Information Technology

Fundamentals
Basic Computer Concepts
Evolution of Information and Communications Technology
Parts of the Computer
Evolution of Information and
Communications Technology
  When computer and communication technology are combined the result
is INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY-infotech—technology that merges
computing with high-speed communication links carrying date, sound,
and video.
 Two(2) parts to this definition:
1. Computer Technology, let’s define what is. A computer is a
programmable, multiuse machine that accepts data—raw facts and
figures and process, or manipulates, it into information we can use,
such as summaries, totals, or reports. To speed up problem solving and
increase productivity.
2. Communication Technology, also called telecommunication
technology, consists of eletromagnetic devices and systems for
communicating over long distance. Ex. Telephone, radio, broadcast
television, and cable tv.
 Online-means using a computer or other information device,
connected through, to access information and services from
another computer or information devices.

Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth

3 Edition
 First Second Third Fourth Fifth
Generation Generation Generation Generation Generation
Trend: Toward Smaller, Faster, More Reliable, and Less Costly

Vacuum Solid-State/ Integrated Micro- ARTIFICIAL

Tubes Transistor Circuits processors INTELLEGENCE

Trend: Toward Easy to Purchase, and Easy to Maintain

Vacuum Tube(1940-1956)
 Semiconductor Devices, Diode and single
Transistor(1959-1964)
 Integrated Circuit(1964-1971)
 Microprocessor(1971-present)
1. Input Operation – is whatever is put in to a computer system.
Using Input Devices - a peripheral device that generates input for
the computer.
2. Processing Operation – Processing is the manipulation a
computer does to transform data into information. The processing
is done by the CPU(Central Processing Unit) – a device consisting of
electronic circuitry that executes instructions to process data.
3. Storage Operation – Storage is of two types; Primary Storage or
Memory, is the computer circuitry that temporarily holds data
waiting to be processed. Secondary Storage, simply called storage,
is the area in the computer where data or information is held
permanently
4. Output Operation – is whatever is output from the computer
system, the results of processing. Using Output Devices.
Parts of Computer
 Processing and Memory Devices:
Power, Speed, and Capacity
 System unit
 Houses the components responsible for processing (the CPU
and memory)
 All other computer system devices are linked either directly
or indirectly into the system unit housing

Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth

11 Edition
 The System Unit
What is the system unit?
 Case that contains
electronic components
of the computer used
to process data
 Sometimes called
the chassis

p. 184 Fig. 4-1 Next

 The System Unit
What are common components inside the system unit?

 Processor
 Memory
 Adapter cards
 Sound card
 Video card
 Drive bays
 Power supply

p. 185 Fig. 4-2 Next

 The System Unit
What is the motherboard?
 Main circuit board
of the system unit
 Contains
expansion slots,
processor chips,
and memory slots
 Also called system
board

Next
 Hardware Components
 Central processing unit (CPU)
 Arithmetic/logic unit (ALU): performs calculations and makes
logical comparisons
 Control unit: accesses, decodes and coordinates data in CPU
and other devices
 Primary memory: holds program instructions and data for
processing
 Secondary storage: more permanent storage
 Input and output devices
 Communications devices

Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth

15 Edition
The System Unit
What is the motherboard?
 Main circuit board
of the system unit
 Contains
expansion slots,
processor chips,
and memory slots
 Also called system
board

Next
 Processor
What are heat sinks, heat pipes, and liquid cooling?

