CIS105: Computer Applications & Information Systems Lect. 2 ​

Chapter 2: Application Software ​

• An application program is a computer program designed to carry out a specific task other than one relating to the operation of the computer itself.

2.1: Word Processing Software ​

• For creating, updating and editing documents
• Can create a Table of Contents
• Saved to secondary memory
• Often underestimated
• Microsoft Word: Most popular word processor in the world
• Adobe Acrobat: Most portable document format (pdf)
  • Platform Neutral
• Corel WordPerfect: most dominant in early 80s (still used in some industries like law)
  • Created and Brigham Young university

2.2: Spreadsheets ​

Microsoft Excel: Most popular spreadsheet application (provides "what-if" analysis)

• Interface of information in a grid form
• Separated by columns and rows
  • Intersection of both called a cell
• Often for financial calculations
• Supports graphing
• Replaced Lotus 1-2-3 as industry standard in 1993

2.3: Database Software ​

Database: The heavy-lifting application

• Well thought out collection of files
• Consists of records (rows)
• Separated by fields (columns)
• Can be queried
• Often called a Database Management System or simply referred as DBMS
• One-to-many relationship

2.4: Presentation Software ​

• Displays information
• Often a slide show and on-screen
• Easy to build
• Popularized by Business Intelligence
• Allows users to:
  • Edit, update, insert, and delete text
  • Include graphics, video, and hypertext

2.5: Browser Software ​

• User interface software that allows the user to display web pages found on the World Wide Web
• Browsers display hyperlinks that are clickable navigation elements
• Microsoft Edge, Google Chroe, Mozilla Firefox, and Apple's Safari
• The first browser was called WorldWideWeb (no spaces)
• Sir Tim Berners-Lee was the inventor of the first web browser

2.6: Networks ​

• A computer network is two or more computers connected together for resource sharing and communication.
• Resources: Computer files, folder, software
• Peripheral hardware: Printers, scanners, webcam, etc.

The advantages of a computer network over a stand-alone computer are so significant that business cannot compete effectively in the marketplace without a network of some kind, even if the business is a sole proprietorship.