IT101 – 8 – Week 4
Programs and Apps: Productivity, Graphics, Security, and Other Tools
Programs and Apps
- 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
o Tools and utilities
o System software
- Word processing software allows users to create and manipulate documents
o Microsoft Word
o People use word processing software to develop documents such as letters, memos,
reports, mailing labels, and newsletters
- Presentation software allows users to create visual aids for presentations to communicate
ideas, messages, and other information to a group
o Microsoft PowerPoint
o Presentation software provides tools for creating slides with content arranged in a
variety of formats
- Spreadsheet software allows users to organize data in columns and rows and perform
calculations on the data
o Microsoft Excel
o With spreadsheet software, you create worksheets that contain data arranged in
columns and rows, and you can perform calculations on the data in the worksheets
- A database, sometimes called a database management system, 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, drawing, sketches, photos, and links anywhere on a page
o Microsoft One Note
o With note-taking software, mobile users can handwrite notes, draw sketches, insert
photos and links, and type text.
- Calendar and contact management software helps you organize, 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
o Accounting software helps businesses 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
Productivity Applications
- Productivity applications can assist you in becoming more effective and efficient while
performing daily activities at work, school, and home
o Word processing
o Presentation
o Spreadsheet
o Database
o Note taking
o Calendar and contact management
o Project management
o Accounting
o Personal finance
o Legal
o Tax preparation
o Document management
o Support services
o Enterprise computing
- With productivity applications, users often:
o Create a project
o Edit a project
o Format a project
o Save a project
o Distribute a project
Security and Tools
- An antivirus program protects a computer against viruses by identifying and removing any
computer viruses found in memory, on storage media, or on incoming files
o Avast
o Avira
o Windows Bit Defender
o Microsoft Security Essentials
Operating Systems: Managing, Coordinating, and Monitoring Resources
Operating Systems
- Manages the operation of the computer system
- Functions of an Operating System
o Start and shut down a computer or mobile device
o Provide a user interface
o Manage programs
o Manage memory
o Coordinate tasks
o Configure devices
o Monitor performance
o Establish an internet connection
o Provide file management and other device or media-related tasks
o Updating operating system software
o Control a network
o Administer security
Operating System Functions
- A User Interface (UI) controls how you enter data and instructions and how information is
displayed on the screen
- With a Graphical User Interface (GUI), you interact with menus and visual images
- In a Command-Line Interface (CLI), a user types commands represented by short keywords
or abbreviations or presses special keys on the keyboard to enter data and instructions
Desktop Operating Systems
- A desktop operating system is a complete operating system that works on desktops, laptops,
and some tablets
o Windows
o MacOS
o UNIX
o Linux
o Chrome OS
Server Operating Systems
- Server operating systems are specifically designed to act as a server
o Windows Server
o MacOS Server
o UNIX
o Linux
Mobile Operating Systems
- The operating system on mobile devices and many consumer electronics is called a mobile
operating system and resides on firmware
o Android
o iOS
o Windows (Mobile Edition)
