Applied software(software) constitute end-user programs. This is the most extensive class of software. Currently, in most areas of human activity, applied software products. Wherever large mathematical calculations are required, large volumes of diverse data are processed, or a quick analysis of the situation is required to make a control decision, computers running application software successfully replace humans.

Application software classification

Application software can be divided into three large groups (Figure 3.4). This classification is very conditional, because some types of programs (for example, word processing programs) have their representatives in the class general purpose(editors and processors) and in the class of professional programs (publishing systems).

Figure 3.4 - Classification of application software

General purpose software

General-purpose application software is used to solve the most common information problems in any field of human activity. It combines programs widely used by most personal computer users, for example, text editors, spreadsheets, databases, graphics systems, games, entertainment.

TO word processing programs include text editors, word processors. The border between them is very arbitrary. Text editors, for example NotePad - Microsoft development, are able to perform basic editing functions: typing, making corrections, saving, working with fragments. Word processors, for example Word- Microsoft developments, in addition, have various design capabilities, and some allow you to create documents intended to be viewed not in paper form, but on a computer (electronic documents).

Publishing systems automate the process of layout of printed publications. They are distinguished by advanced means of controlling the interaction of text with page parameters and graphic objects, but have weaker capabilities for automating text input and editing. It is advisable to apply them to documents that have been pre-processed in word processors and graphic editors. The most famous publishing packages are: Adobe PageMaker, QuarkXPress, Microsoft Publisher, Corel Ventura.

Spreadsheets. The main purpose of spreadsheets is processing various types data in tabular form, for example, financial planning, accounting documents, small engineering calculations ( Excel- Microsoft development , Lotus 1-2-3- developed by Lotus). The main advantage of spreadsheets, in comparison with word processors (where tables can also be maintained, small calculations and sorting can be performed), is that the contents of some cells can change automatically in accordance with changes in the contents of others.

In other words, cells can be functionally dependent. In addition, table processors have the ability to maintain small databases and visualize data in the form of various tables, charts and graphs, i.e. Table maintenance tools and spreadsheet calculation tools are supported by the ability to create visual reports. They are widely used in accounting, analysis of financial and trading markets, means of processing the results of scientific and economic experiments, i.e. in automating regularly repeated calculations of large volumes of numeric and text data representing tabular structures.

Database Management Systems(DBMS) . Programs of this class (for example, Access- developed by Microsoft) allow you to work with large volumes of structured data - databases (as a rule, these are table structures). DBMS are designed to automate the procedures for creating, storing and retrieving electronic data. Many information and reference software systems existing in various spheres of human activity are implemented using tools DBMS.

Two categories of performers usually work with databases: designers (develop a structure for storing information) and users (populate the database). The structure of the simplest database is similar to the structure of a regular table. Each record corresponds to a row, each field to a column. The properties of data in fields (columns) may vary depending on their type. Thus, the fields in the database determine not only the general appearance of the table, but also the group properties of the data.

This determines specific features when working with software of this class. In addition, working with files created by a DBMS is somewhat different from working with other types of files created by other applications. In particular, a number of file conversion operations are carried out bypassing the requirements operating system to ensure data integrity. In the case when the database contains several tables, special connections are established between the tables, called relational relationships. The most common DBMS packages for PCs are MS Access, Oracle, Paradox, dBase.

Most modern DBMSs allow you to create small data processing programs in built-in languages ​​and have design capabilities that allow you to create a report based on the collected and processed data. Many DBMSs, as well as word processors, have their representatives in both general and special-purpose software. At the general-purpose software level, these are desktop DBMSs; at the special level, these are large DBMSs that form the basis of information systems and allow working in computer networks.

Graphics systems. These are programs designed to work with graphic images. These include raster and vector graphics editors, three-dimensional graphics processing programs (3D editors).

Raster editors rasters are used to represent images, i.e. a collection of dots that have their own color and brightness. They are convenient for processing photographs and objects with soft color transitions. Unfortunately, scaling such images in any direction usually degrades the quality. When the number of points is reduced, small details are lost and the inscriptions are deformed.

