Different types of software

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 Revision

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 Software

 Software can be divided into two groups:

 System software
 Application software

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 Software

System software
Programs needed to manage and control
the entire computer system.

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 Software

Application software
Programs developed for the user to be able to use the
computer in a meaningful way, e.g. type and print
documents, manage data, listen to music,
watch a video, play a game, etc.

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 Software

Application software
Programs developed for the user to be able to use the
computer in a meaningful way, e.g. type and print
documents, manage data, listen to music,
watch a video, play a game, etc.

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 System software

The main purpose of system software is

to control and manage all activities and
hardware in the computer system.

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 System software

 System software includes:

 Operating systems
 Anti virus software
 Device drivers needed to control hardware, e.g. printers
 Utilities for the user to manage the system, e.g. error
checking, etc.

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 System software

 Examples of Windows utilities

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The operating system (OS)

An operating system is essential for a

computer to function.

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 The operating system (OS)

 Main functions of an operating system:

 Manage activities needed when a computer is turned on and
shut down
 Provides a user interface – GUI
 Manage critical components such as the CPU and RAM
 Control and manage hardware devices
 Manage programs and tasks
 Provides tools needed for file management
 Provides security features such as logon with a user name
and password
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 The operating system (OS)

 Examples of operating systems:

 Windows – for PCs and laptops
 Linux – open source
 MacOS – OS for Apple computers
 iOS – Apple PDAs e.g. iPhone, iPad
 Android – Android PDAs, e.g. Samsung Galaxy Tab
 Blacberry OS 10

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 Application software

 Application software is programs written with the

user in mind.
 It does nothing to manage or control the computer.
 The different applications available is the main reason
why computers are multi-functional devices.

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 Application software

Examples of application software built

into the operating system:

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 Application software

Examples of application software built

into the operating system:
 WordPad – a basic word processing application
 Paint – a basic image editing program
 Calculator – choose between standard and scientific
 Snipping tool – clip images from the screen
 Sound recorder – record sounds
 Media player – watch videos and listen to music
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 Application software
not included in the OS:

 Productivity software
 Productivity software is used to produce useful
documents, e.g.
 Word processors, e.g. MS Word
 Spreadsheets, e.g. MS Excel
 Desktop publishing programs, e.g. MS Publisher

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 Application software
not included in the OS:

 Financial software
 Software used in a business setup for bookkeeping
and other administrative work, e.g.
 Pastel Accounting
 QuickBooks
 Pastel Payroll

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 Application software
not included in the OS:

 Communication software
 Software that enable communication, e.g.
 E-mail and fax software, e.g. MS Outlook, Outlook
Express
 Skype

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 Application software
not included in the OS:

 Educational software
 Programs aimed at teaching and self-learning.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Educational_software)

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 Application software
not included in the OS:

 Types of educational software

 Courseware – training software
 Classroom aids – to assist the teacher in lesson
presentation
 Assessment software - assessing and testing students in
a virtual environment
 Reference software – to assist students with research
 Software aimed at revision and practicing skills

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 Application software
not included in the OS:

 Examples of educational software

 Encyclopaedias, e.g. Encarta
 Mathematics, e.g. Cami Maths
 Reading programs, e.g. Lector
 Typing tutors
 Science programs

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 Application software
not included in the OS:

 Software suites
 E.g. MS Office, which includes Word, Excel, Access,
PowerPoint, Publisher, Briefcase, Outlook, Clip
Organiser, OneNote, etc.

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 Application software
not included in the OS:

 Advantages of program suites:

 Saves the user money in that it is not necessary to buy
each program separately.
 Provide a basis for inter activity as they all have the
same platform (look and feel). Data can be integrated
between the different applications.

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 Application software
not included in the OS:

 Designing software
 Used by graphic designers, architects, etc. to create images.
 Examples of design software
 Autodesk
 Adobe Illustrator
 Adobe Photoshop
 Coral draw
 Auto CAD

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 System software and security

 It is important to protect computers from

unauthorised access to data.
 Each user needs to have a user account with a user
name and password. When using the computer, you
need to log on to your account. After the working
session, make sure to log off again.

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 System software and security

 When using a computer in a network, the user

account is set up by a network administrator who is
responsible to set restrictions. Every user will only be
allowed to use certain network facilities according to
his duty in the network.
 It is possible to trace a user’s activities in a network
environment.

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 Passwords

 Passwords should be strong enough to ensure that it can

not be duplicated by an intruder.
 A password should consist of at least eight characters,
letters, numbers and symbols mixed together.
 Never write your password together with your user name at
the same place. It is better not to write a password down,
but then it should be something you will not forget easily.
 Don’t use the same password for every application.
 Don’t use something someone else will be able to guess,
such as your birthday or name.
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 Activity

Answer the following questions

 Where will you find computer software?
 Name two main categories software and explain the
main difference between the them.
 Name THREE examples of system software.
 Name THREE functions of an operating system.

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 Activity

 Collect icons of operating systems from

advertisements in the local newspaper and magazines
or search for and download them from the internet.
Sort them according to the type of device they will be
used in:
 OS for desktop and laptop computers
 OS for PDA devices

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 Activity

 Name TWO categories of application software.

Explain their purpose and give an example of each.
 Why is it important to log on to a computer?
 Explain what is meant by a strong password.

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