Chapter 4

DISCOVERING COMPUTERS 2018
Digital Technology, Data, and Devices
Chapter 4
Programs and
Apps: Productivity,
Graphics, Security,
and Other Tools
Copyright © 2018 Cengage Learning®. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a
publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Objectives Overview (1 of 2)
CO 1 : Identify the general categories of programs

and apps
CO 2 : Describe how an operating system interacts
with applications and hardware
CO 3 : Differentiate among the ways you can
acquire programs and apps
Copyright © 2018 Cengage Learning®. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted
4-2
to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Objectives Overview (2 of 2)
CO4 : Identify the key features of :

a. productivity applications
b. graphics and media applications
c. security tools
d. file, disk, and system management tools
CO5: Identify the uses of personal interest
applications
CO6: Identify the purpose of software used in
communications
4-3
Programs and Apps (1 of 5)
CO1 : Identify the general categories of programs and apps
• A program, or software, consists of a series of related instructions,
organized for a common purpose, that tells the computer what tasks to
perform and how to perform them
• An application, or app, sometimes called application software,
consists of programs designed to make users more productive and/or
assist them with personal tasks
• An operating system is a set of programs that coordinates all the
activities among computer or mobile device hardware
• Other programs = Tools and utilities – enable to perform maintenance
– managing devices, media and programs.
• OS + Other programs = system software – consists of programs to
control and maintain the operations of the computer and its devices.
4-4
Programs and Apps
• All smartphones, computers, or tablets require a program or

app to run.
• Businesses and home users use productivity apps to
manage documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and
databases.
• The terms "software," "program," and "app"are used
interchangeably.
• Apps are categorized according to productivity, graphics and
media, personal interest, and communications.
4-5
Figure 4-1 Users work

with a variety of
programs and apps, some
of which are shown in
this figure.
4-6
CO 2 : Describe how an operating system interacts with

applications and hardware
• To use applications, computer must be running an OS.

• An Example of How an Operating System Interacts with
a User, an Application, and Hardware.
• The next figure shows how the operating system is the
interface between the user, the application(s) and other
programs, and the hardware.
4-7
Copyright © 2018 Cengage Learning®. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or
4-8
posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
CO3: Differentiate among the ways you can acquire
programs and apps
• The technologies that developers use to create apps

often depends whether they will be installed on a user’s
device or accessed via a network
– Native app
– Cloud app
– Web app
– Mobile web app
4-9
Type of
Description Platform Access Storage Example
App
Microsoft
Developed specifically for iOS, Installed via
Word
a platform (desktop or Android, app store or Local device
Native App (desktop),
mobile), utilizing device Windows, directly on storage
Instagram
features. macOS device
(mobile)
Relies on cloud servers for

data storage and Any Accessed via Cloud Google Drive,
Cloud App
processing, accessible on platform internet storage Dropbox
both desktop and mobile.
Accessed through a web WordPress.co

browser on both desktop Any Accessed via Server-side m
Web App
and mobile, does not platform web browser storage Canva
require installation. LinkedIn
Optimized web app for

Accessed via
Mobile mobile devices, designed Any mobile Server-side Twitter mobile
mobile web
Web App for smaller screens and device storage site
browser
touch interactions.
Distributing Programs and Apps
• Programs and apps are distributed in a variety
of forms
– Retail software
– Custom software
– Shareware
– Freeware
– Open source software
– Public domain software
4-11
Type of Modification
Description Cost Source Code Example
Software Rights
Commercial software sold

No modification Microsoft Office,
Retail Software in stores or online, often Paid Not available
allowed Adobe Photoshop
with customer support.
Tailored software Varies Custom A CRM system for

Custom
developed for a specific (usually Not available modifications a specific
Software
client or business. high) allowed company
Software distributed for Free to try, Limited

WinRAR, some
Shareware free on a trial basis, often paid for full Not available modifications
game demos
with limited features. version allowed
Software that is free to use

No modification Adobe Acrobat
Freeware and distribute, but not Free Not available
allowed Reader, Skype
open-source.
Software with accessible

Open Source source code for Modification Linux, Apache
Free Available
Software modification and allowed HTTP Server
enhancement.
Software free for use Classic software

