AIOU Assignment: Computer Application for business

Computer application for BUSINESS

1^st Assignment

Q. No. 1 (a)     Distinguish between system software and application software and list the major application in Microsoft Office.

Answer:   

         

            Computer is an electronic machine, which takes input and gives output, after processing. Computer consists of two things i.e. Hardware and Software; hardware is physical part of computer and Software, or program enables a computer to perform specific tasks, as opposed to the physical components of the system (hardware). This includes application software such as a word processor, which enables a user to perform a task, and system software such as an operating systemwhich enables other software to run properly, by interfacing with hardware and with other software or custom software made to user specifications.

A.      System Software:

System software is a generic term referring to any computer software which manages and controls the hardware so, that application software can perform a task. It is an essential part of the computer system. An operating system is an obvious example, while an OpenGL or Database library are less obvious examples. System software contrasts with application software which is programs that help the end-user to perform specific, productive tasks, such as word processing or image manipulation.

(i)      Operating system

An operating system (OS) is a computer program that manages the hardware and software resources of a computer. At the foundation of all system software, the OS performs basic tasks such as controlling and allocating memory, prioritizing system requests, controlling input and output devices, facilitating networking, and managing files. It also may provide a graphical user interface for higher level functions. It is basically a bridge between user and computer. It works just like an interpreter. Followings are the name of some OS:

1.                  MS-DOS or PC-DOS

2.                  MS-Windows

3.                  Linux

4.                  Unix

5.                  Apache, and etc.

(ii)     Drivers

Software that supports peripheral devices, such as a Display Adapter, Digital Cam, Printer or CD-Rom etc. are know as Drivers. The driver contains the detailed machine language necessary to activate the functions in the device. The operation system commands the driver, which in turn commands the hardware device.

(iii)       BIOS (Basic Input / Output System)

In every Computer, here is a set of Software routines built into a chip that boots the machine and serves as an interface between drivers and the peripheral devices.

The diagram shows the flow between system software and application software residing in memory in a multiuser computer. The operating system (OS), TP monitor, database manager and interpreter are considered system software. The applications and interactive DBMS query and edit would be considered application software.

B.      Application Software:

Application software is a subclass of computer softwarethat employs the capabilities of a computer directly to a task that the user wishes to perform. This should be contrasted with system software.In this context the term application refers to both the application software and its implementation.

Typical examples of software applications are word process, spredsheet and media play Multiple applications bundled together as a package are sometimes referred to as an application suite. Microsoft Office which bundle together a word processor, a spreadsheet, and several other discrete applications, are typical examples. The separate applications in a suite usually have a user interface that has some commonality making it easier for the user to learn and use each application. And often they may have some capability to interact with each other in ways beneficial to the user. For example, a spreadsheet might be able to be embedded in a word processor document even though it had been created in the separate spreadsheet application.

User written softwaretailors systems to meet the user's specific needs. User-written software include spreadsheet templates, word processor macros, scientific simulations, graphics and animation scripts. Even email filters are a kind of user software. Users create this software themselves and often overlook how important it is.

MAJOR APPLICATION IN MICROSOFT OFFICE

Microsoft Corporation has developed a bundle of computer software called “Microsoft Office” that are commonly used in the day to day office work etc. Followings are the main applications of MS Office:

i.                    MS - Words

ii.                 MS - Excel

iii.               MS – PowerPoint

iv.               MS – Frontpage

v.                  MS  -  Access

vi.               MS – Outlook

vii.             MS – Publisher

viii.          MS  - Infopath

Q. No. 1 (b)     Describe the Windows Desktop in detail and list down the steps for changing its appearance. Distinguish between Windows XP default theme and Windows XP classis theme

Answer:        

(i)      Windows Desktop

As stated in first part of question, that Windows is an operation system. Firstly the MS-Dos was introduced in 1981. DOS has no GUI interface and can do one task in one time. There were many limitations in DOS. With the enhancement of computer hardware, new version of OS by Microsoft of Windows version 3 was introduced in1990. Windows 3 has been upgraded to Windows XP and now Vista etc.

      The Windows Desktop appears when windows start up. As shown, desktop of windows XP, has two main parts, first is TaskBar and others one is Icons, area of working. Taskbar has a Start Button on the left and on right small icons for Clock, Volume, Network / Internet connection and other software.

   Desktop has icons, as show above, like My Documents, My Computer, Network and others. These icons are short cuts for that programmes or folders. When we click these icons, an associated program executed or open a folder.

(ii)     Steps for changing its appearance.

      We can change the appearance of the Desktop. Right click on the desktop blank area, a new pop up will appear and then click on Properties. The second ways is to click on Start Button, Setting, Control Panel and then on Display Setting, as shown below:  Desktop properties will come by clicking blank area on Task bar and click Show Desktop Properties.

A new window show below will appear from that we can change Theme, Desktop background, Screen saver, Appearance and Settings of the desktop. To change background, click the Desktop tab and choose your favorite picture to be displayed on the desktop. To change

(iii)    Difference between Windows XP default theme and Classic theme.

Window XP Default Theme:

Window XP default theme divides the start menu into two columns and the wallpapers also suppresses.

Window Classic Theme: This theme shows only one column, the icons on either desktop are used to access specific programs or other functions.