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Unit 1 - Topic 2: Understanding Computer Software (2.5 Communication…
Unit 1 - Topic 2: Understanding Computer Software
2.1 Software types
Bespoke software
Custom software made for a specific purpose or organisation
Examples
Mobile banking apps
Amazon
Xero
Shareware
Shareware is proprietary software available free of charge for evaluation but may cost a fee for continued use of the software
Examples
WinRAR - evaluation copy
Adobe Acrobat 8 Professional
Game demos
Off the shelf software
Software designed for a wide variety of people so anyone can use this software
Examples
Word Processing software
Spreadsheet software
Console games
Freeware
Simply software which you are able to use free of charge
Examples
Most mobile games
AVG anti-virus
Google Chrome
Closed source software
Software where it's source code is not able to be seen by users
Examples
WinRAR
Microsoft Office
Adobe Photoshop
Embedded software
Software designed to a device/machine
Examples of where it could be used
Vehicles
Washing Machines
Calculators
Open source/Proprietary software
Software where the source code is accessible to everyone
Examples
Python
Linux OS
Mozilla Firefox
2.2 Application Software
Development software
IDE (Integrated Development Environment)
- Software that provides tools for programmers such as a debugger, run-time environment, source code editor, error identification.
Compiler
- Converts source code into object code. It creates a executable file.
Debugger
- A program that assists in identification and correction of errors in other computer programs.
Translators
- Converts high level code into low level code so the computer can understand such as Assembly Code or Machine code.
Business software
MIS (Management Information System)
- Gathers data from multiple online systems, analyzes software and reports data to aid management decision-making.
Used to store company information.
Multimedia collaboration/communication
- The relay of information across many different platforms to allow for communication or collaborating on work.
Project management
- Software used for planning, scheduling and resource allocation and general management, it helps businesses organise their employees.
Manufacturing
- Produces software that can be used within a businesses, each copy of the software is priced and sold.
CAD/CAM (Computer-aided design/Computer-aided manufacturing)
- Software used to control machines tools and related ones in manufacturing of work-pieces.
Publishing
- Generates layouts and produce high quality text and images. Used to create posters, leaflets, business cards etc.
Expert systems
- AI/Software that uses databases to make decisions and/or offer advice in certain situations.
Healthcare
- Retrieves and displays a patient's health information from many sources including scanned documents, X-Rays, MRI scans etc.
Productivity software
Database
- A structured set of data held in a computer, especially one that is accessible in various ways.
Spreadsheet
- Used to create tables and graphically display information
Email
- Messages distributed by electronic means from one computer user to one or more recipients via a network.
Word Processor
- Used to create documents of text.
2.3 Utility Software
Disk defragmenter
- Rearranges scattered parts of the same file in the hard drive and re-arranges them the parts of the files next to each other so it loads faster as their is a faster read and write speed as you don’t need to look around for each part of the file.
Backup software
- Backup software helps perform backups of files by making exact copies of files on your system and stores them externally or on the cloud.
Compression software
- Compression software helps reduce the file size of files through either lossy or lossless compression so the file can be uploaded or downloaded faster.
Antivirus software
- Antivirus software helps with the detection, identification, quarantine and removal of viruses and malware.
Utility software is system software used to help analyze, configure, optimize and/or maintain the computer. Each type of utility software usually has one task.
2.4 Types of Operating Systems
Multi User
- Multi user operating systems allow different users to log onto computers simultaneously.
Single Processor
- The operating system that can only do one process at a time.
Single User
- Single user operating systems only a single user can use the device at one time.
Multi Processor
- The operating allows for multitasking as multiple processes can be performed simultaneously depending on how many cores your computer has.
2.5 Communication Methods used in a business
Personal Assistants
- An “intelligent assistant” that enables the user to speak natural language voice commands in order to operate the mobile device and apps.
Teleconference
- A conference between a group of people via phone calls. (audio only).
VoIP(Voice over Internet Protocol)
- VoIP is the transmission of voice and multimedia content over Internet Protocol (IP) networks.
Video Conference
- A conference between a group of people via video chat (video and audio communication).
Social Networking
- the process of using social media (e.g Instagram, Twitter, Facebook etc.) to build social relations with other businesses that share similar interests or possible partners/investors.
Cellular
- Cellular phones transmit and receive using land-based towers.
Messaging software
- application software that allows you to send free messages and communicate with other people that also have the same application software. For example Whatsapp, IMO and Viber.
Satellite
- Satellite phones communicate directly with a satellite orbiting the Earth.
Emails
- allows you to mail to people via the internet or mobile devices to allow for more detail, you can add hyperlinks and the can be sent all around the world.
Instant Messaging
- Usually through computers which allow users to send messages to another person who will receive them instantly.
SMS (Short Messaging Service)
- allows you to send short messages of up to 160 characters at one time to a person. This is useful for employees to message each other outside of work.
2.7 Protocols
SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol)
- Used by the mail server itself to send and receive emails from all other mail servers across the internet.
It moves emails between servers.
FTP (File Transfer Protocol)
- FTP is a standard network protocol used to transfer files between a client and server on a computer network (the internet). This is an application layer protocol.
Works alongside TCP/IP
UDP (User Data Protocol)
- This protocol is used for establishing low latency (minimal delay) connections which tolerate loss and disorder of data packets
POP (Post Office Protocol)
- This protocol allows a user to receive an email from the server. Allows emails to be downloaded and /or deleted from a mail server and viewed offline by an email client.
IP (Internet Protocol)
- Uniquely identifies a physical computer linked to the internet. When transmitting messages, this is responsible for providing the destination
HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol)
- Set of rules used on the World Wide Web. Allows web pages to be transferred to the computer which requests it.
TCP (Transmission control protocol
) - This protocol prepares messages for transmission and reassembles any messages received.
SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol)
- Protocol which gathers statistics such as status of: The CPU, the memory and the buffer
A protocol is a standard set of rules that a computer has to follow and an agreed method of doing something. Each protocol is designed with a specific need in mind. Many protocols depend on each other
ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol)
- This protocol sends messages on the condition of the network.
Extremely useful for an ICT network manager.