Week-7 & 8

Computer Software
Software
Types of Software

System Software
Operating System
Utility Programs

Application Software
Word Processor
Spread Sheet

Software

Computer Instructions or data, anything that can be stored

electronically is called Software.
The term software refers to the computer programs, routines and
packages required to utilize and control the operation of the computer
system.
Such as DOS, Windows, MS-Office or user developed programs.
Computer program is the sequences of instructions for the computer,
which comprise software.
Package is a commonly used term for a computer program (or group of
programs) that have been developed by a vendor and is available for
purchase in a prepackaged form.

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Types of Software

System Software divided into two types

System Software

Application Software

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System Software
System Software includes the Operating System and all the utilities
that enable the computer to function.
System software is a term referring to any computer software which
manages and controls the hardware so that application software can
perform a task.
Example:
Operating Systems, Utility Programs

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Computer Software Relationships

User Interface

Application Programs

User Interface

User
Interface

Operating System

Basic Input and Output Services (BIOS)

needed for a computer to boot up

Computer Hardware
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System Software

(Contd)

Operating System

It is an integrated set of programs that use to manage the various

resources and overall operations of a computer system.
Operating System is a software, which makes a computer to actually
work.

It is the software the enables all the programs we use.

The OS organizes and controls the hardware.

OS acts as an interface between the application programs and the

machine hardware.

Examples: Windows, Linux, Unix and Mac OS, etc

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System Software

(Contd)

What OS does?
An operating system performs basic tasks such as,
Controlling and allocating memory,
Prioritizing system requests,
Controlling input and output devices,
Facilitating networking and
Managing file systems

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System Software

(Contd)

Multitasking/ multiprogramming: The management of two or more

tasks, or programs, running concurrently on the computer system (one
CPU).

Multithreading: A form of multitasking that runs multiple tasks within

a single application simultaneously.

Multiprocessing: simultaneous processing of more than one program by

assigning them to different processors (multiple CPUs).

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System Software

(Contd)

Structure of Operating System

User
Application Software
System Software

HARDWARE

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System Software

(Contd)

The structure of OS consists of 4 layers:

Hardware

Hardware consists of CPU, Main memory, I/O Devices, etc,

System Software

Software includes process management routines, memory management

routines, I/O control routines, file management routines.

Application programs

This is dependent on users need.

Ex. Railway reservation system, Bank database management etc..

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System Software

(Contd)

Types of Operating System

Operating System can also be classified as:

Single User Systems

Multi User Systems

Single User Systems

Provides a platform for only one user at a time.

They are popularly associated with Desk Top operating system
which run on standalone systems where no user accounts are
required.
Example: DOS,
MAC operating system was single user operating system. Apple
MAC operating system users, used menu & icons rather than
commands.
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System Software

(Contd)

Multi User Systems

The operating system through which many users can work with
single computer at a time is called Multi User Operating System.
Provides regulated access for a number of users by maintaining a
database of known users.

Refers to computer systems that support two or more

simultaneous users.

Another term for multi-user is time sharing.

Ex: All mainframes are multi-user systems.

Example: Unix, Windows NT, Linux etc

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System Software

(Contd)

Utility Programs

An Utility Program is a type of software that performs

a specific task, usually related to managing or maintaining
the computer system.
Utility Programs are often built into in operating system,
For example, Utility Program for finding files,
troubleshooting, and repairing system problems etc

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Device Drivers

Programs which handle the various hardware devices,

e.g., mouse, keyboard, CD Drive, etc.
For example, an application wants to print a document
It call the operating system
which sends the information to the device driver together with
instructions and
the printer driver handles all the control of the printer

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Application Software

Application Software includes programs that do real work for

user.
Today a wide variety of application software are available.
Example:
Payroll systems, Inventory Control, Manage student database,
Word Processor, Spreadsheet and Database Management
System etc.,

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Application Software

(Contd)

Word Processors

Word processing is a tool that helps user in creating, editing, and

printing documents. Word processors will normally have the following
capabilities built into them:
Spell checking
Standard layouts for normal documents
Have some characters appear in bold print, italics, or underlined
Center lines, make text line up on the left side of the paper, or the
right side of the paper
Save the document so it can be used again
print the document.

