software Flashcards
What is software?
Software, or a program, is simply a set of instructions that tells a computer what to do.
How does software work?
Software is kept on a storage device when it is not running. To work, it must be loaded from storage into memory.
How do you start running software on a computer?
You can easily tell the computer to start running any software that is installed on its storage by double-clicking the file or icon of the program.
What are the two main types of software?
The two main types of software are application software and system software.
What is application software?
Application software is a group of programs that perform specific tasks for users.
Give examples of application software.
Examples include:
- Word processing programs like Microsoft Word
- Typing Tutor software
- Gaming software
What is system software?
System software is intended to control, support, or operate the computer.
What is the most associated program with system software?
The operating system is the program most associated with system software.
What does the operating system do?
The operating system manages the computer as a whole and creates the user interface.
What comes pre-installed when you buy a computer?
When you buy a computer, it comes with the operating system already installed.
What must you do to use application software?
You have to buy and install the application software you want to work with.
What is included in system software apart from operating systems?
System software also includes utility software such as anti-virus software and compression software like WinZip.
What is the purpose of anti-virus software?
Anti-virus software prevents your computer from being affected by viruses.
What does compression software do?
Compression software reduces the size of files.
What is the role of an operating system?
The operating system controls all activities that take place in a computer.
Why does every computer need an operating system?
Every computer needs an operating system to function, as it is the first set of programs that loads when booting.
Name some well-known operating systems.
Examples include Windows (e.g., Windows 8, Windows 10), macOS Sierra, and Linux (e.g., Ubuntu).
What are some mobile operating systems?
Examples of mobile operating systems include iOS, Android, and Windows for smartphones.
What are the functions of an operating system?
Functions include managing hardware and software, maintaining security, and providing a user interface.
How does an operating system maintain security?
It maintains security through the creation of different users, each with their own usernames and passwords.
What is a user interface?
The user interface allows interaction with the computer and programs, facilitating communication.
What is a Graphical User Interface (GUI)?
A GUI presents the interface in a graphical way with icons, menus, and buttons for ease of use.
Why is understanding the role of the operating system important?
Understanding the role of the operating system helps you better understand how a computer works.
What is the interface in the context of an operating system?
The interface is the arrangement and presentation of content on the screen for user interaction.
What is the desktop?
The desktop is where you personalise the computer by changing the background image and arranging shortcuts to your favourite apps and folders.
What are tiles in the context of apps?
Tiles are icons that represent apps, some of which are ‘live’ tiles that update and change their display information.
An example is the Weather tile of the weather app, which displays updated temperature information on the tile itself. Internet access is required for this.
What is the function of tiles and shortcuts?
Tiles and shortcuts perform similar functions and can both be double-clicked to open the associated app or program.
What indicates further sub-menus in menus?
Further sub-menus are normally indicated by the presence of an arrow pointing to the right.
What does it mean if an option is ‘greyed out’?
If an option is ‘greyed out’, then that option is not currently available.
What is the purpose of the Save As dialog box?
The Save As dialog box allows you to select from all possible file types.
What are shortcut keys?
Shortcut keys are sometimes listed alongside menu options or in tooltips and often make use of the Ctrl key and another key.
What is a common keyboard shortcut to copy something?
The common keyboard shortcut to copy something is <Ctrl><C>.</C></Ctrl>
What is a common keyboard shortcut to save a file?
The common keyboard shortcut to save a file is <Ctrl><S>.</S></Ctrl>
Why is knowing keyboard shortcuts beneficial?
Knowing some of the more common keyboard shortcuts can make you a much more efficient computer user.
What is a dialog box?
A dialog box is one of the commonly used components in Windows software, alongside windows, icons, menus, and toolbars.
What is the purpose of dialog boxes?
Dialog boxes provide options for formatting paragraphs and setting tabs.
What is the default tab stop position?
1.27 cm
What are the types of alignment for tab stops?
Left, Center, Right, Decimal
What are the types of leaders for tab stops?
None, Bar
What does ‘Clear All’ do in tab settings?
It removes all tab stops.
What is the purpose of understanding dialog box elements?
It makes you more efficient when working with computers.
