Learnings of the Week

In this week, we tackled about the Software.

Software provides the commands that tell the hardware what task to perform, what to read and write, how to send the end result (output) to a monitor or printer. It is the program or data that a computer uses. It is kept on some hardware device such as a hard disk or floppy disk. It consists of both programs (list of instructions for the processor) and data (any information that a program needs: character data, numerical data, image data, audio data, and countless other types).

There are three kinds of software, the Application Software, Operating Systems, and Programming Languages.

1) Application Software are programs that people use to get their work done. It may include data entry, update query and report programs, productivity software for spreadsheets, word processing, databases and custom accounting programs for payroll, billing and inventory. It is designed to help people with specific task such as making a spreadsheet of creating a graphic image. Examples of application software are word processor, database software, spreadsheet software, presentation software, web browser, and PIM (Personal Information Manager).

2) Operating Systems are software which controls the computer and runs applications. It keeps all the hardware and software running together smoothly. It communicates information from the application software to a computer’s program. Examples of operating systems are DOS, Mac OS, Unix, Linux, and Windows.

3) Programming Languages are used to create all other software whether it is operating system or application software. Examples of programming Languages are Delphi and Visual Basic.

Programming is a sequence of instructions that tells the hardware of a computer what operations to perform on data. It can be built into the hardware itself, or may exist independently in a form known as software.

Program Languages are particular patterns of binary digital information.

Machine Language (First Generation Language) is a binary based language which is difficult for humans to use. The programmer must input every command and all data in binary form, and a basic operation such as comparing the contents of a register to the data in a memory chip might look like this: 11001010 00010111 11110101 00101011. Machine Language is such a tedious, time-consuming task that the time saved in running the program rarely justifies the days or weeks needed to write the program.

Assembly Language (Second Generation Language) is devised to shorten and simplify the process of programming. By assigning a short (3 letter) mnemonic code to each machine language command, assembly language programs could be written an “debugged” (cleaned of logic and data errors) in a fraction of time. Each mnemonic command and its symbolic operands equals one machine instruction. An “assembler” program translates the mnemonic “opcodes” (operation codes) and symbolic operands into binary language and executes the program. Assembly Language can be used only with one type of CPU chip or microprocessor.

High-Level Languages (Third Generation Languages) often use words that are more like English Language (list, print, open) as commands that might stand for a sequence of tens or hundreds of machine language instructions. The commands are entered from the keyboard, from a program memory, or from a storage device, and are translated by a program that interprets them into machine-language instructions.

FORTRAN (Formula Translation)

Fortran begun in 1954 and completed in 1957. It was the first comprehensive high-level programming language that was widely used and its development facilitated computer use in scientific applications.

ALGOL (Algorithmic Language)

Algol is widely used in Europe during the 1960’s and 70’s. It has been superceded by newer languages.

COBOL (Common Business Oriented Language)

Cobol, a commercial and business programming language, is concentrated on data organization and file handling and was widely used at one time in business.

BASIC (Beginner’s All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code)

Basic was developed at Dartmouth College in early 1960’s for use by nonprofessional computer users. It came into almost universal use with the microcomputer explosion in the 1970’s and 80’s. It was condemned as slow, inefficient and inelegant by its detractors. But is, neverless, simple to learn and easy to use.

PASCAL Named after Blaise Pascal, originally designed as teaching tool.

LOGO Logo was developed to introduce children to computers.

C Languages (C and C++)

C languages were developed in Bell Labs by scientist Dennis Ritche in the 1970’s and have become the standards in developing systems programs, such as language translators.

LISP and PROLOG (Programming for Logic)

These have been used in research on artificial intelligence (AI).

ADA

This was designed for military applications such as the Strategic Defense Initiative (Star Wars) missile program. Since then it has been adopted for such diverse uses of operating dialysis machines and controlling aircraft, because of its real-time capability.

JAVA

Java is derived from C++ and was developed in the early 1990’s. It is used extensively for Internet and Intranet applications. Java can be run on almost any kind of computer, providing the computer is running Java Virtual Machine software.

