Application Programs

A program, or software, consists of a series of related

instructions, organized for a common purpose, that tells the
computer what tasks to perform and how to perform them
An application, or app, sometimes called application software,
consists of programs designed to make users more productive
and/or assist them with personal tasks
An operating system is a set of programs that coordinates all
the activities among computer or mobile device hardware
Tools and activities
System software
Software is available in a variety of forms:
Retail Software is typically sold under restricted licenses (e.g.
EULAs) or in the case of cloud-based software sold as
a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) model.
 Custom software is designed to specifically address these
users' needs better than more traditional and widespread off-
the-shelf software can
 A web application (or web app) is an application software that
runs on a web server, unlike computer-
based software programs that are stored locally on the
Operating System (OS) of the device
  A mobile application is a software program that is
designed to run on specific hardware,
namely mobile handheld computing devices such as
tablets and smartphones.

Shareware is a type of proprietary software which is initially provided free of charge to users, who are
allowed and encouraged to make and share copies of the program. Shareware is often offered as a
download from a website or on a compact disc included with a magazine.
 
Freeware is software that is free to use. Unlike commercial software, it does not require any payment or
licensing fee. It is similar to shareware, but will not eventually ask you for payment to continue using the
software.
Productivity applications can assist you in becoming more effective and efficient while performing daily
activities at work, school, and home.
 
Word processing software allows users to create and manipulate documents
 A major advantage of using word processing software is that it enables users to change their written
words easily
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 columns and rows and perform calculations on
the data.
 
 A database is a collection of data organized in a manner that allows access, retrieval, and use of that data
o Database software allows users to create, access, and manage a database
Note taking software is an application that enables users to enter typed text, handwritten comments,
drawings, sketches, photos, and links anywhere on a page

 Calendar and contact management software is an application that helps you organize your calendar,
keep track of contacts, and share this information with other users
  A software suite is a collection of individual related applications available together as a unit
 Project management software is an application that allows a user to plan, schedule, track, and analyze
the events, resources, and costs of a project
 Accounting software is an application that helps businesses of all sizes record and report their
financial transactions
 
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.
Legal software is an application that assists in the preparation of legal documents and provides legal
information to individuals, families, and small businesses
Tax preparation software is an application that can guide individuals, families, or small businesses
through the process of filing federal and state taxes
Document management software is an application that provides a means for sharing, distributing, and
searching through documents by converting them into a format that can be viewed by any user
 
A large organization, commonly referred to as an enterprise, requires special computing solutions
because of its size and geographic distribution.

o
 Human resources software
 Accounting software
 Engineering or product development software
 Manufacturing software
 Marketing software
 Sales software
 Distribution software
 Customer service software
 Software for information technology staff
 Graphics and Media Software
 Graphics and Multimedia software allows professional like Engineers, Architects, Publishers,
and Graphic Artist to design work that is intended for their own field of specialization
 For desktop publishing, it enables professional to create sophisticated documents that contain
texts, graphics, and many colors.
  
 Multimedia authoring software allows users to combine text, graphics, audio, video, and
animation in an interactive application
  
  Website authoring software helps users of all skill levels create webpages that include
graphics, video, audio, animation, and special effects with interactive content
 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.
Personal Interest Applications: nowadays more and more desktop, web and mobile apps are being
designed for specific activities related     to lifestyle, entertainment, medical, convenience or education
activities. Most of these applications are free but few are quite inexpensive.

o  Lifestyle applications
o Medical applications
o Entertainment applications
o Convenience applications
o Education applications
Communications Applications: an application or program designed to pass information from one
system to another. Such software provides remote access to systems and transmits files in a multitude of
formats between computers

o Blog
o Browsing
o Chat
o Online Discussion
o Email
o File Transfer
o Internet Phone
o Instant Messaging
o Mobile Messaging
o Videoconference
o Web Feeds
 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)
  A PC maintenance tool is a program that identifies and fixes operating system problems, detects
and repairs drive problems, and includes the capability of improving a computer’s performance
  A backup tool allows users to copy, or back up, selected files or the contents of an entire storage
medium to another storage location.
  A restore tool reverses the process and returns backed up files to their original form
 

Communicating Digital Content

This module covers the basics of digital communications, different types of networks and network
standards that enables devices to talk or communicate together.  Also discussed in this module the
 different communication media specifically on wired and wireless type of media that users enjoy and
enable them to connect real-real time and take them closer to each other.
Upon completion of this module, you will be able to answer the following questions:
 Discuss the purpose of the components required for successful communications and identify various
sending and receiving devices
 Differentiate among LANs, MANs, WANs, and PANs
 Differentiate between client/server and peer-to-peer networks
 Explain the purpose of communications software
 Describe the various network communications standards and protocols
 Digital Communications
 Digital communication technology like mobile technology and online platforms has greatly
influenced and expanded the way people interact and consume news and information. Today the
world has become digital due to advanced technology. Improvement of information technologies
and telecommunication system has enhanced communication, expanding the traditional scope of
communication
  
 Digital communications describes a process in which two or more computers or devices transfer
data, instructions, and information.
SENDING TRANSMITIING RECEIVING

Since digital communication is not possible if there are no connected devices designed to the purpose of
communicate, hence the network came out.
 
