CSC 101

Introduction to Computers

Computer Software

Dr. Awad Khalil

Faculty of Computers & Information Technology
Outline
 Introduction
 System Software
 Operating System (OS)
 Utilities
 Programming Languages
 Basic Application Software
 Careers in IT
Introduction
 Computers and computer applications have
become a part of the fabric of every day life
 They are great as long as they are working

 We give little thought to the processes and

programs running behind the scenes to keep
them functioning effectively.

 Such programs (i.e. operating systems, utility

programs, and device drivers) are the system
software you learn about here.
System Software
This lecture covers the things you need to know to
protect your computer and data today and to
prepare you for tomorrow, including:
• Desktop operating systems — discover how
operating systems control and protect desktop and
laptop computers.

• Mobile operating systems — learn the key

features of the operating systems that control tablets
and cell phones.

• Utilities — protect your computer from viruses

and perform important maintenance tasks.
System Software
System software works with
end users, application
software, and computer
hardware to handle the
majority of technical details.

Includes:
 operating system
 utilities
 devicedrivers
 language translators
Operating Systems (OS)
An operating system is a collection of programs that handle many
of the technical details related to using a computer.

Functions
 Manages computer resources include:
 Coordinate memory, processing, storage, printers and
monitors
 Monitor system performance
 Schedule tasks
 Provide security
 Start-up the computer
 Provides user interface
 Graphical user interface (GUI)
 Runs applications
 Multitasking
 Foreground and background applications
Operating System Features
Starting or restarting a computer is called booting
the system. There are two ways to boot a computer:

 A warm boot occurs when the computer is already

on and you restart it without turning off the power.

 A cold boot occurs when starting a computer that

has been turned off.
Operating System Features
Some important features common to
most operating systems and
application programs include:
 Icons (graphic representations )
 Pointer (controlled by a mouse)
 Windows
 Menus
 Tabs
 Dialog boxes
 Help
 Gesture Control
Operating System Features
 Most operating systems store data and programs
in a system of :
 Files and Folders.

 Files are used to store data and programs. Related

files are stored within a folder, and, for
organizational purposes, a folder can contain other
folders, or subfolders.
Operating System Categories
While there are hundreds of different operating
systems, there are only three basic categories:

 Embedded operating systems

 Stand-alone operating systems
 Network operating systems
Operating System Categories
Embedded operating systems, also known
as real-time operating systems (RTOS).
designed for a specific application and they control:
 Smart watches,
 Smart phones,
 Video game systems,
 Small electronic devices.
Operating System Categories

 Stand-alone operating systems

 Also called desktop operating system (DOS, Windows)

 Network operating systems

 An Operating system that runs on a network server to
coordinate all communications between the other
computers (Windows Server, Linux, Unix)
Mobile Operating Systems
 Also known as mobile OS, are a
type of embedded operating
systems.

 Less complicated and more

specialized for wireless
communication.

 Some of the best known are:

 Android
 iPhone OS (iOS)
Desktop Operating System
These Operating Systems are commonly used by
individuals.

 Windows is the most widely used personal

computer operating system.

 Mac OS –Designed to run only with Apple

computers. powerful and easy to use.

 UNIX – network; originally designed for Web.

 LINUX – open source, non proprietary, free from the

Web, Linux is a popular and powerful alternative to
the Windows operating system.
Utilities
 Specialized programs to make computing easier

 Most essential utilities:

 Troubleshooting or diagnostic programs
 Recognizes and correct problems

 Antivirus programs
 Guard your computer against viruses

 Backup programs
 Copies of files to restore if necessary

 File compression programs

 Reduces the size of files for more efficient storage
Windows Utilities
Windows Operating Systems includes utilities such as:

 File History
 Can create a backup for your hard drive.

 Disk Cleanup
 Identifies and eliminates non essential files.

 Disk Defragmenter
 Rearranges files and unused disk space to optimize
performance.
File History
 Utility program included with Windows 8, 10
 Makes a copy of all files in the libraries, contacts,
favorites and the desktop
 Helps prevent the effect of disk failure
Disk Cleanup
Identifies and eliminates nonessential files.
Frees up valuable space and improves system
performance
Disk Defragmenter
 Files are organized in tracks and sectors
 Tracks – concentric rings
 Sectors – wedge-shaped sections of a track

 Optimize drives - utility program

 Identifies and eliminates unnecessary fragments
 Files become fragmented
 Broken up and stored in non contiguous space
 Rearranges files and unused disk space to optimize operations
Utility Suites
 Combine several programs into one
package
 Less expensive

 Popular suites
 Bit Defender
 Norton Utilities
 Kaspersky
Programming Languages
 A programming language is a vocabulary and set of grammatical rules
for instructing a computer or computing device to perform specific tasks.

