INTRO.

TO COMPUTER SOFTWARE (EEC 112)

ND I ELECTRICAL ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING

What is a Computer?
An electronic device, operating under the control of instructions stored in its own memory, that can
accept data (input) Process the data according to specified rules Produce results (output) Store the
results (storage) for future use.

COMPUTER SOFTWARES
A Software is a set of instruction or programs used to operate a computer and execute specific task, in
simpler terms a software tells a computer how to function. It actually tells the computer what to do and
how to do it. Software may enter the computer through one of the following ways:
• It may be built into the computer circuit in the form of firmware
• It may be loaded into the computer from a secondary storage device such as CD ROM or hard disk
drive
• It can also be typed into the computer with aid of the keyboard and programming tools
Characteristics of good Software
1. Good software should provide the required functionality
2. Good software should be usable even by the inexperienced users
3. Good software should be reliable and dependable
4. Good software should function efficiently
5. Good software should have a "life-time" at least measured in years
6. Good software should provide an appropriate user interface

Classification of Computer Software

1. Application Software
2. System Software
Application software: This is a Software that helps an end user complete a task in the computer such
as doing research, typing notes, designing graphics or even playing games. Application software is
different from system software in that it is designed for end use and it is specific in its functionality
Types of Application Software:
1. Word Processor: Application Software used for documentation. Example is the Micro Soft Word
2. Spread Sheet Software: Software used to compute quantitative data. Example is the Micro Soft
Excel

1
3. Database Software: Software used to create a database to organize data, known as database
management software.
4. Multimedia Software: Tools that are used to play, create or record images, audio or video files. It
is also used for video editing, graphics and image editing. Examples are VLC, Picasa, Photo shop etc.
5. Application Suites: A collection of related programs sold as a package. Microsoft Office is the most
popular and widely used application suite
6. Internet Browsers: Software used to access and view websites. Examples are Google chrome, opera
etc.
7. Email Programs: Software used for sending and receiving emails. Examples are G-mail, Hot mail
and Yahoo mail
System Software: This is Software that help the User, the Hardware and the Application Software
interact and function with each other. Unlike the application software the System software is not used
by end users directly, instead it runs in the background of the device. Examples are the Windows
operating system, Android OS and Network operating system. It includes the combination of the
following:
1. Operating system
2. Programming software
3. Utility programs

The operating system: An operating system (OS) is a set of programs containing instructions that co-
ordinate all the activities among computer hardware devices. This is the most important type of system
software in the computer, a user can’t run an application software without the operating system.
Operating system are contained in all devices including mobile phones
The operating system so much relies on the device driver to communicate with each hardware device.

A device driver is a small program that tells the OS how to communicate with the hardware device.

Functions of operating systems

To provide basic working environment/user interface on a computer.
To control the use of peripherals (both input and output).
To control the loading and running of application programs.
To manage allocation of memory
To manage booting process of a computer.
To manage files
To protect hardware and software.
To manage the process of connecting devices to work with a computer (configuring devices)
To manage the processor e.g. multitasking and time sharing.

User Interfaces: This is the environment given by the OS to control how a user enters data and
instructions and how information is displayed. There are two types of user interfaces;
1. Command line interface (CLI): This is the type of an interface in which users enter data and
instructions by typing key words or pressing special keys.

2
Advantages a CLI
• Takes little memory space
• Does not require very fast processors
• Operations are fast since command are entered using the keyboard
• Many commands can be sent together as a batch file for repetitive tasks

Disadvantages of CLI
• Commands have to be learnt and memorized
• It is not user friendly
• The interface may vary from one application to the other

2. Graphical user interface: This is a type of interface in which users use menus and visual images
(icon) to enter command into the computer.

Advantages of a GUI
• It is user friendly
• No need to type or memorize any command language
• The interface is similar for any application
Disadvantages of a GUI
• Requires more memory
• Requires very fast processors.
• It is difficult to automate functions for expert users.
• Occupies more disk space to hold the files for all the different applications
Basic Components of a GUI
1. Pointer: A symbol that appears on the display screen and that you move to select objects and
commands.