Networks
 A network is a collection of computers and devices connected together via communications devices and
transmission media
 Advantages of a network include:

A local area network (LAN) is a network that connects computers and devices in a limited geographical
area
It’s a group of computer and peripheral devices which are connected in a limited area such as school,
laboratory, home, and office building. It is a widely useful network for sharing resources like files, printers,
games, and other application. The simplest type of LAN network is to connect computers and a printer in
someone's home or office.
 Types of Computer Networks
There are various types of computer networks available. We can categorize them according to their size
as well as their purpose.
The size of a network should be expressed by the geographic area and number of computers, which are
a part of their networks. It includes devices housed in a single room to millions of devices.
 
A wireless LAN (WLAN) is a LAN that uses no physical wires.
 This type does not use wires to connect devices, instead it uses radio signals from one wireless device
that distribute the signal.
 WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) helps you to link single or multiple devices using wireless
communication within a limited area like home, school, or office building. It gives users an ability to move
around within a local coverage area which may be connected to the network.
 
A metropolitan area network (MAN) connects LANs in a metropolitan area
- consisting of a computer network across an entire city, college campus, or a small region. This type of
network is large than a LAN, which is mostly limited to a single building or site. Depending upon the type
of configuration, this type of network allows you to cover an area from several miles to tens of miles.

A Wide Area Network(WAN) is a network that covers a large geographic area.

- is another important computer network that which is spread across a large geographical area. WAN
network system could be a connection of a LAN which connects with other LAN's using telephone lines
and radio waves. It is mostly limited to an enterprise or an organization.
 A personal area network
(PAN) is a network that connects computers and devices in an individual’s workspace with wired and
wireless technology
- is a computer network formed around a person. It generally consists of a computer, mobile, or personal
digital assistant. PAN can be used for establishing communication among these personal devices for
connecting to a digital network and the internet.

The Network Architecture

The configuration of computers, devices, and media on a network is sometimes called the network
architecture.
It’s the logical and structural layout of the network, consisting of transmission equipment, software and
communication protocols, and infrastructure (i.e. wired or wireless) transmission of data and connectivity
between components.
Client/server network
 
A client server network is defined as specific type of online network comprised of a single central
computer acting as a server that directs multiple other computers, which is referred to as the clients. By
accessing the server, clients are then able to reach shared files and information saved on the serving
computer.

The Network Architecture

 The configuration of computers, devices, and media on a network is sometimes called the network
architecture.
It’s the logical and structural layout of the network, consisting of transmission equipment, software and
communication protocols, and infrastructure (i.e. wired or wireless) transmission of data and connectivity
between components.
Peer-to-peer network
is created when two or more PCs are connected and share resources without going through a separate
server computer. A P2P network can be an ad hoc connection—a couple of computers connected via a
Universal Serial Bus to transfer files. A P2P network also can be a permanent infrastructure that links a
half-dozen computers in a small office over copper wires. Or a P2P network can be a network on a much
grander scale in which special protocols and applications set up direct relationships among users over the
Internet.
Communications Software
- consists of programs and apps that:
 Help users establish a connection to another computer, mobile device, or network
 Manage the transmission of data, instructions, and information
 Provide an interface for users to communicate with one another
 Network Communications Standards and Protocols

 Protocols and standards are what make networks work together. Protocols make it possible for the

various components of a network to communicate with each other. Standards also make it

possible for network components manufactured by different companies to work

together. Protocol is a set of rules that enables effective communications to occur. You encounter

protocols every day.

