System Software & Application Software.pdf
- 2. Application software consists of programs designed to make users more productive and/or assist them with personal tasks. Application software has a variety of uses: 1. To make business activities more efficient 2. To assist with graphics and multimedia projects 3. To support home, personal, and educational tasks 4. To facilitate communications
- 3. Application software is available in a variety of forms: Packaged software is mass-produced, copyrighted retail software that meets the needs of a wide variety of users, not just a single user or company. Packaged software is available in retail stores or on the Web. Custom software performs functions specific to a business or industry. Sometimes a company cannot find packaged software that meets its unique requirements. In this case, the company may use programmers to develop tailor-made custom software. A Web application is a Web site that allows users to access and interact with software from any computer or device that is connected to the Internet. Types of Web applications include e-mail, word processing, and game programs.
- 4. Open source software is software provided for use, modification, and redistribution. This software has no restrictions from the copyright holder regarding modification of the software’s internal instructions and its redistribution. Open source software usually can be downloaded from the Internet, often at no cost. Shareware is copyrighted software that is distributed at no cost for a trial period. To use a shareware program beyond that period, you send payment to the program developer. Freeware is copyrighted software provided at no cost to a user by an individual or a company that retains all rights to the software. Public-domain software has been donated for public use and has no copyright restrictions. Anyone can copy or distribute public-domain software to others at no cost.
- 5. System software serves as the interface between the user, the application software, and the computer’s hardware. To use application software, such as a word processing program, your computer must be running system software — specifically, an operating system. Three popular personal computer operating systems are Windows, Mac OS, and Linux.
- 6. A utility program is a type of system software that assists users with controlling or maintaining the operation of a computer, its devices, or its software. Utility programs typically offer features that provide an environment conducive to successful use of application software. For example manage files and disks, compress files, play media files, and burn optical discs. One of the more important utility programs protects a computer against malicious software, or malware, which is a program that acts without a user’s knowledge and deliberately alters the computer’s operations.
- 7. Business software is application software that assists people in becoming more effective and efficient while performing their daily business activities. Business software includes programs such as word processing, spreadsheet, database, presentation, note taking, personal information manager, business software for phones, business software suites, project management, accounting, document management, and enterprise computing software.
- 8. Word processing software, sometimes called a word processor, allows users to create and manipulate documents containing mostly text and sometimes graphics. Millions of people use word processing software every day to develop documents such as letters, reports, mailing labels, newsletters, and Web pages. Clip art is a collection of drawings, photos, and other images.
- 9. Spreadsheet software allows users to organize data in rows and columns and perform calculations on the data. These rows and columns collectively are called a worksheet. Most spreadsheet software has basic features to help users create, edit, and format worksheets.
- 10. A spreadsheet file is similar to a notebook that can contain more than 1,000 related individual worksheets. Data is organized vertically in columns and horizontally in rows on each worksheet. Each worksheet usually can have more than 16,000 columns and 1 million rows. A cell is the intersection of a column and row. Cells may contain three types of data: labels, values, and formulas. Recalculation: One of the more powerful features of spreadsheet software is its capability of recalculating the rest of the worksheet when data in a worksheet changes.
- 11. Another standard feature of spreadsheet software is charting, which depicts the data in graphical form. A visual representation of data through charts often makes it easier for users to see at a glance the relationship among the numbers. Three popular chart types are line charts, column charts, and pie charts
- 12. A database is a collection of data organized in a manner that allows access, retrieval, and use of that data. In a manual database, you might record data on paper and store it in a filing cabinet. With a computerized database, the computer stores the data in an electronic format on a storage medium such as a hard disk. Database software is application software that allows users to create, access, and manage a database. Using database software, you can add, change, and delete data in a database; sort and retrieve data from the database; and create forms and reports using the data in the database.
- 13. With most personal computer database programs, a database consists of a collection of tables, organized in rows and columns. Each row, called a record, contains data about a given person, product, object, or event. Each column, called a field, contains a specific category of data within a record.
- 14. Presentation software is application software that allows users to create visual aids for presentations to communicate ideas, messages, and other information to a group. The presentations can be viewed as slides, sometimes called a slide show, that are displayed on a large monitor or on a projection screen.
- 15. Note taking software is application software that enables users to enter typed text, handwritten comments, drawings, or sketches anywhere on a page and then save the page as part of a notebook. Users also can include audio recordings as part of their notes.
- 16. A software suite is a collection of individual programs available together as a unit. Business software suites typically include, at a minimum, the following programs: word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, and e-mail. Popular software suites are Microsoft Office, Apple iWork, Corel WordPerfect Office, and Google Docs.
- 17. Project management software allows a user to plan, schedule, track, and analyze the events, resources, and costs of a project. Project management software helps users manage project variables, allowing them to complete a project on time and within budget. A customer service manager might use project management software to schedule the process of administering customer surveys, evaluating responses, and presenting recommendations.
- 18. A personal information manager (PIM) is application software that includes an appointment calendar, address book, notepad, and other features to help users organize personal information. Mobile devices such as smart phones and PDAs include, among many other features, PIM functionality. You can synchronize, or coordinate, information so that both the mobile device and your personal computer and/or organization’s server have the latest version of any updated information
- 19. Business software for phones enables users to create documents and worksheets, manage databases and lists, create slide shows, take notes, manage budgets and finances, view and edit photos, read electronic books, plan travel routes, compose and read e-mail messages, send instant messages, send text and picture messages, view maps and directions, read the latest news articles, and browse the Web.
- 20. Accounting software helps companies record and report their financial transactions. With accounting software, business users perform accounting activities related to the general ledger, accounts receivable, accounts payable, purchasing, invoicing, and payroll functions. Accounting software also enables business users to write and print cheques, track checking account activity, and update and reconcile balances on demand.