Adding pixels leads to a deterioration in the sharpness and brightness of the image, since the new pixels have to produce shades that are halfway between two or more adjacent colors. A recognized leader among programs of this class - Adobe Photoshop. Standard means processing raster images in Windows is a graphical editor Paint. Currently, the following raster graphics formats are common: bmp, .pcx, .gif, .tif, jpg, .png, etc. On the Internet, graphics are presented in one of raster formats, understood by browsers without installing additional modules - gif, jpg, png.

Vector editors convenient for working with drawings and hand-drawn pictures. Some kind of standard in this class are packages Corel Draw And Adobe Illustrator.

In vector graphics, images are described using curved lines called vectors (each curve is approximated by a third-order polynomial, i.e., an array of coefficients - a multidimensional vector), as well as parameters describing their colors and location. For example, the image of a figure on the screen is described by the points through which the contour line of the figure passes. The color of a shape is determined by the color of the outline and the color of the area within that outline.

When editing vector graphic elements, you can change the parameters of the lines describing the shape graphic objects, you can move them, change their size, shape (this is done by mathematical transformations), color, but this will not affect the quality of their visual presentation. Vector graphics does not depend on resolution, i.e. can be displayed in a variety of output devices with different resolutions without loss of quality. Obviously, the description of simple vector graphic objects takes up much less space than raster ones.

Another advantage is high-quality scaling in any direction. Increasing or decreasing objects is done by increasing or decreasing the corresponding coefficients in mathematical formulas. But the vector format becomes unprofitable when transferring images with a large number of shades or small parts(for example, photographs). Thus, the choice of raster or vector format depends on the goals and objectives of working with the image.

3D graphics editors used to create spatial graphic compositions, they allow you to trace the interactions of three-dimensional objects with each other and three-dimensional objects with a light source. As a rule, such editors combine vector and raster methods of image generation. Three-dimensional graphics packages are distinguished by rich modeling capabilities, allow flexible control of the interaction of the properties of the surface of objects with the properties of lighting sources, include a large number of cinematic capabilities, however, they are often quite demanding on the equipment. Among the packages of this class, the most famous are: 3D Studio Max, Maya, Softimage 3D.

The technical development of graphic editors are special computer graphics systems, intended for automation of design and engineering work in mechanical engineering, industrial electronics, construction, etc. Such packages include a variety of drawing tools and three-dimensional modeling tools that facilitate design, ready-made libraries of standard drawing elements and (or) diagrams, and provide advanced image management tools. They also often include built-in macro languages ​​or programming languages, file export-import tools various formats. Standard among foreign programs is the AutoCAD package from Autodesk. Examples of domestic packages: CADMECH, T-Flex CAD, SprutCAD, APM Graph, bCAD, ADEM, KOMPAS-GRAFIK.

Integrated software . Individual programs, being a powerful tool for solving a range of applied problems, cannot fully satisfy the user. For example, it can be convenient to process a sample of data provided by a DBMS using spreadsheets; the results, presented in the form of visual tables, are placed in a report, which is a text document that was compiled in a word processor.

For several programs to work together, it is also necessary to unify the formats of the processed files. Such software packages are called integrated software. The most common product of this class is the MS Office package (developed by Microsoft), which, in addition to the MS Word word processor, MS Excel spreadsheet processor and MS Access DBMS, integrates such office software as the MS Power Point presentation development system, MS Outlook electronic organizer and etc.

Combining the functions of different application programs into unified system leads to the creation of integrated software packages, and further to the creation of automated workstations (AWS).

Software for solving applied mathematical problems- PPP focused on solving mathematical problems. In this case, a mathematical problem is understood as any problem, the solution algorithm for which can be described in terms of one or another branch of mathematics. Majority modern systems computer mathematics combine the ability to carry out calculations and prepare formatted scientific and technical documents. The most popular packages of this class are: MathCAD, Maple, Matlab, Mathematica, Statistica.

Specialized systems mathematical modeling - PPP, focused on solving scientific and applied problems in various fields of engineering knowledge (problems of fluid and gas mechanics, strength calculations, temperature, vibration analysis, modeling of magnetic fields, etc.). This includes a number of packages developed by companies ANSYS, Inc., MSC, SAMTECH and etc.

Special Purpose Application Software

Developers create special software systems intended purpose for specialists in a certain subject area. Such programs are called authoring instrumental systems.