  
 Ethernet is a network standard that specifies no central computer or device on the network
(nodes) should control when data can be transmitted
 The token ring standard specifies that computers and devices on the network share or pass a
special signal (token)
 TCP/IP is a network protocol that defines how messages (data) are routed from one end of a
network to another
 Wi-Fi identifies any network based on the 11 standard that specifies how two wireless devices
communicate over the air with each other
 LTE is a network standard that defines how high-speed cellular transmissions use broadcast
radio to transmit data for mobile communications
 Bluetooth is a network protocol that defines how two Bluetooth devices use short-range radio
waves to transmit data
 UWB (ultra-wideband) is a network standard that specifies how two UWB devices use short-
range radio waves to communicate at high speeds with each other
 IrDA transmits data wirelessly via infrared (IR) light waves
 RFID is a protocol that defines how a network uses radio signals to communicate with a tag
placed in or attached to an object, an animal, or a person
  NFC (near field communication) is a protocol, based on RFID, that defines how a network uses
close-range radio signals to communicate between two devices or objects equipped with NFC
technology
 Communications Lines
 Dedicated line - a telecommunications path between two points that is available 24 hours a day
for use by a designated user (individual or company). It is not shared in common among multiple
users as dial-up lines are.
 Cable - A cable that transmits information signals between geographically separated points. The
heart of a communications cable is the transmission medium, which may be optical fibers, coaxial
conductors, or twisted wire pair
 DSL - Digital Subscriber Line. Users get a high speed bandwidth connection from a phone wall
jack on an existing telephone network. DSL works within the frequencies that the telephone
doesn't so you can use the Internet while making phone calls.
 ISDN - Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) is a set of communication standards for
simultaneous digital transmission of voice, video, data, and other network services over the
traditional circuits of the public switched telephone network.
 FTTP - Fiber to the Premises (FTTP) is a form of fiber optic communication delivery in which an
optical fiber is run directly onto customers' premises. This new technology brings remarkable
speed and an altogether new broadband experience.
 T-Carrier - a series of digital communication services provided by telcos for high-speed
permanent voice and data connections that was first developed by Bell
 ATM - The asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) protocol architecture is designed to support the
transfer of data with a range of guarantees for quality of service. The user data is divided into
small, fixed-length packets, called cells, and transported over virtual connections. ATM operates
over high data rate physical circuits, and the simple structure of ATM cells allows switching to be
performed in hardware, which improves the speed and efficiency of ATM switches.
Communications Devices
 A communications device is any type of hardware capable of transmitting data, instructions, and
information between a sending device and a receiving device
Modem
A broadband modem sends and receives data and information to and from a digital line
 Cable modem- a type of modem that connects a computer or local network to broadband internet service
through the same cable that supplies cable television service:
 DSL modem - A DSL modem is used to connect your devices to the DSL, the source of the internet.
o The DSL modem enables the customers to access the internet from the telephone lines.
A DSL modem has better latency than the cable modem. The internet connection is faster, consistent,
and users can use it for live streaming or gaming without glitches.
o A wireless modem uses a mobile phone provider’s network to connect to the Internet wirelessly from a
computer or mobile device
 
A wireless access point (WAP) is a central communications device that allows computers and
devices to transfer data wirelessly among themselves or to a wired network
 
A router connects multiple computers or other routers together and transmits data to its correct
destination on a network
A router is the first line of security from intrusion into a network. Enabling the highest level of security on
the router turns on things like the firewall, and is the best way to keep your computer system and
 information safe from attack. Routers contain software called firmware that should be updated as
released by the router manufacturer.
Some routers provide additional functionality:
 Wireless router
 Broadband router
 Broadband wireless
router
 Mobile broadband
wireless router
 A hub or switch is a device that provides a central point for cables in a network.
A network interface card (NIC) enables a computer or device that does not have built-in networking
capability to access a network.

Transmission Media
 Transmission media carries one or more communications signals
 Broadband media transmit multiple signals simultaneously
 The amount of data, instructions, and information that can travel over transmission media sometimes is
called the bandwidth
 Latency is the time it takes a signal to travel from one location to another on a network
 Home Networks
 Many home users connect multiple computers and devices together in a home network.
 Wireless Transmission Media
 Wireless transmission media refers to a form of unguided media that does not require the
establishment of physical links between two or more devices. Wireless transmission is used when
installing cables or using wired transmission would be impossible, impractical or inconvenient.
  