 Heat sink—component
with fins that cools
processor
 Heat pipe —smaller
e

device for notebook

computers
 Liquid cooling—uses a
continuous flow
of fluids to transfer heat away

p. 193 Fig. 4-9 Next

 Processor
What is the central processing unit (CPU)?
Interprets and carries Processor
out basic instructions Control
Control Arithmetic
Arithmetic
Unit Logic Unit
Unit (ALU)
(ALU)
that operate a computer Unit Logic

 Control unit directs and Instructions

coordinates operations in Data
computer Information

 Arithmetic logic unit

(ALU) performs Input Output
Devices
Data Memory Information
Devices
arithmetic, comparison,
and logical operations
Instructions
Also called the processor Data
Information

Storage
Devices
p. 186 - 187 Fig. 4-4 Next
 Processor
What is a machine cycle?
 Four operations of the CPU comprise a machine cycle
Step 1. Fetch
Obtain program instruction
or data item from memory

Memory
Step 2.
Step 4. Store Decode
Write result to memory Translate
instruction into
Processor commands
ALU Control Unit
Step 3. Execute
Carry out command

p. 188 Fig. 4-5 Next

 Processing Characteristics and Functions
(continued)
 Physical characteristics of the CPU
 Digital circuits on chips
 To turn a digital circuit on or off, electrical
current flows through silicon

Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth

20 Edition
 Memory Characteristics and Functions:
Storage Capacity

Table 2.1: Units for Measuring Computer Storage

Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth
21 Edition
Data Representation
How do computers represent data?
 Most computers are digital

 Recognize only two discrete

states: on or off
 Use a binary system to
recognize two states
 Use Number system with two
unique digits: 0 and 1, called
bits (short for binary digits)

p. 194 - 195 Fig. 4-11 Next

 Data Representation
What is a byte?
 Eight bits grouped together as a unit
 Provides enough different combinations of 0s and 1s
to represent 256 individual characters
 Numbers
 Uppercase
and lowercase
letters
 Punctuation
marks
 Other

p. 195 Fig. 4-12 Next

Data Representation
What are three popular coding systems to represent data?

 ASCII—American Standard Code for Information Interchange

 EBCDIC—Extended Binary Coded Decimal Interchange Code
 Unicode—coding scheme capable of representing all
world’s languages

ASCII Symbol EBCDIC

00110000 0 11110000
00110001 1 11110001
00110010 2 11110010
00110011 3 11110011

p. 195 Fig. 4-13 Next

 Data Representation
How is a letter converted to binary form and back?
Step 1.
The user presses Step 2.
the capital letter T An electronic signal for the
(SHIFT+T key) on capital letter T is sent to the
the keyboard. system unit.

Step 3.
Step 4. The system unit converts the
After processing, the binary scan code for the capital letter T
code for the capital letter T is to its ASCII binary code
converted to an image, and (01010100) and stores it in
displayed on the output device. memory for processing.

p. 196 Fig. 4-14 Next

 Memory Characteristics and Functions: Types
of Memory
 Random access memory (RAM)
 Temporary
 Most widely used primary storage medium
 Volatile memory
 Read/write memory

 Read-only memory (ROM)

 Usually nonvolatile
 Permanent storage
 Can be read but cannot be overwritten
 Frequently used programs burnt into chips during manufacturing

Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth

26 Edition
 Memory
What is memory?
 Electronic components that store
instructions, data, and results
 Consists of one or
more chips on
motherboard or
other circuit board
 Each byte stored
in unique location
called an address,
similar to seats in a concert hall

p. 197 Fig. 4-15 Next

 Memory
Where does memory reside?

 Resides on small circuit

board called memory
module
 Memory slots on
motherboard hold memory
modules

p. 199 Fig. 4-18 Next

 Memory
How much RAM does an application require?
 Depends on the types of
software you plan to
use
 For optimal
performance, you
need more than
minimum specifications

p. 199 Next
Memory
What is flash memory?
 Nonvolatile memory that can be erased electronically and rewritten

 Used with many mobile devices

Step 3.
Step 1. Plug the headphones into the portable
Purchase and download music tracks from a media player, push a button on the
Web site. With one end of a special cable flash memory chips portable media player, and listen to
connected to the system unit, connect the the music through the earphones.
other end to the USB port in the portable
media player.

USB port

Step 2.
Instruct the computer to copy the music tracks to
MP3 Player
the flash memory chip in the portable media player.

Next
Memory
What is read-only memory (ROM)?

