GT101: LEARNING AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

TU170: COMPUTING ESSENTIALS

MEETING 4
CHAPTER 7: APPLICATION SOFTWARE
CHAPTER 8: SYSTEM SOFTWARE
CHAPTER 9: INPUT AND OUTPUT
CHAPTER 10: THE SYSTEM UNIT
CHAPTER 11: SECONDARY STORAGE

Prepared by:
ITC team – AOU, Kuwait branch
Based on the content of GT101 smart book @McGraw-Hill Education
CHAPTER 7: APPLICATION SOFTWARE

Learning Outcomes:
• Identify general-purpose applications.
• Describe word processors, spreadsheets, presentation programs,
and database management systems.
• Identify specialized applications.
• Describe graphics programs.
INTRODUCTION

• Not long ago, trained specialists were required to perform many

operations such as market analysis, calculation of project sales or
designing graphic.
• Now you can do all these tasks—and many others—with a personal
computer and the appropriate application software.
• Application software can be described as end user software and is
used to accomplish a variety of tasks.
• Three categories of application software:
₋ General-Purpose Applications
₋ Specialized applications
₋ Mobile apps
APPLICATION SOFTWARE
General-Purpose Applications include:
- Word processors allow you to create, edit, save and print text-based
documents (e.g. Microsoft Word )
- Spreadsheets are programs that organize, analyze and graph numeric
data such as budgets and financial reports (e.g. Microsoft Excel)
- Presentation graphics are programs that combine a variety of visual
objects to create attractive, visually interesting presentations (e.g.
Microsoft Power-Point)
- Database management systems are programs that sets up, or structures,
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a database (e.g. Microsoft Access)
APPLICATION SOFTWARE
• Specialized applications are widely used within specific professions.
• These programs include graphics programs.
• Graphics programs types:
- Desktop publishing programs (e.g. Adobe InDesign)
- Image editing programs (e.g. Adobe Photoshop)
- Illustration programs (e.g. Adobe Illustrator)
- Video editors (e.g. Windows Live Movie Maker)

Can you give more examples on specialized applications?

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APPLICATION SOFTWARE: USER INTERFACE
• A user interface is the portion of the application that allows you to control and to
interact with the program.
• Most general-purpose applications use a mouse and a graphical user interface (GUI).
• GUI displays graphical elements called icons to represent familiar objects.
• The mouse controls a pointer on the screen that is used to select items such as
icons.
• A window is simply a rectangle area that can contain a document, program or
message.
• More than one window can be opened and displayed on the computer screen at
one time. 6
CHAPTER 8: SYSTEM SOFTWARE
Learning Outcomes:
• Describe the differences between system software and application software.
• Identify the four types of system software programs.
• Explain the basic functions, features, and categories of operating systems.
• Compare mobile operating systems, including iOS, Android, and Windows Phone.
• Compare desktop operating systems, including Windows, Mac OS, UNIX, Linux,
and virtualization.
• Explain the purpose of utilities and utility suites.
• Identify the four most essential utilities.
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• Describe Windows utility programs.

SYSTEM SOFTWARE
• End users use application software to accomplish specific tasks. However,
they also use system software.
• System software works with end users, application programs and
computer hardware to handle the majority of technical details.
• System software is not a single program but a collection of programs that
handle hundreds of technical details with little or no user intervention.

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SYSTEM SOFTWARE: TYPES
System software consists of four types of programs:
- Operating systems coordinate computer resources, provide an
interface between users and the computer, and run applications.
- Utilities perform specific tasks related to managing computer
resources.
- Device drivers allow particular input or output devices to communicate
with the rest of the computer system.
- Language translators convert the programming instructions written by
programmers into a language that computers understand and process.
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SYSTEM SOFTWARE: OPERATING SYSTEM
• An operating system is a collection of programs that handle technical
tasks related to using a computer.
• An operating system is the most important type of computer program.
• Without a functioning operating system, your computer would be
useless.
• Examples: Windows 10 or Mac OS X.

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SYSTEM SOFTWARE: OPERATING SYSTEM

• Operating systems store data and programs in a system of files and

folders.
• Files are used to store data and programs.
• Folders are used to store related files.
• A folder can contain other folders or subfolders.

