LIVING IN THE IT ERA  Disk Defragmenter

Computer Software
 Consider communication between two humans,
between a human programmer and a computer, or
between a network of computers.
 Understand what language is, how language works,
and ways to define languages.
 Use language to describe procedures and use
machines to turn descriptions of procedures into
executing processes.
Computer Software
- Computer software, or just software, is a collection
of computer programs and related data that provides
the instructions for telling a computer what to do and
how to do it.  Disk Cleanup
- Any set of instructions that guides the hardware and
tells it how to accomplish each task.

System Software
- System software is computer software designed to
operate the computer hardware to provide basic  Disk Partition Tool
functionality and to provide a platform for running
application software.
- Refers to the operating system and all utility
programs that manage computer resources at a low
level.
- The BIOS (basic input/output system) gets the
computer system started after you turn it on and
manages the data flow between the operating
system and attached devices such as the hard disk,
video adapter, keyboard, mouse, and printer.
- The boot program loads the operating system into
the computer's main memory or random-access
memory (RAM).
- System software also includes system utilities, such
as the disk defragmenter and System Restore.
System Software Includes PC Software Characteristics
 Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) Program 1. User-friendly in terms of interface
2. Easy to access
3. Intuitive and can be guided by the GUI and other
features
4. Minimum training and documentation needed to use
Programming Software
- Programming software include tools in the form of
programs or applications that software developers
 use to create, debug, maintain, or otherwise support
other programs and applications.
- The term usually refers to relatively simple programs
such as compilers, debuggers, interpreters, linkers, Acquiring Software
and text editors.
Freeware
Software Types
 Free to all
Custom Software  Copyrighted
 Distributed in machine-readable format
 Written by programmers
 Takes a lot of time to write and test Commercial Software
 When specifications are unique
 Used most often
Packaged or Commercial  Copyrighted
 Generally costly
 Sold in stores, catalogs, or downloadable from the
 May not be copied without permission of the
WWW
manufacturer.
 Purchased from software publishers
 Must be installed Public-domain Software
 Standard or custom installation
 Un-copyrighted
 The setup process copies some of all of the software
 May be used or altered without restriction
to the hard disk
 Generally developed under government grants.
 May require the CD-ROM to be in the drive to run
Shareware
Example of programming language:
 Freely distributed for a trial period
C, C++, C#
 Pay a nominal fee to register with the author
 C++ is a low-level programming language that adds
Open source
object-oriented features to its base language C
whereas C# is a high-level language. C++ compiles  Free to all
down to machine code whereas C# 'compiles' down  Source code is distributed
to CLR (Common Language Runtime), which is  May be used or altered
interpreted by JIT in ASP.NET.  Popular under LINUX OS
PHP (recursive acronym for PHP: Hypertext Pre- Application Software
processor)
- A program or group of programs designed to allow
 Suited for web development and can be embedded end users to accomplish one or more specific (non-
into HTML. computer related) tasks.
- Task-Oriented Software
Python
- Productivity Software makes work faster, and our
 Often used in software applications, pages within a lives easier
web browser, the shells of operating systems and
Word Processing
some games.
 Uses: Memos, Reports, Correspondence, Minutes of
BASIC, Visual Basic
meetings, anything to be typed
 Visual Basic provides a graphical user interface GUI
Desktop Publishing
that allows the developer to drag and drop objects
into the program as well as manually write program  Uses: Newsletters, Reports, Brochures
code
Electronic Spreadsheets
JavaScript
 Uses: Comparing mortgage interest rates, Preparing
 JavaScript is a lightweight interpreted programming budgets, Tracking weight loss
language. The web browser receives the JavaScript
Data Graphics
code in its original text form and runs the script from
that.  Uses: Maps, Graphs, Charts, Makes Visual
information more compelling
HTML
Database Management
 HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) is the code that
is used to structure a web page and its content.
 Uses: Keep track of a large number of related facts, Users – Any individual who operates a computer to
Query the data for specific information, Retrieve accomplish a task
information in a variety of ways
Data entry operators – key data into a machine-
Presentation Graphics readable format
 Uses: Sales tool, Demonstrate a product, Show Computer operators – monitor the computer
cost/benefit projections on charts, Present
Librarians – catalog and keep secure the disks
audio/video testimonials from satisfied customers
Computer programmers – write, test, implement, and
Office Suites
maintain programs
 Group of basic software applications designed to
Systems analysts – plan and design computer systems
work together
 Data is portable between basic applications of the Network manager – oversees the network
suite
Chief information officer (CIO) – department manager;
 Various applications in the suite have the same “look
makes strategic decisions relating to the flow of
and feel”
information in the organization
Graphic Arts
 Use software to produce art, express ideas
Integrated Applications
 Combine basic word processing, spreadsheet, and
graphics capabilities
Communications
 Communicate from home with computer at office,
Access data stored in another computer in another
location, Stock exchange updates, Weather
information
Web Browser
 Web browser, a software application used to locate
and display Web pages.
Other Examples:
 Computer Aided Design (CAD)
 Video Editor
 Sound Editor
 Video Games
 Educational Software
 Email Client
 Electronic Media
Counterfeiting
- Software is copied onto CD-ROMS / DVD-ROMS
- Package duplicates the original
- Sold in flea markets or small stores
- Cheaper price
- Occurs more overseas
Computer Professionals
- Management Information Systems (MIS)
- Computer Information Systems (CIS)
- Computing Services
- Information Services
- Information Technology (IT)