Memory chips that store Nonvolatile memory, it is not

permanent data lost when computer’s
and instructions power is turned off

Three types:
EEPROM
(electrically
Firmware—
erasable programmable
Manufactured with
read-only memory)—
permanently written
Type of PROM
data, instructions,
containing microcode
or information
PROM programmer
(programmable can erase
read-only
memory)—
Blank ROM
chip onto which
a programmer
can write permanently
Next
 Memory
What is CMOS?

Used in some
Complementary RAM chips, flash
metal-oxide memory chips, and
semiconductor other types of
memory memory chips

Uses battery Stores date,

power to retain time, and
information when computer’s
other power is startup
turned off information

p. 203 Next
 Secondary Storage and Input and
Output Devices
 Secondary storage
 Also called permanent storage
 Nonvolatile
 Greater capacity and greater economy than memory
 Access methods, storage capacities, and portability required
are determined by the information system’s objectives

Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth

33 Edition
 Input Devices
 Personal computer input devices
 Keyboard, mouse
 Speech-recognition technology
 Input devices that recognize human speech
 Digital cameras
 Input device used with PC to record/store images in digital
form
 Terminals
 Input and display devices that perform data entry and input at
the same time

Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth

34 Edition
 Input Devices (continued)
 Touch-sensitive screens
 Allow display screens to act as input devices as well as output
devices
 Bar-code scanners
 Employs a laser scanner to read a bar-coded label
 Magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) devices
 Code data on banking forms, such as checks

Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth

35 Edition
 Input Devices (continued)
 Pen input devices
 Activate a command, enter handwritten notes, and draw objects
 Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)
 Employs a microchip with an antenna to broadcast its unique
identifier and location to a receiver

Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth

39 Edition
 Output Devices
 Display monitors (CRTs)
 Output quality measured by number of pixels and dot pitch
 Liquid crystal displays (LCDs)
 Easier on eyes, use less electricity, take up less space than CRTs
 Organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs)
 Directly emits light rather than using backlight
 Sharper colors and thinner displays

Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth

40 Edition
 Output Devices (continued)
 Printers and plotters: hard copy output
 Printers: laser, inkjet
 Plotters: used for general design work
 Digital audio player
 Stores, organizes, and plays digital music files

Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth

43 Edition
 Expansion Slots and Adapter Cards
What is an adapter card?
 Enhances system unit or provides connections to
external devices called peripherals
 Also called an expansion card

Next
 Expansion Slots and Adapter Cards
What is an expansion slot?
 An opening, or socket,
on the motherboard
that can hold an
adapter card
 With Plug and Play,
the computer
automatically
configures cards
and other devices
as you install them

p. 204 - 205 Fig. 4-25 Next

 Expansion Slots and Adapter Cards
What are flash memory cards, PC cards, and ExpressCard modules?

 An ExpressCard module adds memory,

storage, sound, fax/modem, communications,
and other capabilities to notebook computers

 A flash memory card allows users to transfer

data from mobile devices to desktop
computers
 USB Flash drive
 An PC card adds various capabilities to
computers

Next
 Ports and Connectors
What are ports and connectors?
 Port connects external devices to system unit
 Connector joins cable to peripheral
 Available in one of two genders: male and female

p. 206 Fig. 4-28 Next

 Ports and Connectors
What are different types
of connectors?

p. 207 Fig. 4-29 Next

 Ports and Connectors
What is a serial port?
 Transmits one bit of data at a
time
 Connects slow-speed devices,
such as mouse, keyboard,
modem

p. 207 Fig. 4-30 Next

 Ports and Connectors
What is a parallel port?
 Connects devices that can
transfer more than one bit at
a time, such as a printer

p. 208 Fig. 4-31 Next

 Ports and
What are USB ports?
Connectors

USB (universal serial bus) port can connect

up to 127 different peripherals together
with a single connector type

PCs typically have Third USB

six to eight USB ports Single USB port can device connects
be used to attach to second USB
on front or back of device, and so on
the system unit multiple peripherals
in a daisy chain
Second USB
device connects
to first USB
First USB device
device connects
USB 2.0 to USB port
p. 208 on computer Next
 Bays
What is a bay?

