1 Computing Fundamentals Software and hardware interaction and types of software

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Computing Fundamentals

Software and hardware interaction and types of software

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Hardware and Software Interaction

Users interact with computers by:

Input devices

Output devices

Application programs

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Data Input

KeyboardEntering text and numbers Uses software to interact with the user

MouseSelect and reposition items

ScannerCapture images

Microphone Input voice commands

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Software Commands

Activate modules of instructionsWays to activate a command

Click a word in a menuClick a buttonPressing a function key Voice commands

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Software Applies Rules & Processes

Rules make decisions for softwareSome common rules:

AutoCorrect Change commonly misspelled words

AutoFormat as you type Convert text to fractions

1/2 into ½ Convert e-mail address to hyperlink

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Software Communicates Results

Results are often sent to output devicesMonitor

Most common

Printer Hard copy of results

CNC – Computer Numeric Control Instructions for automated machinery

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Steps of the Development Process

Software creation takes several steps

Results of proper development

Reliable software

Easy to use

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Written in a language computers understandWords have single meaningsBasic grammar structure (syntax)Computer languages

Visual BasicC++COBOLPascal

Programming

<html>

<head><script type="text/vbscript">function myFunction() myFunction = "BLUE"end function</script></head>

<body><script type="text/vbscript">document.write("My favorite color is " & myFunction())</script><p>A function procedure CAN return a result.</p></body>

</html>

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Debugging

Software malfunction called a bugTeamwork can reduce errorsAncillary programs

Catch simple mistakesDoes not stop problems with:

Faulty logic Unanticipated input combinations Unrecognized hardware components

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Beta Review

Review revised software prior to releaseBeta version

Newly revised version of software not yet released for public sale

Beta testerReport errors Often voluntaryRequires confidentialityTest software on their PC

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Instructions and Help Manuals

Often created while in beta releaseDigital forms accompany software

Access methods Click Help (Menu bar) Press F1

Most up-to-date manuals and help files typically found on the company’s Web site

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Quality Control

Beta tester comments compiledSoftware revisions are made

New version number assigned Versions can be numbers or text

Office XP Corel Draw 10

Delicate balance Do we fix all the bugs or do we sell the

product now and fix problems later?

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Software Updates

After release additional errors are identifiedFixes are created to repair known issuesDownloadable from the WebOften free for legal usersCommonly known as:

UpdatesPatchesService packs

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Upgrading Software

Major revision to softwareNew interfacesNew featuresSupport for new technology

Investment required Normally less expensive than full versions

Check hardware requirementsOften requires newer, more powerful hardware

RAM, CPU, hard disk space, video card, etc.

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Reasons to Update and Upgrade

Updates protect us from:Viruses – Antivirus updatesHackers – Firewall updatesUser meltdown – System locking up over and

over again

Upgrades allow us to:Access new tools, features, and gizmosStay compatible with the rest of the worldUtilize new hardware to its full potential

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Methods of Staying Up-to-DateDownloads from the Web

Updates – Secure or unsecured downloads Upgrades – Secure downloads

Purchase key codes (access codes) online

Order CD from manufacturerNetwork-based installation

Done by system administratorPrimarily for site licensed software

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Basic Word Processing Concepts

Input is receivedStored in RAM

Manipulated within capabilities of program Format - Bold, italics, font color, etc. Input graphics

Ideal for editing Faster than retyping on typewriters

Displayed on the screen

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Word Processing Documents

From memos and letters to entire booksCan utilize advanced features

Index and table of contentsSave as a Web pageGraphics

Common file extensions .docx – Microsoft Word 2007 .doc – Microsoft Word 2003 & earlier .odt – OpenOffice.org Writer

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Spreadsheet Concepts

Used to display numbers in a variety of waysFormulas

Calculations of values in other cells

Worksheet – Single table of cellsWorkbook – Collection of worksheetsLayout

Columns – LettersRows – Numbers

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Spreadsheet Basics

Cell – Where column and row cross Identified by pairing column

and row designation

FormulasAlgebraic equationStart with “=” (equal sign)

FunctionsPredefined equationsFunctions can be a formula

or part of a formula

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Spreadsheet Processes

Variety of features Charts – Pie, bar, scatter plotData analysisSorting and filteringWhat-If analysis

