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Chapter 3b
Application Software
Computing Essentials 2023
O’Leary
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Learning Objectives
1. Identify general-purpose applications.
2. Describe word processors, spreadsheets,
presentation programs, and database
management systems.
3. Describe specialized applications, such as
graphics, web authoring, and video game
development programs.
4. Describe mobile apps and app stores.
5. Identify software suites.
6. Describe office suites, cloud suites, specialized
suites, and utility suites.
2
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Application Software Categories
Two kinds of software:
• System software.
• Application software.
Application software:
• Accomplish a variety of tasks.
Three categories:
• Mobile Apps.
• General Purpose Applications.
• Specialized Applications.
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User Interface
Icons, Pointer, Windows, Menus, Menu bar,
Toolbars, Buttons, Dialog Boxes
Access the text alternative for slide images.
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Common Features in Microsoft
Ribbon G U I, Ribbons, Tabs, Groups, Contextual tabs,
Galleries, Spell checkers, Alignment, Font and Font Sizes
Access the text alternative for slide images.
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Mobile Apps
Mobile applications, often referred to simply as Apps
• Programs for a variety of mobile devices.
• Examples include: address books, lists, alarms.
Apps can be used on both mobile and other devices
• Over 3.5 million aps on Google Play alone.
• Music, video, social networking, shopping, games.
Privacy
• Often constantly recording location, photos taken, and
businesses visited.
• Concerns regarding unintended use, such as employers
using data recorded by apps when evaluating job
candidates.
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General Purpose Applications
Word processors
Spreadsheets
Presentation programs
Database management systems
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Word Processor Programs
Create text-based documents
• Memos, letters, and reports.
• Newsletters, manuals, and brochures.
Word processing programs
• Microsoft Word.
• Apple Pages.
Word processing software enables users to
• Google Docs. create professional and visually appealing
documents.
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Creating a Flyer
Flyer Features
• Spell Checker.
• Center-alignment.
• Grammar Checker.
• Fonts.
• Font Sizes.
• Word Wrap.
• Character Effects.
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Creating a Report
Report Features
• AutoCorrect.
• Footnote.
• Header or Footer.
• Captions and
Cross
References.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cw6
a3b5QoAs
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Presentation Graphics Programs
Combine a variety of visual objects to create visually interesting
presentations
Presentation programs
• Microsoft PowerPoint.
• OpenOffice Impress.
• Apple Keynote.
• Google Slides.
• Prezi.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5Ij7
nUy9UQ&t=434s
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Presentation Graphics Programs
Presentation software allows users to create visual
aids for presentations to communicate ideas,
messages, and other information to a group
Presentation software
provides tools for creating
slides with content arranged
in a variety of formats.
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Creating a Presentation
Features
• Document Theme.
• Animation
• Templates
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Spreadsheet Programs
Organize, analyze, and graph numeric data
• Budgets and Financial Reports.
Spreadsheet programs
• Microsoft Excel.
• Apple Numbers.
• Google Sheets.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgX
zzu68j7M&t=126s
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Spreadsheet Programs
• Spreadsheet software allows users to organize
data in columns and rows and perform
calculations on the data
With spreadsheet
software, you create
worksheets that contain
data arranged in columns
and rows, and you can
perform calculations on
the data in the
worksheets.
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Creating a Sales Forecast
Features
• Worksheets.
• Text entries.
• Cells.
• Formulas.
• Functions.
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Analysing Your Data
Features
• Workbook and
worksheets.
• What-if
Analysis.
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Database Management Systems (DBMS)
A collection of related data
Electronic equivalent of a file cabinet
Three most widely used systems
• Microsoft Access.
• Apple FileMaker.
• Oracle Database Express Edition.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubm
wp8kbfPc
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Database Management Systems (DBMS)
• A database is a collection of data organised in a manner
that allows access, retrieval, and use of that data
– Database software allows users to create, access, and manage a
database
This database contains two
tables: one for customers and
one for book reps. The Customer
table has 15 records and 10
fields; the Book Rep table has 4
records and 10 fields.
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Creating a Database
Features
• Primary Key.
• Fields.
• Tables.
• Forms.
• Records.
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Specialised Applications
Programs that more narrowly focused on specific
disciplines and occupations
Includes:
• Graphics programs.
• Web Authoring programs.
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Graphics Programs
Widely used in graphic arts
Types of graphics programs are:
• Video editors.
• Image or photo editors.
• Illustration or drawing programs.
• Desktop publishing programs.
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Graphics Programs
• Computer-aided design (CAD) software
• Desktop publishing software
• Paint/Image editing software
• Photo editing and photo management
software
• Video and audio editing software
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Web Authoring Programs
Web authoring is the creation of a website
• Design.
• Document file displaying website’s content.
