Chapter 3

Software
What are the three components of system software? What is the basic function of each?
There are three basic components of system software
 Operating systems: An operating system is the principal component of system software in any
computing system.
 Device drivers: Device drivers help the computer control peripheral devices.
 Utility programs: Utility programs are generally used to support, enhance, or expand existing
programs in a computer system.

Operating System (OS)

The operating system (OS), also called the software platform, consists of the low-level, master system of
programs that manage the basic operations of the computer.

What OS do?
•Booting
•CPU management
• File management
• Task management
• Security management

Briefly define booting.

Booting
Booting is the process of loading an operating system into a computer’s main memory. This loading is
accomplished automatically by programs stored permanently in the computer’s electronic circuitry (called read-
only memory, or ROM). When you turn on the machine, programs called diagnostic routines test the main
memory, the central processing unit, and other parts of the system to make sure they are running properly. Next,
BIOS (for “basic input/output system”) programs are copied to main memory and help the computer interpret
keyboard characters or transmit characters to the display screen or to a disk. Then the boot program obtains the
operating system, usually from the hard disk, and loads it into the computer’s main memory, where it remains
until you turn the computer off.

CPU Management
It remains in memory (main memory or primary storage) while the computer is running and directs other
“nonresident” programs (programs that are not in memory) to perform tasks that support application programs.
File Management
A file is (1) a named collection of data (data file), or (2) a program (program file) that exists in a
computer’s secondary storage, such as a hard disk or CD/DVD.
Multitasking
Multitasking is the execution of two or more programs by one user almost at the same time on the same
computer with one central processor.
Device Drivers
Device drivers are specialized software programs that allow input and output devices to communicate
with the rest of the computer system.
Utility Programs
Utility programs, also known as service programs, perform tasks related to the control and allocation of
computer resources.
User Interface
User interface—the user-controllable display screen that allows you to communicate, or interact, with
the computer.
Special-Purpose Keys
Special-purpose keys are used to enter, delete, and edit data and to execute commands. An example is
the Esc.
FUNCTION KEYS
Function keys, labeled “F1,” “F2,” and so on, are positioned along the top or left side of the keyboard.
They are used to execute commands specific to the software being used. For example, one application software
package may use F6 to exit a file.
Pointer
The pointer usually appears as an arrow, although it changes shape depending on the application. The
mouse is used to move the pointer to a particular place on the display screen or to point to little symbols, or
icons.
Graphical User Interface (GUI)
Graphical user interface (GUI) (pronounced “gooey”), which allows you to use a mouse or keystrokes
to select icons (little symbols) and commands from menus (lists of activities).

Three Features of GUI

Desktop: The desktop, which is the system’s main interface screen, displays pictures (icons) that provide quick
access to programs and information.
Icons : Icons are small pictorial figures that represent programs, data files, or procedures.
Menus : menu offers you a list of options to choose from—in this case, a list of commands for manipulating
data, such as Print or Edit.

Title bar
The title bar runs across the very top of the display window and shows the name of the folder you are
in—for example, “My Computer.”
Menu bar
Below the title bar is the menu bar, which shows the names of the various pull-down menus available.
Examples of menus are File, Edit, View, Favorites, Tools, and Help.
Toolbar
The toolbar, below the menu bar, displays menus and icons representing frequently used options or
commands. An example of an icon is the picture of two pages in an open folder with a superimposed arrow,
which issues a Copy to command.
Taskbar
In Windows, the taskbar is the bar across the bottom of the desktop screen that contains the Start button
and that appears by default. Small boxes appear here that show the names of open files. You can switch among
the files by clicking on the boxes.
Windows
A window is a rectangular frame on the computer display screen. Through this frame you can view a file
of data—such as a document, spreadsheet, or database—or an application program.
Help command
A command generating a table of contents, an index, and a search feature that can help you locate
answers.
Platform
The platform is the particular processor model and operating system on which a computer system is
based.

Disk Operating Syatem(DOS or “boss”)

Disk Operating System—was the original operating system produced by Microsoft and had a hard-to-
use command-driven user interface.
Macintosh operating system (Mac OS)
Mac OS which runs only on Apple Macintosh computers, set the standard for icon-oriented, easy-to-use
graphical user interfaces.
Embedded Operating System
Embedded Operating System are used in small or specialized devices such as mobile phones.
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is the most common operating system for desktop and portable PCs.
Public-domain Software
Public-domain software is not protected by copyright and thus may be duplicated by anyone at will.
Shareware
Shareware is copyrighted software that is distributed free of charge, but users are required to make a
monetary contribution, or pay a registration fee, to continue using it.
Freeware
Freeware is copyrighted software that is distributed free of charge.
Rentalware
Rentalware is online software that users lease for a fee and download whenever they want it.