Fourth and Fifth Generation Languages are closer to natural languages or rely on graphical development interfaces (GUI) featuring symbolic icons and drag-and-drop technique and English-like statements.

SOFTWARE CATEGORY

Open System Software can be modified for use with any hard ware. It is not the exclusive property or design of a particular vendor. Example of this software category is the UNIX (the first operating system that works on minicomputers, mainframes and PCs). Its inner workings are available to public and anyone can adapt it or develop applications to work with it.

Proprietary Software products are designed for particular systems and cannot be used with other hardware. Its inner workings are protected information. Example of this is the Apple computers and software for they have been proprietary products for many years.

Application Softwares (Word Processor) are usually the first application that leads people to using a computer for their work. It has built-in capabilities like spell checking, standard layouts for normal documents, the ability to have some characters appear in bold print, italics, or underlined. Examples of Word Processing Software are Microsoft Word XP, Lotus WordPro, and Word Perfect.

How word processing was invented?

In 1950’s to 1970’s, computers were used mainly to manipulate lists of numbers, names, and addresses. Those manipulators were called data-processing (DP), so the typical computing center was called data-processing center (DP center), run by a team of programmers and administrators called the data-processing department (DP department).

Old computers systems were expensive, unreliable, and complex. They need big staffs to do continuous repairs, reprogramming, and supervision. They were bureaucratic and technological nightmares.

Secretaries who wanted to write and edit reports preferred to use simple typewriters. When easy-to-use word-processing programs were finally invented for computers, secretaries were afraid to try them because computers had developed a scary reputation.

That’s why the term “word-processing” was invented. Wang, IBM, and other manufacturers said to the secretaries, “ the machines we want to put on your desk are not those dreadful computers; they’re just souped-up typewriters. You like typewriters, right? Then you’ll like these cute little machines also. We call them word processors”.

The Development of Word Processing Program

In 1980

Electric Pencil - the first word-processing program for microcomputers.

Wordstar - more powerful than Electric Pencil.

Multimate - first program that made the IBM PC imitate a Wang word-processor.

Displaywrite - which made the IBM PC imitate an IBM Displaywriter.

PC-Write - shareware you could try for free before sending a donation to the author.

Xywrite - ran faster than any other word-processor.

In 1991

WordPerfect 5.1 - which ran on the IBM PC.

In 1992

Windows 3.1 - was the first version of Windows that was good enough to become popular. Companies and consumers began switching from DOS to Windows and wanted a good Windows word-processing program.

Ami - a French word for “friend”. The first good word-processing programs for Windows.

Ami Pro - improved version of Ami. Published by a company called Samna, which got bought by Lotus, which got bought by IBM. Has been renamed WordPro.

Microsoft Word- invented by Microsoft and made better than Ami Pro.

Spreadsheet Software are commonly used for accounting purposes such as tabulating of complex mathematical equations with a row and column matrix. Spreadsheet packages are designed to use number and formulas to do calculations with ease. Examples of spreadsheet software are Microsoft Excel XP, Lotus 123, and Quicken.

In 1979

Viscalc - the first spreadsheet program invented. Designed by Dan Bricklin and coded by Bob Frankston.

Supercalc - the second spreadsheet program.

In 1983

1-2-3 – a much better spreadsheet program. Designed by Mitch Kapor and coded by Jonathan Sachs for the IBM PC. It ran fast and was suppose to handle three things: spreadsheets, graphs, and word-processing. Mitch an Jonathan called their company Lotus Development Corporation.

In 1985

Excel - invented by Microsoft. Runs on both the Mac and the IBM PC. It is the best spreadsheet program.

Excel XP - newest version of Excel.

Database Software is a program that manages large amounts of data organized as fields, records, and files. Database structure information so you can search the database by specific or generalized content called a query. Examples of Database Software are Microsoft Access and Lotus Approach.

Database Management System (DBMS) or Information Retrieval System

A database program is a program that manipulates lists of facts. It can store information about your friends and enemies, costumers and suppliers, employees and stockholders, students and teachers. It puts all that data about your life and business onto a disk, which acts as an electronic filing cabinet. Then it lets you retrieve the data easily. It can generate mailing lists, phone directories, sales reports, and any other analyses you wish.

