CHAPTER 1Generic Application Softwares

Intro

• Computer - an automatic, programmable electronic data processing device

• Hardware - refers to the external, physical and tangible parts of the computer

• Software - refers to the program and set of instructions

USER INTERFACE1) CUI (Command User Interface) >>> E.g.: DOS2) GUI (Graphical User Interface) >>>E.g.: Windows

> Windows that enables easy switching between different application programs or different files within the same application program

> Icons that give easy access to commands on toolbars without use of text, dragging of files onto an application window, etc

> Menus that give easy access to list of commands

> Pointing devices such as mouse

SOFTWARESystem Software Application Softwareconsists of programs and related data that are needed to manage the computer's hardware and software. E.g.: Windows (OS), etc

consists of programs that allows the user to use the computer for useful purposes. E.g.: MS Word, Paint, etc

FEATURS OF APPLICATION PROGRAMS+ Managing files (Save As, Open, Close, etc)+ Working on multiple files simultaneously + Changing the magnification+ Scrolling through the work+ Moving an insertion pointer+ Importing text and graphics+ Formatting features (e.g. font name, style, color, etc)+ Multiple 'undo' and 'redo' commands+ Tools for creating and editing drawings+ Printing files

DIFFERENT APPLICATION SOFTWARESa. DTP b. Word Processingc. Spreadsheetsd. Databasese. presentation

a. DTP # creation of a defined no. of pages, each of which retains its own

structure, but which may share common margin or grid guidelines, page orientation and page size;

# creation of 'master pages', each of which acts as an underlay containing standard elements that can be applied to one or more of the publication's pages;

# complete control of the layout of the text boxes, drawings, photos and other elements on each page;

# tools for creating and editing tables;

# a wide range of formatting options for graphics, including 'washout' for a watermark image, and text, such as a drops capital or rotation of text boxes;

# exporting as text, web page or graphics file, or as a mail or email 'merge' with records from a database.

b. Word Processing # creation of a sequence of content, with pages created

automatically;

# headers and footers that can hold text, graphics, etc;

# margins, borders, paper size and page orientation (portrait/landscape);

# formatting of text as single or multiple columns;

# tools for creating & editing tables;

# document statistics - such as word count & readability scores

# automated creation of a table of contents, numbered captions, cross-references, citations, biblography and index;

# exporting as text or web page files, or as mail or email 'merge'

BESPOKE SOFTWARES

• Specially designed• More expensive• Meets the exact needs of

company/organization• Used for special reasons• Long development time• Dependent on suppliers of the

software• Easier to use• Can be modified and updated

according to the company’s requirements.

• Better customer support• Can be customised to interface

with all the other softwares within the company

OFF-THE-SHELF SOFTWARES• Readily available in the market• Can be used for different purposes• Less expensive• May not fit the needs of the

person/organization• No wait for development period

(immediately available)• Sharing of files with other

packages is easier• Well-tested by previous users• Support available from

experienced people• Cannot be modified• Errors can only be fixed if software

producers are responsive

BITMAP (RASTER IMAGES)

• Resolution dependant• If size reduced

interpolation• If size increased jaggered

effect• Cannot be changed to vector• Bitmap editing programs:

– Microsoft paint– Adobe Photoshop– Corel Photopaint

• Common files:– .bmp– .gif– .jpg– .jpeg– .png

VECTOR IMAGES

• Resolution independent• Aren’t restricted to

rectangular background• can be changed to bitmap• Common vector formats:

– .cmx– .ai

• Popular vector drawing programs include:

– Xara Xtreme

Different application programs used for communication

• Telephony• VoIP• Fax• Instant messaging• E-mail• Video conferencing