2. Pointing device: A device, such as a mouse or trackball that enables you to select objects on the
display screen.

3. Icons: Small pictures that represent commands, files, or windows. By moving the pointer to the icon
and pressing a mouse button, you can execute a command or convert the icon into a window.

4. Desktop: The area on the display screen where icons are grouped is often referred to as the desktop
because the icons are intended to represent real objects on a real desktop.

5. Menus: Most graphical user interfaces let you execute commands by selecting a choice from a menu.

Utility Programs: Utility programs are special programs used to enhance performance of the computer
system. They help to manage, maintain and control computer resources. These programs include: File
viewers, File compression utility, backup utilities, antivirus, etc.

Functions of Utility Programs

• Scan and fix computer viruses
• Help in file back up
• Compress files of disks
• Partition disks into individual logical drives
• Perform tasks on files (move files, delete files, etc.)

3
Programming software: It is the type of software that is used for creating other software. Another name
for programming software Integrated Development Environment (IDEs). An IDE normally consist of a
source code editor, a translator (compiler or interpreter) and a debugger. That convert program written
in high level language into a program in machine language

Differences between System software and Application software.

SYSTEM SOFTWARE APPLICATION SOFTWARE

Usage Enables the computer to Enable users to work efficiently with
function properly documents such as letters, accounting
reports and presentations
Need Compulsory - each computer Optional - depends on usage and need.
must have a system software to Without an application software the
function computer is still able to function

Number of software Each computer only needs one Each computer can have more than one
system software application software

Dependency Independent - system software Dependent – application software

can function without an cannot work without system software
application software
Function Provides the environment in Provides the environment to enable
which the application runs users to accomplish specific tasks.

Generally Software contrast with the hardware which is the physical aspect of a computer that perform
the work
Computer Hardware: these are the physical components of the computer that are needed to execute
the software
Types of Hardware devices:
1. Input Devices such as the keyboard, mouse and scanner
2. Storage Devices such as hard drive and the RAM
3. Processing Devices such as the micro-processor
4. Output Devices such as monitor, speaker and printer

4
Relationship between Hardware and Software

1. Hardware and software are mutually dependent on each other. Both of them must work together to
make a computer produce a useful output.
2. Software cannot be utilized without supporting hardware.
3. Hardware without set of programs to operate upon cannot be utilized and is useless.
4. Different software applications can be loaded on a hardware to run different jobs.
6. A software acts as an interface between the user and the hardware.
7. If Hardware is the 'heart' of a computer system, then Software is its 'soul'. Both are complimentary to
each other.

Differences between Software and Hardware

SOFTWARE HARDWARE
Definition Collection of instructions that Physical devices that required to store
enable a user to interact with and execute (run) the software
the computer
Types - System software - Input devices
- Programming software - Storage devices
- Application software - Processing devices
- Output devices
Functions Provide the instruction to the Perform the task at machine level
hardware
Faults - Software failure is - Hardware failure is random
systematic - Hardware has increasing failure
- Software does not have rate
an increasing failure
rate
Durability Software is durable and does Hardware wears out with time
not wear out
Nature Software is logical in nature Hardware is physical in nature
Examples - Microsoft word - CPU
- Microsoft excel - Hard drive
- Google chrome - Keyboard
- Mobile apps - Mouse

5
WORKING WITH FILES AND FOLDERS
What is a file?
You might think of a file as a digital version of a real-world thing you can interact with on your computer.
There are many different types of files you can use. For example, Microsoft Word documents, digital
photos, digital music, and digital videos are all types of files.

Files are usually represented by an icon. In the image below, you can see a few different types of files
below the Recycle Bin on the desktop.

What is a folder?
Windows uses folders to help you organize files. You can put files inside a folder, just like you would
put documents inside a real folder. In the image below, you can see some folders on the desktop.

File Explorer
You can view and organize files and folders using a built-in application known as File
Explorer (called Windows Explorer in Windows 7 and earlier versions).