Presentation Software is designed to showcase information to an audience. It is used extensively in business to display graphics, charts, diagrams, photos, and text block to highlight information. Examples of Presentation Software are Lotus Freelance Graphics and Microsoft PowerPoint.

Web Browser is a program that you use when you view web pages. Examples of web browsers are Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator.

PIM (Personal Information Manager) is a software designed to organize names, addresses, and random notes for easy and efficient retrieval. It is electronic equivalent of a conventional book-type personal organizer. Example of PIM is Lotus Organizer.

Integrated Software Package is a single software program that includes multiple applications. It generally includes a word processing program, an electronic spreadsheet program, database software, a personal management program and limited graphics capabilities. This is cheaper compared to the combined cost of separate standalone software. It also requires less storage space on the computer hard drive. Examples of integrated software packages are Microsoft Works and Lotus Works.

Application Suites is a bundle of application that were created, packaged and designed to work together. Like the integrated package, it includes a word processing program, an electronic spreadsheet program, database software, a personal management program and graphics applications. It is both powerful and versatile and offer more options for users to manipulate and organize data.

Operating Systems is the foundation to any computer because they provide users with a way to interface the computer. They enable access to programs, accessories and other hardware. It is the actual software that controls the allocation and use of a computer’s hardware. It keeps the components working in unison, acting as a communicator between the user and the computer’s hardware and software.

Operating Systems Components:

1) User Interface

The operating system’s user interface is what users see on screen and interact with when giving a computer instructions and commands. A user communicates to the computer either by typing commands at a command prompt or by issuing commands through a graphical user interface (GUI).

2) Kernel

The operating system’s core. Because it control’s a computer’s hardware, and is responsible for either directly activating computer hardware or for interfacing with software that drives the hardware. It’s job is to regulate disk files, memory management, program objectives and tasks, and program execution and processes.

3) File Management System

The operating system’s organizer, arranging files in hierarchical tree-like structure the root directory. Files are data collections with single, logical names. Filename extensions declare a file’s type: .txt identifies text data .jpg, .bmp, and .gif extensions identify graphic files.

How does an Operating System works?

A computer’s operating system takes charge of important activities from the boot up process to the shutdown process. During the startup routine, the computer looks for an operating system. Once the operating system has been found, it is loaded into RAM before finally being able to respond to directions from the user or from applications. Once up and running, the operating system manages memory; saves, deletes, and retrieves data; arranges to display data on the monitor; sends data to the printer; responds to keystrokes; recognizes mouse clicks; and reads and writes data to the hard and floppy disk.

CP/M: An early Operating System

In 1973, Gary Kildall wrote the first PC operating system using the PL/M program language called Control Program for Microcomputer (or CP/M). CP/M ran on the Intel 8008 chip, and later translated to the 8080 chip.

MS-DOS and PC-DOS

The “Quick and Dirty Operating System” or Q-DOS, first developed by Tim Patterson of Seattle Computer Products, was purchased by Microsoft for $100,000. Microsoft then refined Q-DOS and named it MS-DOS, short for Microsoft Disk Operating System. Since Microsoft licensed IBM to use the MS-DOS operating system rather than selling it outright, Microsoft was able to license MS-DOS to other companies as well. As a result, the two most prevalent disk operating systems became IBM PC-DOS and MS-DOS. The MS-DOS versions are MS-DOS1.x, MS-DOS 2.x, MS-DOS 3.x, MS-DOS 4.x, MS-DOS 5.x, and MS-DOS 6.x

Windows

In 1974 Xerox had developed the friendly systems we take for granted today. Xerox’s Alto workstation featured the first graphical user interface, mouse, and computer-to-computer communication. Unfortunately, their short-sighted executives saw no future for the personal computer, and chose to bank on their copier business rather than their improvements to personal computing and networking. By the late 1980s, even as DOS was evolving and improving, its limitations were becoming obvious.

