INTRODUCTION TO
COMPUTING
MODULE 5
SOFTWARE
• To define system software and identify the two types of system
software
• To identify different types of operating system
• To explain the functions and importance of an operating
system
• Explain the purpose of several utility programs
• To identify the four categories of application software and
differentiate among the seven forms through which software is
available
3
System software consists of the programs that control
or maintain the operations of the computer and its
devices
Operating Utility
systems Programs
An operating system (OS) is a set of programs
containing instructions that work together to coordinate
all the activities among computer hardware resources
Start and shut
Provide a user Manage Manage
down a
interface programs memory
computer
Establish an
Coordinate Configure Monitor
Internet
tasks devices performance
connection
Provide Automatically Control a Administer
utilities update network security
The process of starting or restarting a computer is called
booting
Cold boot Warm boot
• Turning on • Using the
a computer operating
that has system to
been restart a
powered off computer
completely
A boot drive is the drive from
which your computer starts
•You can boot from a boot disk
•A recovery disk contains a few system
files that will start the computer
An operating system includes various shut down
options
Sleep mode saves any open
documents and programs to Hibernate saves any open
RAM, turns off all unneeded documents and programs to
functions, and then places a hard disk before removing
the computer in a low- power from the computer
power state
A user interface controls how
you enter data and
instructions and how
information is displayed on
the screen
With a graphical user
interface (GUI), you interact
with menus and visual
images
With a command-line interface, a user uses the keyboard
to enter data and instructions
How an operating system handles programs directly
affects your productivity
Single tasking
Single user and Foreground and
and
multiuser background
multitasking
Preemptive
Multiprocessing
multitasking
Memory management
optimizes the use of RAM.
Virtual memory is a
portion of a storage
medium functioning as
additional RAM
The operating system determines the order in which
tasks are processed (task scheduling)
Operating systems
typically provide a means
to establish Internet
connections
A performance monitor
is a program that
assesses and reports
information about
various computer
resources and devices.
Operating systems often provide users with the
capability of:
Searching for Viewing Securing a
Managing files
files images computer
Uninstalling Cleaning up Defragmenting Diagnosing
programs disks disks problems
Backing up Setting up
files and disks screen savers
Automatic update
automatically provides
updates to the program,
especially the operating
system.
A network administrator uses the server operating
system to:
• Add and remove users, computers, and other devices
• Install software and administer network security
• Some operating systems are designed to work with a
server on a network
• A server operating system organizes and coordinates
how multiple users access and share resources on a
network
Each user has a user
account
• A user name, or user ID,
identifies a specific user
• A password is a private
combination of characters
associated with the user
name
A stand-alone operating system is a complete operating
system that works on a desktop computer, notebook
computer, or mobile computing device
Windows
Mac OS X
7
UNIX Linux
Windows 10 is Microsoft’s fastest, most efficient
operating system to date and is available in multiple
editions (12), here are the most common:
Windows 10 Windows 10
Pro Home
Windows 10 Windows 10
Education Enterprise
Windows 10 provides programs such as:
Windows Groove
Defender Music
Microsoft Movies
Store and TV
Additional Windows 10 features are:
• The return of the familiar Start Menu
• A new web browser, Microsoft Edge
• Cortana, your personal virtual assistant
• Multiple desktop and Task View
• Action Center, accessible notifications and settings
• Tablet mode
The Macintosh
operating system
has set the
standard for
operating system
ease of use
Latest version is
Mac OS Mojave
UNIX is a multitasking
operating system developed
in the early 1970s
Linux is an open-source,
popular, multitasking UNIX-
type operating system
Windows
UNIX Linux
Server 2019
Solaris NetWare
An embedded operating system resides on a ROM chip
on a mobile device or consumer electronic device
Windows Windows 10
Palm OS iPhone OS
Embedded CE Mobile
Google Embedded
BlackBerry Symbian OS
Android Linux
A utility program is a type
of system software that
allows a user to perform
maintenance-type tasks
A file manager is a utility
that performs functions
related to file management
• Displaying a list of files
• Organizing files in folders
• Copying, renaming,
deleting, moving, and
sorting files and folders
• Creating shortcuts
A search utility is a
program that attempts
to locate a file on your
computer based on
criteria you specify
An image viewer allows users to
display, copy, and print the
contents of a graphics file
An uninstaller removes a
program, as well as any
associated entries in the system
files
A disk cleanup utility searches
for and removes unnecessary
files
• Downloaded program
files
• Temporary Internet
files
• Deleted files
• Unused program
files
A disk defragmenter
reorganizes the files
and unused space on
a computer’s hard
disk so that the
operating system
accesses data more
quickly and programs
run faster
A backup utility allows
users to copy files to
another storage medium
A restore utility reverses
the process and returns
backed up files to their
original form
A personal firewall detects and protects a personal
computer from unauthorized intrusions
A screen saver causes a display device’s screen to show
a moving image or blank screen if no activity occurs for
a specified time
A virus describes a potentially damaging computer
program that affects a computer negatively
A worm copies A Trojan horse An antivirus
itself hides within or program
repeatedly in looks like a protects a
memory or legitimate computer
over a network program against viruses
Spyware is a program placed on
Adware displays an online
a computer without the user’s
advertisement in a banner or
knowledge that secretly collects
pop-up window
information about the user
• A spyware remover detects • An adware remover is a
and deletes spyware and program that detects and
other similar programs deletes adware
Filters are programs that remove or block certain items
from being displayed
Web filtering Anti-spam
software programs
Phishing Pop-up
filters blockers
A file compression utility shrinks the size of a file(s)
• Compressing files frees up room on the storage media
• Two types of compression
• Lossy
• Lossless
Compressed files sometimes are called zipped files
• Can be uncompressed (unzipped)
A media player allows you to view images and animation,
listen to audio, and watch video files on your computer
Disc burning software writes
text, graphics, audio, and video
files on a recordable or
rewritable optical disc
A personal computer maintenance utility identifies and
fixes operating system problems, detects and repairs
disk problems, and includes the capability of improving
a computer’s performance
Application software consists of programs designed to
make users more productive and/or assist with personal
tasks
To make business activities more efficient
To assist with graphics and multimedia projects
To support home, personal, and educational tasks
To facilitate communications
Available in a variety of forms:
Packaged Custom Web
software software application
Open source
Shareware Freeware
software
Public-domain
software
System software serves as the interface between the
user, the application software, and the computer’s
hardware.
