Software
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TYPES OF SOFTWARE
Generic software
- Word Processor
- Spreadsheet
Application software
- Library loans system
- Examination entry software
Utility software
- Compression software
- Virus checkers
- Backup programs
Operating system software
- Windows 3.1
- Windows 95 / 98
- Windows NT
FEATURES OF GENERIC SOFTWARE
Saving and Printing are common features in all of the software packages.
Desktop Publishing Software
- layout guides
- border art
- alignment - left, centre, right, justified
- importing images
- bullet points
- layering
- text wrap
- different colours, shading and fills
Word Processor Software
- spelling and grammar checker
- different fonts and styles - Courier New, bold, italic, underlined
- different font sizes and colours - larger, smaller, red, green
- tables
- margins
- paragraph formatting
- columns
Spreadsheet Software
- grid layout
- formulas
- functions
- replication and fill down / fill across
- sorting data into ascending or descending order
Uses of spreadsheets
- teachers - for working out percentages after a class test
- accountants - budgeting expenditure
- modelling - recreating scenarios - fire escape routes and times
Advantage over manual method
- spreadsheets can be saved and re-used
- formulas can be replicated quickly
- changes can be made in real time
= results are displayed immediately
Graphics Software
- acquire facility - to scan in a photo from a colour scanner
- resizing and re-sampling images
- adjusting the brightness / contrast / colours in a photograph
- large clipart directories in many newer packages e.g. Corel Draw
- images can be saved in a large number of image formats - GIF, JPG and BMP
Database Software
- store information
- sort information into ascending or descending order in any field
- search query - quickly find certain records
- parameter searches - specify specific search criteria
= makes the search re-useable
- reports can be produced to enhance the appearance of searches and sorts
- mailing lists and mail merges can be created very easily
Example of a search query
List [NAME] if [SUBJECT]="IT"
Structure of databases
Field - the smallest part of a database
- can only contain on thing, e.g. first name, telephone number
- a Key Field is a unique field used to identify duplicate records uniquely
Record - a collection of fields e.g. all the personal details of one member
File - a collection of records e.g. all the personal details of all the members
Relational databases
Tables of data can be shared providing there is a common field name.
OPERATING SYSTEM SOFTWARE
Home Operating System
- controls hardware using drivers -
e.g. makes the pointer move when the mouse is moved,
displays characters on the screen when keys are pressed
- provides a graphical user interface - menus and windows
- reports error messages
- manages file allocation and storage ( reading and writing ) of files
- manages memory - RAM
- multiprogramming - running two programs
e.g. Word and Excel
- multitasking - performing 2 or more tasks
e.g. downloading from internet, listening to a CD, printing and typing
- provides in-built utilities
e.g. scandisk, defrag, FAT conversion ( in Windows 98 )
Network Operating System
- manages the log-on procedure
= assigns the correct profile to the user who logs on
= profile determines the level of access that the user has
e.g. administrative ( full ) or user ( restricted )
- manages spooling of many print jobs to one printer
- locates users files on a central server
- provides the user with a way to communicate with other networked machines ( on the same LAN )
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by: Admin
Total views: 1279
Word Count: 1083
Date: Wed, 2 Aug 2006 Time: 12:00 AM
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