**NODE 3: THE SOFTWARE**

OPERATING SOFTWARE

The operating system is the most important program that runs on a computer. Every general-purpose
computer must have an operating system to run other programs. Operating systems perform basic
tasks, such as recognizing input from the keyboard, sending output to the display screen, keeping
track of files and directories on the disk, and control peripheral devices such as disk drives and
printers.

For large systems, the operating system has even greater responsibilities and powers. It is like a
traffic cop – it makes sure those different programs and users running at the same time do not
interfere with each other. The operating system is also responsible for security, ensuring that
unauthorized users do not access the system.

Classification of Operating systems:

• Multi-user: Allows two or more users to run programs at
the same time. Some operating systems permit hundreds
or even thousands of concurrent users.
• Multiprocessing: Supports running a program on more
than one CPU.
• Multitasking: Allows more than one program to run
concurrently.
• Real-time: Responds to input instantly. General-purpose
operating systems, such as DOS and UNIX, are not real
time.

Operating systems provide a software platform on top of which other programs, called application
programs, can run. The application programs must be written to run on top of a particular operating
system. Your choice of operating system, therefore, determines to a great extent the applications you
can run. For PCs, the most popular operating systems are DOS, OS/2, and Windows, but others are
available, such as Linux.
PROGRAMMING

A programming language is a computer language that programmers use to develop applications,

scripts, or other set of instructions for a computer to execute.

Where to start depends on the computer programming you want to do. A listing of some of the
different fields of programming as well as what language you should consider for each -these fields
are the following:

• Applications and Program Development

Application and program development involves programs you work on a daily basis. For
example, the Internet browser you are using to view a web page is considered a program. If you are
interested in writing your own programs, you should consider the following languages.
■C ■ C# ■ C++ ■ Java ■ Tcl ■ Visual Basic

• Artificial Intelligence Development

Artificial Intelligence or related fields could involve anything from creating the character
interactions in computer games, portions of programs that make the decisions in programs, chatbots,
or any other related programs. If you are interested in writing your own, all you should consider are
the following languages.
■ AIML ■C ■ C# ■ C++ ■ Prolog
• Database Development
Database developers create and maintain databases. If you
are interested in creating your own database or maintaining
other databases, you should consider any of the following
languages.
■ DBASE ■ FoxPro
■M ySQL ■ SQL ■ Visual FoxPro

• Game Development
Game development involves the development of computer games or other entertainment
software. If you are interested in writing your own games, you should consider the following
languages.
■C ■ C# ■ C++ ■ DarkBASIC ■ Java

• Computer Drivers or Other Hardware Interface Development

Computer drivers and programming hardware interface support is a necessity for computers
to operate with the hardware; without it your computer would not work. If you are interested in
writing your own drivers or software interfaces for hardware devices, you should consider the
following languages.
■ Assembly ■C

• Internet and Web Page Development

Internet and web page development is the essence of the Internet. Without developers, we
would have no Internet. If you are interested in creating your own web pages, developing Internet
applications, or Internet related tasks, you should consider the following languages.
■ HDML ■ HTML ■ Java ■ JavaScript ■ Perl
■ PHP ■ Python ■ XML

• Script Development
Although not likely to be a career, knowing how to create and develop scripts to increase your
productivity or your company's can save you countless hours. If you are interested in developing
your own scripts, you should consider the following languages.
 ■ Autohotkey ■ awk ■ bash ■ Batchfile
■ Perl ■ Python ■ Tcl

APPLICATION

It is a software that processes data for the user. Except for "system software," which provides
the infrastructure in the computer (operating system, utilities, and related components), all software
programs are application programs.
In the entertainment world, it refers to games. In the business world, it refers to the data entry,
update, query, and report programs that make up the company's bread and butter information
systems (order entry, billing, inventory, human resources, payroll, manufacturing, etc.).
The term may also refer to a generic application, often called a "productivity program," such as
a Web browser, spreadsheet, word processor, database, or e-mail program.
• Spreadsheet
A spreadsheet is a table of values arranged in rows and columns. Each value can have a
predefined relationship to the other values. If you change one value, therefore, you may need to
change other values as well.

