Introduction to Computer Science

Session 2

Chapter 2: Application Software

Prepared by
Dr. Ahmed Ezzat

The contents of this presentation have been prepared from Computer essentials 2017

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Chapter 2: Application Software

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Why should I read this chapter?
 The power and capability of application software is
exploding. We can expect applications beyond our
imagination and to control these applications entirely
with our voice, gestures, and thoughts.
 This chapter covers the things you need to know to be
prepared for this ever-changing digital world, including:
▪ General-purpose applications—how to create documents,
analyze data, make presentations, and organize
information.
▪ Special-purpose applications—how to use graphics
programs for image editing and creating web pages and
how to locate and use mobile apps.

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Learning Objectives
After you have read this chapter, you should be able to:
1. Identify general-purpose applications.
2. Describe word processors, spreadsheets, presentation
programs, and database management systems.
3. Identify specialized applications.
4. Describe graphics programs.

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Introduction
 Not long ago, trained specialists were required to
perform many of the operations you can now do with
a personal computer.
◦ Examples: secretaries, market analysts, graphic
artists,…
 To efficiently and effectively use computers, you
need to understand the capabilities of general-
purpose application software, which includes:
▪ word processors
▪ spreadsheets
▪ presentation programs
▪ database management systems
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Application software
 Application software is end user software that is
used to accomplish a variety of tasks.
 Two categories of application software:
▪ General-Purpose Applications: include word
processors, spreadsheets, database management
systems and presentation graphics.
▪ Specialized applications: other programs that tend
to be more narrowly focused and used in specific
disciplines.
▪ Mobile apps: is add-on features or programs
typically designed for smartphones and tablets.
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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.
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 Most software programs use a system of menus,
toolbars, and dialogue boxes.
 Menus present commands that are typically
displayed in a menu bar at the top of the screen.
 Toolbars typically appear below the menu bar
and include small graphic elements called
buttons that provide shortcuts for quick access to
commonly used commands.
 Dialog boxes provide additional information and
request user input.

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 Many applications use an interface known as the
Ribbon GUI which use:
▪ Ribbons replace menus and toolbars by organizing
commonly used commands into a set of tabs.
▪ Tabs divide ribbons into major activity areas.
▪ Galleries simplify the process of making a selection
from a list of alternatives.

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 Application software: Common Features
• Some of the most common features in
applications include:
▪ Spell checkers: look for misspelled words
▪ Alignment: either centers, right-aligns, or left-
aligns numbers and characters
▪ Font and font sizes (perhaps use character
effects): specifies the size and style of entered
numbers and text
▪ Character effects provide a variety of different
typefaces, such as bold or italics.
▪ Edit options provide easy ways to edit text, such
as cut, copy, and paste.
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General-Purpose Applications:
Word Processors
 Word Processors allow you to create, edit, save
and print text-based documents including
memos, letters, faxes, newsletters, manuals,
brochures, and reports.
 Examples:
▪ Microsoft Word (the most widely used word
processor)
▪ Apple Pages
▪ Google Docs
▪ Corel WordPerfect
▪ OpenOffice Writer
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Case: Creating a Flyer

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General-Purpose Applications:
Spreadsheets
 Spreadsheets programs organize, analyze and
graph numeric data such as budgets and financial
reports.
 Examples:
▪ Microsoft Excel (The most widely used spreadsheet
program)
▪ Apple Numbers
▪ Corel Quattro Pro
▪ Google Sheets
▪ OpenOffice Calc.

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Case: Creating a Sales Forecast

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Case: Creating a chart

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General-Purpose Applications:
Presentation Graphics
 Presentation graphics are programs that
combine a variety of visual objects to create
attractive, visually interesting presentations.
 They are excellent tools to communicate a
message and to persuade people.
 Examples:

▪ Microsoft Power-Point ▪ Corel Presentations

▪ Apple Keynote ▪ OpenOffice Impress
▪ Google Slides ▪ Prezi

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General-Purpose Applications:
Database Management Systems (DBMS)
 A database is a collection of related data.
 Database Management Systems (DBMS) or
database manager is a program that sets up or
structures a database.
 It also provides tools to enter, edit and retrieve data
from the database.
◦ Universities use databases to keep records of students,
instructors and courses.
◦ Companies maintain employee databases.
 Examples:
▪ Microsoft Access ▪ Google Obvibase

▪ Apple FileMaker ▪ OpenOffice Base

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Specialized Applications: Graphics
 Specialized applications are widely used within
specific professions.
 These programs include graphics programs and
web authoring programs.
 web authoring means creating a website.
 Graphics programs examples:
▪ desktop publishing programs
▪ image editing programs
▪ illustration programs
▪ video editors

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 Desktop publishing programs, or page
layout programs, allow you to mix text and
graphics to create publications of
professional quality.
 It is used by professional graphic artists to
create documents such as brochures,
newsletters, newspapers, and textbooks.
 Examples:
▪ Adobe InDesign
▪ Microsoft Publisher
▪ QuarkXPress.