Blog
• Online diary/commentaries.
Web Authoring Programs
• Typically used to create commercial sites.
• Web page editors or HTML editors.
• WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get).
Most widely used programs
• Adobe Dreamweaver.
• Froala 4.0.
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• Multimedia authoring software allows users
to combine text, graphics, audio, video, and
animation in an interactive application
• Website authoring software helps users
create business websites for a variety of
purposes
Wix Logo transparent PNG - StickPNG
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TulXGQydVIo
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Video Game Design Software
Organise thoughts
Guide user through game
design process
• Character development.
• Environmental design.
Video game design software
ranges from free to expensive
for professional game designers
• Unreal Game Engine.
• Unity development kit.
• GameMaker Studio 2.
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Video Game Design Software
Video on Game Design
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App Stores
Provides access to mobile apps for downloads
Apple’s App Store.
• Apple Devices.
• https://www.apple.com/app-store/
Google Play.
• Android Devices.
• https://play.google.com/store/ap
ps.
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App Stores
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Software Suites
Collection of separate application programs
Bundled together – made available as group.
Four types of suites
Office suites or office software suite / productivity suites
• Microsoft Office.
• Apple iWork,
Cloud suites or online office suites
• Google Workspace.
• Microsoft 365.
• Apple iWorks.
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Software Suites, continued
Specialised suites
Focus on specific applications.
• Adobe Creative Cloud.
• Magix’s Sound Forge Pro 15.
• Moneytree Software Total Planning Suite.
Utility suites
Designed to make computing easier and safer.
• Iolo’s System Mechanic Ultimate Defence.
• AVG TuneUp.
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An antivirus program protects a computer against viruses
by identifying and removing any computer viruses found
in memory, on storage media, or on incoming files
An antivirus program scans memory, media, and incoming
email messages and attachments for viruses and attempts to
remove any viruses it finds.
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A personal firewall is a security tool that detects and
protects a personal computer and its data from
unauthorised intrusions
This personal firewall detected a threat to the computer and
provided a means to remove the threat.
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Personal Interest Applications
• Lifestyle applications
• Medical applications
• Entertainment applications
• Convenience applications
• Education applications
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Communications Applications
• Blog
• Browser
• Chat
• Online Discussion
• Email
• File Transfer
• Internet Phone
• Internet Messaging
• Mobile (Text) Messaging
• Videoconference
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Enterprise / Commercial Suite
A large organisation, commonly referred to as an enterprise,
requires special computing solutions because of its size and
geographic distribution
• Human resources software
• Accounting and finance software
• Engineering or product development software
• Manufacturing software
• Marketing software
• Sales software
• Distribution software
• Customer service software
• Information technology software
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Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System
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Making IT Work for You – Cloud Office Suites
Things to consider when choosing a cloud office
suite:
• What does your team use now?
• How experienced are your teammates?
• Storage options.
• Prices.
Choose a suite and put it to work for you!
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A Look to the Future
VR and AR Applications in the Workplace
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A Look to the Future
• A media player is a program that allows you
to view images and animations, listen to
audio, and watch video files on your
computer or mobile device
• An augmented reality app overlays
information and digital content on top of
physical objects or locations
• A virtual reality app provides an immersive
user experience
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A Look to the Future
A media player is a program that allows you to
view images and animations, listen to audio,
and watch video files on your computer or
mobile device
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A Look to the Future
An augmented reality
app overlays information
and digital content on
top of physical objects
or locations
Scanning a target image with a tablet or smartphone displays an
interactive model of the human body in this augmented reality app used
for medical education.
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A Look to the Future
A virtual reality app provides an immersive
user experience.
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Summary
Application software:
• Accomplish a variety of tasks.
Three categories:
• Mobile Apps.
• General Purpose Applications.
• Specialized Applications.
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Careers in IT
Software Engineers
• Analyze users’ needs and create application software.
Attributes
• Bachelor’s or specialized advanced associate’s degree in
computer science or information systems.
• Extensive knowledge of computers and technology.
• Good communication and analytical skills.
• Web application experience.
• Analytical skills.
Earning potential of $63,000 to $148,000 annually
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Open Ended Questions
1. Explain the difference between general-purpose and
specialized applications. Also discuss the common
features of application programs, including those with
traditional and ribbon graphical user interfaces.
2. Discuss general-purpose applications including word
processors, spreadsheets, database management
systems, and presentation graphics.
3. Discuss specialized applications, including graphics
programs, video game design software, web authoring
programs, and other professional specialized applications.
4. Describe mobile apps, including popular apps and app
stores.
5. Describe software suites, including office suites, cloud
suites, specialized suites, and utility suites.
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Because learning changes everything. ®
www.mheducation.com
© McGraw Hill LLC. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw Hill LLC.
© McGraw Hill, LLC 49