To open File Explorer

Click the File Explorer icon on the taskbar, or

• Double-click any folder on your desktop
• A new File Explorer window will appear

Now you're ready to start working with your files and folders.

6
From File Explorer, double-click a folder to open it. You can then see all of the files stored in that folder.

Notice that you can also see the location of a folder in the address bar near the top of the window.
To open a file
There are two main ways to open a file:

1. Find the file on your computer and double-click it. This will open the file in its default
application. In our example, we'll open a Microsoft Word document, which will open
in Microsoft Word.
2. Open the application, then use the application to open the file. Once the application is open, you can go
to the File menu at the top of the window and select Open.

7
Moving and deleting files
To move a file: It's easy to move a file from one location to another. For example, you might have a file
on the desktop that you want to move to your Documents folder.
• Click and drag the file to the desired location.
• Release the mouse. The file will appear in the new location.
You can use this same technique to move an entire folder. Note that moving a folder will also move all
of the files within that folder.
To create a new folder:
• Within File Explorer, locate and select the New folder button. You can also right-click where
you want the folder to appear, then select New > Folder.
• The new folder will appear. Type the desired name for the folder and press Enter.
• The new folder will be created. You can now move files into this folder.
To rename a file or folder: You can change the name of any file or folder. A unique name will make it
easier to remember what type of information is saved in the file or folder
.
• Click the file or folder, wait about one second, and click again. An editable text field will
appear.
• Type the desired name on your keyboard and press Enter. The name will be changed. Or
• You can also right-click the folder and select Rename from the menu that appears.

To delete a file or folder: If you no longer need to use a file, you can delete it. When you delete a file,
it is moved to the Recycle Bin. If you change your mind, you can move the file from the Recycle Bin
back to its original location. If you're sure you want to permanently delete the file, you will need to empty
the Recycle Bin.

• Click and drag the file to the Recycle Bin icon on the desktop. You can also click the file to
select it and press the Delete key on your keyboard.
• To permanently delete the file, right-click the Recycle Bin icon and select Empty Recycle Bin.
All files in the Recycle Bin will be permanently deleted.
Note that deleting a folder will also delete all of the files within that folder.
Selecting multiple files
Now that you know the basics, here are a few tips to help you move your files even faster.

Selecting more than one file

There are a few ways to select more than one file at a time:

• If you're viewing your files as icons, you can click and drag the mouse to draw a box around
the files you want to select. When you're done, release the mouse; the files will be selected.
You can now move, copy, or delete all of these files at the same time
• To select specific files from a folder, press and hold the Control key on your keyboard, then
click the files you want to select.

8
• To select a group of files from a folder, click the first file, press and hold the Shift key on
your keyboard, then click the last file. All of the files between the first and last ones will be
selected.
Selecting all files

• If you want to select all files in a folder at the same time, open the folder in File Explorer and
press Ctrl+A (press and hold the Control key on your keyboard, then press A). All of the files in
the folder will be selected.
• Ctrl+A is an example of a keyboard shortcut.

To create a shortcut:

• Locate and right-click the desired folder, then select Send to Desktop (create shortcut).
• A shortcut to the folder will appear on the desktop. Notice the arrow in the lower-left corner
of the icon. You can now double-click the shortcut to open the folder at any time.
• You can also hold the Alt key on your keyboard, then click and drag the folder to the desktop
to create a shortcut.
Finding files on your computer
Common places to look for files: If you're having a difficult time finding a file, there's a good chance
you can find it in one of the following places

1. Downloads: By default, your computer will place downloaded files in a specific folder, known
as the Downloads folder. To view the Downloads folder
• Open File Explorer, then locate and
• Select Downloads (below Favorites on the left side of the window).
• A list of your recently downloaded files will appear.
2. Default folders: If you don't specify a location when saving a file, Windows will place certain
types of files into default folders. For example, if you're looking for a Microsoft Word document,
you could try looking in the Documents folder. If you're looking for a photo, try looking in
the Pictures folder. Most of these folders will be accessible on the left side of the File Explorer
window.
3. Recycle Bin: If you deleted a file by mistake, it may still be in the Recycle Bin. You can
double-click the Recycle Bin icon on the desktop to open it. If you find the file you need, click
and drag it back to the desktop or to a different folder.
Searching for files
Searching allows you to look for any file on your computer.

