Selection and Use of Software
What you need to know about choosing appropriate software...
Operating Systems
The main purpose of the operating system is to allow the applications software (browsers, word processors, etc.) to interact with the computer hardware. It gets the computer hardware to behave in a certain way so that the applications software is able to use it to do certain tasks. Some examples of these tasks are:
Diagnostic checks-performs some diagnostic checks when the computer is started up
It controls the receipt of input from the input devices
It controls output, sends information to the screen or other output devices (speakers, etc.)
Examples of Operating Systems
Windows
Microsoft Windows is by far the most popular make of operating system. It owes its success to the way that it will work on lots of different types of computer
Linux
A free operating system (known as open source) which has gained popularity. Many users prefer it because of its security and stability (as well as being free).
Macintosh OS
The operating system produced by Apple who developed the first operating system to make use of a graphical interface which is now very popular.
Applications software
Applications software is software that allows the computer to be applied to a particular problem. It is software which is used for a particular purpose or application such as:
- Order processing
- Payroll
- Stock control
- Games
- Creating websites
- Image editing
- Word processing
Games software
This example is of Space Invaders.
Image editing software
This example is of Adobe Photoshop.
Word processing software
This example is of Microsoft Word.
Systems software
Systems software is any computer software that manages and controls the hardware and therefore allowing the applications software to do a useful job. Systems software consists of the following programs:
- Operating system
- GUI (graphical user interface)
- File management
- Utilities
Software mind map
Interfaces
Different types of interface
Command line/driven interfaces
Graphical user interfaces
Menu-driven interfaces
Form-driven interfaces
Natural language interfaces
The link below will take you to another flyer with all the information about these different interfaces.
Link: http://smore.com/akce
Utilities
Link: http://smore.com/6c6m
Applications software
- Package software
- Generic software
- Integrated software
- Specific software
- Bespoke software
For more detail on this topic, visit my mind map using the link below.
Word processing, spreadsheets, database and presentation software
Link: http://smore.com/u7h5
Web browsers
- Search the internet
- Add favourites or Bookmarks (easy access to a website you want to return too)
- Use e-mail facilities (send, reply, forward, search e-mails and have an address book of all the people you are likely to send e-mails too)
- Instant messaging
Website design software
Some simple features of website design software are; the ability to add and format text, the ability to add hyperlinks, the ability to preview the website in different browsers for testing purposes and the ability to import data from other packages.
Some advanced features of website design software are; the ability to create a webpage using frames, the ability to look at the HTML code and make changes to this.