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Subjects >> Form 1 >> ICS >> Computer Software
Computer Software
Meaning: Computer software is a
set of programs for running computer operations.
A Program
Meaning:
This is a set of written instructions used to
control the performance of computer hardware
Classes of computer software
1. Operating System software
2. Application Software
3. Programming Language Software
4. Utilities Software
1. Operating system (OS)
An operating
system is that software that controls the flow of computer operations.
It has two responsibilities,
1. To link communication between computer and computer’s users.
2. to link communication between computer hardware and other
software, such as application software.
Examples of Operating systems
Microsoft disk
operating system (Ms-DOS)
Microsoft Windows
Linux
Unix
Banyan
Novel
Ubuntu
Mac OS (Macintosh Operating System), etc
Examples of Windows operating systems
Windows 95
Windows 98
Windows 98se (Second Edition)
Windows ME (Millennium Edition)
Windows NT (New Technology)
Windows 2000 (Win 2K)
Windows XP (Experience)
Windows 7
Windows Vista
Windows 8
Windows 8.1
Windows 10
2. Application software (Apps)
Application software enables a
computer user to produce documents and other types of files.
Example;
Text files,
Accounting files,
Database oriented files,
Graphics files,
Movie files,
Music files, etc.
Categories of application software
1. Word processor2. Spreadsheet
3. Database management system
4. Presentation and Graphics
5. Auditing and Accounting
6. Audio and Video (Multimedia)
Word Processors
Word processors are used to create text documents, such as letters, books, scripts, etc.
Examples of word processors
Microsoft Word (1997, 2000, 2003, 2007,
2010, 2013, etc.)
Word Perfect
Open Word
Libre Word, etc.
Spreadsheet
Spreadsheet programs deals with
simple accounts (manipulations / calculations)
Examples of spreadsheet programs
Microsoft Excel
Lotus
Libre calc spreadsheet. etc.
Database systems
Database systems programs deals with
record keeping, or collection of files.
Database manager permits the creation of files and the subsequent
manipulation of those files.
Also known as Database management system (DBMS).
Examples of database management system programs
Microsoft Access
Dbase
Libre base database, etc.
Presentation and Graphics
With these software computer users are able to produce and edit photos, cards, brochures, calendars, advertisements, catalogs, envelops, menus, newsletters, etc. and also conducting a computerized presentations.
Examples of presentation programs
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft outlook
Corel Presentation
OpenOffice impress, etc.
Examples of graphics programs
Microsoft Publisher
Adobe PageMaker
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop
Corel Draw
Adobe imageready. etc.
Accounting and auditing
These types of programs enable a computer user to deal with complex accounts files. Used by professionals
Programs
Tally
SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences)
Current versions of SPSS (2015) are officially named IBM SPSS Statistics
Audio and Video (multimedia)
Used to create and edit music and video files
Programs for Video editing
Sony Vegas
Final cut
Adobe premiere
Adobe after effects
Pinnacle, etc
Programs for Audio editing
Fruity loops
(FL studio)
Cool edit
Cubase
Sound Forge
Adobe audition, etc.
3. Programming Language software
These are ready made software designed for creating and preparing other software for a specific task.
Programs
COBOL (Company
Business Oriented Language)
Microsoft .NET framework
GNU compiler Language
Compiler Machine Language
PASCAL
C
C++
Visual basic (VB)
JAVA (JavaScript), etc.
4. Utilities software
These are
software used by computer itself for diagnosing physical and
virtual errors/
Also for removing Viruses from the computer.
Examples of utilities software
Anti-Virus
Software
Scandisk utility
Diagnostic software
Backup software
Disk tools,
etc.
A Virus
A virus
is a computer software designed for the destruction of other
useful software.
- They are free of charge
- A virus is a program that can copy itself and infect various parts of your
computer, such as documents, programs, and parts of your operating
system.
- Most viruses
attach themselves to a file or part of your hard disk and then copy
themselves to other places within the operating system. Some viruses contain
code that inflicts extra damage by deleting files or lowering your
security settings, inviting further attacks.