Examples: WordPerfect, WordStar and Microsoft Word

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Application Software

(Contd)

Spreadsheets
The spreadsheet packages are designed to use numbers and formulas
to do calculations with ease.
Spreadsheet is a group of values & other data organized into rows, &
columns.
The document of spreadsheet is called Work Sheet.
Examples of spreadsheets include:
Budgets
Payrolls
Grade Calculations
Address Lists
The most commonly used spreadsheet programs are Microsoft Excel
and Lotus 123.
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Application Software

(Contd)

Graphic Presentations

The presentation programs more easily convey information to others

people.
Other uses include:
Slide Shows
Repeating Computer Presentations on a computer monitor
Using Sound and animation in slide shows
The most recognized graphic presentation programs are Microsoft
PowerPoint.

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Application Software

(contd)

Database Management System (DBMS)

A DBMS is a software tool that allows multiple users to store, access,
and process data into useful information.
Database programs are designed for these types of applications:
Membership lists
Student lists
Grade reports
Instructor schedules
All of these have to be maintained so you can find what you need
quickly and accurately.
Example:Microsoft Access, dBASE, FOXPRO, Oracle.
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Application Software

(contd)

Communication Software

Communication means transferring of ideas, emotions,

information between terminals/ sites / people or computers.
So the software which control such communication are
called Communication Software.
A widely used communication software is a Web browser,
which allow user with an internet connection to access &
view web pages.
Example: Internet Explorer, Netscape Navigator, Mozilla
Firfox etc

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Application Software

(contd)

Accounting Software

Accounting software that records and processes accounting transactions

within functional modules such as accounts payable, accounts receivable,
and payroll.
It functions as an accounting information system

Peachtree
Peachtree is an accounting application for small and medium-sized
businesses (SMBs) made by Sage Software.
Peachtree enables comptrollers and managers to automate and
manage numerous accounting tasks, like:
* Reconciling accounts payable and receivable.
* Creating financial statements, check invoices.
* Tracking banking transfers and payroll.
* Importing and manipulating spreadsheets.
* Integrating scanned documents like checks, receipts and invoices,
eliminating paper from the accounting process.
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Application Software

(contd)

Peachtree minimum system requirements include at least a 1

GHz processor and 512 MB of RAM for a single user
installation of Peachtree.
1.8 GHz processor and 1 GB of RAM is recommended for
multiple users. For optimal operation of either version on a
given workstation, Sage suggests 1 GB of free disk space,
Internet access, Internet Explorer 6.0 and at least
Windows 2000 SP3.

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Open Source Software

Open source software (OSS) is computer software whose

source code is available under a license that permits users to
use, change, and improve the software, and to redistribute it in
modified or unmodified form.

It is often developed in a public, Group manner.

Well-known OSS products are Linux, Netscape, Apache, etc.,

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Proprietary Software

Proprietary software (also called non-free software) is

software with restrictions on using, copying and modifying
as enforced by the proprietor.
Restrictions on use, modification and copying is achieved by
either legal or technical means and sometimes both.
Software copyright is commonly used by proprietary
software companies to prevent the unauthorized copying of
their software.
Proponents of proprietary software are Microsoft.
Ex: Norton Antivirus etc

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Proprietary Software

(Contd)

The term shareware, refers to proprietary software that is

provided to users without payment on a trial basis and is often
limited by any combination of functionality, availability.
Shareware is often offered as a download from an Internet
website or as a compact disc.
The rationale behind shareware is to give buyers the opportunity
to use the program and judge its usefulness before purchasing a
license for the full version of the software.
Shareware is usually offered as a trial version with certain
features only available after the license is purchased, or as a full
version, but for a trial period.
Once the trial period has passed the program may stop running
until a license is purchased.

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Freeware Software

Freeware ("free" and "software") is computer software that is

available for use at no cost or for an optional fee.
Software classified as freeware is normally fully functional for an
unlimited time with no cost.
Freeware can be proprietary software available at zero price. The
author usually restricts one or more rights to copy, distribute,
and make derivative works of the software.
The software license may impose restrictions on the type of use
including personal use, individual use, non-profit use, noncommercial use, academic use, commercial use or any combination
of these.
For instance, the license may be "free for personal, noncommercial use".

