PROGRAMS & APPS
software also called a program, consists of a series of related instructions, organized for a common purpose, that tells the comp what tasks to perform & how to perform them.
2 categories of software are system software & application software(or application).
operating systems
operating systems are a widely recognized example of system software, sometimes called tools, enable u to perform maintenance-type tasks usually related to managing devices,media & programs used by comp/m.devices.
an operating system is a set of programs that coordinates all the activities among comp/m.device hardware.
it provides a means for users to communicate w the comp/m.device & other software.
Microsft's Windows, Apple's macOS, Apple's iOS, Google's Android,
to use an app, ur comp/m.device must be running an operating system.
applications
consists of programs designed to make users more productive & assist them w personal tasks.
example: browser
installing & running programs
is the process of setting up the program to work w a comp/m.device, printer & other hardware.
software such as operating system, preinstalled on its internal media so that u can use the comp/m.device the first time u turn it on.
installed operating systems often include app such as browser, media player, calculator.
to use an additional desktop app on comp, u usually need to install the software.
mobile apps typically install automatically after u transfer the app's files to ur m.device from its website. U usually don't need to install web apps before u can run them.
once installed, u run a program so that u can interact w it. When u instruct a comp/m.device to run a program, the comp/m.device loads it, which means the program's instructions are copied from storage to memory. Once in memory, the comp/m.device can carry out/execute, the instructions in the program so that u can use it.
u can interact w a program through its user interface. The user interface controls how u enter data & instructions & how info is displayed on the screen. Often, u work w icons/tiles.
developing programs & apps
a software developer, sometimes called a developer/programmer, is someone who develops programs & apps/writes the instructions that direct the comp/m.device to process data into info.
when writing instructions, a developer must be sure the program/app works properly so that the comp/m.device generates the desired results. Complex programs can be require thousands to millions of instructions.
software developers use a programming language/app development tool to create programs & apps. Popular programming languages include C++, Java, JavaScript, Visual C# & Visual Basic.