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