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6 Computer Software

Software consists of instructions that tell a computer what tasks to perform, categorized into system software and application software. System software includes operating systems and utility programs that manage hardware operations, while application software helps users perform tasks like word processing and web browsing. Software can be installed from physical media or downloaded online, and programmers use various languages to develop software.

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5 views

6 Computer Software

Software consists of instructions that tell a computer what tasks to perform, categorized into system software and application software. System software includes operating systems and utility programs that manage hardware operations, while application software helps users perform tasks like word processing and web browsing. Software can be installed from physical media or downloaded online, and programmers use various languages to develop software.

Uploaded by

alisonsjandt13
Copyright
© © 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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Computer Software

Software, also called a program, consists of a series of related instructions, organized for a common purpose, that
tells the computer what tasks to perform and how to perform them. You interact with a program through its user interface.
The user interface controls how you enter data and instructions and how information is displayed on the screen. Software
today often has a graphical user interface. With a graphical user interface (GUI pronounced gooey), you interact with
the software using text, graphics, and visual images such as icons. An icon is a miniature image that represents a program,
an instruction, or some other object. You can use the mouse to select icons that perform operations such as starting a
program. The two categories of software are system software and application software.

System Software
System software consists of the programs that control or maintain the operations of the computer and its devices.
System software serves as the interface between the user, the application software, and the computer’s hardware. Two
types of system software are the operating system and utility programs.
Operating System An operating system is a set of programs that coordinates all the activities among computer
hardware devices. It provides a means for users to communicate with the computer and other software. Many of today’s
computers use Microsoft’s Windows, or Mac OS, Apple’s operating system. When a user starts a computer, portions of
the operating system are copied into memory from the computer’s hard disk. These parts of the operating system remain
in memory while the computer is on.

Utility Program
A utility program allows a user to perform maintenance-type tasks usually related to managing a computer, its
devices, or its programs. For example, you can use a utility program to transfer digital photos to an optical disc. Most
operating systems include several utility programs for managing disk drives, printers, and other devices and media. You
also can buy utility programs that allow you to perform additional computer management functions.

Application Software
Application software consists of programs designed to make users more productive and/or assist them with
personal tasks. A widely used type of application software related to communications is a Web browser, which allows
users with an Internet connection to access and view Web pages or access programs. Other popular application software
includes word processing software, spreadsheet software, database software, and presentation software. Many other types
of application software exist that enable users to perform a variety of tasks. These include personal information
management, note taking, project management, accounting, document management, computer aided design, desktop
publishing, paint/image editing, photo editing, audio and video editing, multimedia authoring, Web page authoring,
personal finance, legal, tax preparation, home design/landscaping, travel and mapping, education, reference, and
entertainment (e.g., games or simulations, etc.).

Installing and Running Programs


When purchasing software from a retailer, you typically receive a box that includes an optical disc(s) that contains
the program. If you acquire software from a Web site on the Internet, you may be able to download the program; that is,
the program transfers from the Web site to the hard disk in your computer. The instructions in software are placed on
storage media, either locally or online. To use software that is stored locally, such as on a hard disk or optical disc, you
usually need to install the software. Web applications that are stored online, by contrast, usually do not need to be installed.
Installing is the process of setting up software to work with the computer, printer, and other hardware. When you
buy a computer, it usually has some software pre installed on its hard disk. This enables you to use the computer the first
time you turn it on. To begin installing additional software from an optical disc, insert the program disc in an optical disc
drive and follow the instructions to begin installation. To install downloaded software, the Web site typically provides
instructions for how to install the program on your hard disk.
Once installed, you can run the program. When you instruct the computer to run an installed program, the computer
loads it, which means the program is copied from storage to memory. Once in memory, the computer can carry out, or
execute, the instructions in the program so that you can use the program.

Software Development
A programmer, sometimes called a computer programmer or developer, is someone who develops software or
writes the instructions that direct the computer to process data into information. When writing instructions, a programmer
must be sure the program works properly so that the computer generates the desired results. Complex programs can
require thousands to millions of instructions. Programmers use a programming language or program development tool to
create computer programs. Popular programming languages include C++, Java, JavaScript, Visual C#, and Visual Basic.
Figure 1-13 shows some of the Visual Basic instructions a programmer may write to create a simple payroll program.

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