COMPUTER NOTES

Hardware refers to the physical elements of a computer.

This is also sometime called the machinery or the equipment of the computer.

Examples of hardware in a computer are the keyboard, the monitor, the mouse and the processing unit

Software, commonly known as collection of programs,

Software is the electronic instructions that tells the computer to perform a task.

Practical computer systems divide software systems into two major classes:

• System software:

Helps run computer hardware and computer system itself.

System software includes operating systems, file management tools, assembler, compiler, debugger and utilities.

System software is almost always pre-installed on your computer.

• Application software:

Allows users to accomplish one or more tasks.

It includes word processing, image processing, communication software, databases, web browsing and almost any other task for which you might install software.

Compiler: A compiler is a program that reads a program in one language – the source language and translates into an equivalent program in another language – the target language

Word Processors: 

            Word processing is a tool that helps user in creating, editing, and printing documents. Word processors will normally have the following capabilities built into them: 

§  Spell checking

§  Standard layouts for normal documents

§  Have some characters appear in bold print, italics, or underlined

§  Center lines, make text line up on the left side of the paper, or the right side of the paper

§  Save the document so it can be used again

§  print the document.

Examples: WordPerfect and Microsoft Word

Spreadsheets:  The spreadsheet packages are designed to use numbers and formulas to do calculations with ease. Examples of spreadsheets include:

§  Budgets

§  Payrolls

§  Grade Calculations

§  Address Lists

    The most commonly used spreadsheet programs are Microsoft Excel and Lotus 123.

Database Management System (DBMS):

n  A DBMS is a software tool that allows multiple users to store, access, and process data into useful information.

n  Database programs are designed for these types of applications:

§  Membership lists

§  Student lists

§  Grade reports

§  Instructor schedules

    All of these have to be maintained so you can find what you need quickly and accurately. 

    

n  Example:Microsoft Access, dBASE, Oracle.

Graphic Presentations:  The presentation programs can make giving presentations and using overheads easier.  Other uses include: 

§  Slide Shows

§  Repeating Computer Presentations on a computer monitor

§  Using Sound and animation in slide shows 

   The most recognized graphic presentation programs are Microsoft PowerPoint and Harvard Graphics.