2.2.1+Software+Fundamentals

Students must study and evaluate the social and ethical issues involved in the use of software. These may include: • bug-free software • software piracy • interfaces adapted for the disabled • language independence of GUIs, making computers accessible to a very wide range of users, including those with special needs, and very small children • use of password protection to prevent unauthorized access • globalization of software.
 * 2.2 Applications **
 * 2.2.1 Software fundamentals **
 * // Social and ethical issues //**

In order to study and evaluate the social and ethical issues involved in the use of software, the student must have an understanding of related technological concepts. These may include: • key terms—software (application), shareware, public domain, freeware, commercial software, integrated software, user manual, registration card, serial number, warranty, copyright, licence (multi-user, single user, site licence), compression/decompression, back-up, back door (trapdoor), upload/download, wizard, template • GUI, command-line interface, voice recognition.
 * // Knowledge of technology //**

KEY TERMS: (FROM SYLLABUS) 


 * Chapter 4 ** KEY TERMS FROM COMPUTER CONFLUENCE


 * ** .NET ** || An operating system platform from Microsoft that blurs the line between the Web and Microsoft's operating systems and applications. ||
 * ** agents ** || Software programs that can ask questions, respond to commands, pay attention to users' work patterns, serve as a guide and a coach, take on owners' goals, and use reasoning to fabricate their own goals. ||
 * ** algorithm ** || A set of step-by-step instructions that, when completed, solves a problem. ||
 * ** application suite (office suite) ** || A collection of several related application programs that are also sold as separate programs. ||
 * ** booting ** || Loading the non-ROM part of the operating system into memory. ||
 * ** bug ** || An error in programming. ||
 * ** character-based interface ** || A user interface based on text characters rather than graphics. ||
 * ** command-line interface ** || User interface that requires the user to type text commands on a command-line to communicate with the operating system. ||
 * ** compatible (compatibility) ** || The ability of a software program to run on a specific computer system. Also, the ability of a hardware device to function with a particular type of computer. ||
 * ** compiler ** || A translator program that translates an entire program from a high-level computer language before the program is run for the first time. ||
 * ** concurrent processing ** || A large computer working on several jobs at the same time. The computer uses multiple CPUs to process jobs simultaneously. ||
 * ** context-sensitive menus ** || Menus offering choices that depend on the context. ||
 * ** contract ** || A type of law that covers trade secrets. ||
 * ** copyright ** || A type of law that traditionally protects forms of literary expression. ||
 * ** copyrighted software ** || Software that prevents a disk from being copied. ||
 * ** custom application ** || An application programmed for a specific purpose, typically for a specific client. ||
 * ** debugging ** || Finding and correcting errors-bugs-in computer software. ||
 * ** defragmentation utility ** || A program that eliminates fragmented files by changing the assignment of clusters to files. ||
 * ** desktop ** || The virtual workspace on a graphical user interface that resembles the physical desktops found in brick-and-mortar offices. ||
 * ** device drivers ** || Small programs that allow input/output devices to communicate with the computer. ||
 * ** dialog box ** || In a graphical user interface, a box that enables the user to communicate with the computer. ||
 * ** document ** || A file, such as a term paper or chart created with applications. ||
 * ** documentation ** || Instructions for installing the software on a computer's hard disk. ||
 * ** end-user license agreement (EULA) ** || An agreement typically including specifications for how a program may be used, warranty disclaimers, and rules concerning the copying of the software. ||
 * ** file-management utility ** || A program that allows you to view, rename, copy, move, and delete files and folders. ||
 * ** folder ** || A container for files and other folders. Also called a directory. ||
 * ** formatting ** || The function of software, such as word processing software, that enables users to change the appearance of a document by specifying the font, point size, and style of any character in the document, as well as the overall layout of text and graphical elements in the document. ||
 * ** fragmented file ** || A file allocated to noncontiguous clusters on a disk, thus degrading the disk's performance. ||
 * ** graphical user interface (GUI) ** || A user interface based on graphical displays. With a mouse, the user points to icons that represent files, folders, and disks. Documents are displayed in windows. The user selects commands from menus. ||
 * ** hierarchical menus ** || Menus that organize commands into compact, efficient submenus. ||
 * ** high-level language ** || A programming language that falls somewhere between natural human languages and precise machine languages, developed to streamline and simplify the programming process. ||
 * ** icon ** || In a graphical user interface, a picture that represents a file, folder, or disk. ||