Expert systems - These are programs that behave like an expert in some narrow application field. They are designed to analyze data stored in knowledge bases. Unlike DBMSs, which allow data manipulation operations, expert systems perform logical data analysis and have self-learning functions.

Expert systems solve problems with uncertainty and incomplete initial data that require expert knowledge for their solution. In addition, these systems must be able to explain their behavior and their decisions. The fundamental difference between expert systems and other programs is their adaptability, i.e. variability in the self-learning process.

In expert systems, it is customary to distinguish three main modules:

Knowledge base module;

Logic inference module;

User interface.

Expert systems that are the basis artificial intelligence, have become widespread in science (classification of animals and plants by species, chemical analysis), in medicine (diagnosis, analysis of electrocardiograms, determination of treatment methods), in technology (troubleshooting technical devices ah, tracking the flight of spaceships and satellites), in political science and sociology, jurisprudence, linguistics, etc.

Recently, hyper processing programs have gained widespread popularity. text information. Hypertext - this is a form of organizing text material not in a linear sequence, but in the form of indications of possible transitions (links), connections between its individual fragments. Plain text uses the usual linear principle of arranging information and is accessed sequentially. In hypertext systems, information resembles the text of an encyclopedia, and access to any selected fragment of text is carried out randomly via a link. Organizing information in hypertext form is used to create reference manuals, dictionaries, and contextual help (Help) in application programs.

Extension of the concept of hypertext to graphic and audio information leads to the concept of hypermedia. Hypermedia ideas have become widespread in network technologies, in particular in Internet technologies. WWW (World Wide Web) technology has made it possible to structure the world's vast informational resources through hypertext links. Software tools have appeared that allow you to create such Web pages. Search mechanisms began to develop necessary information in a labyrinth of information flows.

Multimedia is the interaction of visual and audio effects controlled by interactive software. Multimedia gaming and educational systems are beginning to replace traditional “paper libraries”. Today CD-ROM libraries allow you to “walk” through museums.

An important type of software is the shell of information systems - a developer and administrator environment designed for the development and maintenance of automated information systems (AIS). AIS is a complex of automated information technologies, intended for information services - an organized continuous technological process of preparing and issuing scientific, managerial and other information to consumers, used for decision-making in accordance with the needs to maintain effective operations.

Information systems provide ample opportunities:

In enterprise management, for example, warehouse, office document flow (1C: Enterprise);

In accounting, for example, systems that have the functions of text, spreadsheet editors and DBMS. Designed to automate the preparation of initial accounting documents of an enterprise and their accounting, regular reports on the results of production, economic and financial activities in a form acceptable for tax authorities, extra-budgetary funds and statistical accounting authorities (1C: accounting);

In the analysis of economic and financial activities; they are used in banking and stock exchange structures. They allow you to monitor and predict the situation in financial, trade and commodity markets, analyze current events, and prepare reports.

Designing information systems is a complex, labor-intensive and time-consuming work that requires highly qualified specialists involved in it.

The development trends of modern information technologies determine the constant increase in the complexity of information system software, which has caused the need for software and technological tools of a special class - CASE tools that implement the CASE technology for creating and maintaining IS. The term CASE (Computer Aided Software Engineering) has a very broad interpretation. Initially, the meaning of the term CASE was limited to issues of automation of the development of software only, but now it has acquired a new meaning and covers the process of developing complex IS as a whole.

CASE technology is a set of IS design methods, as well as a set of tools that allow you to visually model subject area, analyze this model at all stages of IS development and maintenance and develop applications in accordance with the information needs of users. Most existing CASE tools are based on structural or object-oriented analysis and design methods, using specifications in the form of diagrams or texts to describe external requirements, relationships between system models, system behavior dynamics, and software architecture.

The following CASE systems were created:

Stage-oriented life cycle Software, Design/IDEF (Meta Software), BPWin (LopicWorks);

Functionally complete, i.e. used at all stages of the Designer (Oracle) Developer/2000 (Oracle) life cycle;

DBMS-independent ODBC Sdesigner (SPD), ERWin (Logic-Works), Silverrun (Silverrun Technologies).

Professional applications

Each application program in this group is focused on a fairly narrow subject area, but penetrates into it as deeply as possible. This is how ASNIs function - automated systems scientific research, each of which is “tied” to a specific field of science, CAD computer-aided design systems, each of which also works in a narrow field, automated control systems - ? automated control systems.

