CSCI-235 Micro-Computer Applications Application Software

CSCI-235CSCI-235Micro-Computer ApplicationsMicro-Computer Applications

Application SoftwareApplication Software

© Prentice-Hall, Inc

SoftwareSoftware SoftwareSoftware – All the programs that give the – All the programs that give the

computer its instructionscomputer its instructions Two categories of software:Two categories of software:

System software Application softwareSystem software Application software



Application softwareApplication software refers to programs refers to programs that enable the user to be productive when that enable the user to be productive when using the computerusing the computer


Personal Productivity

Word Processing

Spreadsheets

Address Books

Multimedia/Graphics

Desktop Publishing

Photo Editing

3D Rendering

Internet

Web Browsers

E-Mail

Home/Education

Personal Finance

Tax Preparation

Reference

Games



Personal ProductivityPersonal Productivity

Database

SpreadsheetWord Processor


Word ProcessorWord Processor Software for creating text documents (e.g., Software for creating text documents (e.g.,

Microsoft WordMicrosoft Word))

More sophisticated programs for creating More sophisticated programs for creating large documents (e.g., books) or documents large documents (e.g., books) or documents with lots of graphics (e.g., brochures) are with lots of graphics (e.g., brochures) are often referred as often referred as Desktop Publishing SoftwareDesktop Publishing Software

Most modern word processors allow the Most modern word processors allow the integration of graphics with textintegration of graphics with text


Text EditorsText Editors

A A text editortext editor is a program that you can use is a program that you can use to create and modify filesto create and modify files

UNIX systems typically offer a choice of UNIX systems typically offer a choice of text editors of which the text editors of which the vivi editor is the editor is the most commonmost common


Text Editors vs Word ProcessorsText Editors vs Word Processors

A text editor is not a word processorA text editor is not a word processor

A word processor typically does more than a text A word processor typically does more than a text editor. Besides adding text to a file, most word editor. Besides adding text to a file, most word processing programs allow you to control the processing programs allow you to control the appearance of the text (e.g., paragraph styles, appearance of the text (e.g., paragraph styles, typefaces, etc…) when it is printedtypefaces, etc…) when it is printed

In contrast, a text editor does just that – edit textIn contrast, a text editor does just that – edit text


SpreadsheetSpreadsheet

Software for working with numeric data, Software for working with numeric data, calculations and graphing/charting (e.g., calculations and graphing/charting (e.g., Microsoft ExcelMicrosoft Excel, , Lotus 1-2-3Lotus 1-2-3))

Modern spreadsheets include lots of built-Modern spreadsheets include lots of built-in analysis tools and functionsin analysis tools and functions


DatabasesDatabases

Software that allows the creating of highly Software that allows the creating of highly structured containers for storing structured containers for storing information (e.g., information (e.g., Microsoft AccessMicrosoft Access))

Allows the user to perform queriesAllows the user to perform queries


Presentation/MultimediaPresentation/Multimedia

Software that allows the user to combine Software that allows the user to combine several data formats (e.g., text, audio, several data formats (e.g., text, audio, video) to create presentations (e.g., video) to create presentations (e.g., Microsoft PowerpointMicrosoft Powerpoint))


Multimedia/GraphicsMultimedia/Graphics

Photo Editing

3D Rendering

Desktop Publishing


InternetInternet

Web Browser E-mail


Home/EducationHome/Education

Personal Finance

Tax Preparation

ReferenceGames


Custom SoftwareCustom Software Specifically tailored to an organization’s needsSpecifically tailored to an organization’s needs

Organization hires computer programmers to design, Organization hires computer programmers to design, write, test, and implement softwarewrite, test, and implement software

Can be extremely complex and take years to Can be extremely complex and take years to writewrite

Used for specialized fieldsUsed for specialized fields Billing programsBilling programs Inventory tracking programsInventory tracking programs Point of Sale softwarePoint of Sale software


Custom SoftwareCustom Software


Software SuiteSoftware Suite

Individual applications share a common Individual applications share a common program codeprogram code

Popular office suites offer a word Popular office suites offer a word processor, spreadsheet, database, processor, spreadsheet, database, presentation, and other programspresentation, and other programs


System RequirementsSystem Requirements

System requirementsSystem requirements refers to the minimum level of refers to the minimum level of equipment needed to run a programequipment needed to run a program

Platform– PC or MACPlatform– PC or MAC MicroprocessorMicroprocessor Drive– 3.5 Floppy or CD-ROMDrive– 3.5 Floppy or CD-ROM RAMRAM Available hard disk spaceAvailable hard disk space

Sample Minimum System RequirementsSample Minimum System Requirements• IBM compatible PC with a 486 PC processor or better IBM compatible PC with a 486 PC processor or better

(Pentium® recommended)(Pentium® recommended)• Microsoft Windows® 95Microsoft Windows® 95• 12 MB RAM (16 MB recommended)12 MB RAM (16 MB recommended)• Hard disk space (standard installation approx. 100 MB)Hard disk space (standard installation approx. 100 MB)• CD-ROM drive (2x or better)CD-ROM drive (2x or better)

• Mouse or other pointing deviceMouse or other pointing device


Software VersionSoftware Version

Software producers include a version number with their Software producers include a version number with their productsproducts

Version numbers identify the release of the program being Version numbers identify the release of the program being usedused

Recent releases have numbersRecent releases have numbers greater than earlier releases greater than earlier releases (Recent Ver. 6.0; Earlier Ver. 1.0)(Recent Ver. 6.0; Earlier Ver. 1.0)

Whole numbers are major revisions (1.0, 2.0, 3.0, etc.)Whole numbers are major revisions (1.0, 2.0, 3.0, etc.) Decimal numbers refer to maintenance releases or updates Decimal numbers refer to maintenance releases or updates

and fixes (1.1, 1.2, 1.3, etc.)and fixes (1.1, 1.2, 1.3, etc.)


