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ARE - 510 - 2 - Basic Application Software

APPLICATION SOFTWARE There are 2 basic types of software: system software handles technical details, and application software completes specific tasks. Application software has 2 categories: basic applications like word processors and spreadsheets, and specialized applications for specific disciplines. Common features include a graphical user interface with icons selected by a mouse, windows that contain documents/programs, and menus, dialog boxes, and toolbars for commands. Word processors create, edit, and format text documents. Spreadsheets organize and analyze numeric data in tables with rows, columns, cells, formulas, functions, and graphs. Database management systems structure related data into tables with records and fields, and provide tools like sorting, filtering, and queries.

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52 views24 pages

ARE - 510 - 2 - Basic Application Software

APPLICATION SOFTWARE There are 2 basic types of software: system software handles technical details, and application software completes specific tasks. Application software has 2 categories: basic applications like word processors and spreadsheets, and specialized applications for specific disciplines. Common features include a graphical user interface with icons selected by a mouse, windows that contain documents/programs, and menus, dialog boxes, and toolbars for commands. Word processors create, edit, and format text documents. Spreadsheets organize and analyze numeric data in tables with rows, columns, cells, formulas, functions, and graphs. Database management systems structure related data into tables with records and fields, and provide tools like sorting, filtering, and queries.

Uploaded by

khalid
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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ARE 510

Dpt of Architectural Engineering


College of Environmental Design
KFUPM

D. Ouis
1st semester 2015
System software works with end users, application
software, and computer hardware to handle the majority of
technical details.

Application software, also known simply as apps, can be


described as end-user software and is used to accomplish a
variety of tasks.

Application software: basic applications (word processors,


spreadsheets, database management systems, and
presentation graphics).

specialized applications: programs used in specific


disciplines and occupations.
Common Features
A user interface: portion of the application allowing control
and interaction with the program. Mostly graphical, GUI:
Graphical User Interface that displays icons to represent
familiar objects, and a mouse. The mouse controls a pointer
on the screen for selecting items such as icons. Also use of
windows to display information.
A window: a rectangular area that can contain a document,
program, or message.
Software programs, a system of menus, toolbars, dialog
boxes, and buttons.
Menu bar at the top of the screen. When one of the menu
items is selected, an additional list of menu options or a dialog
box that provides additional information and requests user
input may appear.
Toolbars typically below menu bar, contain small graphic
elements, buttons: shortcuts for quick access to commonly
used commands.
MS-Word latest: Ribbons replace menus and toolbars
Word Processors
Word processors create text-based documents.
Students and researchers use word processors to create
reports.
Word processors can even be used to create personalized
Web pages.
Microsoft Word is the most widely used word processor.
Word processors provide a variety of features: entering,
editing, and formatting documents.

Features:
One of the most basic features for entering text is word
wrap. Thesaurus (synonyms & antonyms or related words for
a selected word or phrase.. Spelling and grammar checkers
font: size and character effects (bold, Italic, …)
Spreadsheets
Spreadsheet programs organize, analyze, and graph numeric
data such as budgets and financial reports.
The most widely used spreadsheet program is Microsoft Excel.

Features
Unlike word processors (for text documents), spreadsheet
programs manipulate numeric data and create workbook
files, which consist of one or more related worksheets. A
worksheet, or spreadsheet or sheet, is a rectangular grid of
rows and columns. The intersection of a row and column
creates a cell with text or numeric entries.
Text entry (or label) for describing the contents of rows and
columns.
A numeric entry can be a number or a formula.. For example,
the cell F15 contains the formula F15 = E5 –E13.
Functions are prewritten formulas (provided by the
spreadsheet program). E.g. E13 contains SUM(D8:D12).
D8:D12: a range; a series of continuous cells.

Analytical graphs or charts are visual representations of data


in a spreadsheet.
Database Management Systems

Database, DB: collection of related data, electronic equivalent


of a file cabinet. A DB management system (DBMS) or DB
manager is a program that sets up, or structures, a DB.
Colleges and universities use databases to keep records on
their students, instructors, and courses.