Public Domain Full rights to
without restrictions, Free Not applicable like Doom
Software modify
including modification. (original version)
Programs and Apps
Table 4-1 Programs and apps by category.
Category Types of Programs and Apps
Productivity (business and Word processing Accounting

personal) • Presentation • Personal finance
• Spreadsheet • Legal
• Database • Tax preparation
• Note taking • Document management
• Calendar and contact • Support services
management • Enterprise computing
• Project management
Graphics and media Computer-Aided Design (CAD) Video and audio editing
• Desktop publishing • Multimedia and website
• Paint/Image editing authoring
• Photo editing and photo • Media player
management • Augmented and virtual
• Clip Art/Image gallery reality
Personal interest • Lifestyle Entertainment
• Mapping • Convenience
• Medical • Education
4-13
Programs and Apps?
Table 4-1 Programs and apps by category (continued).
Category Types of Programs and

Apps
Communications • Blog • File transfer
• Browser • Internet phone
• Chat room • Internet messaging
• Online discussion • Mobile messaging
• Email • Videoconference
Security • Personal firewall • Malware removers
• Antivirus • Internet filters
File, disk, and system • File manager • Screen saver
management • • Search • File compression
• Image viewer • PC maintenance
• Uninstaller • Backup and Restore
• Disk clean-up • Power management
4-14
Productivity Applications (1 of 18)
CO4 : Identify the key features of :
• Productivity applications can assist you in becoming more
effective and efficient while performing daily activities at
work, school, and home
– Word processing
– Presentation
– Spreadsheet
– Database
– Note taking
– Calendar and contact management
– Project management
– Accounting
4-15
– Personal finance
– Legal
– Tax preparation
– Document management
– Support services
– Enterprise computing
4-16
• With productivity applications, users often:
4-17
• Word processing software allows users to

create and manipulate documents
• People use word processing software to
develop documents such as letters, memos,
reports, mailing labels, and newsletters
4-18
Figure 4-5 Word processing software enables users to create

professional and visually appealing documents.

4-19
• Presentation software allows users to create
visual aids for presentations to communicate
ideas, messages, and other information to a group
Figure 4-6 Presentation software provides tools for creating slides with content
arranged in a variety of formats.

4-20
• Spreadsheet software allows users to organize
data in columns and rows and perform calculations
on the data
Figure 4-7 With spreadsheet software, you create worksheets that contain data
arranged in columns and rows, and you can perform calculations on the data in the
worksheets.

4-21
• 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
Figure 4-8 This database contains two tables: one for customers and one for book reps.
The Customer table has 15 records and 10 fields; the Book Rep table has 4 records and 10
fields.
4-22
• Note taking software is an application that enables users
to enter typed text, handwritten comments, drawings,
sketches, photos, and links anywhere on a page
Figure 4-9 With note taking software, mobile users can handwrite notes,
draw sketches, insert photos and links, and type text.
4-23
• Calendar and contact management software
helps you organize your calendar, keep track of
contacts, and share this information with other users
Figure 4-10 Users access their calendars on computers and mobile

devices.
4-24
• A software suite is a collection of individual

related applications available together as a unit.
– minimum – word processing, presentation,
spreadsheet & email application.
• Project management software is an

application that allows a user to plan, schedule,
track, and analyze the events, resources, and
costs of a project
4-25
Productivity
Table 4-7 Popular software suites.
Microsoft Office
Apps
Apple iWork
(11
G suite
of 11)Open Office
Operating Windows, macOS or macOS, iOS, or ChromeOS or web Windows, Linux,

systems web apps web apps apps macOS
supported
Word processor Microsoft word Pages Google Docs Writer
Spreadsheet Microsoft Excel Numbers Google Sheets Calc
Presentation Microsoft Keynote Google Slides Impress

PowerPoint
Database Microsoft Access Base
Email Microsoft Outlook Apple mail Gmail
Online version Office Online iWork for iCloud G Suite
Cloud storage Microsoft OneDrive iCloud Google Drive
4-26
• Legal software is an application that assists in the
preparation of legal documents and provides legal
information to individuals, families, and small businesses
Figure 4-14 Legal software assists individuals, families, and small

businesses in the preparation of legal documents.
4-27
Figure 4-11 With project management software, you can plan and schedule the
tasks and resources required in a project.
4-28
• Accounting software is an application that helps
businesses of all sizes record and report their financial
transactions
Figure 4-12 Accounting software helps businesses record and report their
financial transactions.
4-29
• Personal finance software is a simplified accounting
application that helps home users and small/home office
users balance their checkbooks, pay bills, track personal
income and expenses, verify account balances, transfer
funds, track investments, and evaluate financial plans
Figure 4-13 Personal finance software assists home users with tracking
personal accounts.
4-30
• Tax preparation software is an application that can guide
individuals, families, or small businesses through the
process of filing federal and state taxes
Figure 4-15 Tax preparation software guides individuals, families, or small

businesses through the process of filing federal taxes.
4-31
• Document conversion software saves documents
created in any application into a common format that has
the same appearance as the original document
Figure 4-16 Users can edit content and add comments to a PDF document.

