15th Edition

Understanding Computers
Today and Tomorrow
Comprehensive

Chapter 6:
Application Software

Deborah Morley
Charles S. Copyright 2015 Cengage Learning
 Overview

• This chapter covers:

– General characteristics of application software
– The most widely used types of application software,
including:
• Word processing
• Spreadsheet
• Database
• Presentation graphics
• Graphics and multimedia software

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 The Basics of Application Software

• Software Ownership Rights

– Specify the allowable use of the program
– Software license
• Gives you the right to use a software program
• Specifies the conditions under which the
buyer can use
the software
– Open source software
• Programs with source code made available to the
general public

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 The Basics of Application Software

• Commercial Software
– Copyrighted software developed and sold for profit
– Typically comes with a single-user license
• Shareware
– Copyrighted software distributed on the honor system
– Consumers should either pay for it or uninstall it after the trial
period
• Freeware
– Copyrighted software programs that are given away by the
author for others to use free of charge
• Public Domain Software
– Software that is not copyrighted and ownership rights have
been donated to the public domain
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 The Basics of Application Software

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 Desktop vs. Mobile Software

• Personal computers use

desktop software
• Smartphones and other
mobile devices
typically require mobile
software called apps
– Specifically designed for a
specific type of device
– Wide range of software
available via app stores
(Google Play, Apple App
Store, etc.)
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 Installed vs. Cloud Software

• Installed Software
– Must be installed on the
computer before it can
be run
– Can be purchased in
physical form
– Can be downloaded
from the Internet

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 Installed vs. Cloud Software

• Cloud Software
– Is delivered on-demand via the Web
– Also called Software as a Service (SaaS) and cloudware
– Includes free software and fee-based software
– Advantages of cloud software
• Files can be accessed from any computer with an
Internet connection
• Ease of implementation
• Improved collaboration capabilities
• Always working with the most current version of
software

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 Installed vs. Cloud Software

– Potential disadvantages of cloud software

• Online applications tend to run more slowly
• Have file size limits
• Cost may eventually exceed the cost of purchasing a
similar installed version of the software

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 Installed vs. Cloud Software

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 Common Software Commands

• Toolbars, Menus, Keyboard

Shortcuts, and the Ribbon
– Provide access to most
commands in
application programs
– Keyboard shortcuts
can be used

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 Common Software Commands

• Ribbon used in Microsoft Office 2007 and later

– Commands are organized into groups located on tabs
– Contextual tabs appear on the Ribbon as needed and
contain special commands

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 Common Software Commands

• Editing a Document
– Changing the content of the document, such as inserting
or deleting words
– Insertion point
• Indicates the current location in a document, which is
where the changes will be made
– Typing text inserts the text at the insertion point location
– Delete and Backspace keys delete text
– Text and objects can typically be selected and moved,
copied, deleted, or formatted

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 Common Software Commands

• Formatting a Document
– Changes the appearance of the document
• Changes font face, font size, and/or font color
• Changes line spacing or margins
• Adds page numbers and/or borders

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 Common Software Commands

• Getting Help
– Often built into the program and typically contains:
• Table of Contents
• Browsing
• Search
– Online help (via manufacturer’s Web site and independent
sites)
– Offline help (periodicals, books, tutorial videos, classes)

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 Quick Quiz

1. Software programs that are distributed on the honor system and can
be legally and ethically shared with others to try out the software
are referred to as .
a. shareware programs
b. commercial software
c. public domain software
2. True or False: Software purchased via the Internet is always in
downloaded, not packaged, form.
3. A group of related software programs sold together as one unit is
called a(n) .

Answers:
1) a; 2) False; 3) software suite

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 Word Processing Concepts

• What Is Word Processing?

– Using a computer and word processing software to create,
edit, save, and print written documents such as letters,
contracts, and manuscripts
– Common Word Processing Software Programs
• Microsoft Word
• Corel WordPerfect
• Apple Pages

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 Word Processing Concepts

• Creating a Word Processing Document

– Word wrap
• Automatically returns the insertion point to the next
line when the end of the screen line is reached
– Character formatting (font face, size, style, or color)
– Paragraph formatting (line spacing, indentation, alignment,
and styles)
– Page formatting (margins, paper size, orientation, headers,
footers, etc.)
– Document formatting (footnotes, end notes, table of
contents, index, background, theme)
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 Word Processing Concepts

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 Word Processing Concepts

• Tables, Graphics, and Templates

– Tables
• Allow content to be organized in a table consisting of
rows and columns
– Graphics or Drawing Features
• Allow images to be inserted into a document (clip art,
photographs, drawn images, etc.) and then modified
– Templates
• Help users create new documents quickly

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 Word Processing Concepts

• Word Processing and the Web

– Most word processing programs today include Web-
related features allowing you to:
• Send a document as an e-mail message
• Include Web page hyperlinks in documents
• Create or modify Web pages
• Create and publish blogs
• Collaborate with others online

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 Spreadsheet Concepts

• What Is a Spreadsheet?
– Documents containing a group of numbers and other data
organized into rows and columns
– Spreadsheet software includes the following tools
• Formulas, data analysis tools, charts, and graphs
– Most widely used spreadsheet programs:
• Microsoft Excel
• Corel Quattro Pro
• Apple Numbers

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 Spreadsheet Concepts

• Creating a Spreadsheet
– Worksheet: a single spreadsheet
– Workbook: a collection of worksheets saved in a single file
– Worksheets are divided into rows and columns
– Cell
• The intersection of a row and a column
• Each cell is identified by a cell address, such as A1
• Cell pointer is used to select a cell
• Cell pointer can be used to select more than one cell
(range or block)

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 Spreadsheet Concepts

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 Spreadsheet Concepts

• Entering Data into a Spreadsheet Cell

– Labels
• Text-based entry in a worksheet cell that identifies data on
the worksheet
– Constant Values
• Numerical entry in a worksheet cell
– Formulas
• Perform mathematical operations on the content of other
cells
• Usually reference the cell address, not the current data in a
cell
• Use mathematical operators; begin with an = sign

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 Spreadsheet Concepts

• Function
– A named, pre-programmed formula
– Hundreds of functions that can be used in
spreadsheets

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