To search for a file (Windows 8):

• Click the Start button to go to the Start screen, then

• Start typing to search for a file.
• The search results will appear on the right side of the screen.
• Simply click a file or folder to open it

9
To search for a file (Windows 7 and earlier):

• Click the Start button,

• Type the file name or keywords with your keyboard, and
• Press Enter.
• The search results will appear.
• Simply click a file or folder to open it.

THE INTERNET

Internet is a global network connecting millions of computers. It is a network of networks that consists
of millions of private, public, academic, business, and government networks, of local to global scope

Types of Computer Network

1. Local Area Network (LAN): A LAN connects network devices over a relatively short distance. A
networked office building, school, or home usually contains a single LAN, though sometimes one
building will contain a few small LANs (perhaps one per room), and occasionally a LAN will span a
group of nearby buildings.

2. Metropolitan Area Network (MAN): A metropolitan area network (MAN) is a large computer
network that usually spans a city or a large campus. A MAN often acts as a high speed network to allow
sharing of regional resources. A MAN typically covers an area of between 5km and 50km diameter. A
MAN might be owned and operated by a single organization, but it usually will be used by many
individuals and organizations.

3. Wide Area Network (WAN): WAN covers a large geographic area such as country, continent or
even whole of the world. A WAN is a geographically-dispersed collection of LANs. Most WANs (like
the Internet) are not owned by any one organization but rather exist under collective or distributed
ownership and management.

How Internet Works?

Because the Internet is a global network of computers each computer connected to the Internet must
have a unique address. This address is known as an IP address.

Internet Requirement

• Computer with modem/router/network card.

• Internet account with ISP.
• Application software:

- Web browser (Firefox, Chrome)

10
 - Email client (MS Outlook, yahoo)

• Plugins software (Adobe Reader, Flash Player)

• Optional: Speaker, Printer, Webcam

Internet Uses

• Communication
• Send and receive emails
• Down load files
• Post your opinion to a news group
• Chatting
• Surf the world wide web
• Business Shopping
• Entertainment

Internet Applications

• The World Wide Web (WWW)

• Electronic Mail (E-Mail)
• Search Engine
• Chatting
• Video Conferencing
• E-Commerce

World Wide Web (WWW): The World Wide Web is a system of interlinked hypertext documents
accessed via the Internet. With a web browser, one can view web pages that may contain text, images,
videos, and other multimedia and navigate between them via hyperlinks It use a protocol called HTTP
Hypertext Transfer Protocol

HTTP defines how messages are formatted and transmitted, and what actions Webservers and browsers
should take in response to various commands.

A Uniform Resource Locator, or URL is the address of a document you'll find on the WWW.

The elements in a URL: Protocol: //server's address/filename

Example: http://www.google.com/index.html

Electronic Mail (Email): The transmission of messages over communications networks.

It is a fast and efficient way to communicate with friends or colleagues. You can communicate with one
person at a time or thousands, you can receive and send files and other information.

Basic email functions:

• Send and receive mail messages

• Save your messages in a file
• Print mail messages
• Reply to mail messages
• Attach a file to a mail message

11
Search Engine: A search engine is designed to search for information on the internet. Search engine
presents the search results in the form of a search results list. The search results can be web pages,
images, videos, and other type of files. Examples Google and Bing

How to send an email via computer

Step 1: Open your computer, select a browser.
Step 2: Login your Gmail account, using Id and password.
Step 3: On the new page, click Compose (In the top left).
Step 4: A box appears on the screen, here in the To field, add recipients email id. (If you want, you can
also add recipients in the Cc and Bcc fields)
Step 5: After that add a subject.
Step 6: In the body, write your message.
Step 7: At the bottom of the page, there is a send option-click Send to send mail.

12