Lesson Objectives:

Know: About different types of software: systems and applications Understand: Why we need different types Be able to: Identify when it appropriate to use each type of software

Software
 Software refers to the programs that we run on computer

systems There are two main types of computer software;  system software and  application software
 System software includes the operating system and utility

programs that control how the hardware of a computer works

 Application software includes the everyday programmes

that you use such as Word Processors, Spreadsheets and Databases. It also includes e-mail packages, web browsers and anti-virus software

Task 1:
Complete Task 1 on your worksheet YOU HAVE 5 MINUTES

Task 1 answers
 HARDWARE is any physical device that makes up part of or

plugs into your computer, you can see it, touch it and pick it up.
 SOFTWARE is everything else, the PROGRAMMES or

applications that allow you to perform your various tasks.  There are two main types of computer software SYSTEM software and application software.
 System software includes the OPERATING System, and UTILITY

programs that control how the hardware of a computer works.

 Application software includes common programs that you use

daily, for example WORD processors, SPREADSHEETS, and DATABASES. It also includes e-mail programmes, WEB browsers and anti-VIRUS software.

Operating Systems
 All

computers have an operating system. It controls the hardware and is the link between you and the computer of operating systems are:  Windows XP, Windows NT, UNIX

 Examples

What is an Operating System (OS)?

 An OS is a program that allows applications

software to communicate with the hardware

 A computer is useless without an OS
Hardware

Operating System

Software

Task 2
Complete Task 2 on your worksheet YOU HAVE 3 MINUTES
It controls the hardware and is the link between you and the computer. Examples of operating systems are: Windows XP, Windows NT, UNIX

Operating Systems
 There are different types of operating system: -

- single-user, - multi-user or network operating systems.  Network systems are more complicated as they have to deal with more than one user at a time. Need to consider:  Security  Access to a central pool of data  Restricted access to certain files

Task 3
Complete Task 3 on your worksheet YOU HAVE 1 MINUTES 1. single-user, 2. multi-user or network operating systems

What an OS might do
 Sorts out where to store data on disk drives  Deals with security user names and

passwords  Allows you to organise files using folders, and to copy and delete files  It manages the data travelling between the peripherals i.e. printer/monitor  It allows the application you are using to print, save and open files

Task 4
Complete Task 4 on your worksheet YOU HAVE 3 MINUTES!
Sorts out where to store data on disk drives Deals with security user names and passwords Allows you to organise files using folders, and to copy and delete files It manages the data travelling between the peripherals i.e. printer/monitor It allows the application you are using to print, save and open files

Applications Software
 Applications software works through the operating

system to gain access to the hardware

 Application software caries out user-related tasks and

can be classified as
  

general-purpose specialist or tailor-made

Task 5
Complete Task 5 on your worksheet YOU HAVE 1 MINUTES!

1. general-purpose 2. specialist or 3. tailor-made

General Purpose Applications

 A general-purpose application package is a type of

software that can perform many different related tasks

 Word processors, spreadsheets, databases, graphics

and presentation software are all examples of application packages

 This type of software is sometimes called generic

software. This means, for example, that any one of the many different word processing packages that you could buy will all do the same general sorts of tasks as each other

Task 6:
 Explain the term General Purpose Application

software on your task sheet.  Using the Internet:  www.teach-ict.com  www.bbc.co.uk/gcsebitesize/ict

AT END OF LESSON OR HWK

 Complete the worksheet general purpose

worksheet in the project folders  Describe what each type of general purpose software is used for  Give an example of each

Reasons for using ready-made software

 Most computer users buy application packages off-

the-shelf. There are several good reasons for using this type of ready-made software:  it is relatively cheap;  it is readily available and can be installed quickly and easily;  it will have been thoroughly tested so there will be very little chance of it having any serious faults or bugs;  it will be well supported with a lot of books about how to use it available as well as on-line help and discussions on the Internet.

Task 7
Complete Task 7 on your worksheet YOU HAVE 1 MINUTE!
it is relatively cheap; it is readily available and can be installed quickly and easily; it will have been thoroughly tested so there will be very little chance of it having any serious faults or bugs; it will be well supported with a lot of books about how to use it available as well as on-line help and discussions on the Internet.

Integrated Packages
 An integrated package

combines many different types of application together in one single package

 Integrated packages normally include

facilities for word processing, spreadsheets, databases, graphics, presentation and communications

Integrated Packages
 The advantages of using integrated

packages are:  it is much cheaper to buy one integrated package rather than several separate application packages;  different applications have the same user interface;  data can be transferred quickly and easily between applications;  they are much quicker to install than several separate application packages

Integrated Packages Contd

 A problem with integrated packages is that the

individual applications do not have as many features compared to the single application package
 Microsoft WORKS is an example of an integrated package  Integrated packages have gradually been replaced by

applications bundled together by software manufacturers and sold as suites of programs

 Bundled suites offer the advantages of applications with a

complete set of features, a common user interface and easy facilities for sharing and exchanging data
 Microsoft Office XP is an example of a bundled suite of

application programs database, spreadsheet, word processing and desktop publishing software are all included

Task 8
Complete Task 8 on your worksheet YOU HAVE 5 MINUTES!
An integrated package combines many different types of application together in one single package it is much cheaper to buy one integrated package rather than several separate application packages; different applications have the same user interface; data can be transferred quickly and easily between applications; they are much quicker to install than several separate application packages

Specialist Application Software

 Specialist application software performs a single

very specific type of task

 Programs to work out payroll, calculate accounts, plan

driving routes, work out income tax returns, deal with stock control and handle appointments are all examples of specialist application software

Tailor-made Software


An example is MY ASHCOMBE which sets detentions Sometimes an organisation finds that off-the-shelf& letters for lunch software will not do exactly what they after school. Sends want on messages for SMT & Saturday detentions. In this case they might decide to have special bookings software Also allows specially developed for the purpose, called: of ICT rooms & credit sticky labels.  Tailor-made, or 

Bespoke

 The main drawbacks of this approach are the high cost

and long time that some programs take to develop

Task 9
 Complete Task 9 on your worksheet  YOU HAVE 5 MINUTES!

People decide to have special software specially developed for the purpose to fit specific purpose

Questions to ask when buying new software:

 What sort of tasks will the software be used for?  How much does the software cost and how much

money is available to buy it?

 What operating system does the software need?

Software will only work with the operating system that it was designed for?
 What are the minimum system requirements for the

software? Every application package has a minimum set of hardware requirements such as how much hard disk space and memory are needed.

Questions to ask when buying new software:

 Will the software be used on a single computer or on a

network? If the software is going to be used on a network a special version of it may be needed
 How much support is available for users? This could

be in the form of on-line help, telephone support lines, internet sites and printed manuals. More popular software will have more of these resources
 How easy is the software to install can an ordinary

user carry out the installation or will an ICT expert be needed to do it?

Now complete the A4 colour sheet

www.teach-ict.com www.bbc.co.uk/gcsebitesize/i ct Or textbook