 Opening inside system

unit used to install
additional equipment
 Drive bays typically
hold disk drives

p. 212 Fig. 4-36 Next

SOFTWARE
 Overview of Software
 Computer programs: sequences of instructions for the
computer
 Documentation: describes program functions
 Programming language: a computer language
engineered to create a standard form of commands. These
commands can be interpreted into a code understood by a
machine. Programs are created through programming
languages to control the behavior and output of a machine
through accurate algorithms, similar to the human
communication process.
57 Fundamentals of Information
Systems, Fourth Edition
Systems Software
 Controlling operations of computer hardware is one of the
most critical functions of systems software
 Also supports application programs’ problem-solving
capabilities
 Different types of systems software include:
 Operating systems
 Utility programs
 Application Software

58 Fundamentals of Information
Systems, Fourth Edition
 Operating Systems
 Operating system (OS): programs that control the hardware
and interface with applications
 Common hardware functions
 Get input (e.g., keyboard)
 Retrieve data from disks and store data on disks
 Display information on a monitor or printer

59 Fundamentals of Information
Systems, Fourth Edition
 Operating Systems (continued)
 Combinations of OSs, computers, and users:
 Single computer with a single user
 Single computer with multiple users
 Multiple computers
 Special-purpose computers

60 Fundamentals of Information
Systems, Fourth Edition
 Operating Systems (continued)

Figure 2.8: The Role of Systems Software

Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth

61 Edition
 Operating Systems (continued)
 Activities performed by the operating system
 Perform common computer hardware functions
 Provide a user interface and input/output management
 Provide a degree of hardware independence
 Manage system memory

62 Fundamentals of Information
Systems, Fourth Edition
 Operating Systems (continued)
 Activities performed by the operating system (continued)
 Manage processing tasks
 Provide networking capability
 Control access to system resources
 Manage files

63 Fundamentals of Information
Systems, Fourth Edition
 Operating Systems (continued)
 Common hardware functions
 Get input from keyboard or some other input device
 Retrieve data from disks
 Store data on disks
 Display information on a monitor or printer

64 Fundamentals of Information
Systems, Fourth Edition
Operating Systems (continued)
 User interface
 Allows individuals to access and command the computer system
 Command-based user interface: uses text commands
 Graphical user interface (GUI): uses icons and menus to
send commands to the computer system

65 Fundamentals of Information
Systems, Fourth Edition
Operating Systems (continued)
 Hardware independence
 Application program interface (API): allows applications
to make use of the operating system
 Memory management
 Converts a user’s request for data or instructions to the physical
location where the data or instructions are stored

66 Fundamentals of Information
Systems, Fourth Edition
 Operating Systems (continued)

Figure 2.9: Application Program Interface Links Application Software to

the Operating System
67 Fundamentals of Information
Systems, Fourth Edition
 Operating Systems (continued)
 Processing tasks
 Multitasking: more than one program running at the same time
 Time-sharing: more than one person using a computer system at
the same time
 Scalability: ability to handle an increasing number of concurrent
users smoothly
 Networking capability: aids users in connecting to a computer
network

68 Fundamentals of Information
Systems, Fourth Edition
Operating Systems (continued)
 Access to system resources
 Protection against unauthorized access
 Logins and passwords
 File management
 Ensures that files in secondary storage are:
 Available when needed
 Protected from access by unauthorized users

69 Fundamentals of Information
Systems, Fourth Edition
 Operating Systems

Table 2.5: Popular Operating Systems Across All Three Spheres of Influence
Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth
70 Edition
Operating Systems (continued)
 Microsoft PC operating systems
 PC-DOS and MS-DOS: early, command-driven OSs
 Windows XP: greatly improved stability and security over
previous versions of Windows
 Windows XP N: for European market
 Windows XP Professional X64: for computers with newer 64-
bit capabilities
 Windows XP Media Center Edition: incorporates additional
multimedia features
 Vista: latest version of Windows
 Windows 7
 Windows 8
71 Fundamentals of Information
Systems, Fourth Edition
Operating Systems (continued)
 Apple operating systems
 Often provides cutting edge tools in graphics and music not
available from Microsoft
 Mac OS X
 Jaguar (OS X.2)
 Panther (OS X.3)
 Tiger (OS X.4): support for 64-bit computing, Dashboard, Spotlight, etc.