 Each programming language has a unique set of keywords (words that it

understands) and a special syntax for organizing program instructions.

 There are three types of programming languages:

 Machine Language (Low-level)
 Assembly Language (Low-level)
 High-level Programming Language/Object-oriented Programming
Languages

 Machine Language
 Most fundamental language of the computer
 Unique for each processor type
 Based on defined set of instructions encoded in binary (0s and 1s)

0010 0000 0000 0100

1000 0000 0000 0101
0011 0000 0000 0110
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Programming Languages
Assembly Language
 A language whose instructions are in the form of
mnemonic codes and variable names.
 Must be translated into machine language
 The translator is called Assembler.

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High-level Programming Languages
 Resemble human language

 More compact and human

understandable than
machine language

 Must be translated into

machine language

 The translator is called

compiler (C compiler, C++
compiler, …. etc).

 Examples: C++, C, Visual

Basic, Java, C#

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Programming Languages
Object-oriented programming languages

 Are popular because they make it easier to reuse and adapt previously
written software.

 Examples: C++, C#, and Java, which is widely used on the Web.

 An object is an entity that has particular properties. Some of these

properties can be encoded into a computer program as data and some
can be encoded as methods for operating on the data.

 C++ derived from C by Bjarne Stroustrup

 Popular because of reuse
 Classes
 Objects
 Methods

 Organized in a Hierarchy
 Super Classes
 Sub Classes

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25
Processing a High-Level Language
Program
 Set of software used to develop High-level program

 A key component is a translator

 Compiler

 Examples
 Borland C++®, Microsoft Visual C++®

 Other software needed:

 Editor
 Linker
 Loader

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Processing a High-level Program
 Editor used to enter the program
 Like minimal word processor
 Creates source program file

 Compiler translates the source program

 Displays syntax errors
 Creates (usually) temporary object code
file.

 Linker/Loader to combine object file with

other object files and execute program
 Creates final executable program

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Executing a Program

 CPU
 Fetches and execute program instructions
one-by-one.
 Sends out command signals required to
carry out each instruction.

 Special instructions used to

 input data into memory for the program to
use.
 output data to display or printer (or other
device).

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Entering, Translating,
and Running
a High-Level Language
Program

1-29
Flow of Information During Program Execution

1-30
Application Software
 Application software is software that enables
end-user to perform a useful task on computer.
 Some programs are classified as productivity
software because they allow users to get things
done.
 Other application software is designed to
entertainment, or to help youusers learn
something.

 Three categories
 Basic applications software
 Specialized Applications
 Mobile Apps
User Interface
Graphical User Interface
(GUI) consists of:

 Icons
 Pointer
 Windows
 Menus
 Toolbars
• Buttons

 Dialog Boxes
Common Features in Microsoft
 Ribbon GUI
 Ribbons
 Tabs
 Groups
 Contextual tabs
 Galleries
 Spell checkers
 Alignment
 Font and Font Sizes
 Tables
 Reports
Basic Application Software
 Not long ago, trained specialists
were required to perform many
of the operations you can now
do with a personal computer.
 Competent end users need to
understand the capabilities of
basic application software
including:
 Word processors
 Spreadsheets
 Presentation programs
 Database management systems
Word Processor Programs
 Create text-based documents
 Memos, letters, and faxes
 Newsletters, manuals, and brochures

 Word processing software

 Microsoft Word
 Most popular
 Apple Pages
 Google Docs
 Corel WordPerfect
 OpenOffice Writer
Creating a Flyer
 Flyer Features
 Spell Checker
 Center-alignment
 Grammar Checker
 Fonts
 Font Sizes
 Word Wrap
 Character Effects
Creating a Report
Report Features
 AutoCorrect
 Footnote
 Header or Footer
 Captions and Cross
References
 Tables
Spreadsheet Programs
 Organize, analyze, and graph numeric data
 Spreadsheet programs
 Microsoft Excel
 Most widely used

 Apple Numbers
 OpenOffice Calc
 Corel Quattro Pro
 Google Sheets

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Creating a Sales Forecast
Features
 Worksheets
 Text entries
 Functions
 Cells
 Formulas
Analyzing Your Data

Analysis Features
 Workbook and
worksheets
 What-if Analysis
Presentation Graphics Programs
 Combine a variety of visual objects to create
visually interesting presentations.

 Presentation Software:
 Microsoft PowerPoint
 OpenOffice Impress
 Apple Keynote
 Google Slides
 Corel Presentations
Creating a Presentation
Presentation Features
 Document Theme
 Animation
 Templates
Database Management Systems (DBMS)

 A database is a collection of related

data.
 Electronic equivalent of a file cabinet.
 Most widely used systems
 Microsoft Access
 OpenOffice Base
 Apple FileMaker
 Google Obvibase
Creating a Database
Features
 Primary Key
 Fields
 Record
 Table
 Form
Specialized Applications

Programs that more narrowly focused on

specific disciplines and occupations.