Computer-using costumers wanted machines and software designed and written for non-technical consumers. Without a graphical interface , MS-DOS did not meet the ease-of-access and ease-of-use needs of the growing modern computer costumer base.

Apple and Microsoft caught on to the market early, incorporating Alto’s user-friendly technology into their software development, modifying the Macintosh and Windows operating system software to accommodate user needs. So Macintosh and Windows now familiar user-friendly graphical interfaces that takes technical monotony out of computer access.

The Windows Evolution are Windows 1.x, Windows 2.x, Windows 3.x, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Millennium Edition, and Windows XP.

OS/2

IBM Operating system upgrade led to the emergence of the OS/2 family. It was one of the most powerful operating systems available when it was initially released but lack of support has forced this operating system to disappear from the mainstream market. The first OS/2 incarnation was designed to accommodate the 286-processor. OS/2 version 2 needed at least a 386 processor and offered a 32-bit code. OS/2 version 3, called OS/2 Warp, featured 32-bit code, graphical interface, and preemptive multitasking. OS/2 Warp was also designed to take advantage of the 486 processor. OS/2’s development has paralleled its Windows counterpart, and holds on to some loyal users.

MAC-OS

Apple Computer gave its System 7 operating system a new name in 1997: Mac OS. The Apple Computer operating system has held on to apiece of the operating system market despite of Microsoft’s dominance. Mac OS’s easy-to-use GUI and standard Plug-and-Play hardware configuration have made it very popular among its legions of dedicated users. The Mac OS has proven to be a great tool for graphics development and multimedia applications, however, the Mac OS suffers because it lacks compatibility with software applications. Introduced in the year 2000 the newest operating system for the Macintosh , Mac OS X, builds its user-friendly graphical interface on a more stable UNIX based foundation.

UNIX

For users whose power needs are huge and complex, the UNIX operating system offers major complexity, stability and power. UNIX, for example, forms the operating base for the Internet. Despite its cryptic, text-based interface, UNIX still maintains a loyal following because it rarely “crashes”. UNIX system administrators speak sometimes of UNIX based computers that run for years without needing a reboot. Newer innovations for UNIX, like a graphic interface, have made it even more popular among personal computing purists.

LINUX

LINUX is a free Unix-type operating system originally crated by Linus Torvalds with the assistance of developers around the world. Developed under the GNU General Public License, the source code for Linux is freely available to everyone. Linux’s gaining popularity is no doubt due to its reputable UNIX lineage and unbeatable price. Linux suffers from the same barrier that prevents UNIX from being accepted as a consumer operating system: its cryptic command line interface.

Bits and Bytes

The computer only understands two things: ON and OFF, On is represented by the number (1), while off is represented by (0). This is based on the Binary number system, these digits are known as bits. The word BIT is a contraction of the words Binary Digit. In order for the computer to save information it saves it in terms of Bytes.

The word Byte is a contraction of Binary Digits Eight. This means that one BYTE consists of 8 bits. A byte is necessary in order for the computer to store character of information. So in terms of storage space a byte can be considered to be the size of the character.

Kilobyte Approximately 1,000 bytes. A kilobyte can store up to 1000 characters of information.

Megabyte Approximately 1 Million bytes. A megabyte can store up to 1 Million characters of information.

Gigabyte Approximately 1 Billion bytes. A gigabyte can store up to 1 Billion characters of information.

Files

Files are clumps of computer data stored somewhere in your computer. Each file has a name, a location, and a length, and usually a date of when it was last changed. Files are stored in places like floppy disks, hard drives, CD’s, in the computer’s memory (RAM), in the computer’s special read only memory (ROM), and on tapes of a tape back-up device.

What do files do?

Files hold and store information that can be read by the computer. That’s all they do.

What Kinds of Files are there?

All files are basically the same, they all have name, location, a date and hold information. However, they can hold lots of different information, so we often think of this as different kinds of files. Actually it is just the type of information that is different.

What do you do with Files?

What you do with a file depends on the type of information that it holds, but some things can be done with all files.

1. Run them – if they hold a program.
2. Look inside them, if they hold graphics information or text.

[ Rae Angeline S. Palen ]