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 Image editors, also known as photo editors, are
specialized graphics programs for editing or
modifying digital photographs.
 The photographs consist of thousands of dots
or pixels that form images often referred to as
bitmap or raster images.
 Examples:
▪ Adobe Photoshop
▪ Corel Paint Shop Pro
▪ GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program)
▪ Windows Photo Gallery.

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 Illustration programs, also known as drawing
programs, are used to create and edit vector
images.
 Vector images, also known as vector
illustrations, use geometric shapes or objects.
 Illustration programs are often used for graphic
design, page layout, and creating sharp artistic
images.
 Examples:
▪ Adobe Illustrator
▪ CorelDRAW
▪ Inkscape

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 Video editors are used to edit videos to
enhance quality and appearance.
 With video editors, you can readily add special
effects, music tracks, titles, and on-screen
graphics.
 Examples:
▪ Windows Live Movie Maker
▪ Apple iMovie
▪ YouTube Video Editor

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Chapter 4: System Software

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Why should I read this chapter?
 Someday soon, your computer will be able to automatically
diagnose and repair problems, much like your body’s
immune system. For now, however, your electronics are at
risk from dangerous viruses and software failures.
 This chapter covers the things you need to know to protect
your computer and data today and to prepare you for
tomorrow, including:
▪ Desktop operating systems—discover how operating
systems control and protect desktop and laptop
computers.
▪ Mobile operating systems—learn the key features of the
operating systems that control tablets and cell phones.
▪ Utilities—protect your computer from viruses and perform
important maintenance tasks.

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Learning Objectives
After you have read this chapter, you should be able to:
1. Describe the differences between system software and
application software.
2. Identify the four types of system software programs.
3. Explain the basic functions, features, and categories of
operating systems.
4. Compare mobile operating systems, including iOS, Android,
and Windows Phone.
5. Compare desktop operating systems, including Windows,
Mac OS, UNIX, Linux, and virtualization.
6. Explain the purpose of utilities and utility suites.
7. Identify the four most essential utilities. 8Describe Windows
utility programs.

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 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 consist of four types:
 Operating systems coordinates resources, provide an
interface between the users and the computer and
run the 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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 Operating System: Functions
 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.

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Functions of OS can be classified into three groups:
 Managing resources: OS coordinates computer
resources including memory, processing, storage
and devices such as printers and monitors.

 Providing user interface: OS allows users to

interact with application programs and computer
hardware through a user interface. New OS use
Graphical User Interface (GUI).

 Running application: OS load and run applications

such as word processors and spreadsheets.
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 Most OS support multitasking, or the ability to
switch between different applications stored in
memory. Example, you could have Word and Excel
running at the same time and switch easily
between the two applications.

 The program you are currently working with on is

described as running in the foreground.

 The other program or programs are running in the

background.

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 Operating System: Features
 Starting or restarting the computer is called
booting the system.
 There are two ways to boot a computer:
▪ Warm boot: occurs when the computer is
already on and you restart it without turning off
the power.
▪ Cold boot: starting the computer that has been
turned off.

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 A user interacts with the operating system
through a graphical user interface called the
desktop.
 The desktop provides access to computer
resources.
 Some important features common to most
operating systems and application programs
include:
- Icons - tabs
- pointer - dialog boxes
- windows - help
- menus - Gesture control
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 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 a device.
▪ They control smartwatches, smartphones,
video game systems, and thousands of other
small electronic devices.

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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.
3. Network operating systems (NOS): are used to
control and coordinate computers that are
networked or linked together.
▪ They are located on the network server.
▪ This network server coordinates all
communication between the other
computers.
▪ Examples: Linux, Windows Server, and UNIX.

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 Operating systems are often called software
environments or software platforms.

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 concept check
❑ List three categories of application software.
❑ What is a graphical user interface? What are windows, menus, toolbars,
and dialog boxes?
❑ What is the Ribbon GUI? What are ribbons, tabs, and galleries?
❑ Discuss some of the most common features in application programs.
❑ What are word processors? What are they used for?
❑ What are spreadsheets? What are they used for?
❑ What are presentation graphics programs? What are they used for?
❑ What are database management systems? What are they used for?
❑ What are desktop publishing programs? Image editors? Illustration
programs? Video editors?
❑ What is video game design software?

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 concept check
❑ What is system software? What are the four kinds of
system software programs?
❑ What is an operating system? Discuss operating system
functions and features.
❑ Describe each of the three categories of operating
systems.

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