Application Software

Introduction to Information and Communication

Technologies
 The Basics of Application
Software
• Software ownership rights: Specify the
allowable use
of the program
• Software license: Specifies the conditions under
which a buyer of the program can use it
 Software Ownership
Rights
• Commercial software: Copyrighted software that
is developed usually by a commercial company,
for sale to others
• 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
Software Ownership
Rights
 Desktop vs. Mobile Software

• Mobile phones and mobile devices typically

require
mobile software
– Specifically designed for a specific type of
device
– Wide range of software available
 Installed vs. Web-Based
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
 Installed vs. Web-Based
Software
• Web-based
software: Run
directly from the
Internet
– Also called
Software as
a Service
(SaaS) and
cloudware
– Includes free
software and
fee- based
software
available via an
application
service provider
 Software
Suites
• Software suite: Collection of software programs
bundled
together and sold as a single software package
– Office suites are used by most
businesses/individuals
to produce documents
• Typically include:
– Word processing software
– Spreadsheet software
– Database software
– Presentation graphics software
– Additional productivity tools like
calendars,
messaging programs, or collaboration
 Software
Suites
• Office suites include:
– Microsoft Office
– Apple iWork
– OpenOffice.org (free)
• Most suites available in
variety
of versions
• Not all suites available for
all OS
• Cost lower than buying
each program
separately
 Common Software Commands
• Application programs today have a number of
concepts
and commands in common
– Toolbars
– Menus
– Command buttons
– Keyboar
d
shortcut
s
– Ribbon
– Mini
toolbar
 The
Ribbon
• Used in Microsoft Office 2007 and later
• Commands are organized into groups located
on tabs
• Contexual: Commands appear as they are
appropriate
 Editing a
Document
• 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 will insert it
– Delete and Backspace key will delete text
– Text and objects can typically be selected
to be moved, copied, deleted, or
formatted
 Formatting a Document
• Formatting a document: Changing the
appearance of the
document
– Changing font face, size, style, or color
– Changing line spacing or margins
– Adding page numbers or borders
 Getting Help
• Help for software programs
– Often built into the program
• Table of Contents
• Browsing
• Search
– Online help (via manufacturer’s Web site
and
independent sites)
– Offline help (periodicals, books, tutorial
videos,
classes)
Getting Help
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) ____________________
 Word Processing
Concepts
• Word processing: Using a computer and
word processing software to create, edit,
save, and print written documents such as
letters, contracts, and manuscripts
• Word processing software: Application
software used to
create, edit, save, and print written
documents
• Common programs:
– Microsoft Word
– Corel WordPerfect
– Apple Pages
Microsoft
Word
 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, tabs, alignment, and styles)
• Page formatting (margins, paper size,
orientation, headers, footers, etc)
• Document formatting (footnotes, end notes,
table of contents, index, background,
theme)
 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
 Word Processing on
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
 Spreadsheet
Concepts
• Spreadsheet software: Used to create
electronic spreadsheets
• Spreadsheets: Documents containing a
group of numbers and other data
organized into rows and columns
• Worksheet: A single spreadsheet
• Workbook: A collection of worksheets
saved in a single
file
• Most widely used spreadsheet
programs:
– Microsoft Excel
– Corel Quattro Pro
–
Microsoft
Excel
 Creating a
Spreadsheet
• Worksheets are divided into rows and columns
• Cell: The intersection of a row and a column
– Each cell is identified by a cell address
– Cell pointer marks current cell
– Groups of cells are called ranges or blocks;
can be selected with mouse or keyboard
– Data is entered into current cell
 Entering Data into a
Spreadsheet Cell
• Cells can contain:
– Labels: Text-based entry in a worksheet cell
that
identifies data on the worksheet
– Constant values: Numerical entry in a
worksheet cell
– Formulas: Performs mathematical operations
on the
content of other cells
• Usually reference cell address, not the
current data in a cell
• Use mathematical operators + - / * ^
• e.g. =B8+C8+D8
Entering Data into a
Spreadsheet Cell
 Charts and What-If
Analysis
• Most spreadsheet programs include some type of
charting or graphing capability
– Can create charts from the data in the
spreadsheet
(don’t have to re-enter it)
– Charts change accordingly if the data in the
spreadsheet changes
• What-if analysis (sensitivity analysis)
– Allows you to change certain numbers on a
spreadsheet and immediately see the results
of that change
– Tool frequently used to help make business
decisions
 Spreadsheets and the
Web
• Most spreadsheet programs have built-in Web
capabilities, such as to:
• Save the current worksheet as a Web page
• Insert hyperlinks inserted into worksheet cells
• Select and copy ranges of cells to a Web
publishing or word processing program to insert
spreadsheet data into a Web page as a table
• Collaborate online
Quick Quiz
1. Changing the line spacing of a
document is an
example of which word processing
feature?
a. word wrap
b. editing
c. formatting
2. True or False: A label is a special type of
named formula, such as SUM to add up a
group of cell values.
3. A spreadsheet document created in a
spreadsheet program is often called a(n)
______________________.