ICT-INFO 1- Topic 7- Selection and use of appropriate software

Selection and use of appropriate software

• Allows the computer to be applied to a particular problem
• Order Processing
• Payroll
• Stock Control
• Games
• Creating Websites
• Image editing
• Word Processing

• Manages and controls the hardware
• Allows applications software to do a useful job
• Set of programmes
• Instructs the hardware what to do 
• Consists of operating system, GUI Graphical user interface, file management and utilities

Systems Software Brands:

• Windows
• Macintosh OS-X
• UNIX
• Linux

• Allows the applications software to interact with the hardware
• Allows the hardware to behave in a particular way so that the applications software can use it 
• Diagnostic Checks
• Controls the input from input devices 
• Controls the outputs by sending information to the screen or output device 
• Memory Management 
• Controls the flow of data to and from the main processor 
• Works out where to store data on the hard disk drive
• Deals with security issues
• Handles the interrupts which occur when applications software contains bugs or there is a hardware fault

• Windows XP
• Windows Vista
• Most popular
• Windows NT
• Windows 2000
• Developed to work on different types of manufactures
• Developed to work on different types of computers

• Evolved from early years of computing
• Used by different types of computers
• Uses a graphical user interface
• Can be used to run hundreds of terminals
• Multi-Tasking operating system
• Written in the programming language C
• Uses a command line interface
• Tends to be used more by computer professionals
• Can be difficult for first time users

• Becoming more popular with home and small businesses
• Free
• Gained Popularity
• High Stability
• High Security
• Many users prefered it

• Becoming more popular with home and small businesses
• Developed by apple
• Popular
• Graphical User Interface
• Used with mac computers

• Type in commands
• Commands have to be precise & correctly worded
• Quick
• Very difficult for beginners
• Have to remember instructions

• Very Popular
• Easy to use
• Point & click 
• Microsoft windows & Macintosh OS use them
• Screen is divided into areas called windows 
• Icons
• Menus (pop up or pull down) no clutter
• Pointers
• Desktop
• Drag & drop
• Taskbars 
• Mobile phones, sat navs etc use them
• No language needed
• Easier to use 
• Takes up a lot of memory 
• Increased processing
• Faster & more powerful processors are needed

• List of options
• Type letter or number of selection
• Simple
• Easy to use
• Only suitable when few items to select

• Collect information
• Step by step manner
• Type into a form
• Validation checks check all info entered is valid and that all important fields are completed
• Important fields often have a red asterisks

• Interact using natural or spoken language
• Easy to learn how to use
• Uses familiar words
• Ambiguous
• Doesn't allow speech recognition

• Program that performs a specific task
• Simple
• File Converters
• Virus Scanners
• Security & accounting

• File/folder organisation
• Backup copy creation 
• File compression 
• Defragmentation
• File Recovery 
• Uninstallers

• Printer, scanner, digital camera, webcam etc
• The software to make the above devices work
• Many come with the operating system

What does peripheral driver software do?

• Provide communication between the operating system/applications software & the peripheral device 
• Convert instructions from the software into a form the peripheral device can understand
• Enables the peripheral device to work with other applications and operating systems software. 
• Produces error messages
• Tell the computer what the device is and capable of doing

• Plug & play (automatic when detected)
• Part of operating system
• Reinstall from disks
• Install from backups of hard drive
• Download from manufactures website
• Driver sites on internet

• Different printers communicate with the operating system & application software slightly differently
• Instructions need to be converted 
• Plug and play

• Bundle of necessary files for a program to run
• Documentation to get the user started

• Includes 2 or more application packages
• Microsoft office is an example
• Cheaper than buying separate packages
• Easier to transfer data from one of the modules to another
• Consistency of the user interface between the modules making it easier to learn 
• Easy to install
• Package may be weak in some of the separate applications
• Some of the applications included you may never use

• Performs one particular task
• Pay roll, stock control, etc

• Apropiate for a wide range of tasks
• Can be used in lots of areas of work
• Apropiate for home users,businesses & organisations
• Word processing, data bases, presentations, browser and desktop publishing are example

• Tailor made software
• Business or organisation
• Very Expensive
• Only used when no other suitable software package
• The company does not have to change the way they work to fit around software
• Specify it
• May contain errors