COM 002 COMPUTER APPLICATION PACKAGES I

Lecture Note
Information Technology
Introduction
Computer software provides instructions that tell the computer how to operate.
Software are also called programs. These programs are usually created using
other software called programming languages. System software is a type of
program that acts like a conductor in an orchestra. It directs all the activities and
sets all the rules for how the hardware and software work together. MS DOS
and Microsoft Windows are examples of system software or operating system
software. Application software programs work with the operating system
software to help you use your computer to do specific types of work such as
word processing to type a letter.

Review on some basic Computer Fundamentals

Purpose of Computer
The main purpose of computer is the processing of data into information. The
term data is a symbolic representation of facts about People, Objects, and Places
etc. which need to be transformed in to a desired form (information) after a
series of processes.
Basic Computer operations (Input, Processing, Output and Storage)

Input Unit: This unit is used for entering data and programs into the computer
system by the user for processing. The components used for inputting data are
called Input Devices
Processing: The task of performing operations like arithmetic and logical
operations is called processing. The Processing Device (Central Processing Unit

1 Compiled by Sammani K Abdullahi

Department of Computer science, SOT Kano State Polytechnic
COM 002 COMPUTER APPLICATION PACKAGES I

(CPU)) takes data and instructions from the storage unit and makes all sorts of
calculations based on the instructions given and the type of data provided. It is
then sent back to the storage unit. CPU includes Arithmetic logic unit (ALU) and
control unit (CU)
- Arithmetic Logic Unit: All calculations and comparisons, based on the
instructions provided, are carried out within the ALU. It performs
arithmetic functions like addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and
also logical operations like greater than, less than and equal to etc.
- Control Unit: Controlling of all operations like input, processing and
output are performed by control unit. It takes care of step by step
processing of all operations inside the computer.
Output Unit: The output unit is used for storing the result as output produced
by the computer after processing. The components used for obtaining/viewing
the results (information) are called output Devices
Storage Unit: The storage unit is used for storing data and instructions before
and after processing. The components used for data, instructions and or
information storing are called Storage Devices

Components of Computer System

Basically, Component of Computer System are categorised into four namely;
 Hardware: The hardware components are the interrelated visible or
tangible equipment and parts of the computer system for input and
output operations. Examples of these components include the following:
- Input device e.g Keyboard, mouse, Scanner etc
- Processing device e.g CPU (Central Processing Unit)
- Output device e.g Monitor, Printers etc
 Software: The software element which is the non-physical parts comprise
of interrelated program and instruction that facilitate the processing of all
activities of the Computer System.
There are two major categories of software which include:
- System software: is used to manage the computer and provides the
enabling environment for the Application software to take effects.
e.g OS (Operating System)
- Application software: enables users to solve problems or perform
useful tasks base on needs e.g Office document, CorelDraw,

2 Compiled by Sammani K Abdullahi

Department of Computer science, SOT Kano State Polytechnic
COM 002 COMPUTER APPLICATION PACKAGES I

 Humanware: These are the personals involved in the development and

general operations of the Computer system right from the first point of
its existence to the point of the user interactions. They include;
- Computer analyst
- Computer programmer
- Computer Operator
- User
 Procedure: Procedures are the unique ways of producing whatever
through the computer system.

Application Packages
Applications package is a set of programs and documentation to carry out
particular computer operations. This is usually brought from an outside
agency or software house.
Types of Application Packages
- Word Processor software e.g. MS word, WordPad, and Notepad
- Database software e.g. Ms access, Oracle etc
- Spreadsheet software e.g. Ms Excel, Apple Numbers etc
- Presentation Packages e .g. Ms Power Point
- Graphics packages e.g. CorelDraw, Photo shop etc
- Web Page Browsers e.g. Google Chrome, Mozilla etc
- Multi-media software e.g. Real player, Media player etc
Functions of Application Packages
- Managing information
- Manipulating data
- Constructing visuals
- Coordinating resources
- Calculating figures

Word Processing: refers to the activities of Creating, Editing, Viewing, Storing,

Retrieving and printing a textual material using the computer systems. or
Word Processing is the use of computer hardware and software to Create, Edit
View, Store, Retrieve and Print textual materials (e.g. letters, memos, document
e.t.c.)

