01 NI Course Unit 4
01 NI Course Unit 4
01 NI Course Unit 4
NURSING INFORMATICS
COURSE MODULE COURSE UNIT WEEK
1 4 4
Computer Software
Cognitive:
1. Define computer software
2. Discuss the history of computer software
3. Identify the types of software
4. Explain the concept of software packaging, and identify common software packages
5. Cite common software considered useful in the practice of the nursing profession
6. Discuss computer programming and factors related
Affective:
1. Listen attentively during class discussions
2. Demonstrate tact and respect when challenging other people’s opinions and ideas
3. Accept comments and reactions of classmates on one’s opinions openly and graciously
Psychomotor:
1. Participate actively during class discussions and group activities
2. Express opinion and thoughts in front of the class
Saba, V., and McCormick, K. (2006) Essentials of Nursing Informatics 4th Edition, Overview of
Computers and Nursing, Historical Perspectives of Nursing and Computer (pp 59-69). New York:
McGraw-Hill Companies
Software is a general term for the various kinds of programs used to operate computers and
related devices. Software can be thought of as the variable part of a computer. Software requires
hardware, which is the physical substrate on which software exists and runs, and hardware is
useless without software.
The term software dates back to at least 1850. At that time, it is referred to a type of garbage that
would decompose, and hardware referred to garbage that would not decompose. The current
usage dates back to at least 1958, when John W. Tukey, a highly influential statistician who held
posts at both Princeton University and Bell Labs, used it in an article in the January 1958 issue of
American Mathematical Monthly. Titled the Teaching of Concrete Mathematics, he described
software as the carefully planned interpretive routines, compilers, and other aspects of automotive
programming.
Types of Software
There are two basic types of software namely system software and application software.
• System Software
System software is a program that manages and supports the computer resources and
operations of a computer system while it executes various tasks such as processing data and
information, controlling hardware components, and allowing users to use application software.
That is, systems software functions as a bridge between computer system hardware and the
application software.
o Operating Systems
Operating systems are the software component of a computer system that is responsible for
the management and coordination of activities and the sharing of the resources of the
computer. The operating system acts as a host for applications that are run on the machine.
As a host, one of the purposes of an operating system is to handle the details of the
operation of the hardware. This relieves application programs from having to manage these
details and makes it easier to write applications. Almost all computers, including handheld
computers, desktop computers, supercomputers, and even video game consoles, use an
operating system of some type. Common examples are Microsoft Windows and Linux /
Unix.
o Utility Programs
A program that performs a specific task related to the management of computer functions,
resources, or files, as password protection, memory management, virus protection, and file
compression. Common examples are Disk Defragmenters, Application Launchers and Web
Browsers.
• Application Software
Programs that specify the information processing activities required for the completion of
specific tasks of computer users. Examples
• Spreadsheet Software
Spreadsheet software permits performance of an almost endless variety of quantitative tasks
such as budgeting, keeping track of inventory, preparing financial reports, or manipulating
numbers in any fashion, such as averaging each of ten departmental monthly sales over a six-
month period. A spreadsheet contains cells, the intersection of rows and columns. Each cell
contains a value keyed in by the user. Cells also contain formulas with many capabilities, such
as adding, multiplying, dividing, subtracting, averaging, or even counting. An outstanding
feature of the spreadsheets is its ability to recalculate automatically. If one were preparing a
budget, for example, and wanted to change a variable such as an increase in salary or a
change in amount of car payments, the formulas would automatically recalculate the affected
items and the totals.
In most hospitals, software used by nurses includes admission, discharge and transfer (ADT)
systems that help with patient tracking and medication administration record (MAR) software.
Increasingly, hospitals have added charting software that computerizes at least some parts of the
nursing record.
Nurses also utilize common software for communication purposes. Some examples are as follows:
• Chat Rooms
Chat rooms are like electronic conference calls. Multiple users can send and receive messages
at the same time. Some chat rooms are public but private chat rooms require password. Chat
room technology is synchronous, that is, users can connect in real time even at huge distances.
• Social Network
Social network refers to any number of web addresses designed to create online communities.
These communities can be focused around common interests, goals, or simply away for people
to interact.
Programming Languages
A programming language is a means of communicating with the computer. The only language a
CPU can understand is binary or machine language.
• Machine Language
Machine language belongs to low level programming languages. They are the most basic and
can be understand directly by the computer and consist of binary numbers 1 and 0.
• Symbolic Language
Symbolic language, on the other hand, use convenient symbols or mnemonics.
• Assembly Language
Assembly language are intermediate languages that are very close to machine language and
do not have the level of linguistic sophistication exhibited by other high-level languages but
must still be translated into machine language.
• Pascal
Pascal is a compiled, structured language, built upon ALGOL, simplifies syntax while adding
data types and structures such as sub ranges, enumerated data types, files, records, and sets
• C
C is considered by many to be more a machine-independent assembly language than a high-
level language, its close association with the UNIX operating system, its enormous popularity,
and its standardization by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) have made it
perhaps the closest thing to a standard programming language in the
microcomputer/workstation marketplace
Computer Programming
Computer programming refers to the process of writing a computer program, which is a series of
instructions written in proper sequence to solve a specific problem. A program encompasses the
program instructions and is generally written by a computer programmer.
• Writing the Code and Program Documentation – includes structure and narrative
documentation
• Alpha Testing – also known as desk checking where components are checked based on the
intended purpose and design
• Beta Testing and Program Documentation – involves installation to actual user environment
that signals program implementation
Software - a general term for the various kinds of programs used to operate computers and
related devices. Software can be thought of as the variable part of a computer. Software requires
hardware, which is the physical substrate on which software exists and runs, and hardware is
useless without software.
Programming language - a means of communicating with the computer. The only language a
CPU can understand is binary or machine language.
Auslander, Marc A.; Larkin, David C.; Scherr, Allan L.. "The evolution of the MVS Operating
System". IBM J. Research & Development, Website:
http://www.research.ibm.com/journal/rd/255/auslander
• List down 5 examples of common software for communication purposes in each category
• Create a poster or one-page guide on ‘Safety and Security at Social Networking Sites
Agent SL. (2008), Big InterWeb Definitions, Retrieved August 29,
2019 from ThatInterweb, Website:
http://thatinterweb.typepad.com/my_weblog/big-interweb-words.html
Auslander, Marc A.; Larkin, David C.; Scherr, Allan L.. "The evolution
of the MVS Operating System". IBM J. Research & Development,
Website: http://www.research.ibm.com/journal/rd/255/auslander
http://searchsoa.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid26_gci213024,00.html
FMIT (2008), System Software, Retrieved August 29, 2019 from FMIT Webpage, Website:
http://sunset.backbone.olemiss.edu/~misbook/sfsysfm.htm