1	Software Basics The Ghost in the Machine
2	Chapter Outline
3	Processing with Programs Software programs are:
4	Food for Thought Combine 2 slightly beaten eggs with 1 tsp vanilla extract, ½ tsp cinnamon, ( cup milk Dip 6 slices of bread in mixture Fry in small amount of butter until golden brown Serve bread with maple syrup, sugar, or tart jelly
5	A Fast, Stupid Machine Computers: Have limited capabilities Can only do basic mathematics and logical comparisons Must be instructed with programs what to do
6	The Language of Computers Programmers begin with an algorithm, which is: A set of step-by-step instructions (written in a natural language, e.g., English) Algorithms are ambiguous, error-prone generalities Algorithms are translated into the vocabulary of a programming language
7	Programming Languages COBOL, BASIC, and C++
8	Software Applications: Tools for Users Software applications include:
9	Consumer Applications
10	Documentation Documentation includes: Printed tutorial and reference manuals that explain how to use the software On-line manuals and help screens which offer immediate help to the user
11	Upgrades Newer releases often have additional features and fewer bugs
12	Compatibility Compatibility allows software to function properly with the hardware, operating system, and peripherals
13	Warranty Software manufacturers limit their liability for software problems by selling their software “as is” Error-free software does not exist
14	Ownership/Licensing Three categories: Purchased software grants you a license to use the software as the software company tells you Shareware software is free for the trying, but a nominal fee is to be paid to the programmer if you continue to use it Public domain software is legally free and cannot be owned or licensed
15	Integrated Applications and Suites: Software Bundles Multipurpose software includes most of these modules: Word processing Database Spreadsheet Graphics Telecommunications
16	Integrated Software: Advantages Costs less than buying the applications individually Data is easily transferred between modules Commands used in each module are usually the same Usually there is a seamless integration of the modules
17	Vertical-Market and Custom Software Job-specific software: Medical billings Library cataloging
18	What the Operating System Does The operating system controls: Communication with peripherals Coordination of concurrent processing Memory management Monitoring of resources and security Management of programs and data Coordinating network communications
19	Utility Programs repairing damaged files making it easy for users to copy files from one storage device to another translating files so different software can read them guarding against viruses
20	Where the Operating System Lives Others include only part of it in ROM The remaining system is loaded into memory (booting) Most of the time it works behind the scenes
21	The User Interface: The Human-Machine Connection The user interface is what the user sees on the screen
22	A Character-Based Interface: MS-DOS This is a disk operating system in which the user interacts using characters letters numbers symbols
23	A Character-Based User Interface: MS-DOS MS-DOS™ is the most widely used general-purpose operating system Features include: Command-line interface (commands are typed) Menu-driven interface (commands are chosen from on-screen lists)
24	Graphical User Interfaces: Macintosh This is a disk operating system in which the user interacts with the computer by using a pointing device (e.g. a mouse) As early as 1984, the Macintosh™ computer was designed with this interface in mind
25	Graphical User Interfaces: Windows Windows 95 and 98 are similar in many ways to the Mac OS Several versions of Windows exist for business and home users
26	Why WIMP Won Windows, Icons, Menus, and Pointing devices
27	Multiple User Operating Systems: UNIX and Linux UNIX was developed at Bell Labs before personal computers were available Linux was created by Linus Torvalds and continues to be a work-in-progress Linux is free for anyone to use or improve
28	Multiple User Operating Systems: UNIX and Linux UNIX remains a dominant Internet operating system for Internet servers.
29	Hardware & Software Platforms Windows 9x(ME) Windows 2000 Windows CE Palm OS
30	Rules of Thumb Consumer Concepts Determine what you can afford
31	Rules of Thumb: Consumer Concepts What kind of tasks you will be doing If your computer can be customized to fit your needs (such as video editing) How much computer power you need If the processor can handle your demands If you will be able to upgrade
32	Rules of Thumb: Consumer Concepts If you need a high-speed modem or network connection Whether portability or permanent connection of peripherals is important Which kind of user interface will help you do your work easier If you should have the same machine as those you work with If you are buying from a reputable company What kind of support is available
33	Tomorrow’s User Interfaces Make individual applications obsolete Support natural languages (talk to the machine and it talks back) Include artificial intelligence and agents that fit our needs Be based on virtual reality (data in three-dimensional physical space)
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