Computer concepts

Computing Fundamentals

Software and hardware interaction
and types of software

1

Hardware and Software Interaction
 Users interact with computers by:
Input devices
Output devices
Application programs

2

Data Input
 Keyboard
Entering text and numbers
Uses software to interact with the user
 Mouse
Select and reposition items
 Scanner
Capture images
 Microphone
Input voice commands

3

Software Commands
 Activate modules of instructions
 Ways to activate a command
Click a word in a menu
Click a button
Pressing a function key
Voice commands

4

Software Applies Rules & Processes
 Rules make decisions for software
 Some 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

5

Software Communicates Results
 Results are often sent to output devices
Monitor
 Most common
Printer
 Hard copy of results
CNC – Computer Numeric Control
 Instructions for automated machinery

6

Steps of the Development Process
 Software creation takes several steps
 Results of proper development
 Reliable software
 Easy to use

7

Programming
 Written in a language computers understand
 Words have single meanings
 Basic grammar structure (syntax)
 Computer languages
Visual Basic
C++
<html>

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

Pascal
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>

8

Debugging
 Software malfunction called a bug
 Teamwork can reduce errors
 Ancillary programs
Catch simple mistakes
Does not stop problems with:
 Faulty logic
 Unanticipated input combinations
 Unrecognized hardware components

9

Beta Review
 Review revised software prior to release
 Beta version
Newly revised version of software not yet
released for public sale
 Beta tester
Report errors
Often voluntary
Requires confidentiality
Test software on their PC

10

Instructions and Help Manuals
 Often created while in beta release
 Digital 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

11

Quality Control
 Beta tester comments compiled
 Software 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?

12

Software Updates
 After release additional errors are identified
 Fixes are created to repair known issues
 Downloadable from the Web
 Often free for legal users
 Commonly known as:
Updates
Patches
Service packs

13

Upgrading Software
 Major revision to software
New interfaces
New features
Support for new technology
 Investment required
Normally less expensive than full versions
 Check hardware requirements
Often requires newer, more powerful hardware
 RAM, CPU, hard disk space, video card, etc.

14

Reasons to Update and Upgrade
 Updates protect us from:
Viruses – Antivirus updates
Hackers – Firewall updates
User meltdown – System locking up over and over
again
 Upgrades allow us to:
Access new tools, features, and gizmos
Stay compatible with the rest of the world
Utilize new hardware to its full potential

15

Methods of Staying Up-to-Date
 Downloads from the Web
Updates – Secure or unsecured downloads
Upgrades – Secure downloads
 Purchase key codes (access codes) online
 Order CD from manufacturer
 Network-based installation
Done by system administrator
Primarily for site licensed software

16

Basic Word Processing Concepts
 Input is received
 Stored 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

17

Word Processing Documents
 From memos and letters to entire books
 Can utilize advanced features
Index and table of contents
Save as a Web page
Graphics
 Common file extensions
.docx – Microsoft Word 2007
.doc – Microsoft Word 2003 & earlier
.odt – OpenOffice.org Writer

18

Spreadsheet Concepts
 Used to display numbers in a variety of ways
 Formulas
Calculations of values in other cells
 Worksheet – Single table of cells
 Workbook – Collection of worksheets
 Layout
Columns – Letters
Rows – Numbers

19

Spreadsheet Basics
 Cell – Where column and row cross
Identified by pairing column
and row designation
 Formulas
Algebraic equation
Start with “=” (equal sign)
 Functions
Predefined equations
Functions can be a formula
or part of a formula
20

Spreadsheet Processes
Variety of features
 Charts – Pie, bar, scatter plot
 Data analysis 100

 Sorting and filtering
80

60 East
West
40 North

20

 What-If analysis 0
1st Qtr 2nd Qtr 3rd Qtr 4th Qtr

Crunch values in equation
to get desired results
1st Qtr
2nd Qtr
3rd Qtr
4th Qtr

21

Spreadsheet Documents
 Possible uses
P&L (profit & loss statement)
Investment tracking
Expense reports
Grade book
Budget
.xlsx – Microsoft Excel 2007
.xls – Microsoft Excel 2003 & earlier
.ods – OpenOffice.org Calc
22

Presentation Software Concepts
 Visual aids
 Graphics
Clip art and digital pictures
Charts
 Text
Titles
Bulleted lists
 Animation
Holds audience attention

23

Presentation Basics
 Slides
Image composed of text, graphics, etc.
 Slide show
Group of slides
 Extra features
Speaker notes
 Displayed on screen
Student handouts
 Printouts
 Slide miniatures

24

Presentation Documents
 Possible uses
Educational presentation
Display at trade shows
Interactive Web pages
.pptx – Microsoft PowerPoint 2007
.ppt – Microsoft PowerPoint 2003 & earlier
.odp – OpenOffice.org Impress

25

Database Concepts
 Database
A collection of organized data
Stores huge amounts of information
Used in the retail sales environment
 Inventory system
 Point of sale
 Considered more difficult for beginners

26

Database Basics
Primary components of most databases
Tables
 Store the data
Queries
 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

27

Database Documents
 Possible uses
Customer records
Inventory system
Bill payment tracking

.accdb – Microsoft Access 2007
.mdb – Microsoft Access 2003 & earlier
.odb – OpenOffice Base

28

Memory Usage
Database programs use RAM differently
 Store only active record in RAM
 Automatically saves
Saves a record when moving to the next record
Power failure
 Loss of current record, not all records

29

Graphic and Multimedia Basics
 Limited by hardware
CPU, RAM, hard drive, video card
 Limited by software
Necessary software not installed
Purchase legal copies
Download trial versions
 Adobe – 90-day try and die
Avoid copyright infringement
 Don’t share your legal software
 Microsoft Hotline: 1-800-RU-LEGIT

30

Graphics Software Concepts
 Basic graphics programs
Built into some software
 PowerPoint, Word, etc.
Microsoft Paint – Windows
 Sophisticated programs
Able to manipulate pictures
 Remove items, recolor hair, etc.
Adobe Photoshop Elements
Adobe Photoshop
Microsoft PhotoDraw

31

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

32

Other Multimedia Software
Software for manipulating sound and video
High hardware requirements
Can be very expensive
Examples
Liquid Edition 6 Pro ≈ $1000
 Video and audio editing + DVD authoring
ULead Studio ≈ $150
 Video and photo editing + DVD authoring
AlamDV ≈ $100
 Futuristic video tweaking
 Laser blast, Fire, Star Wars style light sabers

33

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

34

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

35

Software Performs Similar Tasks
 Not apparent which software to use
Example: Table
Word processing programs use tables
Spreadsheets and databases also use tables
Choose software based on need
 Word processing – Basic table of entries
 Spreadsheet – Calculated values
 Database – Large quantities of data

36

Common Incorrect Uses
 Generating queries and reports
Spreadsheets are great for storing data
Spreadsheets are not great for complex queries
and complex summarization reports
Need to convert to database
 Calculations in tables
Microsoft Word tables support formulas
 Formulas do not auto recalculate like a spreadsheet
 Manual “formula refreshing” required
 Right-click cell  Refresh

37

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