72 Fundamentals of Information
Systems, Fourth Edition
Operating Systems (continued)
 Linux
 Developed by Linus Torvalds in 1991
 Open-source product
 Only the kernel of an OS
 Several distributions available with
capabilities/applications that form a complete
OS
 Examples: Red Hat Linux, Caldera
OpenLinux,

73 Fundamentals of Information
Systems, Fourth Edition
Workgroup Operating Systems
 Windows Server
 UNIX
 NetWare
 Red Hat Linux
 Mac OS X Server

74 Fundamentals of Information
Systems, Fourth Edition
Enterprise Operating Systems
 z/OS
 MPE/iX and HP-UX
 Linux

75 Fundamentals of Information
Systems, Fourth Edition
 Embedded Operating Systems
 An embedded operating system resides on a ROM chip on a
mobile device or consumer electronic device

Windows
Windows
Embedded Palm OS iPhone OS
Phone 7
CE

Google Embedded
BlackBerry Symbian OS
Android Linux

Pages 418 - 420 Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 8 76

 Embedded Operating Systems

Pages 419 – 420

Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 8 77
Figures 8-22 – 8-26
OPERATING SYSTEM SUMMARY
 Operating Systems
 An operating system (OS) is a set of programs containing
instructions that work together to coordinate all the activities
among computer hardware resources
Start and shut
Provide a user Manage Manage
down a
interface programs memory
computer

Establish an
Coordinate Configure Monitor
Internet
tasks devices performance
connection

Automatically Control a Administer

Provide utilities
update network security

Pages 398 - 399 Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 8 79

 Operating Systems

Pages 398 – 399

Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 8 80
Figure 8-1
 Operating System Functions
 The process of starting or restarting a computer is called booting

Cold boot Warm boot

• Turning on • Using the

a computer operating
that has system to
been restart a
powered off computer
completely
Page 400
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 8 81
Figure 8-2
 Operating System Functions

Page 401
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 8 82
Figure 8-3
 Operating System Functions

A boot drive is the drive from

which your computer starts
• You can boot from a boot disk
• A recovery disk contains a few
system files that will start the computer
Page 402 Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 8 83
 Operating System Functions
 A user interface
controls how you
enter data and
instructions and how
information is
displayed on the
screen
 With a graphical user
interface (GUI), you
interact with menus
and visual images

Pages 402 – 403

Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 8 84
Figure 8-4
 Categories of Operating Systems

Page 412
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 8 85
Figure 8-14
APPLICATION
Application Software
 Give users the ability to solve problems and perform specific
tasks
 Interact with systems software; systems software then directs
the hardware to perform tasks

87 Fundamentals of Information
Systems, Fourth Edition
Types and Functions of Application
Software
 Proprietary software: one-of-a-kind program for a
specific application, usually developed and owned by a single
company
 Off-the-shelf software: existing software program that is
purchased
 Open Source – free programs/ for specific application.

