Information Processing Week 7: Lecture

Software

Objectives for Week 7

After studying this week’s work, you should: • Have an overall knowledge of the different classes and types of software and some of their functions and applications • Obtain a working knowledge of Windows and MS DOS operating systems In addition, by this point in the programme you should: • Have a working knowledge of all three major applications: Word, Excel, and PowerPoint • Be able, independently to use EMail and at least one web browser to locate web-sites and to search for information

Software

• The term “software” means the computer’s programming instructions, whether they are on a disk, in RAM, ROM or hard wired into the circuitry, as opposed to the actual wires, boards and transistors which are “hardware”.

• A good analogy is with books. The paper and binding are the hardware, the written text and its meaning is the software.

Software Classes

There are two main classes of software:

Applications Software

– this does a specific task

not related to computer control.

Systems Software

– this does general tasks

related to the control or maintenance of the computer

Applications Software

• Applications software performs tasks that allows the user to process information in some way to produce a desired result.

• There are two categories: – Special Purpose – General Purpose

Special Purpose Software

This type of software will have been designed to perform a particular function for a company or organisation, and specially written to do that task.

Examples: • Payroll Packages • Stock Handling Packages • Teaching Packages

Special Purpose Software

This may either be: Bespoke • meaning that it has been

written especially for the company or organisation

Off the Shelf • meaning that there is a

generally available package which may be used straight away or tailored

to the company’s needs.

Advantages of...

• Bespoke software – written to match needs – written to run on specific hardware – integrates with existing software – may not be an equivalent on the market • Off the shelf software – less expensive – find out before you buy – immediate – trialled and tested – well documented – training available

General Purpose Software

• Word processors • Desk-Top Publishing • Spreadsheets • Databases • Presentation Graphics • Databases • E-Mail

Expectations

• What follows is a list of expectations of you by the end of this semester in terms of the Use of Software.

• You may find that you can already do many of these. If not, you should find out how, by following up this week’s links to the Self-Study Packages.

Using Applications

1. Use a web-browser search the internet.

2. Send an EMail to the tutor.

3. Write a document in Word 4. Create a small presentation in PowerPoint 5. Create a simple document in Excel

Example Word Task

Create a page of course notes that has: • A Title • Formatting • Use of Clip Art • No errors!

Example Excel Task

Create a spreadsheet to keep personal accounts or a record of costs with • clear data laid out in

rows and columns, and labelled

• column sums and other

statistics

• graphs of results

linked to the data

Example PowerPoint Task

Create a PowerPoint presentation with at least two slides on any course element, with • Different layouts • Good choice of

background

• Clip Art • No errors

Example Internet Task

Log onto the internet and use a web browser and and Email • Use the URL

http://hopelive:51080/ibite/imc/tony fleet/infpro.htm

• to find the resources to do the

previous tasks.

• Use the search facility to find a

useful internet reference to some aspect of the course so far

• Send me the references and any

completed documents as attachments in an Email to [email protected]

System Software

• This term is used to describe the collection of programs which control, manage and maintain the computer environment • Developers of this type of software need to have technical understanding of the computer hardware and of programming at the CPU level

Functions of System Software

• To improve the functioning and performance of the system • To provide assistance with program development and make it easier to run programs • To simplify the use of the computer for those with no technical experience • Utilities • Program development

tools

• Operating Systems

Utilities

These are concerned with routine tasks such as : – disk formatting, – virus detection &

recovery,

– file backup – File maintenance,

copying and sorting etc.

Program Development Tools

• These are programming languages which enable the developer to write programs • Compilers/assemblers translate high level languages such as Visual Basic and C++ into machine code

Operating Systems 1

• The operating system manages and orchestrates all the different functions of the computer – The CPU, memory, peripherals, storage • The part of the OS that does this, is called the Kernel (Supervisor or Control Program)

Operating Systems 2

• Operating Systems have developed as the speed of the CPU has increased. • Operating Systems can be: – Single user - single task – Single user - multitask – Multi-user - Multitask – Distributed Systems -

embedded control

– Network Servers - Real

time

Examples of Operating Systems

• MS DOS – command driven, uses

text to communicate

• Windows – Graphical interface

which simulates a desktop environment

• Unix – Uses both a command

line and graphical user interface

Windows

The screen on the right shows an example of a WIMP environment There are •Windows •Icons •Menus and •Pointers

MS-DOS

• MS-DOS is Microsoft Disk Operating System which uses a Command Line Interface (CLI) • A Command Line Interface allow the user more flexibility than a WIMP environment, but requires greater technical knowledge Microsoft(R) Windows 98 (C)Copyright Microsoft Corp 1981-1999.

C:\WINDOWS> cd ..

C:\> DIR /w

Windows Task

• Ensure that you can work fully within the Windows system. If you are not familiar with the environment, use the Help Tutorial “Discover Windows” (see next slide) • In particular, you should be able to do the following: – Format a disk – Create and manage directories, folders and files – Rename and reorganise Files – Copy files from one location to another – Switch to DOS

Windows – Tutorial Help

A tutorial is available , if you click on: •Start •Programs •Accessories •System Tools •Welcome to Windows Then select: “Discover Windows”

Windows – getting Help

• If you get stuck or want to know how to do something in the Windows Environment, follow this rule: – Minimise all windows – Click on My Computer – Click on Help – Click on Help Topics – Click the Search Tab – Type in the thing you wish to search for • For example: how would you format a disk?

DOS Task

• You should obtain an overview of the way that MS DOS works, and be able to do the following: – Create a directory structure – Open programs (e.g. word) from DOS – Copy files from one location to another – Navigate directories and sub-directories – Remove and rename directories – Switch to Windows

DOS – Starting and Finishing

• To get into MSDOS from Windows, Click on – Start – Programs – MSDOS prompt • To return to Windows, at the MSDOS Prompt, type: – A:\

exit

Tasks to Complete

Ensure that you can work with the following • Applications Software – Word, Excel, PowerPoint – Web-browser & Email • Systems Software – Windows Activity Sheet [introduction] – MS-DOS Activity Sheet [introduction] • When you are ready, go on to the main

Windows/DOS Practical Activity. This ends with creating a file structure for a music catalogue

Summary

• We have examined the different types of software available, their functions and purposes • In particular, we have examined – Applications Software • Word, Excel, PowerPoint • Internet Explorer, E-mail – Systems Software • Windows, MS-DOS • By the end of Week 8 you should have obtain a working knowledge of all the above programs