CHAPTER 4 - Programs And Apps

CHAPTER 4 Programs and apps

Objectives overview

§  Identify the general categories of programs and apps

§  Describe how an operating system interacts with applications and hardware

§  Differentiate among the ways you can acquire programs and apps

§  Identify key features of productivity applications

§  Identify the key features of graphics and multimedia applications

§  Identify the uses of personal interest applications

§  Identify the purpose of software used in communications

§  Identify the key features of security tools

§  Identify the key features of file and disk management tools

Program, Software and Application

PROGRAM

SOFTWARE

APPLICATION

A set of instructions telling a computer what to do.

The programs and other operating information used by a computer.

Software can be made up of more than one program. All-encompassing term that is often used in contrast to hardware

A program or group of programs that is designed for the end user.

Application software cannot run on itself but is dependent on system software to execute.

#Remember

All applications are program, but a program is not necessary an application.

Operating System

An operating system is a set of programs that coordinates all the activities among computer or mobile device hardware.

For the examples : Windows, Linux, Redhat, Mac OS

Productivity Applications

With productivity applications, users often use for :

§  Word processing software allows users to create and manipulate documents.

§  Clip art is a collection of drawings, photos, and other images.

§  Presentation software allows users to create visual aids for presentations to communicate ideas, messages, and other information to a group

§  Spreadsheet software allows users to organize data in rows and columns and perform calculations

§  A database is a collection of data organized in a manner that allows access, retrieval, and use of that data

§  Database software allows users to create, access, and manage a database

Spreadsheet VS Database

Spreadsheet	Database
Tabulate data and create graphs based on the data	Stored data so that can be retrieved by users
Hold a less amount of data	Hold a large amount of data
Too much data is simply impractical in a single spreadsheet as it becomes more difficult for a person to edit it.	Not edited directly by people as there are other applications that are meant to enter new data or modify the contents
Usually used for presentations and paperworks	Commonly used in cases where a lot of data needs to stored and tracked.

§  Note taking software is an application that enables users to enter typed text, handwritten comments, drawings, or sketches anywhere on a page. (Microsoft OneNote, Google Keep)

§  Calendar and contact management software is an application that helps you organize your calendar, keep track of contacts, and share this information with other devices or users

§  A software suite is a collection of individual programs available together as a unit. (Microsoft Office)

§  Project management software is an application that allows a user to plan, schedule, track, and analyze the events, resources, and costs of a project (Microsoft Project,JIRA, Trello)

§  Accounting software is an application that helps businesses of all sizes record and report their financial transactions (Qucikbooks, GnuCash)

§  Personal finance software is a simplified accounting application that helps home users and small/home office users balance their checkbooks, pay bills, track personal income and expenses, verify account balances, transfer funds, track investments, and evaluate financial plans (Quicken,Microsoft money, Moneydance)

§  Legal software is an application that assists in the preparation of legal documents and provides legal information to individuals, families, and small businesses

§  Allows users to create contracts and legal forms, plan an estate, and negotiate other types of life changes that require legally binding documents. (MyAttorney, Home & Business, Perfect Attorney)

§  Tax preparation software is an application that can guide individuals, families, or small businesses through the process of filing federal taxes

A large organizations, commonly referred to as an enterprise, requires special computing solutions because of its size and geographic distribution.

Graphics and Media Software

§  A media player is a program that allows you to view images and animations, listen to audio, and watch video files on your computer or mobile device.

§  Disc burning software writes text, graphics, audio, and video files on a recordable or rewritable disc

Communication Applications

1) Blogging

2) Browsing

3) Chat Room

4)Discussion Forum

5) Email

6) Instant Messaging

7) Video Conference

8) VoIP

9) Web Feeds

Security Tools

ü  A personal firewall is a security tool that detects and protects a personal computer and its data from unauthorized intrusions. 

ü  An antivirus program protects a computer against viruses by identifying and removing any computer viruses found in memory, on storage media, or on incoming files.

ü  Spyware is a program placed on a computer or mobile device without the user’s knowledge that secretly collects information about the user and then communicates the information it collects to some outside source while the user is online.

ü  Adware is a program that displays an online advertisement in a banner or pop-up window on webpages, email messages, or other Internet services.

File and Disk Management Tools

A file manager is a tool that performs functions related to file management.

A search tool is a program, usually included with an operating system, that attempts to locate a file on your computer or mobile device based on criteria you specify.

An image viewer is a tool that allows users to display, copy, and print the contents of a graphics file, such as a photo.

An uninstaller is a tool that removes a program, as well as any associated entries in the system files.

A disk cleanup tool searches for and removes unnecessary files.

A disk defragmenter is a tool that reorganizes the files and unused space on a computer’s hard disk so that the operating system accesses data more quickly and programs run faster.

A screen saver is a tool that causes a display device’s screen to show a moving image or blank screen if no keyboard or mouse activity occurs for a specified time.

A file compression tool shrinks the size of a file(s).