 Broadcast radio is a wireless transmission medium that distributes radio signals through the air
over long distances
 Cellular radio is a form of broadcast radio that is in wide use for mobile communications
  
 A communications satellite is a space station that receives microwave signals from an earth-based
station, amplifies it, and broadcasts the signal over a wide area to any number of earth-based
stations.
 A GPS (global positioning system) is a navigation system that consists of one or more earth-
based receivers that accept and analyze signals sent by satellites in order to determine the
receiver’s geographical location.
 Microwaves are radio waves that provide a high-speed signal transmission

Connecting and Communicating Online

The Internet

 is a worldwide collection of networks that connects millions of businesses, government agencies,

educational institutions, and individuals
 The Internet originated as ARPANET in September 1969 and had two main goals:
o Allow scientists at different physical locations to share information and work together
o Should be able to function even if part of the network were disabled or destroyed by a disaster


Connecting to the Internet

 With wired connections, a computer or device physically attaches via a cable or wire to a communications device
 Computers without a communications device can use a wireless modem or other communications device that
enables wireless connectivity
A hot spot
 is a wireless network that provides Internet connections to mobile computers and devices
An Internet service provider (ISP) is a business that provides individuals and organizations access to the
Internet free or for a fee
Example:
PLDT, globe, smart etc…
 Bandwidth represents the amount of data that travels over a network
–Megabyte (MB)
–Gigabyte (GB)
 
Each device uses a unique id called IP address:
An IP address is a sequence of numbers that uniquely identifies each computer or device connected to
the Internet
A domain name is a text-based name that corresponds to the IP address
A DNS server translates the domain name into its associated IP address
The World Wide Web
 The World Wide Web (WWW), or web, consists of a worldwide collection of electronic documents
(webpages)
 A website is a collection of related webpages and associated items
 A web server is a computer that delivers requested webpages to your computer
 Web 2.0 refers to websites that provide a means for users to share personal information, allow users to
modify website content, and provide applications through a browser
In short, everything that are displayed in your social media for example or your Google search, it consists
of related pages.
 A browser is an application that enables users with an Internet connection to access and view webpages
on a computer or mobile device
 A home page is the first page that a website displays
 Current browsers typically support tabbed browsing
 A webpage has a unique address, called a web address or URL
 A web app is an application stored on a web server that you access through a browser
  –Web app hosts usually provide storage for users’ data and information on their servers, known as cloud
storage

 A web search engine is software that finds websites, webpages, images, videos, news, maps, and other
information related to a specific topic
 A subject directory classifies webpages in an organized set of categories, such as sports or shopping, and
related subcategories
 Searching effectively
 Search operators can help to refine your search
 When searching through these search engines, note of the following for better and easier way to
reach specific information you wanted to know and see.
 The websites are created by web developers, they often undergo different stages such as
planning, designing and series of quality checking procedures before they are uploaded and
broadcasted over the internet. Web publishing is the creation and maintenance of websites. Here
are the basic steps.
  

Digital Media on the Web

The development of a website comes with different type of media. Multimedia refers to any application
that combines text with media such as the following:
 
 A graphic is a visual representation of nontext information
 Graphic formats include BMP, GIF, JPEG, PNG, and TIFF (you might want to know these by searching
the internet for better understanding)
 An infographic is a visual representation of data and information, designed to communicate
quickly, simplify complex concepts, or present patterns or trends


Animation is the appearance of motion created by displaying a series of still images in sequence.
When these images are executed in a animation software, you will see a ball running from left to right or
vice versa.
 Audio includes music, speech, or any other sound
 Compressed to reduce file size
 You listen to audio on your computer using a media player
 Video consists of images displayed in motion
 Virtual reality (VR) is the use of computers to simulate a real or imagined environment that appears as a
three-dimensional space
 
Whenever these media on the web are loaded, they are accompanied with a program compatible for them
to execute of which are enabled or installed with the browser.
 
 A plug-in, or add-on, is a program that extends the capability of a browser.
  
Other Internet Services
 Email is the transmission of messages and files via a computer network
 An email program allows you to create, send, receive, forward, store, print, and delete email messages
Example of email services: google mail, yahoo mail, hot mail
 
 An email list is a group of email addresses used for mass distribution of a message
 Instant messaging- services notify you when one or more of your established contacts are online and
then allows you to exchange messages or files or join a private chat room with them. So far, this is so
important for this time of pandemic together with the e-mail services. A chat is a real-time typed
conversation that takes place on a computer or mobile device with many other online users.
 A chat room is a website or application that permits users to chat with others who are online at the same
time.
 An online discussion is an online area in which users have written discussions about a particular subject
 tVoIP (Voice over IP) enables users to speak to other users via their Internet connection. This is the one
we use with our internet calls with our love ones
 FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is an Internet standard that permits file uploading and downloading
to and from other computers on the Internet
 Many operating systems include FTP capabilities
 An FTP server is a computer that allows users to upload and/or download files using FTP
 FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is an Internet standard that permits file uploading and downloading
to and from other computers on the Internet
 Many operating systems include FTP capabilities
 An FTP server is a computer that allows users to upload and/or download files using FTP