Business software is application software that assists
people while performing business activities
Word
Spreadsheet Database Presentation
Processing
Personal Business Business
Note taking information software for software
manager phones suites
Enterprise
Project Document
Accounting computing
management management
software
Word processing software
allows users to create and
manipulate documents
Clip art is a collection of
electronic drawings,
photos, and other images
Additional word processing features include
Auto Auto Grammar
Collaboration Columns
Correct Format Checker
Reading
Ink Input Macros Mail Merge Research
Layout
Search and
Smart Tags Tables Templates Thesaurus
Replace
Tracking Voice Web Page
Changes Recognition Development
Developing a document
Edit a
• Enter text and document • Change appearance
numbers • Font
• Make changes to
• Insert images existing content • Font size
• Perform other tasks • Inserting, deleting,
cutting, copying, and
Create a pasting Format a
document document
Spreadsheet software allows users to organize data in
rows and columns and perform calculations
A function is a predefined formula that performs
common calculations
FV NPV PMT PV RATE DATE
NOW TIME ABS INT LN LOG
ROUND SQRT SUM AVERAGE COUNT MAX
MIN STDEV IF
Charting depicts data in a spreadsheet in graphical form
A database is a collection of data organized in a manner
that allows access, retrieval, and use of that data
• Database software allows users to create, access, and manage a database
Presentation software allows users to create
visual aids for presentations to communicate
ideas, messages, and other information to a
group
Note taking software is application software that enables
users to enter typed text, handwritten comments,
drawings, or sketches anywhere on a page
A software suite is a collection of individual programs
available together as a unit
A personal information manager (PIM) is application
software that includes
Appointment Address
Notepad
calendar book
Scaled down versions of software are available to work
with smart phones and other mobile devices
Project management software allows a user to plan,
schedule, track, and analyze the events, resources, and
costs of a project
Accounting software helps companies record and report
their financial transactions
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
Enterprises typically require special computing
solutions for various functional units
Human
Accounting Engineering Marketing
resources
Customer Information
Sales Distribution
service technology
Computer-aided
design (CAD) software
Desktop publishing
software
Paint/Image editing
software
Professional photo
editing software
Video and audio editing
software
Multimedia authoring
software
Web page authoring software helps users of all skill
levels create Web pages that include multimedia and
interactive content
Personal finance
software
Legal software
Tax preparation
software
Personal DTP
software
Personal paint/image
editing software
Personal photo
editing software
Clip art/image gallery
Video and audio editing
software
Home design/landscaping
software
Travel and mapping software
Reference software
Educational software
Entertainment 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
Instant
Web Browser E-Mail Chat Room
Messaging
Text, Picture,
RSS Newsgroup/M
Video Blogging
Aggregator essage Board
Messaging
Video
FTP
Conferencing
Online Help is the electronic equivalent
of a user manual
You can ask a question or access the
Help topics in subject or alphabetical
order
Web-based Help provides updates and more
comprehensive resources to respond to technical issues
about software
Web-based training is a type of
CBT that uses Internet
technology and consists of
application software on the Web
Distance learning (DL) is the
delivery of education at one
location while the learning takes
place at other locations
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+ Complete Study Guide (3rd Edition)
• Meyers, M. (2016). All In One CompTIA A+ Certification.
Mc Graw Hill.
• Pearson. (2016). Introduction to Computers and
Information Technology. Upper Saddle River, NJ:
Pearson.
• Tavani, H. T. (2016). Ethics and Technology. Wiley.
• White, R. (2015). How Computer Work: The Evolution of
Technology. IN: Que.