Disk Operating System), also known as PC-DOS (Personal Computer Disk Operating System), • is the standard OS on Intel-based microcomputers, and is often referred to simply as DOS.

  7. Operating Systems • MS Windows (Microsoft Windows): • a GUI (Graphical User Interface) that works with DOS to provide a more user-friendly and powerful interface to the computer and its' applications. • current versions of MS Windows (including 3.11) are not true operating systems, and require DOS to be installed on the computer before function.

  8. Operating Systems • Windows NT & Windows 95 & Windows 98, 2000 and XP are true operating systems (i.e.. they do not require DOS) which have a GUI superior to MS Windows. • Windows NT has been around for a number of years, is generally used in high-end, commercial environments.

  9. Operating Systems • It (Windows NT) is also the system in use at St.F.X. with the WebFX system. • Windows XP and 2000 are the latest version of Windows from Microsoft, • intend to replace Windows 95, DOS, and MS Windows as the operating system of the future for home uses.

  10. Operating Systems • Given the rapid change of hardware technology DOS and Windows are dying rapidly. • New systems come with a newer version of OS installed automatically. • Usually have a choice of one of: Windows NT, Windows 95, or Windows 98, 2000 and XP.

  11. Operating Systems • The Macintosh operating system is used on Apple computers, and was the first GUI-based operating system. • Has always been the easiest to learn/use operating system, • But has been limited to the proprietary Apple hardware, and therefore not as popular as DOS and Windows.

  12. Operating Systems • OS/2 was the first advanced GUI operating system for Intel-based microcomputers, and has been around for a few years. • Originally a joint project with IBM and Microsoft, OS/2 is now maintained by IBM, and was a competitive product to the various MS Windows programs.

  13. Operating systems • Such as network servers, and certain business applications. • OS/2 is used heavily in the Banking industry. You probably use OS/2 when getting money from an ATM machine.

  14. Operating Systems • UNIX is an operating system • has been most popular on workstations and other high-end computer systems. • various flavours of UNIX, such as AIX (the version used on Juliet), NeXTStep, and Solaris, which tend to be developed for specific vendor hardware platforms.

  15. Operating Systems • UNIX-like operating system is Linux: • developed firstly by a student from Finland • works on a wide variety of vendor systems, including Intel microcomputers. • UNIX is a very powerful and rich operating system, but also very difficult to master.

  16. Applications Software • Word Processing • Software for creating standard text documents, such as reports, books, etc. • examples are Microsoft Word, WordPerfect, and Write.

  17. Applications Software • Word processors are distinguished from the simpler text editors, by • the inclusion of more advanced features (word wrap, headers & footers, etc.), and • more complex proprietary data formats. Text editors have limited functionally.

  18. Application Software • Desktop publishing software: • more sophisticated programs for creating large documents (e.g. books), or documents with a lot of graphic (newsletters, brochures, etc.) • examples are Pagemaker and Ventura.

  19. Application Software • Spreadsheets • Software for working with numeric data, calculations and graphing/charting. • examples: • Microsoft Excel; • Lotus 1-2-3, and • Quattro Pro.

  20. Application Software • Databases • allows the creation of highly structured containers for storing information about things. • examples: Microsoft Access, Paradox, and ProFile. • examples of types of database systems would be inventory systems, or bank accounts.

  21. Application Software • Databases describe • the characteristics of things (e.g. name, address and phone number for a mailing list), and • allow the user to input values for storage, and retrieve them at a later date.

  22. Application Software • Communications • allows one computer to communicate with another. • Examples are Procomm and Kermit. • Communications software often uses a modem to provide the communications link with another computer system.

  23. Application Software • Graphics • allows the user to create or edit images, such as • line art; • photographs, or • drawings. • examples are Corel Draw, Morph and Adobe Photoshop.

  24. Application Software • Presentation/Multimedia • allows the user to combine various data formats (text, images, audio, video) to create products like business presentations, educational programs, games, etc. • examples are Microsoft Powerpoint and Macromedia Director.

  25. Application Software • Programming • used to create other software programs. • examples are QBasic and Borland C++. • Why do we have programming software???

  26. Application Software • Utilities • performs a variety of functions for maintaining and administering other software programs, data files, and hardware. • examples are PCtools and Norton Utilities.

  27. Application Software • Games & Edutainment - Games are, well, games. • Edutainment software • a new term used to describe software that uses a game-like environment to teach about specific topics.

  28. Application Software • Viruses • special software programs that can "infect" other software, and • cause it to malfunction, or • do things its' creators did not intend to do. • viruses can be very damaging, and • anti-virus software protects computer systems from becoming infected.

  29. Application Software • Industrial - Specialized software • programs used to control machines or devices such as: • photocopiers; • robotics; • cars; • space shuttles; • etc.

  30. Application Software • Consumer - Specialized software • programs used in commercial/personal devices such as microwaves and other household appliances. • some modern homes are being designed with built-in computer systems that can be used to control heat, lights, etc.

  31. Summary • Software concept • Types of software • Operating system • Application software • Next lecture on WEBFX and network

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