88 Fundamentals of Information
Systems, Fourth Edition
Types and Functions of Application
Software (continued)

Figure 2.13: Types of Application Software

89 Fundamentals of Information
Systems, Fourth Edition
Types and Functions of Application
Software (continued)

Table 2.6: A Comparison of Proprietary and Off-the-Shelf Software

90 Fundamentals of Information
Systems, Fourth Edition
Types and Functions of Application
Software (continued)

Table 2.6: A Comparison of Proprietary and Off-the-Shelf Software

(continued)
91 Fundamentals of Information
Systems, Fourth Edition
Personal Application Software
 Serves the needs of an individual user
 Includes personal productivity software
 Enables users to improve their personal effectiveness

92 Fundamentals of Information
Systems, Fourth Edition
 Personal Application Software
(continued)

Table 2.7: Examples of Personal Productivity Software

Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth
93 Edition
 Personal Application Software
(continued)

Table 2.7: Examples of Personal Productivity Software (continued)

Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth
94 Edition
Personal Application Software
(continued)
 Software suite: collection of single application programs
packaged in a bundle
 Microsoft Office: most popular general-purpose software suite
 Other general-purpose software suites: Corel’s WordPerfect
Office, Lotus SmartSuite, Sun Microsystems’s StarOffice
 Integrated application packages: offer a range of
capabilities for less money than software suites
 Example: Microsoft Works

95 Fundamentals of Information
Systems, Fourth Edition
Personal Application Software
(continued)

Table 2.8: Major Components of Leading Software Suites

96 Fundamentals of Information
Systems, Fourth Edition
 Workgroup Application Software
 Workgroup application software: support teamwork, whether
people are in the same location or dispersed around the world
 Groupware: software that helps groups of people work together
more efficiently and effectively
 Workgroup software applications are also referred to as
'collaborative software,' or 'groupware.' There are several
categories of workgroup applications, including electronic
communications, electronic conferencing and scheduling and
coordination tools.
 Example: emailing, scheduling, file transferring, application
sharing,conferencing, the use of a whiteboard
97 Fundamentals of Information
Systems, Fourth Edition
Workgroup Application Software
(continued)

Table 2.9: Ernst & Young’s “Three Cs” Rule for Groupware
98 Fundamentals of Information
Systems, Fourth Edition
Enterprise Application Software
 Software that benefits an entire organization
 Enterprise resource planning (ERP) software:
programs that manage a company’s vital business operations
for an entire multisite, global organization

99 Fundamentals of Information
Systems, Fourth Edition
Enterprise Application Software
(continued)

Table 2.10: Examples of Enterprise Application Software

100 Fundamentals of Information
Systems, Fourth Edition
 Shareware, Freeware, and Public
Domain Software

 Shareware and freeware: software that is very inexpensive or

free, but whose source code cannot be modified
 Public domain software: shareware and freeware that is in
the public domain

How will you identify if that particular Software is Shareware and

Freeware?

1
0
UTILITY PROGRAMS
 Utility Programs
 A utility program is a type of system software that allows a user to
perform maintenance-type tasks

Page 421
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 8 103
Figure 8-27
 Utility Programs
 A file manager is a utility
that performs functions
related to file management
 Displaying a list of files
 Organizing files in folders
 Copying, renaming, deleting,
moving, and sorting files and
folders
 Creating shortcuts

Page 422
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 8 104
Figure 8-28
 Utility Programs
 A search utility is a program that attempts to locate a file on your
computer based on criteria you specify

Page 422
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 8 105
Figure 8-29
 Utility Programs
 An image viewer allows
users to display, copy, and
print the contents of a
graphics file
 An uninstaller removes a
program, as well as any
associated entries in the
system files

Page 423
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 8 106
Figure 8-30
 Utility Programs
 A disk cleanup utility searches for and removes unnecessary files
 Downloaded program
files
 Temporary Internet
files
 Deleted files
 Unused program
files

Page 423
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 8 107
Figure 8-31
 Utility Programs
 A disk defragmenter reorganizes the files and unused
space on a computer’s hard disk so that the operating
system accesses data more quickly and programs run faster
 Defragmenting

Pages 423 – 424

Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 8 108
Figure 8-32
 Utility Programs
 A backup utility allows
users to copy files to
another storage medium
 A restore utility reverses
the process and returns
backed up files to their
original form

Page 424
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 8 109
Figure 8-33
 Utility Programs
 A screen saver causes a  A personal firewall
display device’s screen to detects and protects a
show a moving image or personal computer from
blank screen if no activity unauthorized intrusions
occurs for a specified time

