Programs and Apps: Productivity, Graphics, Security, and Other Tools

Flashcards on programs, apps, and software tools.

Program/Software

A series of related instructions, organized for a common purpose, that tells the computer what tasks to perform and how to perform them.

Application/App

Programs designed to make users more productive and/or assist them with personal tasks.

Operating System

A set of programs that coordinates all the activities among computer or mobile device hardware.

Native App

An app that is installed on a user's device.

Cloud App

An app that is accessed via a network.

Retail Software

Software distributed in physical stores or online.

Custom Software

Software developed for a specific user's need.

Shareware

Software distributed at no cost for a trial period.

Freeware

Software distributed at no cost for use.

Open Source Software

Software whose source code is available for modification and redistribution.

Public Domain Software

Software with no copyright restrictions.

Productivity Application

Software that assists users in becoming more effective and efficient while performing daily activities.

Word Processing Software

Software that allows users to create and manipulate documents.

Presentation Software

Software that allows users to create visual aids for presentations.

Spreadsheet Software

Software that allows users to organize data in columns and rows and perform calculations.

Database

A collection of data organized for access, retrieval, and use.

Database Software

Software that allows users to create, access, and manage a database.

Note Taking Software

Software that enables users to enter typed text, handwritten comments, drawings, sketches, photos, and links.

Calendar and Contact Management Software

Software that helps users organize calendars, contacts, and share information.

Software Suite

A collection of individual related applications available together as a unit.

Project Management Software

Software that allows a user to plan, schedule, track, and analyze project events, resources, and costs.

Accounting Software

Software that helps businesses record and report their financial transactions.

Personal Finance Software

A simplified accounting application that helps users balance checkbooks, pay bills, and track income/expenses.

Legal Software

Software that assists in the preparation of legal documents and provides legal information.

Tax Preparation Software

Software that guides users through the process of filing federal and state taxes.

Document Conversion Software

Software that saves documents into a common format with the same appearance as the original.

Enterprise Computing

Special computing solutions required by large organizations due to their size and distribution.

Computer-Aided Design (CAD) Software

Software used for creating technical drawings and designs.

Desktop Publishing Software

Software used for creating high-quality documents for print.

Paint/Image Editing Software

Software used for creating and manipulating digital images.

Photo Editing and Photo Management Software

Software used for editing and managing digital photos.

Video and Audio Editing Software

Software used for editing video and audio files.

Multimedia authoring software

Software that allows users to combine text, graphics, audio, video, and animation in an interactive application

Website authoring software

Software that helps users create business websites for a variety of purposes

Media player

A program that allows you to view images and animations, listen to audio, and watch video files on your computer or mobile device

Augmented reality app

An app that overlays information and digital content on top of physical objects or locations

Virtual reality app

An app that provides an immersive user experience

Personal firewall

Security tool that detects and protects a personal computer and its data from unauthorized intrusions

Antivirus program

Program that protects a computer against viruses by identifying and removing any computer viruses found in memory, on storage media, or on incoming files

Spyware

Type of program placed on a computer or mobile device without the user’s knowledge that secretly collects information about the user and then communicates the information it collects to some outside source while the user is online

Adware

Type of program that displays an online advertisement in a banner or pop-up or pop-under window on webpages, email messages, or other Internet services

Spyware remover

Type of program that detects and deletes spyware and similar programs

Adware remover

A program that detects and deletes adware

File manager

Tool that performs functions related to file management

Search tool

A program, usually included with an operating system, that attempts to locate a file, contact, calendar event, app, or any other item stored on your computer or mobile device based on criteria you specify

Image viewer

Tool that allows users to display, copy, and print the contents of a graphics file, such as a photo

Uninstaller

Tool that removes a program, as well as any associated entries in the system files

Disk cleanup tool

Tool that searches for and removes unnecessary files

Disk defragmenter

Tool that reorganizes the files and unused space on a computer’s hard disk so that the operating system accesses data more quickly and programs run faster

Defragmenting

The process where a fragmented hard disk has many files stored in noncontiguous sectors and is reorganized so that they are located in contiguous sectors, which speeds access time.

Screen saver

Tool that causes a display device’s screen to show a moving image or blank screen if no keyboard or mouse activity occurs for a specified time

File compression tool

Tool that shrinks the size of a file(s)

PC maintenance tool

Program that identifies and fixes operating system problems, detects and repairs drive problems, and includes the capability of improving a computer’s performance

Backup tool

Tool that allows users to copy, or back up, selected files or the contents of an entire storage medium to another storage location

Restore tool

Tool that reverses the process and returns backed up files to their original form

Power management tool

Tool that monitors a laptop or mobile device’s battery usage, showing apps that consume the most battery power, displaying battery usage since the device was last charged, and estimating usage time remaining