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 Windows

Use of start Menu

Customize the desktop
Use of Windows Help
Use of Windows accessories
Word pad
Calculator
Paint
Managing files and folders using My Computer
Managing files and Folders using Windows Explorer
Managing Recycle bin operations
Internet Explorer (Send/receive E-Mail, Browsing Internet)

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The Windows Desktop

It is the main screen that you see when you start Windows.
The Windows Desktop is like your personal desktop, where you put your
favorite files and stuff. You can personalize it the way you want, so that it
can fit your needs and represent your style.
Some people have shortcuts to documents and other paper work on their
desktop, while others have their desktop filled with shortcuts to games.
So you can personalize your Windows desktop to represent yourself and your
style!

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Icons

Icons are small pictures that represent files and/or folders on your
hard disk. When you double click an icon with your mouse it will open
the file of folder that it represents.
Icons can be dragged and moved around the desktop, so that you can
arrange them the way you want.
Different types of files have different type of icons.
Windows XP also includes a new feature that allows you to give a
folder a unique icon.
The My Computer icon is the way to a window that displays hard
drives, other devices installed on your computer like scanners,
cameras, etc and documents.

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Icons

(Contd)

The My Documents icon represents the My Documents Folder which

store source documents. You can put you pictures, videos, music and
other files here.
The Recycle Bin icon represents the Recycle Bin, a system folder that
stores files you want to remove from your computer.
Windows stores these files here, because you might want to restore
them. After you delete files from the Recycle Bin you can not get
them back.

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Icons

(Contd)

Changing folder icons

To change a folder icon, you must first right click the folder, and then select
proprieties.
A list of default icons will appear . You will chose one you like from the list and
then click OK.
You can also choose another icon on your disk, by clicking browse, and giving
the path to it.
Then, from the propriety Window, you will click Apply, or OK to apply the
settings.

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Taskbar

The taskbarOn the foot of your Windows desktop, you will notice a
long bar. This is the Windows Taskbar.
Programs, files, or folders you open, will appear on the taskbar.

For example, on the taskbar, Windows Media Player and the tutorial
folder are opened. Windows can also be minimized, which means that
they are running in background.
To display a window that is running in background, you can just click it
from the taskbar.
Windows is a multitasking operating system, which means that more
applications can be run in the same time.

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Taskbar

(Contd)

In MS DOS, you could only run one application at a time.

Multitasking is a really great advantage, because you can easily
switch between applications and transfer data from one
application to another.
So the taskbar can also help you to easily switch between
applications. If you want a window to run in background just
click minimize.
The window will not be closed, and you can always bring it back
on the screen, by clicking it on the taskbar.

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Taskbar

(Contd)

Configuring the taskbar

To configure the Windows taskbar, right click it and select
Proprieties.
From the taskbar tab you can configure the following options:
Lock the taskbar - will delimit the Quick launch and other bars from
the main taskbar;
Auto-hide taskbar will hide the taskbar. To display the taskbar it is
just necessary to put the mouse over the place it is located (hidden).
After the mouse leaves the certain area, the taskbar will disappear.
Keep the taskbar on top of other Windows it will always display
the taskbar on the screen.

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Taskbar

(Contd)

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Taskbar

(Contd)

Group similar taskbar buttons: - Enables the new option in Windows

XP.
Sometimes your taskbar might be full of icons. To manage the opened
windows better, this new option groups the similar taskbar icons into a
single one. If you have 10 Internet Explorer windows open, they will all
be grouped into a single taskbar icon.
Show Quick Launch: - It will show or hide the Quick Launch
Show the clock: - Shows or hides the clock from the right side of the
taskbar.
Hide inactive icons: - It enables or disables a new feature made
available in Windows XP; hiding the icons from the System Tray, when
they become inactive.
You can also customize the hiding and showing of the icons in the
system tray, but only if the Hide inactive icons setting is enabled.

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Taskbar

(Contd)

Hide when inactive: -Hides the icon when it is not active (default)
Always hide: - Hides the icon no matter if it is active or inactive
Always show: Always shows the icon, no matter if it is active or
inactive.

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The Quick Launch

Near the Start Button on the taskbar.

It is a small place for applications you use most frequently.

The Windows default applications for the Quick launch are: the
Show Desktop application (it is used to show the Windows
Desktop); Explorer (Internet Browser).
You can always add and remove icons from the Quick Launch.

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The System Tray

The System Tray is the right place of the taskbar, where you can see
the clock, and also see active or inactive connections, or some
applications that are running.

