Computing L3

ICT Computing
Lesson 3:

Computer Software

Objectives

• 1.3.1: Define “software,” including software types (system vs. application), software

interfaces (GUI vs. command-line) and software licenses (commercial vs. open).

• 1.3.2: Compare the most common computer operating systems (i.e., Windows, Apple,

UNIX).

• 1.3.3: Compare the most common operating systems used in mobile devices (i.e., iOS,

Android, Windows Phone).

• 1.3.4: Compare common types of application software, including browser, e-mail client,

word processor, presentation, spreadsheet.

• 1.3.5: Define the term “cloud computing.”

• 1.3.6: Describe and use common file-naming conventions.

• 1.3.7: Identify file types by file name extension, including .doc, .txt, .wav, xls.

• 1.3.8: Perform file management tasks, including folder creation, file creation, backup, copy,

delete, open, save.

• Communicates directly with motherboard.
• Three types of system software:

• Operating system
• Device driver
• Utility software
• Disk Management

• Task Manager
• Event Viewer

System Software

• Allow hardware and software to talk.
• Loads into RAM.

Operating System (OS)

• Small piece of software

• Allows device to work with the OS.

• Written by manufacturer of device
• OS has many preloaded drivers

Device Drivers

User

Application

Operating system

Device
Driver

• Helps maintain the

computer.

• An OS will have some

Utility software

• Disk Management
• Task Manager
• Event Viewer

Utility Software

Software GUI

Command-Line Interface

Graphical User Interface

•Not user friendly

•Commands must be typed in

•Very user friendly

•Point and click on an icon or menu choice

• Controls how software can be used and

distributed.

• Two types of licensing:

o Commercial:

• Proprietary software - owned by a

company or individual

• Must pay a price
• Cannot modify source code

o Open source:

• Not owned by a company or individual
• Free software
• Source code can be modified
•

Provide recognition for original work

Software Licenses

• Desktop OS: found on desktop
• Network OS: found on servers
• Mobile OS: found on smartphones and tablets

Operating System Types

Desktop

Network server

Mobile tablet

Main Operating Systems

�

Linux Ubuntu

macOS

�

Windows

Desktop Operating Systems

Server Operating Systems

Microsoft Server 2022

Mobile Operating Systems

Google Android

Apple iOS

•Very large market

•Installs on many different devices

•Icon- and widget-based interface

•Preloaded with Google Play store

•3.1 million apps

•Many customization features

•Large market

•Installs only on Apple mobile
devices

•Simple icon interface

•Preloaded with App Store

•2.1 million apps

•Not very customizable

•Used on small devices.

•A finger is often used for navigation.

• Single application or suite of applications.
• Focus on helping user complete a task

• Write a report
• Play a game
• Send email

• Cloud computing

• Software on a server located on the

Internet.

• User access requires browser and

Internet connection.

Application Software

• Develop a system to store and find files.
• Naming guidelines:

• Use short, simple file names
• Use descriptive file and folder names
• Use all lower-case letters
• Use underscores instead of spaces
• Avoid using characters such as ! # $ % @ ^ ` ~ +

File Management

• Characters after the period in

file name.

• OS knows which application to

open file with.

File Extensions

File Type

Extension(S)

Portable Document Format file

.pdf

Microsoft Word document

.docx

Microsoft PowerPoint presentation

.pptx

Microsoft Excel spreadsheet

.xlsx

Plain text file

.txt

Webpage

.html