Computer-aided design systems designed to perform design work using mathematical methods and computer technology. CAD systems are widely used in architecture, electronics, energy, mechanics, etc. In the computer-aided design process, the technical knowledge of specialists is used as input information, who enter design requirements, clarify the results, check the resulting design, change it, etc. In addition, CAD accumulates information coming from standards libraries (data on typical structural elements, their sizes, costs, etc.). During the design process, the developer calls certain programs and fulfills them. From CAD, information is provided in the form of ready-made sets of completed technical and design documentation.

Automated scientific research systems (ASRS) are intended for automation of scientific experiments, as well as for modeling the objects under study, phenomena and processes, the study of which by traditional means is difficult or impossible. Currently, scientific research in many fields of knowledge is carried out by large teams of scientists, engineers and designers using very complex and expensive equipment.

The large expenditure of resources for research has made it necessary to increase the efficiency of all work. The effectiveness of scientific research is largely related to the level of use of computer technology.

Computers at ASNI are used in information retrieval and expert systems, and also solve the following tasks:

Experiment management;

Preparation of reports and documentation;

Maintaining a database of experimental data, etc.

As a result of using ASNI, the following positive aspects arise:

The research time is reduced several times;

The accuracy and reliability of the results increases;

Increased control over the course of the experiment;

The number of participants in the experiment is reduced;

The quality and information content of the experiment increases due to an increase in the number of controlled parameters and more thorough data processing;

The results of experiments are displayed promptly in the most convenient form, graphic or symbolic (for example, the values ​​of a function of many variables are displayed using computer graphics in the form of so-called “mountain massifs”).

On the screen of one graphic monitor, it is possible to form a whole system of instrument scales (voltmeters, ammeters, etc.) that record the parameters of the experimental object.

Each of the ASNI and CAD systems, of course, has its own specifics and differs in its goals and methods for achieving them. However, very often a close connection is found between both types of systems, and what they have in common is not only that they are implemented on the basis of computer technology. For example, in the design process it may be necessary to carry out one or another research and, conversely, in the course of scientific research there may be a need to both design a new device and design a scientific experiment.

This relationship leads to the fact that in fact there are no “pure” ASNI and CAD systems: common elements can be found in each of them. As their intelligence increases, they become closer. Ultimately, both should represent an expert system focused on solving problems in a specific area.

Automated control systems.

A term that first appeared in Russia in the 1960s. in connection with the use of computers and information technologies in the management of economic objects and processes. This made it possible to increase production efficiency, make better use of resources, and relieve managers from performing uncreative routine operations. It was intended to create a hierarchy of automated control systems, starting with automated control systems technological processes(APCS) and automated control systems of organizational units and ending with the national management system, connected by communication channels.

Currently, in world practice, the names management resource planning (MRP) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) are used to designate fully functional integrated automated control systems used by companies. Such systems allow information support and provision of all areas of management activities of the enterprise.

ACS are human-machine cybernetic systems in which the mental activity of people is combined with information processing, calculations, logical operations, carried out using computer technology and modern means of storing, transmitting and processing information.

The ACS includes:

The main part, which includes information, technical and mathematical support;

The functional part, which includes interrelated programs that automate specific management functions.

ACS are used in the management of production, transport, construction and many other economic objects and processes.

It should be noted not only that the classification of software proposed above is conventional, but also the presence of intersections. Thus, each specific expert system can be classified as a professional-level software; the hypertext principle is implemented in a number of authoring systems, etc.

Application software is the process and end result of creating programs designed to perform specific tasks (applications) that serve the interests of the user. According to its functional purpose, it can be classified depending on the task at hand.

PC Software Classification

Any information system (IS) is controlled by basic software (for example, an operating system). Application software operates in this environment and consists of:

IS user work programs.

PPP can be considered as a further improvement of the operating system to perform certain application tasks in a particular area. The PPP complex includes tasks that are aimed at achieving the user’s goals. Each application software has a number of data processing methods, forms of their presentation, and diagnostic completeness, which allows the user to choose the option suitable for specific purposes.

An application software package is a set of programs that are designed to solve target problems (business application, functional subsystem).