In Windows XP, inactive items can also be hidden (if this feature is
enabled), and you can see them by clicking the round button on the
left side of the system tray.

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The language bar

The language bar is used for switching between the languages

that are installed on the system.
You can click on the icon and select a language from the ones
available.
You can also use the language bar to select and manage other
language options that are installed on your computer.
You can add and remove languages available on the language bar
from Control Panel -> Regional and Language Options.

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The Start Menu

The Start Menu is like a quick menu from where you access all
your programs (that you use more recently).
To access the start menu click the start button on the left side
of the taskbar or press the Windows Logo Key on your
keyboard.
Windows XP has a new and simplified start menu designed to fit
your needs and preferences.
The Windows XP Start Menu has two columns:
The first one is for programs you recently use, and the other is
for shortcuts to places on your computer, like: My Computer,
My Documents, My Pictures, etc.

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The Start Menu

(Contd)

On the bottom of the first column, there is a menu called All

Programs. This menu shows all the programs that are installed on
your computer.
The classic Windows Start Menu only contained a menu similar to the
All Programs menu.

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The Turn Off & Log Off Buttons

The Turn Off Button on the bottom of the Start Menu will display
options for shutting down the computer or other features that are
available on the system.
The Log Off Button will display options about Logging off or switching
users.

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The Turn Off & Log Off Buttons

(Contd)

Standby is a state in which your monitor and hard disks turn off, so

that your computer uses less power.

When you want to use the computer again, it comes out of standby quickly,
and your desktop is restored exactly as you left it.
Use standby to save power when you will be away from the computer for a
short time while working.
Because Standby does not save your desktop state to disk, a power failure
while on Standby can cause you to lose unsaved information.

Hibernation is a state in which your computer shuts down to save power

but first saves everything in memory on your hard disk.
When you restart the computer, your desktop is restored exactly as you
left it.
Use hibernation to save power when you will be away from the computer
for an extended time while working.

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The Run Button

The Run Button on the second column of the Start Menu will display a
Window from which you can type a path to o file or a program on your
computer, on the network or internet.
After this the selected file or program will be automatically opened.
Examples:
Typing C:\Games\ will open the folder Games located on the C:\
drive;
Typing write will open Word Pad;
Typing cmd or cmd.exe will open the Command Prompt or the
Windows Console.
Typing \\Computer1 will explore the computer named Computer1 on
the network;
Typing \\192.168.1.145 will explore the computer with IP
192.168.1.145 on the network.

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The Search Button

The Search Button on the Start Menu will open a window from where
you can search files or folders on you hard disk (s) or also on the
internet.
You can also choose from advanced search options, like searching only
pictures, music, or video.
You can also specify the approximate size of the file and the
approximate date when it has been created.

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The Help & Support Center Button

The Help and Support Center Button on the Start menu

opens Windows Help, from where you can find articles and
tips about working with Windows.
You can search articles that refer to your problems or
misunderstandings, or you can select articles by browsing
trough the categories and menus.

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Other buttons on the Start Menu

Printers and Faxes button displays all printers and faxes installed
on the computer and enables configuring these devices.
Control Panel button opens the Control Panel, from which you can
configure and change settings, manage hardware and software
resources on your computer.
My Computer, My Documents, My Pictures, My Music, and My
Videos Buttons open the specified folders they represent. Example:
If you click the My Documents button, it will open Documents.

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Web Browser

Application Software that allows users to view Web content such as

text, images, videos, music, games and other information located on a
web page at a web site on the www. Or
A program on a computer that accepts requests for information,
processes the requests and allows you to navigate to resources on the
Internet.
Microsoft Internet Explorer
Mozilla Firefox
Netscape Navigator
Web browsers were introduced by companies like Mozilla,
Netscape, and Microsoft. More recently, Google entered the
browser market.
On the Web, you navigate--commonly known as browsing or surfing

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Web Browser

(Contd)

Hyperlinks/ Links

One way to navigate the WWW is by clicking on a link.

A link is an area of a Web page that, when you click on it, will take
you from the page you are presently viewing to another page either
within the same site or to an entirely different site.
Links can be anything on a page.
Examples:

Graphical or textual elements

Underlined text; Images; color varies but is often blue, Objects in
motion etc

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E-mail

A system for transmitting messages and data from one

computer to another, using a telephone connection and
modems or other communication technology .

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