Data Files
Data files which contains data,such as document, spreadsheet, or database data are processed by
program files.
Types of Data Files
Document files: Document files are created by word processing programs and consist of documents
such as reports, letters, memos, and term papers.
Workbook files: Worksheet files are created by electronic spreadsheets and usually consist of
collections of numerical data such as budgets, sales forecasts, and schedules.
Database files: Database files are created by database management programs and consist of organized
data that can be analyzed and displayed in various useful ways. Examples are student names and addresses that
can be displayed according to age, grade-point average, or home state.
Graphic files
Audio files
Animation/video files
Program Files
Program files are composed of executable software instructions.
Two types of program files
Source Program Files: Source program files contain high-level computer instructions in the original
form written by the computer programmer.
Executable Files: Executable file, which contains the instructions that tell the computer how to perform
a particular tasks.

What is importing? Exporting?

EXCHANGING FILES: IMPORTING & EXPORTING
It’s useful to know that often files can be exchanged—that is, imported and exported—between
programs.
Importing: Importing is defined as getting data from another source and then converting it into a format
compatible with the program in which you are currently working.
Exporting: Exporting is defined as transforming data into a format that can be used in another program
and then transmitting it.

Data Compression
Data compression methods enables devices to transmit or store the same amount of data in fewer bits.
Compression
Compression is a method of removing repetative from a data file so that it requires less storage space
and less time to transmit.
Lossless Compression: Looseless compression use mathematical techniques to replace repetitive
patterns of bits with a kind of coded summary.
Lossy Compression: Lossy compression techniques permanently discard some data during
compression.

Word processing software

Word processing software allows you to use computers to create, edit, format, print, and store text
material, among other things.

What are word processing features I would use when creating a document?
CURSOR : The cursor is the movable symbol on the display screen that shows you where you may next
enter data or commands.
SCROLLING : Scrolling means moving quickly upward, downward, or sideways through the text or
other screen display.
WORD WRAP : Word wrap automatically continues text to the next line when you reach the right
margin.

Template
A template, called a wizard in older Office versions, is a preformatted document that provides basic
tools for shaping a final document—the text, layout, and style for a letter.
Spreadsheet
The spreadsheet allows users to create tables and financial schedules by entering data and formulas into
rows and columns arranged as a grid on a display screen.
Analytical graphics
Analytical graphics, or business graphics, are graphical forms that make numeric data easier to analyze
than it is when organized as rows and columns of numbers.

Database
A database is a collection of interrelated files in a computer system. These computer-based files are
organized according to their common elements, so that they can be retrieved easily. Sometimes called a
database manager or database management system (DBMS).

Database Software
Database software is a program that sets up and controls the structure of a database and access to the
data.
Benefits of Database software
INTEGRATION With database software, the data is not in separate files. Rather, it is integrated. Thus,
your address need only be listed once, and all the separate administrative offices will have access to the
same information.
INTEGRITY For that reason, information in databases is considered to have more integrity. That is, the
information is more likely to be accurate and up to date.

Relational Database
Relational database, in which data is organized into related tables.

Software Suites
A software suite is a collection of indvidual programs bundled together in a single package.
Intergated Packages
An intergated package is a single program for personal computers that combines the
functionality of word processing, spreadsheet and database management.
Personal Information Manager
A personal information manager (PIM) is software that helps you keep track of and manage
information you use on a daily basis, such as addresses, telephone numbers, appointments, to-do lists, and
miscellaneous notes.

Presentation Graphics Software

Presentation graphics software uses graphics, animation, sound, and data or information to make visual
presentations.
Desktop publishing (DTP)
Desktop publishing (DTP) involves mixing text and graphics to produce high-quality output for
commercial printing, using a microcomputer and mouse, scanner, laser or ink-jet printer, and DTP software.
Portable Document Frmat
Portable Document Format, PDF is a file format developed by Adobe Systems. PDF captures text,
graphic, and formatting information from a variety of applications on different platforms making it possible to
send documents and have them appear on the recipient’s monitor (or printer) as they were intended to be
viewed.
Computer-aided Design
Computer-aided design (CAD) programs are intended for the design of products, structures, civil
engineering drawings, and maps.