4-32
• A large organization, commonly referred to as an enterprise,
requires special computing solutions because of its size and
geographic distribution
• Functional units – variety of departments, centers and
divisions.
– Human resources software
– Accounting and finance software
– Engineering or product development software
– Manufacturing software
– Marketing software
– Sales software
– Distribution software
– Customer service software
– Information technology software
4-33
Graphics and and Media Software
• Digital graphics and media

include still images, animated
images, and audio.
• Digital media apps fall into two
categories:
✔ Apps that are used to capture,
edit, and create digital media
✔ Apps that play digital media
• Digital graphics and media
make digital content appealing
and entertaining.
Figure 4-20 Types of digital media.
• The major types of digital media
include graphics, animation, video,
and audio.
4-34
Graphics and Media Software (1 of 5)
• Computer-aided design (CAD) software

• Desktop publishing software
• Paint/Image editing software
• Photo editing and photo management
software
• Video and audio editing software
4-35
Graphics and Media Software
4-36
Multimedia and Website authoring

• Multimedia authoring software allows users
to combine text, graphics, audio, video, and
animation in an interactive application
– Adobe Animate, Articulate Storyline
• Website authoring software helps users
create business websites for a variety of
purposes
– Adobe Dreamweaver, WordPress
4-37
Figure 4-22 Website authoring software allows you to create engaging

personal and business websites by adding your text, images, and videos to
existing website templates.
4-38
• A media player is a program that allows you to

view images and animations, listen to audio, and
watch video files on your computer or mobile device
– VLC Media Player, Windows Media Player,iTunes
• An augmented reality app overlays information
and digital content on top of physical objects or
locations
– Pokémon GO, Snapchat
• A virtual reality app provides an immersive user
experience
– Google Earth VR
4-39
Figure 4-23 Scanning a target image with a tablet or smartphone displays an

interactive model of the human body in this augmented reality app used for
medical education.
4-40
Graphics and Media Applications (3 of
How Computers Represent
Images and Sounds 16)
• Cameras, musical instruments,
and video projectors are analog
devices.
• Computers are digital devices.
• A digital recorder turns the
Figure 4-22 Converting analog data into digital
sound into numbers data.
representing tones and then
generates an electronic signal
of numbers.
4-41
• Converting analog data to digital16)
data is also called digitizing the
data, which is the process of
changing the data into a form
that computers and other digital
devices can use.
• A process called sampling
converts the analog sound
waves into digital sound.
Figure 4-23 Sampling
sound.
4-42
Graphics
Digital and
Graphics Media Applications (5 of
• 16)
Digital graphics fall into two main types:
✔ Bitmap graphics (raster graphics) assign colors to the
smallest picture elements, called pixels.
✔ Vector graphics consist of shapes, curves, lines, and
text created by mathematical formulas.
• Bitmaps can be created and edited using graphics apps,
such as Adobe Photoshop and Windows Paint.
• Bitmap-editing programs are painting programs.
• Adobe Illustrator is used for creating and editing vector
images.
4-43
Table 4-8 Common graphics file formats.
Graphic File Format File Extension Best Use/notes
Bitmap Graphics
16) .bmp Basic raster image format with no compression. Often used in Windows
applications but not efficient for web use due to large file size.
GIF .gif Simple web graphics and short web animations
(Graphics Interchange Format is limited to 256 colors; supports transparency;
Format) small file size makes it good for websites
JPEG .jpeg or .jpg Photos on the web, high-quality photos and printed
(Joint Photographic Experts graphics Large file sizes are better suited for print than
Group) web use Images have rich colors but discard some data to
reduce file size, which can affect quality
PNG .png Logos, icons, and illustrations Images have good quality
(Portable Network Graphics) even when highly compressed; supports 16 million colors;
better quality and smaller file size than GIF
TIF .tif or .tiff High-quality photos and printed graphics
(Tagged Image File Format) Large file sizes are better suited for print than web use
Vector Graphics
EPS .eps (Encapsulated Logos and other illustrations that are frequently resized
PostScript) A standard format for exporting vector graphics without
data loss
SVG .svg Illustrations on the web Developed by the World Wide Web
(Scalable Vector Graphics) Consortium (W3C); allows interactivity and animation
4-44
16)
• Many smartphones have built-in
sound recording tools, including
microphones.
• A sound card, which is a circuit
board that computers use to
process sound.
• Speakers play sound and can be
built-in or attached as peripheral
hardware to your device, either by
a cable or wirelessly.
Figure 4-24 Recording sound.
4-45
16)
• Voice recognition software is used as a security measure to allow access to only
authorized people the software recognizes by voice.
• As speech recognition software translates spoken words into text a computing device
can understand, a text-to-speech app or read-aloud technology, does the opposite.
• Text-to-speech app breaks words into individual sound units called phonemes and
then strings them together to create words and phrases, or synthesized speech.
• A video that is shared millions of times over social media in a short period is called a
viral video.
• Digital video files have two parts:
✔ A codec encodes and usually compresses data for storage and then
decompresses the data for playback.
✔ A container which bundles the video, audio, codec, and other parts into a single
package.
• Video codecs are compatible with only some containers.
4-46
Personal Interest Applications
CO5: Identify the uses of personal interest

