1.2.2 Application Generation

Question 1

What THREE different types of “Software” are there?

Answer 1

Application, Utility, System.

Question 2

What is “Application” Software?

Answer 2

This is software that is designed for the user to do or make something.

Question 3

What types of “Application” Software are there?

Answer 3

Word Processors, Desktop Publishing, Spreadsheets, Database Management, Slideshow and Presentation, Multimedia and Video Editing, Photo and Graphic Manipulation, Communications, Social Networking, Email Clients, Web Browsers and Gaming.

Question 4

What is “Utilities” Software?

Answer 4

These are programs that are usually designed for the maintenance of the system.

Question 5

What examples are there of “Utilities” Software?

Answer 5

Anti-Virus, Disk Fragmentation, Backup, File Manager and Compression.

Question 6

What is “System” Software?

Answer 6

This is the software responsible for running hardware.

Question 7

What are the two main types of “System” Software?

Answer 7

Operating Systems and Utilities.

Question 8

What are “Word Processors”?

Answer 8

They allow the user to create a text document. These are generally invoices or student homework.

Question 9

What is “Desktop Publishing”?

Answer 9

They allow the user to create things like Posters or Advertisement Leaflets.

Question 10

What are “Spreadsheets”?

Answer 10

They allow the user to create formulated tables including numerical data which can easily be manipulated for calculations, even if the data is changed.

Question 11

What is “Database Management”?

Answer 11

They, like Spreadsheets, allow the user to created formalised tables, but are for storing personal information, for example, instead of numerical data.

Question 12

What is “Slideshow and Presentation”?

Answer 12

They allow the user to create a series of slides formulated into a presentation, useful for presenting data on a particular subject.

Question 13

What is “Multimedia and Video Editing”?

Answer 13

This allows the user to edit video and sound, using tools like Cropping and Sound Manipulation, to create a video or audio file that is of a better standard than the original.

Question 14

What is “Photo and Graphic Manipulation”?

Answer 14

Where the user can edit photographs, through things like changes to contrast, size, colour etc.

Question 15

What is “Communications”?

Answer 15

It allows the user to contact another individual through texting or IM.

Question 16

What is “Social Networking”?

Answer 16

It allows the user to access news, as well as entertainment in the form of images and videos, while also allowing the user to contact friends through messaging.

Question 17

What are “Email Clients”?

Answer 17

They allow the user to create an email that can be sent to an (set of) individual(s), allowing them to attach files as well as use CC/BCC etc.

Question 18

What are “Web Browsers”?

Answer 18

A store of information over the WWW that the user can access freely as long as they have an internet connection.

Question 19

What is “Gaming”?

Answer 19

A medium that allows the user to access a large range of games while keeping social with other players (users).

Question 20

Explain the use of “Anti-Virus” Software.

Answer 20

Anti-Virus Software is designed to constantly survey a computer system and destroy/prevent any malicious software that is detected. Frequency of checks can be edited by the user.

Question 21

Explain the use of “Disk Defragmentation” Software.

Answer 21

A Disk Defragmenter is used to “clean up” files on a disk by collating/regrouping save data of the same type together. This is necessary due to the save data for individual files being spread across a disk when it is saved, closed, reopened, resaved etc. If this process does not occur, then the look-up time for files can become long, as it has to search for all save data of that individual file.

Question 22

Explain the use of “File Manager” Software.

Answer 22

File Manager Software allows the user to arrange their files to how they would like them, including moving them between files, changing the name of files, deleting files etc.

Question 23

Explain the use of “File Compression” Software.

Answer 23

File Compression Software allows the user to decrease the size of a file, usually through Lossy of Lossless Compression (explained more in 1.3.1).

Question 24

Explain the use of “Firewall” Software.

Answer 24

Firewalls are a line of defence that sit between an internal and external network. Its job is to detect any unauthorised access from external networks and attempt to prevent it.

Question 25

Explain the use of “File Back-Up” Software.

Answer 25

File Back-Up Software periodically makes copies of files selected by the user to an external memory store, in case the main memory store would fail, causing these files to be lost.