Page 425
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 8 110
Figures 8-34 – 8-35
 Utility Programs

Pages 425 - 426 Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 8 111

Video: Free Online Antivirus

Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 8 112

 Utility Programs

Pages 425 – 426

Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 8 113
Figures 8-36 – 8-37
 Utility Programs

• A spyware remover detects • An adware remover is a

and deletes spyware and other program that detects and
similar programs deletes adware

Page 426 Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 8 114

 Utility Programs
 Filters are programs that remove or block certain items from being
displayed

Pages 426 - 427 Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 8 115

 Utility Programs
 A file compression utility shrinks the size of a file(s)
 Compressing files frees up room on the storage media
 Two types of compression
 Lossy
 Lossless

 Compressed files sometimes are called zipped files

 Can be uncompressed

Page 427 Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 8 116

 Utility Programs
 A media player allows you to view images and animation, listen to
audio, and watch video files on your computer

Page 427
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 8 117
Figure 8-38
 Utility Programs
 Disc burning software
writes text, graphics, audio,
and video files on a
recordable or rewritable
optical disc

Page 428
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 8 118
Figure 8-39
 Utility Programs
 A personal computer
maintenance utility
identifies and fixes
operating system problems,
detects and repairs disk
problems, and includes the
capability of improving a
computer’s performance

Page 428
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 8 119
Figure 8-40
PROGRAMMING LANGUAGE
 Programming Languages
 Sets of keywords, symbols, and a system of rules for
constructing statements
 Allow humans to communicate instructions to be executed by a
computer
 Syntax: a set of rules associated with a programming language
 Different languages have characteristics that make them
appropriate for particular types of applications

121 Fundamentals of Information

Systems, Fourth Edition
Programming Languages (continued)

Table 2.11: The Evolution of Programming Languages

122 Fundamentals of Information
Systems, Fourth Edition
Software Issues and Trends
 Software issues and trends receiving increasing attention
 Software bugs
 Copyrights and licenses
 Software upgrades
 Global software support

123 Fundamentals of Information

Systems, Fourth Edition
Software Bugs
 Software bug: defect in a computer program that keeps it
from performing as it is designed to perform
 Tips for reducing impact of software bugs include:
 Register all software so that you can receive bug alerts, fixes,
and patches
 Check the manual or read-me files for work-arounds
 Access support area of the manufacturer’s Web site for patches
 Install the latest software updates

124 Fundamentals of Information

Systems, Fourth Edition
Copyrights and Licenses
 Most software products are protected by law using copyright
or licensing provisions
 In some cases, you are given unlimited use of software on one
or two computers
 In other cases, you pay for your usage—if you use the software
more, you pay more
 Some software now requires that you register or activate it
before it can be fully used

125 Fundamentals of Information

Systems, Fourth Edition
Software Upgrades
 Software companies periodically revise their programs and
sell new versions
 Revised software
 May offer new and valuable enhancements
 May just contain complex program code changes that offer little
in terms of additional capabilities
 Software upgrades usually cost much less than the original
purchase price

126 Fundamentals of Information

Systems, Fourth Edition
Global Software Support
 For large, global companies, getting adequate software
support at all their locations for their standardized,
companywide systems is a big challenge
 Large vendors such as Sybase, IBM, and Hewlett-Packard
typically contract out support for their software to local
providers

127 Fundamentals of Information

Systems, Fourth Edition
Settings and Maintenance
 What features do they have in common that might impact
performance?
 Internet
 Temporary files and allocation of temporary file storage
 Screen redraw or resolution on older machines/Win98 might impact
graphics performance
Settings and Maintenance
 What features do they have in common that might impact
performance?
 Foo-foo stuff
 Mouse trails
 Shadow text
 Desktop effects
Settings and Maintenance
 What features do they have in common that might impact
performance?

 Disk Defragmenter
 Optimizes hard disk

performance
 Remember, over time, hard

disks have a hard time

finding stuff
Settings and Maintenance

Before

After