Software
is a collection of instructions that tells your computer how to
process your data and commands.
An everyday example would be a recipe for spaghetti sauce. You are
the computer and the recipe is the software. The spaghetti sauce
is the output.
Basic Types of Software
- Programs the computer
needs to run, such as the operating system. Also called system software.
- Programs you want to use to do something, such as email or
a word processor. These are called "applications."
System Software: The Operating System
Your computer's operating
system tells the computer how to store information on disks, how
to get the information back, and how to put information on the screen
so you can tell what's in your computer. Now-a-days most of our
operating systems are GUI (graphical user interface.) That means
that when we turn on our computers, there are colors and pictures.
You "boss" your operating system around by typing on the
keyboard or clicking the mouse. What the screens look like and what happens when you do something is called the user interface. Some computers and programs have better user interface than others.
Some common operating systems are:
- Windows
- Macintosh OS
- Unix/Linux
System Software: Drivers
and Utilities
Some other types of system software are drivers and utilities. A driver is a program that tells your computer how
to use the things that are plugged into your it, such as your printer, and the things
inside your computer, such as a video card. A driver tells the computer how to user your
CD player. Another driver tells the computer what the mouse clicks
mean. A utility is a program that you use while using another program. For example, there are utilities that read what's on a computer screen to people with visual disabilities. They use this "reader
Application: Word Processor
Word processing software takes the characters you
type and formats them for you. Microsoft Word is an example of word processing software. Some people prefer a program from Open Office because it is free. Your computer may come with Microsoft Works installed. Works has a word processor, which may do everything you need. However, the files it produces do not work well in other programs; so, your friends and colleagues may not be able to use the files you create in Works. Word processing skills are very important to be competitive in the job marketing. Word processing will help you create professional-looking documents for your personal life too!
Application: Desktop Publishing
Desktop publishing may seem to be the same thing, and their functions do overlap, but the programming is actually very different. Desktop publishing programs are designed as a tool to position elements on a page, whether those elements are blocks of text or images. Word processors have more focus on the actual text manipulation, such as spelling and grammar. Although people often use a word processor to create brochures and fliers, the process can be very frustrating to use for layout.
Common desktop publishing programs are Microsoft Publisher and Adobe In-Design. There is a significant price difference in the two, but the quality of the programs is also reflected in the price!
Application: Spreadsheets
Spreadsheets keep information in rows and columns. They are excellent tools for lists and keeping track of financial information. Microsoft
Excel is one of the most popular spreadsheet programs. One of the most powerful features in spreadsheets is that formulas can be added that will do your calculations for you. You can even add all your tax figures into a spreadsheet to be sure that your addition is correct.
Database
A database has a lot of similarities to a spreadsheet, except that it's like a system of spreadsheets. A database is much more complicated than a spreadsheet, but it can also do more than a spreadsheet can. If you use the internet, you probably use a database every day when you look up something in Google or shop online. In online shopping, all the products are usually kept in a database, which allows you to search by size, color, price, and other topics.
More about database
Graphics and Digital Imaging
The are computer programs to help you create art and manipulate photos. Most PC's come with the Paint accessory, which you can use to create images on your computer. Professional photographers, graphic designers and web developers use programs Photoshop and Illustrator, which cost hundreds of dollars.
Web Development
Websites can be built with code, but that is not an efficient way to build a website. So, most web developers use programs that help write the code for them. The quality of these websites is dependent on how well the developers know what the program is supposed to build and how well the developer knows how to use the software.
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