Crunch values in equation to get desired results

1st Qtr

2nd Qtr

3rd Qtr

4th Qtr

0

20

40

60

80

100

1st Qtr 2nd Qtr 3rd Qtr 4th Qtr

East

West

North

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Spreadsheet Documents

Possible usesP&L (profit & loss statement) Investment tracking Expense reportsGrade bookBudget

Common file extensions .xlsx – Microsoft Excel 2007 .xls – Microsoft Excel 2003 & earlier .ods – OpenOffice.org Calc

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Presentation Software Concepts

Visual aids Graphics

Clip art and digital picturesCharts

TextTitlesBulleted lists

AnimationHolds audience attention

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Presentation Basics

Slides Image composed of text, graphics, etc.

Slide showGroup of slides

Extra featuresSpeaker notes

Displayed on screen Student handouts

Printouts Slide miniatures

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Presentation Documents

Possible usesEducational presentationDisplay at trade shows Interactive Web pages

Common file extensions .pptx – Microsoft PowerPoint 2007 .ppt – Microsoft PowerPoint 2003 & earlier .odp – OpenOffice.org Impress

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Database Concepts

Database A collection of organized dataStores huge amounts of information Used in the retail sales environment

Inventory system Point of sale

Considered more difficult for beginners

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Database Basics

Primary components of most databasesTables

Store the dataQueries

Filter the data Ask a question of the data Which customers live in Colorado?

Forms Input, edit, and view data

Reports View the data – On screen or printed

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Database Documents

Possible usesCustomer records Inventory systemBill payment tracking

Common file extensions .accdb – Microsoft Access 2007 .mdb – Microsoft Access 2003 & earlier .odb – OpenOffice Base

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Memory Usage

Database programs use RAM differentlyStore only active record in RAMAutomatically saves

Saves a record when moving to the next recordPower failure

Loss of current record, not all records

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Graphic and Multimedia Basics

Limited by hardwareCPU, RAM, hard drive, video card

Limited by softwareNecessary software not installed Purchase legal copiesDownload trial versions

Adobe – 90-day try and dieAvoid copyright infringement

Don’t share your legal software Microsoft Hotline: 1-800-RU-LEGIT

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Graphics Software Concepts

Basic graphics programsBuilt into some software

PowerPoint, Word, etc.Microsoft Paint – Windows

Sophisticated programsAble to manipulate pictures

Remove items, recolor hair, etc.Adobe Photoshop ElementsAdobe PhotoshopMicrosoft PhotoDraw

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File Types Image types

.bmp – Bitmap .gif – Graphics interchange format

256 colors maximum and could be animated

.jpg – Joint Photographic Expert Group 16 million colors maximum

Sound and video .wav – Uncompressed audio .mp3 – Compressed audio .mov – QuickTime movie

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Other Multimedia SoftwareSoftware for manipulating sound and video

High hardware requirementsCan be very expensive

ExamplesLiquid Edition 6 Pro ≈ $1000

Video and audio editing + DVD authoringULead Studio ≈ $150

Video and photo editing + DVD authoringAlamDV ≈ $100

Futuristic video tweaking Laser blast, Fire, Star Wars style light sabers

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Other Types of Software Bundle or suite

Designed to complement each other Convenient exchange of data

Personal information manager (PIM) Microsoft Outlook, Act, GoldMine

Accounting Microsoft Money, Quicken, Peach Tree

Web authoring Flash MX, Microsoft FrontPage, Dream Weaver

Project management Microsoft Project

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How to Select Software

Similar to choosing a computer Identify the tasks:

What are you making? Is it simple or complex?

Look for software that meets your needs Problems that arise

Too complex to use Incompatible with other software

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Software Performs Similar Tasks

Not apparent which software to use

Example: TableWord processing programs use tablesSpreadsheets and databases also use tablesChoose software based on need

Word processing – Basic table of entries Spreadsheet – Calculated values Database – Large quantities of data

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Common Incorrect Uses

Generating queries and reportsSpreadsheets are great for storing dataSpreadsheets are not great for complex queries

and complex summarization reportsNeed to convert to database

Calculations in tablesMicrosoft Word tables support formulas

Formulas do not auto recalculate like a spreadsheet Manual “formula refreshing” required

Right-click cell Refresh