- 21. Document management software provides a means for sharing, distributing, and searching through documents by converting them into a format that can be viewed by any user. A popular file format that document management software uses to save converted documents is PDF (Portable Document Format), developed by Adobe Systems.
- 22. Enterprise software integrates and automates business processes across different departments, ensuring seamless communication, data management, and workflow efficiency. It centralizes information, allowing employees to access real-time data for better decision-making and productivity.
- 23. Graphics and multimedia software are applications used to create, edit, and manage visual and audio content, including images, videos, animations, and sounds. For image editing, software like Adobe Photoshop, GIMP, and CorelDRAW. In video editing, programs such as Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, and Final Cut Pro
- 24. Computer-aided design (CAD) software is a sophisticated type of application software that assists a professional user in creating engineering, architectural, and scientific designs. For example, engineers create design plans for vehicles and security systems. Architects design building structures and floor plans. Scientists design drawings of molecular structures
- 25. Paint software, also called illustration software, allows users to draw pictures, shapes, and other graphical images with various on-screen tools such as a pen, brush, eyedropper, and paint bucket. Image editing software provides the capabilities of paint software and also includes the capability to enhance and modify existing pictures and images.
- 26. Professional photo editing software is a type of image editing software that allows photographers, videographers, engineers, scientists, and other high-volume digital photo users to edit and customize digital photos. With professional photo editing software, users can retouch photos, crop images, remove red-eye, change image shapes, color correct images, straighten images, remove or rearrange objects in a photo, and apply filters.
- 27. Video editing software allows professionals to modify a segment of a video, called a clip. For example, users can reduce the length of a video clip, reorder a series of clips, or add special effects such as words that move horizontally across the screen. Video editing software typically includes audio editing capabilities. Audio editing software lets users modify audio clips, produce studio quality soundtracks, and add audio to video clips. Most television shows and movies are created or enhanced using video and audio editing software.
- 28. Multimedia authoring software allows users to combine text, graphics, audio, video, and animation in an interactive application. For example, adobe illustrator, corel draw etc.
- 29. Web page authoring software helps users of all skill levels create Web pages that include graphical images, video, audio, animation, and special effects with interactive content. In addition, many Web page authoring programs allow users to organize, manage, and maintain Web sites.
- 30. Personal finance software is a simplified accounting program that helps home users and small office/home office users balance their checkbooks, pay bills, track personal income and expenses, track investments, and evaluate financial plans. Most personal finance software includes financial planning features, such as analyzing home and personal loans, preparing income taxes, and managing retirement savings. Most of these programs also offer a variety of online services, such as online banking, which require access to the Internet.
- 31. Legal software assists in the preparation of legal documents and provides legal information to individuals, families, and small businesses. Legal software provides standard contracts and documents associated with buying, selling, and renting property; estate planning; marriage and divorce; and preparing a will or living trust.
- 32. Tax preparation software, which is available both as packaged software and Web applications, can guide individuals, families, or small businesses through the process of filing federal taxes. These programs forecast tax liability and offer money-saving tax tips, designed to lower your tax bill.
- 33. Desktop Publishing Software (for Personal Use) Personal DTP software helps home and small business users create newsletters, flyers, advertisements, postcards, greeting cards, letterhead, business cards, banners, calendars, logos, and Web pages.
- 34. Personal paint/image editing software provides an easy-to-use interface; includes various simplified tools that allow you to draw pictures, shapes, and other images; and provides the capability of modifying existing graphics and photos. Personal photo editing software, a popular type of image editing software available both as packaged software and as Web applications, allows users to edit digital photos by removing red-eye, erasing blemishes, restoring aged photos, adding special effects, enhancing image quality, or creating electronic photo albums.
- 35. Gallery Application software often includes a clip art/image gallery, which is a collection of clip art and photos.
- 36. Many home users work with easy-to-use video and audio editing software, which is much simpler to use than its professional counterpart, for small-scale movie making projects. With these programs, home users can edit home movies, add music or other sounds to the video, and share their movies on the Web.
- 37. Homeowners or potential homeowners can use home design/ landscaping software to assist them with the design, remodeling, or improvement of a home or landscape. These programs show changes to home designs and landscapes, allowing homeowners to preview proposed modifications.
- 38. Travel and mapping software enables users to view maps, determine route directions, and locate points of interest.
- 39. Reference software provides valuable and thorough information for all individuals. Popular reference software includes encyclopedias, dictionaries, and health/medical guides. Educational software teaches a particular skill. Educational software exists for just about any subject. Computer-based training (CBT) is a type of education in which students learn by using and completing exercises with instructional software. CBT typically consists of self-directed, self-paced instruction about a topic
- 40. Entertainment software for personal computers includes interactive games, videos, and other programs designed to support a hobby or provide amusement and enjoyment.
- 41. Web application, or Web app, is a Web site that allows users to access and interact with software from any computer or device that is connected to the Internet.
- 42. One of the main reasons people use computers is to communicate and share information with others. Some communications software is considered system software because it works with hardware and transmission media. For example e-mail, chat room, video conferencing etc.
- 43. Online Help is the electronic equivalent of a user manual. When working with a program, you can use online Help to ask a question or access the Help topics in subject or alphabetical order. Many books are available to help you learn to use the features of personal computer programs.
- 44. Web-based training (WBT) is a type of CBT (computer-based training) that uses Internet technology and consists of application software on the Web. Distance learning is the delivery of education at one location while the learning takes place at other locations. E-learning, short for electronic learning, is the delivery of education via some electronic method such as the Internet, networks, or optical discs.