applications
• Lifestyle applications
• Medical applications
• Entertainment applications
• Convenience applications
• Education applications
4-47
Communications Applications
CO6: Identify the purpose of software used in
communications
• Blog
• Browser
• Chat
• Online Discussion
• Email
• File Transfer
• Internet Phone
• Internet Messaging
• Mobile (Text) Messaging
• Videoconference
4-48
4-49
4-50
Security Tools
•
Secure IT: Security Tools (1 of 5)
To protect your computer and mobile devices against malware, you
can use one or more security tools.
• These security tools include personal firewalls, antivirus programs,
malware removers, and Internet filters.
• A firewall is a protective barrier between a computer or network and
others on the Internet.
• A personal firewall is a security tool that detects and protects a
personal computer and its data from unauthorized intrusions.
• An antivirus app protects a computer against viruses by identifying
and removing any computer viruses found in memory, on storage
media, or on incoming files.
4-51
Security Tools (1 of 5)
• A personal firewall is a security tool that detects and
protects a personal computer and its data from
unauthorized intrusions
Figure 4-24 This personal firewall detected a threat to the computer and
provided a means to remove the threat.

4-52
Security Tools (2 of 5)
• An antivirus program protects a computer against
viruses by identifying and removing any computer viruses
found in memory, on storage media, or on incoming files
Figure 4-25 An antivirus program scans memory, media, and incoming email
messages and attachments for viruses and attempts to remove any viruses it finds.

4-53
• If Secure IT: Security
an antivirus program Tools
identifies an infected file, it(3 of 5)
attempts to
remove the malware.
• If the antivirus program cannot remove the infection, it often
quarantines the infected file.
• A quarantine is a separate area of a hard drive that holds the infected
file until the infection can be removed.
• Quarantined files remain on a computer or mobile device until the
user deletes them or restores them.
• Filters are programs that remove or block certain items from being
displayed.
• Five widely used Internet filters are anti-spam programs, web filters,
phishing filters, pop-up and pop-under blockers, and ransomware
apps.
4-54
Security Tools (slide 3 of 5)
• Spyware is a type of program placed on a

computer or mobile device without the user’s
knowledge that secretly collects information
about the user and then communicates the
information it collects to some outside source
while the user is online
• Adware is a type of program that displays an
online advertisement in a banner or pop-up or
pop-under window on webpages, email
messages, or other Internet services
4-55
• A spyware remover is a type of program that

detects and deletes spyware and similar
programs
• Malware remover is a program that detects
and deletes spyware, adware, and other
malware.
4-56
Internet Filters
• Anti-spam programs
• Web filtering software
• Phishing filters
• Pop-up and pop-under blockers
4-57
Secure
• Web IT: Security
filtering software is a Tools (4 of 5)
program that restricts access to
certain material on the web.
• Phishing is a scam in which a
perpetrator sends an official-
looking email message that
attempts to obtain your personal
and/or financial information.
• Some browsers include phishing
filters.
• A pop-up blocker or pop-under
blocker is a filtering program that Figure 4-41 Phishing email message.
stops pop-up or pop-under ads
from displaying on web pages.
4-58
File, Disk, and System Management Tools
(1 of 7)
• A file manager is a tool that performs functions related to file
management.
• File Explorer (Windows), Finder (Mac),
Figure 4-27 With a file manager, you can view folders and different types of files
containing documents, photos, and music. In this case, thumbnails of photos are
displayed.
4-59
(2 of 7)
• A search tool is a program, usually included with an
operating system, that attempts to locate a file, contact,
calendar event, app, or any other item stored on your
computer or mobile device based on criteria you specify
Figure 4-28 Search tools locate apps, folders, files, settings, and other items on
your device or the web that match a search criteria

4-60
(3 of 7)
• An image viewer is a tool that allows users to display, copy, and print
the contents of a graphics file, such as a photo
• An uninstaller is a tool that removes a program, as well as any
associated entries in the system files
Figure 4-29 An image viewer allows users to see the contents of a photo file.

