Summary - concepts, terms and tips
Software - sets of instructions that tel' a computer what to do.
To work, the software must be loaded from storage into memory.
Application versus system software
Application software - a group of programs that perform specific tasks for us as users.
(Refer to the table on page 19 which lists the different types of application software.)
System software - software that is intended to control, support or operate the computer.
The operating system
System software which controls all activities that take place in a computer.
Every computer needs an operating system in order to be able to function
First set of programs that loads when we boot a computer
Examples - the Windows range (e.g. Windows 8 and Windows 10), Apple's operating systems (macOS, OS X), Linux
Examples for mobile devices - iOS (for Apple devices), Android, Windows for smartphones
Functions:
Windows
Desktop - the first basic 'screen' of the operating system
Icons - tiles, shortcuts
Sub-menus and shortcut keys provide further ways to access programs etc.
Windows components - window, menu, dialog box, textbox, combo box (can add an option), list box (only choose from options listed), etc.
Useful programs included - Snipping Tool (allows the user to 'capture' or copy a section of what appears on the screen), Calculator