3 Compiled by Sammani K Abdullahi

Department of Computer science, SOT Kano State Polytechnic
COM 002 COMPUTER APPLICATION PACKAGES I

The program that provides an enabling environment for Creating, Editing,

Viewing, Storing, Retrieving and printing a textual material using the computer
systems is called Word Processor
Example of Word processor
- Microsoft word
- WordPad
- Notepad
- WordPerfect (window only)
- Latus word pro.
- AppleWorks (Mac only)
- Work pages
- OpenOffice writer
Microsoft Word is a word processor from Microsoft Corporation. It is a member
of the Microsoft office that provides an integrated suite of packages that are
commonly use in business offices like spreadsheet word processor, desktop
publishing e.t.c. into a single, suite.
Microsoft Word has all the advantages of a word processor and also has some.
Special features that make it easier to use and generally makes it better than
other word processors. Microsoft Word has a number of versions which includes
Word 1998,97, XP, 2003, 2010 e.t.c. But this time We are going to used
Microsoft Word 2007.
Advantages of Microsoft Word
a) “Check as you type” Spelling Checker: - in most word processors, the
correction of spellings, mistakes are done after you have finished typing.
But MS-WORD checks for spelling mistakes as you type along and
underline wrong spelling with redline.
b) Grammar Checking: - this is a new facility in word processors. This facility
checks for grammatical error like irregular capitalization, starting a.
paragraph with small letter, separating words with double spaces instead
of single space.
c) Automatic correction of some common mistakes like typing “hte” instead
of “the”. MS-WORD will automatically correct it for you.
d) Automatic line numbering with bullets and numbers.

4 Compiled by Sammani K Abdullahi

Department of Computer science, SOT Kano State Polytechnic
COM 002 COMPUTER APPLICATION PACKAGES I

e) The use of “ClipArt” can help in performing some tasks in MS-WORD as it

can tell you how to perform the task.

Basic Microsoft Word windows

1. Title bar: this displays the document name, followed by a program name
2. Main Menu Bar: it displays the menu such as File, Edit, View, Insert,
Format, Tools, Table, Window, and Help. You use the menu to give
instructions to the software.
3. Standard Toolbar: includes all of the most commonly used tools or icons
in a piece of software.
4. Formatting toolbar: provides access to several text formatting
functions such as font size and color, text alignment, lists, and the like.
Applies the selected font to the text. Applies the selected font size to the
text.
5. Ruler bar: let you control the margins of your page and the indentation of
paragraphs.

Definitions of terms

Word-processing: This is the various activities involved in typing, editing,

storing, retrieving, formatting, styling, and printing of documents with the use
of computer.
Word processor: A word processor is a sophisticated package that turns an
electronic computer into a typewriter.
Text: One or more characters used to communicate ideas, thoughts, or
information. Texts generally include alphabetical and special characters.
Document: It is an office file saved under a file name. A document is the end
product of word processing. Typical documents include letters, memos, report,
chapters, blocks or newsletters.
Hard copy: A hard copy is the printed copy of any Word document.
File: A file is any document stored in disk when it is saved.
Filename: A filename is any name assigned to a document stored on disk. A
filename can be up to eight (8) characters but Windows accept up to 255
characters and include an additional three-character extension.

5 Compiled by Sammani K Abdullahi

Department of Computer science, SOT Kano State Polytechnic
COM 002 COMPUTER APPLICATION PACKAGES I

Extension: The extension always follows a period. (.) Some word processors
automatically assign a specific extension e.g. .BAK for backup file, WP for
WordPerfect, (.doc) for Microsoft word, .exe .mp3 .jpg AMR etc.
A FONT: A font is a character style that determines the look and size of your
character
Template: A template is a pre-set document you can edit to create a customized
document.

Assignment
1 Identify method of acquiring Application Packages (5 marks)
2 what are the Applications of Computer System in field of study (10 marks)
3 what are the main benefits of Application Packages in business
perspective (10 marks)

6 Compiled by Sammani K Abdullahi

Department of Computer science, SOT Kano State Polytechnic