Spreadsheet Applications
Spreadsheet applications (sometimes referred to simply as spreadsheets are computer
programs that let you create and manipulate spreadsheets electronically. In a spreadsheet
application, each value sits in a cell. You can define what type of data is in each cell and how
different cells depend on one another. The relationships between cells are called formulas, and
the names of the cells are called labels.

Entering Data
Once you have defined the cells and the formulas for linking them together, you can enter
your data. You can then modify selected values to see how all the other values change
accordingly. This enables you to study various what-if scenarios.

A simple example of a useful spreadsheet application is one that calculates mortgage

payments for a house. You would define five cells as:
■ total cost of the house
■ down payment
■ mortgage rate
■ mortgage term
■ monthly payment

Once you have defined how these cells depend on one another, you could enter numbers and
play with various possibilities. For example, keeping all the other values the same, you could
see how different mortgage rates would affect your monthly payments.
 There are a number of spreadsheet applications in the market including AppleWorks,
Microsoft Excel, and Google Spreadsheets. The more powerful spreadsheet applications
support graphics features that enable you to produce charts and graphs from the data.
Most spreadsheet applications are multidimensional, meaning that you can link one spreadsheet
to another. A three-dimensional spreadsheet, for example, is like a stack of spreadsheets all
connected by formulas. A change made in one spreadsheet automatically affects other
spreadsheets.

• Word Processor
Sometimes abbreviated as WP, a word processor is a software program capable of creating,
storing, and printing documents. Unlike the standard typewriter, users using word processors have
the ability of creating a document and making any changes anywhere in the document. This
document can also be saved for modification at a later time or to be opened on any other computer
using the same word processor. Today, the word processor is one of the most frequently used
programs or online services used on a computer today.

Note:
A word processor should not be confused with a text editor such as Microsoft
Notepad that only allows editing and creating plaintext documents.

Examples of commercial word processors:

■ Apple iWork - Pages ■ Apple TextEdit - Apple Mac OS included Word processor ■ Corel
WordPerfect ■ Microsoft Office -> Microsoft Word
■ Microsoft Works ■ Sun StarOffice

• Presentation
A presentation program is a software program that helps create a slideshow that addresses a
topic. Presentation programs are often used in businesses and schools for discussing a topic or for
teaching. Many times, users who use presentation programs also use a projector to project the
slideshow up on a screen that everyone can easily view.
Examples of presentation programs that can be used include Microsoft Power Point, iWork Keynote
in Apple, and OpenOffice Impress. In the image to the above right, is an example of OpenOffice
Impress, a free presentation program and what you would see as you create a presentation.

Once created, a person or group of people will stand in front of other people and present the
presentation. Generally, this is done by going through one slide show at a time explaining the topics
or bullet points of the slide and then moving to the next slide until all slides have been shown. For
example, in a business presentation a co-worker may go through slides that illustrate how well the
company is doing, its profits, sales, and other important information.

• Database
Database software is the phrase used to describe any software that is designed for creating
databases and managing the information stored in them. Sometimes referred to as database
management systems (DBMS), database software tools are primarily used for storing, modifying,
extracting, and searching for information within a database.
Database software is used for a number of reasons in any industry — from keeping your
bookkeeping on task, compiling client lists, to running your online Web site.

Because they have so many uses, there are dozens of database software programs available. The
options have gone beyond Oracle or Microsoft Access to encompass FileMaker, Avanquest, and
Delicious Monster Software for options tailored to a variety of needs. Some of the more popular
database software applications include desktop solutions like Microsoft Access and FileMaker Pro
and server solutions like MySQL, Microsoft SQL Server and Oracle.