1.3 SOFTWARE Flashcards
SOFTWARE
Programs that run on a computer
PROGRAM
- Single purpose computer = MICROWAVE
- General purpose computer = TABLET
Instructions executed by computer’s processor.
SYSTEM SOFTWARE
Programs designed to maintain or operate a computer system
APPLICATION SOFTWARE
Produce digital products (presentation, images). Carry out specific tasks not relation to OS.
OPERATING SYSTEM
2 TYPES:
- Single user OS
- Network OS
Allows user to control and manage computer’s hardware.
SINGLE USER OS
Only allows for general use. Doesn’t provide option to customize user interface for different users.
FUNCTIONS OF NETWORK OS
- Send requests to server when user logs in
- Separating user accounts
- Provide access to network storage and shared resources (EG - PRINTER)
FUNCTIONS OF OPERATING SYSTEM
- MEMORY MANAGEMENT
- RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
- SECURITY
- PRINT SPOOLING
MEMORY MANAGEMENT
OS allocates required amount of RAM and deals with virtual memory. When application doesn’t need memory space, OS makes space available for other apps.
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
Ensures resources are available when needed. System resources include internal (processor and graphics card) and external (printer). OS ensures memory is available, if it is being used OS requests a queue.
SECURITY
OS gives secure access to computer storage.
EXPLAIN 2 WAYS OF OS GIVING SECURE ACCESS TO COMPUTER STORAGE
- AUTHENTICATION - process of confirming a user is permitted to access certain file, hardware, software.
- FIREWALL - system that protects computer network from being used or looked at by unauthorized people.
PRINT SPOOLING
OS has pages ready for printer ( during large printing jobs). OS keeps each page in a queue ready for printing.
UTILITY SOFTWARE
(one form of system software)
Carries out configuration and maintenance tasks.
WHAT ARE THE CONFIGURATION AND MAINTENANCE TASKS OF UTILITY SOFTWARE?
BACKUP UTILITIES
DE-FRAGMENTATION UTILITIES
COMPRESSION UTILITIES
FORMATTING UTILITIES
BACKUP UTILITIES
Create copies of file/programs
DE-FRAGMENTATION UTILITIES
When data is stored on a hard disk, data is stored in any free open space. This means data is fragmented and is stored OUT OF ORDER. This means data needs to be retrieved from the multiple locations. Read/write heads find this data (SLOW). DISK DE-FRAGMENTERS re-order done (AUTOMATICALLY).
COMPRESSION UTILITIES
(Can DECOMPRESS = can be read by original application)
Reduces original size of the file. When there are repeated patterns, it only stores the first with the other many times.
FORMATTING UTILITIES
Prepares storage media (HARD DISKS, USB FLASH DRIVES) for first use. If disk is used and is being formatted, this makes data inside become unreadable by normal applications.
SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS
EG:
- OFFICE PRODUCTIVITY SOFTWARE
- WEB AUTHORING
- IMAGE EDITING
- SOUND EDITING
- PRESENTATION SOFTWARE
- CONTROL SOFTWARE
- PROJECT MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE
Allows users to produce a digital product to carry out tasks not related to OS. Apps are downloaded from servers on the internet or from storage media. Some OS provide access to app store. Some apps are made available after quality is checked and there are no codes to hard the device.
OFFICE PRODUCTIVITY SOFTWARE + EG?
Applications carrying out work-related tasks.
EG:
- WORD PROCESSING
- DESKTOP PUBLISHING
-SPREADSHEET
-DATABASE
WORD PROCESSING
Create documents, words, tables, images, hyperlinks.
DESKTOP PUBLISHING
ADOBE, INDESIGN
Work with complicated page layout.
SPREADSHEET
MICROSOFT EXCEL
Calculate, create formulae.
DATABASE
ORACLE
Enter, edit and search data. Produce reports, dynamically display real time changes. Use data entry form - input data query editors, select data meeting criteria, report builders, display data in a more readable format.
WEB AUTHORING
ADOBE
Lets users create web pages with text and images. HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) is read by web browsers. Translates HTML into pages for humans to read. Web pages are linked together to view on intranet.
INTRANET
Computer network used to exchange information and see info within a company.
IMAGE EDITING
Create and change BITMAP and VECTOR images.
WHAT ARE 2 IMAGE EDITORS + EXPLAIN?
GRAPHIC EDITORS - create/edit vector images. (making images online) SERIF, AFFINITY DESIGNER
IMAGE EDITORS - create and change bitmap images (edit and enhance) GNU IMAGE MANIPULATION PROGRAM.
FEATURES OF GRAPHICAL EDITORS?
- Vectorising images (converting bitmap graphics into vector graphics.)
- Layering, placing graphics over each other
- Adding text
-Adding shapes, lines
Resizing, aligning, moving shapes and lines - Altering colour and fill areas
FEATURES OF IMAGE EDITORS?
-Adjusting brightness and contrast
- Resizing image
- Altering sharpness and blurring
- Applying filters and effects like distortion
- Red-eye removal
- Cropping
SOUND EDITING
AUDACITY
Edit audio files. Join together different audios to create multitracks.
FEATURES OF SOUND EDITING
-Cut and join audios
- Mute and solo audio tracks
- Alter volume levels for individual tracks
- Change tempo
- Frequency equalisation
- Effects like reverberation
- Apply audio processing
PRESENTATION SOFTWARE
PREZI
Create engaging multimedia content like images, text, animations, videos. Practice timing, add narration that automatically plays on correct slide. Advance automatically on command. Add notes
CONTROL SOFTWARE
USED IN ENGINEERING + BUILDING CONTROL SYSTEM
Make something in physical environment. Automate movement of control devices/actuators (EG, MOTORS). Not easy to modify like application software. Monitored and controlled by phone. Takes input from multiple sensors and makes a decision based on this, then gives output.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE
Help and track individual tasks in a project
WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF SOFTWARE LICENSES?
FREE SOFTWARE
OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE
PROPRIETARY SOFTWARE
FREE SOFTWARE
Gives users right to modify, study, copy, distribute program. Fee/ free of charge. Users can decide if, how much to charge for copy of software/ any service provided.
OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE
Make source code available so users can modify and distribute software. Fee/ free of charge.
SOURCE CODE
Collection of instructions forming piece of software
PROPRIETARY SOFTWARE
Marketed and sold under a brand name by the owner. Available for fee/ free of charge.
COMMUNICATION SOFTWARE
Provides remote access to systems and exchanges files and messages in text, audio, images, video formats between different computers or users.
WHY IS SOFTWARE UPDATED?
-Fix security vulnerability
-Increasing compatibility with newer OS
- Improving performance and efficiency
- New features
-Improved usability
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO BACKUP SYSTEMS AND FILES BEFORE UPDATING SOFTWARE?
Important incase of problems like components removed that other software needs.