Includes:
Graphics Software
Web Authoring Software
Graphics Software
Widely used in graphic arts.

Types of graphics software are:

 Desktop Publishing
 Image Editing
 Illustration
 Image Galleries
Desktop Publishing Programs
 Also known as Page Layout Programs.
 Mix text and graphics to create brochures,
newsletters, newspapers and textbooks.

Popular software:
 Adobe InDesign
 Microsoft Publisher
 QuarkXPress
Image Editors
Also know as Photo Editors
 Editing or modifying digital photographs
 Photographs consist of thousands of pixels that
form images knows as bitmaps

Popular image editors

 Adobe Photoshop
 Corel Paint Shop Pro
 GIMP (GNU Manipulation Program)
 Windows Live Photo Gallery
Illustration Software
 Drawing programs
 Create and edit vector images
 Vector illustrations
 Geometric shapes or objects
 Created by connecting lines and curves
 Defined by mathematical equations

Popular Illustration Programs

 Adobe Illustrator
 CorelDraw
 Inkscape
Video Editors
 Edit videos to enhance
quality and appearance.
 Can now use your
smartphone to edit videos.

Well-known software:
 Windows Live Movie
Maker
 Apple iMovie
 YouTube Video Editor
Computer-Aided-Design (CAD)
 The process of using computer software to produce technical
drawings that include the product’s precise scale, simulate its
textures, and show it in full three-dimensional detail.
 It uses a two-dimensional vector graphics and models them to
have
 height, width, and depth. This is also known as 3D modeling.
Mobile Apps
 Mobile Applications or Mobile Apps
 Add-on programs for a variety of
mobile devices
 Smartphones or tablets

Apps
 Breadth and scope are ever-expanding
 500,000 just for iPhone
 Music, videos, social networking,
shopping, games
App Stores
App Stores
 Provides access to mobile apps for
downloads.
 Apple’s App Store
 Apple Devices
 www.apple.com/itunes/charts
 Google Play
 Andriod Devices

 Play.google.com/store/apps

 Appszoom
 Android and Apple Devices

 www.appszoom.com
Software Suites
 Collection of separate application programs
 Bundled together – sold as group

 Types of suites
1. Office suites or office software suite / productivity suites
 Microsoft Office
 Apple iWork, OpenOffice

2. Cloud suites or online office suites

 Google Docs (Making IT Work for You), Zoho, Microsoft Office

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Software Suites
 Specialized suites
 Focus on specific applications
 Corel Draw Graphics Suite X6
 Money free Software TOTAL Planning Suite

 Utility suites
 Designed to make computing easier and safer
 Norton Systems Works
 Norton Internet Security suite
Google Docs
 Tool to create and
collaborate with others.

 Creating /sharing documents

Free and easy to use
Free Google account
Free online storage
A Look to the Future – Self Healing
Computers
 Self Healing Computers
 Could mean an end to computer crashes and performance
problems
 Fix software problems
 Reroute functions around broken hardware

 IBM’s Automatic Computing Initiative (ACI)

 Handles time-consuming maintenance
 Self-regulating and virtually invisible

 Self-maintaining servers
 Self-repairing
 Self-updating
 Self-protecting
A Look to the Future
 Next-Generation User Interfaces
 Doubtful a single interface will
serve everyone

 Must be comfortable to use

 Touch / interactive screen
 Voice recognition
 Gestures
 Augmented Reality
Careers In IT
 Software Engineers
 Analyze users’ needs and create application software

 Help Desk Engineer

 Assist end users in making system changes, troubleshoot
problems with their operating systems and help managers
decide on appropriate computer usage policies that will allow
users to do their work in safety and privacy.

 Attributes
 Good communication and analytical skills
 Programming experience
 Detail oriented
 Web application experience
 Analytical skills
 An associate’s degree in Computer Technology or a related field.
Careers In IT
Administrative assistant

 An administrative assistant provides office and document support to a

manager or executive. He or she is expected to know how to use a word
processor to create and format documents. The templates supplied with
wordprocessing software make the formatting and spell-checking
processes much easier, but an administrative assistant should be
familiar with how they work and be capable of producing neatly
formatted reports with charts and graphs.

 An administrative assistant’s duties may also include creating printed

materials in other applications, such as Excel and PowerPoint, and
combining content from multiple applications into reports and
presentations.

 All administrative support roles require a solid understanding of office

productivity programs and strong organizational skills. A diploma in
administration, information technology, or business management is also
expected. A business administration or IT degree plus vocational courses
will help progress your career into office management.