Software

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Terms in this set (37)

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Software

programs written in a computer language that provides instructions to tell a computer

what to do.

System software

it serves as the interface between a user, the application software, and the computer's
hardware; in order to use any application software the computer must be running
system software; includes the operating system, as well as programs for disk
management and other maintenance- type tasks.
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management and other maintenance- type tasks.

Operating system

a type of system software; the most important program that runs on a computer;
supports the use of application software; performs basic tasks, such as recognizing
input, sending output, keeping track of files, and controlling peripherals; example
include Windows, Linux, and Mac OS

Application software

programs designed to make users more productive and/or assist them with personal
tasks; used to make business more efficient, assist with graphics and multimedia,
support home and educational tasks, and facilitate communication.

Freeware

copyrighted software provided at no cost; retains all right to software; programmers

typically cannot incorporate freeware into the applications they intend to sell

Proprietary software

software which has restrictions on its use, modification, copying , or distribution; usually
can be distributed at no cost or a small fee.

Open source software

free and it allows modification, and redistribution; has nor restrictions from the
copyright holder regarding modification of the software; usually can be downloaded
from the Internet at no cost; example: Google Docs (programmers)

Public domain software

free software that has been donated for public use and has no copyright restrictions
(anybody)

Commercial software

any software that is designed for sale to serve a commercial need; usually proprietary
software, but in some cases may be public domain software. Example: Group wise
Email
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Custom built software

software designed to perform functions specific to a business or industry; used when a

company cannot find packaged software that meets their needs

Shareware

copyrighted software that is distributed at no cost for a trial period

Machine language

low-level programming language; the only language understood by computers;

consists of entirely numbers; almost impossible for humans to understand; most basic
type of machine language binary code.

Assembly language

a mid-level programming language; written in instructions similar to machine languages

but uses names to label the number sequences in machine languages; eventually
translated into a lower-level machine language that the computer can understand.

Programming language

usually refers to high-level languages consisting of words and phrases written by

humans in order to design programs; eventually are converted into mid-level assembly
languages, which are then assembled/translated into low-level machine language.

Intellectual property

any property that is created using original thought; includes artwork, music , patents,
copyrights, and trademarks; intellectual copyrights still exist even after the property is
destroyed.

License

a contract that grants a user explicit rights to use intellectual property; also a digital
permit containing descriptions of rights that can be applied to one or more pieces of
content.
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End user

is the final or ultimate user of a computer system; the person who uses the product
after it has been fully developed and marketed.

Installation

the process of setting up software to work with a computer and other hardware; when
a computer is purchased, some software is usually pre-installed on the hard disk.

Registration

upon installation, the means of presenting software license to an end user as well as
Software Study
facilitating the transfer of required registration information and consent to the license;
activates the software for legal use by the end user.

Virus

a potentially damaging computer program that affects or infects a computer by altering

the way the computer works without the user's knowledge or permission; once a virus is
in a computer, it can spread throughout and damage files and any part if the computer
system.

Warranty

a promise or assurance by one party to another party that specific conditions are true
or will happen; the other party is permitted to rely on the promise and seek some type
of remedy if it is not true or followed.

Interface

point of contact or communication between the user and the software ( a person
interfaces with the keypad to make a phone call) or between different sections within
the computer (the processor interfaces with storage to access files).

Graphical user interface

also GUI, or "gooey;"this type of interface allows the user to interact with software
using text, graphics, and visual images such as icons.

Menu-driven interface
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also MDI; is interface in which a user completes a task by making selections from a list
of commands on the screen.

Command-line interface

is interface in which a user types a command or presses special keys on the keyboard
(function keys or key combinations) to enter data and instructions.

Decompression

(unzipping opening a compressed file)

Lossless decompression

is a method by which a compressed file can be returned to its exact original state
(upon opening).

Lossy decompression

method by which a compressed file cannot be returned to its exact original state (upon
opening), because the quality of the file decreases each time it is compressed.

System utilities

type of system software that allows the user to perform maintenance type tasks that
aren't automatically handled by the operating system; these tasks are usually related to
managing a computer, its devices, or its programs.

File management

a function of system software; keeping track of files, typically using a hierarchical file
system to organize files into a tree structure; file management systems are provided on
the computer, or you can buy them separately.

Disk utility software

is a type of system software that performs the management of the internal and external
disks on a computer; includes compression, defragmenting scrubbing, etc.

Defragmentation/ optimization software

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is system software that reorganizes a disk so that files are stored in contiguous (side-
by-side) sectors, thus speeding up disk access and computer performance.

Backup

to copy files to a second medium (disk or tape) as a precaution in case the first medium
fails; to backup files, use built-in system software, or purchase special purpose backup
utility software; backup programs compress the data so they require fewer disk space.;

Malware

short for "malicious software" programs that act without a user's knowledge and
deliberately alter a computer's operations; viruses and spyware are types of malware.

Assistant

is a software tool that is available to the user throughout the process of using an
application program; usually appears in the form of an animated character who
provides advice to the user about carrying out a task.

Wizard

is a software help agent that walks the user through the steps of completing a complex
process, such as installing software.

macro

a sequence of keystrokes and instructions that a user records and saves in software
such as word processors or spreadsheet programs
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