4-61
How To: Use System
Management
Tools (4 of 5)
• A crash occurs when the program or app stops functioning correctly. This can be
caused by an issue with the hardware, the software, a virus or other malware, or
using invalid data or commands.
• Troubleshooting refers to the steps you take to identify and solve a problem, such
as a crash.
• Patch finders compare the software versions. Restorers allow you to restore.
• File managers perform functions such as displaying a list of files on a storage
medium; organizing files in folders; and copying, renaming, deleting, moving, and
sorting files.
• Search tools allow you to locate a file, contact, calendar event, app, or any other
item stored on your computer or mobile device.
Jennifer T. Campbell, Discovering Computers: Digital Technology, Data, and Devices, 17th Edition. © 2023 Cengage. All Rights
Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
62
(4 of 7)
• A disk cleanup tool searches for and removes
unnecessary files
Figure 4-30 A disk cleanup tool searches for and removes unnecessary files on a
computer or mobile device.
4-63
(5 of 7)
• A disk defragmenter is a tool that 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
– Defragmenting
Figure 4-31 A fragmented hard disk has many files stored in noncontiguous
sectors. Defragmenting reorganizes the files so that they are located in
contiguous sectors, which speeds access time.
4-64
(6 of 7)
• A screen saver is a tool that causes a display
device’s screen to show a moving image or blank
screen if no keyboard or mouse activity occurs for
a specified time
• A file compression tool shrinks the size of a file(s)
• A PC maintenance tool is a program that identifies
and fixes operating system problems, detects and
repairs drive problems, and includes the capability
of improving a computer’s performance
4-65
(7 of 7)
• A backup tool allows users to copy, or back up,
selected files or the contents of an entire storage
medium to another storage location
• A restore tool reverses the process and returns
backed up files to their original form
• A power management tool monitors a laptop or
mobile device’s battery usage, showing apps that
consume the most battery power, displaying
battery usage since the device was last charged,
and estimating usage time remaining
4-66
Summary
• Programs and apps available for computers and
mobile devices
• Role of the operating system and the various
ways software is distributed
• Features of a variety of applications
• Communications applications
• Security tools and file, disk, and system
management tools
4-67

Chapter 4

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Chapter 4

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Chapter 4

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

DISCOVERING COMPUTERS 2018

Digital Technology, Data, and Devices

CO 1 : Identify the general categories of programs

CO4 : Identify the key features of :

• All smartphones, computers, or tablets require a program or

Figure 4-1 Users work

CO 2 : Describe how an operating system interacts with

• To use applications, computer must be running an OS.

• The technologies that developers use to create apps

Relies on cloud servers for

Accessed through a web WordPress.co

Optimized web app for

Commercial software sold

Tailored software Varies Custom A CRM system for

Software distributed for Free to try, Limited

Software that is free to use

Software with accessible

Software free for use Classic software

Productivity (business and Word processing Accounting

Category Types of Programs and

• With productivity applications, users often:

• Word processing software allows users to

Figure 4-5 Word processing software enables users to create

Copyright © 2018 Cengage Learning®. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or

Copyright © 2018 Cengage Learning®. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or

Copyright © 2018 Cengage Learning®. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or

Figure 4-10 Users access their calendars on computers and mobile

• A software suite is a collection of individual

• Project management software is an

Operating Windows, macOS or macOS, iOS, or ChromeOS or web Windows, Linux,

Spreadsheet Microsoft Excel Numbers Google Sheets Calc

Presentation Microsoft Keynote Google Slides Impress

Email Microsoft Outlook Apple mail Gmail

Online version Office Online iWork for iCloud G Suite

Cloud storage Microsoft OneDrive iCloud Google Drive

Figure 4-14 Legal software assists individuals, families, and small

Figure 4-15 Tax preparation software guides individuals, families, or small

Copyright © 2018 Cengage Learning®. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or

• Digital graphics and media

• Computer-aided design (CAD) software

Multimedia and Website authoring

Figure 4-22 Website authoring software allows you to create engaging

• A media player is a program that allows you to

Figure 4-23 Scanning a target image with a tablet or smartphone displays an

CO5: Identify the uses of personal interest

Copyright © 2018 Cengage Learning®. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or

Copyright © 2018 Cengage Learning®. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or

• Spyware is a type of program placed on a

• A spyware remover is a type of program that

Copyright © 2018 Cengage Learning®. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or

Copyright © 2018 Cengage Learning®. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or

You might also like