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OPERATING SYSTEM: CATEGORIES

Three categories of operating systems:

1. Embedded operating systems, also known as real-time operating
systems and RTOS, are entirely stored within (i.e. embedded in) a device.
- They control smartwatches, smartphones, video game systems, and
thousands of other small electronic devices.

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A smart watch
OPERATING SYSTEM: CATEGORIES
2. Stand-alone operating systems, also called desktop operating systems:
control a single desktop or laptop computer.
- These operating systems are located on the computer’s hard disk.
- Examples: Windows 10 and Mac OS X.
3. Network operating systems (NOS): are used to control and coordinate
computers that are networked or linked together.
- Examples: Linux, Windows Server, and UNIX.

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CHAPTER 9: INPUT AND OUTPUT

Learning Outcomes:
• Define input.
• Describe keyboard entry including types and features of keyboards.
• Identify different pointing devices including game controllers and styluses.
• Describe scanning devices including optical scanners, RFID readers, and recognition
devices.
• Recognize image capturing and audio-input devices.
• Define output.
• Identify different monitor features and types including flat panels and e-books.
• Define printing features and types including inkjet and cloud printers.
• Recognize different audio and video devices including portable media devices. 14
WHAT IS INPUT?
• Input is any data or instructions used by a computer.
• Input devices are hardware used to translate words, numbers, sounds,
images, and gestures that people understand into a form that the system
unit can process.
• The most widely used input devices are:
- Keyboards such as traditional and laptop keyboard
- Pointing devices such as mouse and touch screen
- Scanning devices such as optical scanners and card readers
- Image capturing devices such as Digital cameras and webcams
- Audio-input devices such as microphone 15
INPUT DEVICES

Some examples of input devices

WHAT IS OUTPUT?
• Output is processed data or information.
• Output takes the form of text, graphics, photos, audio and video.
• Output devices translate information that has been processed by the
system unit into a form that humans can understand.
• The most widely used output devices are:
- Monitors
- Printers
- Audio-output devices
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OUTPUT: MONITORS
Types of monitors:
- Flat-panel monitors
- Curved monitors
- E-books readers
- Digital or interactive whiteboards
- Ultra-high-definition television (UHDTV)
- Digital projectors

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OUTPUT: MONITORS

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Some examples of monitors

OUTPUT: PRINTERS
Types of printers:

Inkjet Printers Laser Printers 3D Printers

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OUTPUT: AUDIO
Types of Audio-Output Devices:

Speakers Headphones

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CHAPTER 10: THE SYSTEM UNIT

Learning Outcomes:
• Differentiate between the five basic types of system units.
• Describe the main components of a system unit.

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SYSTEM UNIT
• The system unit (system chassis) is a container that houses most of the
electronic components that make up a computer system.
• There are five types of personal computers:
- Desktop
- Laptop
- Tablet
- Smartphones
- Wearable computers
• Each has a unique type of system unit.
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 SYSTEM UNIT: DESKTOP
• Desktop computer is the most powerful type of
personal computer.
• Most desktops have their system unit in a
separate case that contains the system’s
electronic components and selected secondary
storage devices.
• Input and output devices, such as a mouse,
keyboard, and monitor, are located outside the
system unit.
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SYSTEM UNIT: DESKTOP
• This type of system unit is designed to be placed
either horizontally or vertically.
• Desktop system units that are placed vertically
are sometimes referred to as a tower unit or
tower computer.
• Some desktop computers, like Apple’s iMac, have
their monitor and system unit housed together
in the same case. These computers are known as
an all-in-one.
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SYSTEM UNIT: LAPTOPS

• Laptops are not as powerful as desktops.

• Laptops are portable and much smaller than
desktops.
• Their system units are housed with selected
secondary storage devices and input devices
(keyboard and pointing device).
• There are several specialized laptops:
- Two-in-one laptops
- Gaming laptops
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- Ultrabooks (mini notebooks)

SYSTEM UNIT: TABLETS

• Tablets (tablet computers), are the newest and one of the most
popular types of computer.
• They are effectively a thin slab that is almost all monitor with the
system unit located behind the monitor.
• Tablets are smaller, lighter, and generally less powerful than laptop
computers.
• Tablets do not have a standard keyboard. Instead, most tablets use a
virtual keyboard that appears on the screen and is touch-sensitive.

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SYSTEM UNIT: TABLETS

• Mini tablets are a type of tablet with a smaller

screen.
• They do not have all the functionality of the bigger
tablets, but they are easier to transport in pockets
and purses.