Software UpgradesSoftware Upgrades

Software upgradingSoftware upgrading is the process of keeping the is the process of keeping the application program currentapplication program current

Types of upgrades:Types of upgrades: PatchPatch – Small changes in the program – Small changes in the program

Service releaseService release – Major changes in the program – Major changes in the program


Software Licenses and RegistrationSoftware Licenses and Registration

A A software licensesoftware license gives the user the right to gives the user the right to install and use the program on one computerinstall and use the program on one computer

Organizations purchase a Organizations purchase a site licensesite license to to install a program on many computersinstall a program on many computers


Types of softwareTypes of software Most computer software is copyrightedMost computer software is copyrighted Software piracySoftware piracy – Infringing on a program’s copyright – Infringing on a program’s copyright Copyrighted software cannot be:Copyrighted software cannot be:

• CopiedCopied• AlteredAltered• Used on more than one computer Used on more than one computer

Types of copyrighted softwareTypes of copyrighted software:: CommercialCommercial – Buy before using it– Buy before using it SharewareShareware – Try it before you buy it – Try it before you buy it FreewareFreeware – Free software, but it can’t be copied and/or sold – Free software, but it can’t be copied and/or sold

Public domain softwarePublic domain software is not copyrighted.is not copyrighted. There are no There are no restrictions on using, copying, altering, or selling the restrictions on using, copying, altering, or selling the softwaresoftware

http://www.tucows.comhttp://www.tucows.com


Installing and Managing Installing and Managing Application SoftwareApplication Software

Install the software on the hard driveInstall the software on the hard drive Installation utilities guide you through the Installation utilities guide you through the

processprocess

Installation changes the registry of the Installation changes the registry of the operating systemoperating system

Use an uninstall utility to remove a Use an uninstall utility to remove a program from the hard drive program from the hard drive Do not just delete a program from your filesDo not just delete a program from your files

ExampleExample


Intelligent Software?Intelligent Software?

The field of The field of Artificial Intelligence (AI)Artificial Intelligence (AI) attempts to attempts to buildbuild intelligent entities intelligent entities


Artificial IntelligenceArtificial Intelligence

AI is one of the newest sciences (1956) AI is one of the newest sciences (1956) (McCarthy)(McCarthy)

A truly universal fieldA truly universal field learning and perceptionlearning and perception playing chessplaying chess proving mathematical theoremsproving mathematical theorems writing poetrywriting poetry etc …etc …

Still has openings for several full-time EinsteinsStill has openings for several full-time Einsteins


How would we decide whether a How would we decide whether a computer is intelligent?computer is intelligent?

The The Turing TestTuring Test (Alan Turing, 1950) (Alan Turing, 1950)

ElizaEliza http://www.manifestation.com/neurotoys/eliza.php3http://www.manifestation.com/neurotoys/eliza.php3


The Turing TestThe Turing Test Proposed by Proposed by Alan TuringAlan Turing (1950) (the father of AI) (1950) (the father of AI) Based on indistinguishability from undeniably Based on indistinguishability from undeniably

intelligent entities (i.e., we)intelligent entities (i.e., we) Is a computer that passes the test really intelligent?Is a computer that passes the test really intelligent? Programming a computer to pass the test provides Programming a computer to pass the test provides

plenty to work onplenty to work on Natural Language ProcessingNatural Language Processing Knowledge RepresentationKnowledge Representation Automated ReasoningAutomated Reasoning Machine LearningMachine Learning


Acting Humanly: The Turing TestActing Humanly: The Turing Test Today, AI researchers devote little effort to Today, AI researchers devote little effort to

passing the testpassing the test More important to study underlying principles of More important to study underlying principles of

intelligenceintelligence Turing Test suggested major components of AITuring Test suggested major components of AI

Natural Language ProcessingNatural Language Processing Knowledge RepresentationKnowledge Representation Automated ReasoningAutomated Reasoning Machine LearningMachine Learning Computer VisionComputer Vision RoboticsRobotics


AI in the 21AI in the 21stst century century

AI is everywhereAI is everywhere Fuzzy logicFuzzy logic is used in elevators, washing is used in elevators, washing

machines, carsmachines, cars Intelligent agentsIntelligent agents are used in many software are used in many software

applicationsapplications Robots explore other worlds, and toy robots play Robots explore other worlds, and toy robots play

with children (and with some adults)with children (and with some adults) Expert systemsExpert systems diagnose diseases recommend diagnose diseases recommend

curescures Computer games use AIComputer games use AI


State of the ArtState of the Art Which of the following can be done at present?Which of the following can be done at present?

Play a decent game of table tennisPlay a decent game of table tennis Driving in the center of CairoDriving in the center of Cairo Buying a week’s worth of groceries at the marketBuying a week’s worth of groceries at the market Buying a week’s worth of groceries on the webBuying a week’s worth of groceries on the web Playing a decent game of bridge at a competitive levelPlaying a decent game of bridge at a competitive level Discovering and proving new mathematical theoremsDiscovering and proving new mathematical theorems Writing an intentionally funny storyWriting an intentionally funny story Giving competent legal advice in a specialized area of lawGiving competent legal advice in a specialized area of law Translating spoken English into spoken Swedish in real Translating spoken English into spoken Swedish in real

timetime Performing a complex surgical operationPerforming a complex surgical operation

Documents

CSCI-235 Micro-Computer Applications Application Software