What is a control in a dialog box?
A control gives the user space to enter information.
What is a spinner control?
A spinner allows changing a value by clicking on an ‘up’ or ‘down’ arrow.
What is a radio button?
A radio button allows the user to choose only one option from a small set.
What does a command button do?
It performs a command when clicked, such as closing a dialog box.
What is a tab in a dialog box?
A tab shows different options, allowing only one to be viewed at a time.
What are combo boxes and list boxes?
Combo boxes allow adding options, while list boxes require choosing from listed options.
What is a check box?
A check box can be selected or deselected, allowing multiple choices.
What are utilities in operating systems?
Utilities are apps bundled with most operating systems that provide useful add-on programs for the user, not specifically aimed at the core functioning of the OS.
What is the Snipping Tool used for?
The Snipping Tool is used to capture or copy a section of what appears on the screen.
What are the different snip types available in the Snipping Tool?
The Snipping Tool offers four snip types: Free-form Snip, Rectangular Snip, Window Snip, and Full-screen Snip.
What does the Free-form Snip option allow you to do?
The Free-form Snip option allows you to draw an area by dragging the mouse to select a portion of the screen.
What does the Rectangular Snip option allow you to do?
The Rectangular Snip option allows you to select a rectangular area on the screen.
What does the Window Snip option allow you to do?
The Window Snip option allows you to select and capture an image of a window or dialog box.
What does the Full-screen Snip option allow you to do?
The Full-screen Snip option allows you to capture the entire screen.
What features does the Calculator app in Windows 10 provide?
The Calculator app provides different types of calculators (e.g., Scientific) and Converter functions for volume, length, weight, and mass.
How can you save a snip in the Snipping Tool?
If you save the ‘snip’ itself (not as an image pasted in a Word document), it will be saved as a picture type file.
What is application software?
Application software is made up of apps or programs that perform specific tasks for users and is usually purchased separately from the computer.
How is application software typically acquired?
Application software is typically purchased on a CD-ROM or DVD, or downloaded via the internet.
What is the ping tool?
The ping tool is a type of program used to test the reachability of a host on a network.
What is graphics and design software used for?
Used to create and manipulate images on the screen.
What is a word processor?
Used to create, edit, format, and print text-based documents.
What is a spreadsheet?
Allows you to perform tasks based on calculations and provides charting facilities.
What is a database?
Can be used to store data in an organized manner, manipulate the data, and process the data into information.
What is presentation software?
Can combine text, sound, and graphics including animation into a presentation, usually in the form of an electronic slide show.
What is communication software?
Allows the user to communicate electronically with other users on a network.
Give examples of graphics and design software.
CoreDRAW, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe FreeHand, AutoCAD, Microsoft Paint.
Give examples of word processors.
Microsoft Word, OpenOffice Writer.
Give examples of spreadsheets.
Microsoft Excel, OpenOffice Calc.
Give examples of databases.
Microsoft Access, OpenOffice Base, MySQL.
Give examples of presentation software.
Microsoft PowerPoint, OpenOffice Impress.
Give examples of communication software.
Microsoft Mail, Outlook (email), Skype for online chatting and conferencing.
What is an office suite?
Combines commonly used office software such as a word processor, spreadsheet, database, presentation, and communication software as an integrated unit.
What is desktop publishing (DTP)?
Allows the user to lay out documents that combine text and graphics professionally to produce publications such as books, magazines, newspapers, adverts, and brochures.
What are modern computer games used for?
Allow you to enact roles and have adventures in virtual worlds or scenarios, often with realistic 3D graphics and sound effects.
What is web authoring software used for?
Used in the design and creation of websites.
What is a web browser?
Used to access and view web pages on the internet.
What are plug-ins?
Used to add multimedia to web pages but are often slow, buggy, and easy to hack.
What is the recommended alternative to plug-ins for multimedia content?
HTML5, which deals with multimedia content on web pages without needing plug-ins.
What are financial applications used for?
Used to record and report financial transactions and run accounts systems and budgets.
Give examples of financial applications.
Pastel Accounting, Microsoft Money Plus Sunset, Quicken, QuickBooks.