Features
The relational DB is the most widely used database structure.
Data is organized into related tables.
Table: rows (records) and columns (fields). Each record
contains fields of data about some specific person, place, or
thing.
A DBMS provides a variety of tools to create and use DBs.
Sort tool: rearrange a table’s records according to a selected
field.
Filter tool: displays only records meeting specified conditions.

Power of a DBMS: ability to quickly find and bring together


information stored in separate tables; query: a request for
specific data contained in DB form (ready for printing).
creating a query:
Create a second table
which is linked or
joined with first one
by the common field.
Presentation Graphics
Better learning when information is presented visually.
A picture is indeed worth a thousand words or numbers.
Presentation graphics: programs that combine a variety of
visual objects to create attractive, visually interesting
presentations.
Used by marketing managers and salespeople or students for
creating high-quality class presentations.

Features
An electronic presentation consists of a series of slides or
pages.
Design templates: selected combinations of color schemes,
slide layouts, and special effects.
Content templates: include suggested content for each slide.
More advanced features: include the capability to use
animations, special effects that add action to text and graphics
on a slide, transitions used to animate how the presentation
moves from one slide to the next, allow to print slides, create
speaker notes, and provide handouts for your audience… e.g.
MS-PPT
Integrated Packages
A single program that provides the
functionality of a word processor,
spreadsheet, database manager, and
more.
Disadvantage: the capabilities of each
function are not as extensive as in the
individual programs
Advantage: cost and simplicity.

Integrated packages are popular with many


home users and are sometimes classified
as personal or home software.
Software Suites
A collection of separate application
programs. Less expensive than to buy
each application separately.

Productivity Suite
Also known as office suites, a
professional-grade application programs
typically used in a business situation and
include a WP, spreadsheet, DB manager,
and a presentation application.
Cloud Computing
Online office suites stored at a server on the Internet.
Documents created using online can be stored online,
making it easy to share and collaborate on documents with
others.
Disadvantage: dependency upon the server; always have
backup copies on your computer.
Popular online office suites: Google Docs, Zoho, and
ThinkSmart.
SUMMARY

APPLICATION SOFTWARE
2 basic types of software: System software, for handling
technical details. Application software for completing
specific tasks or applications; 2 categories: basic
applications and specialized applications.

Common Features
Control and interact with a program using a GUI, uses icons
selected by a mouse-controlled pointer.
Window contains a document, program, or message.
Most software programs also have
• Menus: commands listed on the menu bar.
• Dialog box: additional information or requests user input.
• Toolbars: buttons for quick access to commonly used
commands.
Word processors: create, edit, save, and print text-based
documents ...

Features:
Word wrap.
Editing:
• Thesaurus provides synonyms, antonyms, and
related words.
• Find and replace, removes, and replaces other word(s).
• Spelling and grammar checkers
• Font — design of characters; Font size, Character
effects (bold, italic, and colors)
• Styles — feature that quickly applies predefined
formats.
• Bulleted and numbered lists — used to present
sequences of topics or steps.
SPREADSHEETS
Used to organize, analyze,and graph numeric data.

A DB: a collection of related data.


A DBMS, or DB manager: structures a database and
provides tools for manipulating data.

Features
• Relational DB organizes data into related tables.
• Tables have rows (records) and columns (fields).
• Sort: a tool to rearrange records.
• Filter: a tool to display only those records meeting
specified conditions.
• Query: a request for specific data contained in a DB.
• Forms: used to enter and edit records.
• Reports: printed output in a variety of forms.
DATABASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, DBMS

A DB: a collection of related data.


A DBMS, or DB manager: structures a database and
provides tools for manipulating data.

Features
• Relational DB organizes data into related tables.
• Tables have rows (records) and columns (fields).
• Sort: a tool to rearrange records.
• Filter: a tool to display only those records meeting
specified conditions.
• Query: a request for specific data contained in a DB.
• Forms: used to enter and edit records.
• Reports: printed output in a variety of forms.

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