A Worm
A worm
is a program that makes copies of itself and can spread outside your
operating system; it can copy itself from one computer to another by using
e-mail or another transport mechanism.
- Worms can damage computer data and security in much the same ways
as viruses, but are different from viruses in that they copy
themselves from system to system.
A Trojan horse
A Trojan
horse is a harmless-looking program designed to trick you into thinking
it is something you want, but which performs harmful acts when it runs.
It is typically received through downloads from the Internet.
- Trojan horses do not spread by themselves like viruses and worms.
- A good way to help protect your computer from Trojan horses is to
visit only Web sites you trust, and avoid downloading things unless you
trust the source as well.
You help protect your computer from
viruses by installing and using an antivirus program. The
Internet is full of fun places and vast amounts of information, but also
some dangers.
These programs called antiviruses are used to remove viruses
from the computer and provide protection from further attacks.
Antivirus programs scan e-mail and other files on your computer for
viruses, worms, and Trojan horses. If a virus, worm, or Trojan horse
is found, the antivirus program either quarantines it or deletes it
entirely before it damages your computer and files.
Antivirus
This is a program that you install to your computer to remove all Destructive programs ( such as viruses, worms or Trojan horses) and provide protection from future attacks.
examples of antiviruses
Avira, AVG, kerspersky, Avast, bitdefender, eScan, etc
Click to go to Avira website
Click to go to AVG website
Click to go to bitdefender websiteYour computer can be damaged by a computer virus sent through e-mail or through a program downloaded from the Web.
If you do not use antivirus software, you run the risk of passing viruses along to other computers as well. If you administer a network without virus protection software, all of the computers on your network might be vulnerable.
To find out if your computer has antivirus software
Use this procedure if you are unsure whether
or not you have antivirus software installed on your computer. Many major
computer manufacturers include at least a trial version of
antivirus software. But just because the software is installed, doesn't
mean it's running or being updated regularly.
- Click Start, and then point to All Programs (or point to
Programs if you are using the classic Start menu).
- In the list of programs, look for the word "antivirus."
If you do not have antivirus software installed, you should purchase
and install an up-to-date antivirus program to help protect your computer.
notes:
If you have antivirus software installed on your computer but you want to install a new product from a different company, be sure to uninstall your current antivirus software before installing the new one. Having two different antivirus programs installed can cause problems on your computer.
- A virus, worm, and Trojan horse are
all destructive (malicious) programs.
- Viruses copies themselves within a single system, but worms copies
themselves from system to system through E-mail and internet.
- Trojan horses do not spread by themselves like viruses and worms.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
This is the intelligence exhibited by
machines or software.
It is also an academic field of study (The study and design of
intelligent agents)
Intelligent agent is a system that perceive its environment and takes
actions that maximize its chances of success.
Philosophy of Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence (AI) claims
to be able to recreate the capabilities of the human mind. But it is
still challenging and inspiration for philosophy in the following questions;
- Is there an essential difference between human intelligence and
artificial intelligence?
- Can a machine have a mind and consciousness?
Goals for Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Research include Reasoning, knowledge, planning, natural language processing (communication), perception and the ability to move and manipulate objects.
Tools used in Artificial Intelligence
Search and mathematical optimization, logic,
methods based on probability and economics, etc
Artificial Intelligence (AI) field converge a number of sciences and
professions, including computer science, psychology, linguistics,
philosophy and neuroscience.
Note:
Linguistics is the scientific study of language
List of programming Languages for Artificial Intelligence (AI)
AI researchers have developed several
specialized programming languages for artificial intelligence;
IPL (Information Processing Language)
LISP (Locator/Identifier Separation Protocol)
Prolog (Prologue)
STRIPS (Stanford Research Institute Problem Solver)
Planner, etc
Applications for Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques are too numerous to list, but an area that artificial intelligence has contributed greatly to is Intrusion detection.