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SYSTEM UNIT: SMARTPHONES

• Smartphones are by far the most popular mobile device.

• They greatly extend the capabilities of a cell phone by
providing computing power.
• They capture and send audio and video, run apps, and
connect to the Internet.
• Their system unit is located behind the display screen.

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SYSTEM UNIT: WEARABLE COMPUTERS
• Wearable computers (wearable devices), are one of the first
evolutionary steps to the IoT.
• These devices contain an embedded computer on a chip that is
typically much smaller and less powerful than a smartphone’s.
• The most common wearable computers are smartwatches and
activity trackers.

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SYSTEM UNIT: COMPONENTS

• Personal computers come in a variety of different sizes, shapes,

and capabilities. However, they share similar components:
- System boards
- Microprocessors
- Memory

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SYSTEM UNIT: SYSTEM BOARD

• The system board (mainboard or motherboard) controls

communications for the entire computer system.
• All devices and components connects to the system board which
acts as a data path and traffic monitor.
• On a desktop computer, it is a large flat circuit board covered with
a variety of different electronic components.

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SYSTEM UNIT: MICROPROCESSOR

• The microprocessor is a single chip that contains the

central processing unit (CPU) or processor.
• It is the brain of the computer system.

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 SYSTEM UNIT: MEMORY
• Memory is a holding area for data, instructions and information.
• Memory is contained on chips connected to the system board.
• RAM and ROM are two examples of memory chips.

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 SYSTEM UNIT: MEMORY
• RAM stands for Random Access Memory.
• RAM chips hold the program and data that the CPU is presently processing.
• Before data can be processed or a program can run, it must be in RAM.
₋ For this reason, RAM is referred to as primary memory.
• RAM is called temporary or volatile memory because its content is lost when the computer is
turned off.
• ROM chips have information stored in them by the manufacturer.
• They are not volatile and cannot be changed by the user.
• CPU can read data and programs written on ROM but the computer cannot write on the ROM chips.
• ROM chips contain special instructions for basic computer operations such as instructions needed to
start a computer. 35
CHAPTER 11: SECONDARY STORAGE
Learning Outcomes:
• Distinguish between primary and secondary storage.
• Identify the important characteristics of secondary storage including media, capacity,
storage devices, and access speed.
• Describe hard-disk platters, tracks, sectors, cylinders, and head crashes.
• Compare internal and external hard drives.
• Compare performance enhancements including disk caching, RAID, file compression, and
file decompression.
• Define optical storage including compact discs, digital versatile discs, and Blu-ray discs.
• Define solid-state storage including solid-state drives, flash memory cards, and USB drives.
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• Define cloud storage and cloud storage services.

SECONDARY STORAGE
• Memory is a holding area for data, instructions and information.
• Other than primary memory, we have different type of storage is called
secondary storage.
• Secondary storage provides permanent or nonvolatile storage.
• In secondary storage, data and programs can be retained after the
computer has been shut off.
• Secondary storage devices include:
- Hard disks
- solid–state storage 37

- Optical Discs
SECONDARY STORAGE: HARD DISKS
• Hard disks save files by altering the magnetic charges of the disk’s surface.
• Two basic types of hard disks:
1. Internal Hard Disks
 Located inside the system unit.
 Store and retrieve large quantities of information quickly.
 Have a fixed amount of storage
Internal hard disk
2. External Hard Disks
 Located outside the system unit.
 Typically connected to a USB port on the system unit.
 Provide slower access than internal hard disks.
 Have a fixed amount of storage. External hard disk

 It is removable. 38
SECONDARY STORAGE: SOLID STATE STORAGE
• Unlike hard disks, which rotate and have read/write heads that move in
and out, solid–state storage devices have no moving parts.
• Data and information are stored and retrieved electronically from these
devices.
• Examples:
- Solid-state drives (SSDs)
- Flash memory cards
- USB drives (Flash drives)
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SECONDARY STORAGE: SOLID STATE STORAGE

Solid-state drives Flash memory cards

USB drives
 SECONDARY STORAGE: OPTICAL DISCS

• A laser beam alters the surface of a plastic or metallic disc to represent data.
• Examples:
- CDs: store 700 MB (megabytes).
- DVDs: Store 4.7 GB (gigabytes).
- Blu-ray discs:
 The newest form of optical storage.
 Store 50 GB.
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