 * ** integrated software ** || Software packages that include several applications designed to work well together. ||
 * ** intellectual property ** || The results of intellectual activities in the arts, science, and industry. ||
 * ** Java ** || A platform-neutral, object-oriented programming language developed by Sun Microsystems for use on multiplatform networks. ||
 * ** Linux ** || An operating system based on UNIX, maintained by volunteers, and distributed for free. Linux is used mostly in servers and embedded computers, but is growing in popularity as a PC operating system. ||
 * ** machine language ** || The language that computers use to process instructions. Machine language uses numeric codes to represent basic computer operations. ||
 * ** Mac OS ** || The operating system for the Apple Macintosh computer. ||
 * ** menu ** || An onscreen list of command choices. ||
 * ** menu-driven interface ** || User interface that enables users to choose commands from onscreen lists called menus. ||
 * ** Microsoft Windows ** || The most popular and powerful PC operating system; uses a graphical user interface. ||
 * ** MS-DOS ** || Microsoft Disk Operating System, an operating system with character-based user interface; it was widely used in the 1980s and early 1990s but has been superceded by Windows. ||
 * ** multitasking ** || Concurrent processing for personal computers. The user can issue a command that initiates a process and continue working with other applications while the computer follows through on the command. ||
 * ** natural language ** || Language that people speak and write every day. ||
 * ** open source software ** || Software that can be distributed and modified freely by users; Linux is the best-known example. ||
 * ** operating system (OS) ** || A system of programs that performs a variety of technical operations, providing an additional layer of insulation between the user and the bits-and-bytes world of computer hardware. ||
 * ** patent ** || A type of law that protects mechanical inventions. ||
 * ** pathname ** || The unique location specification for every computer file and folder, describing the nesting of folders containing it. ||
 * ** platform ** || The combination of hardware and operating system software upon which application software is built. ||
 * ** pop-up menus ** || Menus that can appear anywhere on the screen. ||
 * ** public domain software ** || Free software that is not copyrighted, offered through World Wide Web sites, electronic bulletin boards, user groups, and other sources. ||
 * ** pull-down menus ** || In a graphical user interface, menus located at the top of the screen or window and accessed with a mouse or with keyboard shortcuts. Also called drop-down menus. ||
 * ** root directory ** || The main folder on a computer's primary hard disk, containing all the other files and folders kept on the disk. ||
 * ** shareware ** || Software that is free for the trying, with a send-payment- if-you-keep-it honor system. ||
 * ** shell ** || A program layer that stands between the user and the operating system. ||
 * ** software license ** || An agreement allowing the use of a software program on a single machine. ||
 * ** software piracy ** || The illegal duplication of copyrighted software. ||
 * ** system software ** || Software that handles the details of computing. Includes the operating system and utility programs. ||
 * ** trademark ** || Legal ownership protection for symbols, pictures, sounds, colors, and smells used by a business to identify goods. ||
 * ** UNIX ** || An operating system that allows a timesharing computer to communicate with several other computers or terminals at once. UNIX is the most widely available multi-user operating system in use. It is also widely used on Internet hosts. ||
 * ** upgrade ** || A new and improved version of a software program. ||
 * ** user interface ** || The look and feel of the computing experience from a human point of view. ||
 * ** utility programs ** || Software that serves as tools for doing system maintenance and some repairs that are not automatically handled by the operating system. ||
 * ** vertical-market application ** || A computer application designed specifically for a particular business or industry. ||
 * ** virtual memory ** || Use of part of a computer hard disk as a substitute for RAM. ||
 * ** virtual reality ** || Technology that creates the illusion that the user is immersed in a world that exists only inside the computer, an environment that contains both scenes and the controls to change those scenes. ||
 * ** window ** || In a graphical user interface, a framed area that can be opened, closed, and rearranged with the mouse. Documents are displayed in windows. ||

System software is a class of software that includes the operating system and utility programs.

Operating system is a system of programs (sets of computer instructions that are designed to solve problems) that performs a variety of technical operations, from basic communication with peripherals to complex networking and security tasks. it is stored in the ROM (read-only memory), and thus it begins work immediately when the computer is turned on.

Desktop Operating Systems are designed either with character-based interface, which allows the user interface based on characters rather than graphics, or Graphical-User interface which allows the user interface through the means of graphics.

Integrated software includes several packages designed to work well together.