Self-Test Questions
1. ________ software enables the computer to perform essential operating tasks.
2. ________ ________ is the term for programs designed to perform specific tasks for the user.
3. ________ is the activity in which a computer works on more than one process at a time.
4. ________ is the scattering of portions of files about the disk in nonadjacent areas, thus greatly slowing access
to the files.
5. Windows and Mac OS are generally used on ________ computers.
6. ________ is the process of loading an operating system into a computer’s main memory.
7. A(n) ________ is a utility that will find all the scattered files on your hard disk and reorganize them as
contiguous files.
8. The ________ is the component of system software that comprises the master system of programs that
manage the basic operations of the computer.
9. The ________ is the user-controllable display screen that allows you to communicate, or interact, with your
computer.
10. Disk scanner and disk cleanup utilities detect and correct certain types of common problems on hard
disks, such as removing unnecessary files called ________ files that are created by Windows only for short
tasks and system restore after system problems.
1 1. OSs allow users to control access to their computers via use of a ________ and a ________ .
12. Software or hardware that is ________ means that it is privately owned and controlled by a company.
13. Linux is ________ - ________ software—meaning any programmer can download it from the internet for
free and modify it with suggested improvements.
14. When you power up a computer by turning on the power “on” switch, this is called a ________ boot. If your
computer is already on and you restart it, this is called a ________ boot.
15. ________ software allows you to create and edit documents.
16. ________ is the activity of moving upward or downward through the text or other screen display.
17. Name four editing features offered by word processing programs: ________, ________, ________,
________.
18. In a spreadsheet, the place where a row and a column intersect is called a ________ .
19. The ________ is the movable symbol on the display screen that shows you where you may next enter data
or commands.
20. When you buy software, you pay for a ________, a contract by which you agree not to make copies of the
software to give away or resell.
21. Records in a database are sorted according to a ________.
22. ________ involves mixing text and graphics to produce high-quality output for commercial printing.
23. A ________ allows users to create tables and do “what-if” financial analyses by entering data and formulas
into rows and columns arranged as a grid on a display screen.
24. ________ automatically continues text to the next line when you reach the right margin.
25. Settings that are automatically used by a program unless the user specifies otherwise are called ________ .
________.
26. ________ - ________ software is not protected by copyright and may be copied by anyone.
27. ________ ________ are specialized software programs that allow input and output devices to communicate
with the rest of the computer system.
28. The ________ format allows documents to be sent to almost any platform and be opened without losing any
of their characteristics (text, colors, graphics, formatting).

Multiple-Choice Questions
1. Which of the following are functions of the operating system?
a. file management
b. CPU management
c. task management
d. booting
e. all of these

2. Which of the following was the first major microcomputer OS?

a. Mac OS
b. Windows
c. DOS
d. Unix
e. Linux

3. Which of the following is a prominent network operating system?

a. Linux
b. Ubuntu
c. Windows NT
d. DOS
e. Mac OS

4. Which of the following is the newest Microsoft Windows

operating system?
a. Windows Vista
b. Windows XP
c. Windows 7
d. Windows NT
e. Windows CE

5. Which of the following refers to the execution of two or more programs by one user almost at the same time
on the same computer with one central processor?
a. multitasking
b. multiprocessing
c. time-sharing
d. multiprogramming
e. coprocessing

6. Which of the following are specialized software programs that allow input and output devices to
communicate with the rest of the computer system?
a. multitasking
b. boot-disks
c. utility programs
d. device drivers
e. service packs

7. Which of the following is not an advantage of using database software?

a. integrated data
b. improved data integrity
c. lack of structure
d. elimination of data redundancy

8. Which of the following is not a feature of word processing software?

a. spelling checker
b. cell address
c. formatting
d. cut and paste
e. find and replace

9. What is the common consumer computer interface used today?

a. command-driven interface
b. graphical user interface
c. menu-driven interface
d. electronic user interface
e. biometric user interface

10. Which type of software can you download and duplicate without any restrictions whatsoever and without
fear of legal prosecution?
a. commercial software
b. shareware
c. public-domain software
d. pirated software
e. rentalware

True/False Questions
T F 1. The supervisor manages the CPU.
T F 2. The first graphical user interface was provided by Microsoft Windows.
T F 3. All operating systems are mutually compatible.
T F 4. Font refers to a preformatted document that provides basic tools for shaping the final document.
T F 5. Unix crashes often and thus is not normally used for running important large systems.
T F 6. Windows NT is the most recent Microsoft OS.
T F 7. Spreadsheet software enables you to perform what-if calculations.
T F 8. Public-domain software is protected by copyright and so is offered for sale by license only.
T F 9. The records within the various tables in a database are linked by a key field.
T F 10. QuarkXPress and Adobe InDesign are professional desktop-publishing programs.
T F 1 1. The best-known graphical user interface is the command-driven one.
T F 12. Microsoft PowerPoint is an example of financial software.
T F 13. Drawing programs create vector images, and painting programs produce bit-mapped images.
T F 14. General computer users can design their own web pages using Adobe Dreamweaver, Adobe Flash, and
Microsoft FrontPage.
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