Types of Software: Bea Power Reader
Types of Software: Bea Power Reader
Types of Software: Bea Power Reader
Common Features
You have probably noticed that many
applications have similar features. For
example, the way that you save a docu-
ment in a word processing application is
Macintosh OS
Conclusion
Both operating system software and appli-
Many applications allow you to copy and paste cations have specific jobs to perform. It is
text and graphics between them. important to realize that the OS you are
using must be compatible with your hard-
ware. Each type of OS is designed to run
Most applications, including word process- on a specific type of computer. In addition,
ing, spreadsheet, and presentation applica- the application you are using must be com-
tions, contain easy-to-use drawing tools. patible with the OS. For example, there is a
These tools let you create simple drawings version of Microsoft Excel for Windows
for your documents. To create complex and another version for the Macintosh OS.
drawings, you will want to use a graphics In order to run this application on your
application. computer, you must have the version that
is compatible with your operating system.
1. How is an operating system different 1. Have you used more than one type of
from an application? operating system? If so, which one do
2. What type of operating system does you like best? Why?
your computer use? What are three 2. Examine the computer you use. What
applications you have used? types of utility programs does it con-
3. List three functions of an operating tain? Have you used any utility pro-
system. grams? If so, were they helpful to you?
4. List four types of utility programs and How?
explain each one’s purpose. 3. Can you think of any ideas for a
new type of utility application? Try
to think of one that you would find
useful. What features would it have?
Glossary
activity management program An applica- hardware The physical, touchable compo-
tion that helps manage people’s informa- nents of a computer system, such as the
tion and time, such as address books and CPU, keyboard, and monitor.
calendars. Macintosh® OS The operating system
anti-virus application An application that that runs on machines built by Apple®
scans a computer’s disks and memory for Computer, Inc.
viruses and removes any that are found. multimedia application Software used to
application software A type of computer create video and sound such as music.
program that creates and processes data. operating system (OS) The control pro-
Also called application. gram that provides an interface for users
boot To start up a computer by loading the to communicate with the computer.
operating system into memory. presentation application Software used to
communications program Software that create slide show presentations and
lets you send and receive messages, such reports.
as e-mail and faxing programs. software A list of instructions that a com-
compression utility An application used puter can execute (carry out) to perform a
to reduce the amount of storage space task. Also called a program.
required for files or data. spreadsheet application Software used to
database application Software used to cre- create documents to manage and organize
ate databases. numerical data.
disk defragmenter A utility that attempts utility An application that performs a spe-
to reorganize the data stored on a disk so cific task in maintaining or enhancing the
that it is more efficiently arranged and operating system.
takes up less space. Windows® A family of operating system
firewall An application that prevents an products developed and produced by
outsider from accessing a computer over a Microsoft Corporation.
network such as the Internet. word processing application Software
graphics application Software that is used used to create word-based documents that
to create, display, and store pictures. can be easily edited and stored.