Application software is of the following types:

Universal (general purpose);

Method-oriented;

Problem-oriented;

Software for administering the organization's computing processes.

Universal application programs- These are general-purpose software products that automate the development and operation of user functional tasks and information systems in general.

Text (word processors) and graphic editors;

Spreadsheets;

Integrated packages;

Case technologies;

Shells of expert systems and artificial intelligence.

Application software designed to automate the creation and modification of documents and texts, illustrations and graphic data is called an editor. Editors simplify work related to document flow in the company. According to their own functionality they can be text, graphic and publishing systems.

The purpose of text editors is to process text information, i.e.:

Writing to a text file;

Deleting, inserting, replacing characters, text fragments, lines;

Spellchecking;

Support for various fonts in the text;

Text alignment:

Preparation of tables of contents, breaking up text into pages;

Replacement of words and expressions in the text and search in context;

Inclusion of simple illustrations in the text;

Printout of text.

The most common text editors include Microsoft Word, WordPerfect, ChiWriter and others.

The purpose of graphic editors is to process graphic documents, in particular, diagrams, illustrations, drawings, tables. The editor allows you to manage shapes, move shapes and letters, and create any images. Famous graphic editor- this is PC Paintbnish, BoiengGraf, Corel DRAW, AdobePhotoshop.

Application software designed to process tables is called spreadsheets. Information in tables is stored in cells, which are the intersection of columns and rows. A cell can contain a number, a symbol, and a formula that determines the dependence of the values ​​of some cells on the contents of others. Most popular spreadsheets - Microsoft Excel, Lotus1-2-3, Ouattro Pro and others.

In an organization, it involves the use of database management systems, which include the database itself and the management of information stored in it.

Most common Microsoft Access, MicrosoftFoxPro, as well as more secure and complex DBMSs - Oracle, Ingres, Sybase, etc.

Computer software

What is software

The entire set of programs stored on all devices of the computer’s long-term memory constitutes it. software(BY).

Computer software is constantly updated, developed, and improved. Price installed programs on a modern PC often exceeds the cost of its technical devices. Development of modern software requires very high qualifications from programmers.

Types of software

There is a necessary part in computer software, without which you simply cannot do anything on it. It is called system software. The buyer purchases a computer equipped with system software, which is no less important for the operation of the computer than the memory or processor. In addition to the system software, the computer software also includes application programs And programming systems.

Computer software is divided into:

System software;
- application software;
- programming systems.

System software and programming systems will be discussed later. Now let's get acquainted with the application software.

Application software composition

Programs with which the user can solve his problems information tasks without resorting to programming are called application programs.

As a rule, all users prefer to have a set of application programs that almost everyone needs. They are called general purpose programs. These include:

Text and graphic editors, with which you can prepare various texts, create drawings, and draw drawings; in other words, write, draw, draw;

Database management systems (DBMS), which allow you to turn your computer into a reference book on any topic;

Table processors that allow you to organize spreadsheet calculations that are very common in practice;

Communication (network) programs designed to exchange information with other computers connected to the data in a computer network.

A very popular type of application software is computer games. Most users begin their communication with the computer from them.

In addition, there is a large number special-purpose application programs for professional activities. They are often called application software packages. These are, for example, accounting programs that produce accruals wages and other calculations that are made in accounting departments; computer-aided design systems that help designers develop designs for various technical devices; packages that allow you to solve complex mathematical problems without writing programs; training programs on various school subjects and much more.

Under BY in the narrow sense it is simply understood as a collection of programs. In a broad sense in BY(along with programs) include various languages, procedures, rules and documentation necessary for the use and operation of software products.

PC software is traditionally divided into system and application based on functionality.

Systemic is called software used to develop and execute software products, as well as to provide certain services to the computer user. It is a necessary addition to PC hardware. Without software, the car is essentially lifeless.

Applied called software designed to solve a specific target task or class of such tasks. These tasks include performing calculations according to a given algorithm, preparing one or another text document and so on.

OS are an integral mandatory addition to a personal computer, organizing the execution of programs and user interaction with the computer.

Other STR components are optional. Their composition is determined by the needs and desires of the user.

Service systems expand the capabilities of the OS, providing the user, as well as the programs being executed, with a set of additional services. Some service systems are such that they change the appearance of the OS beyond recognition, and therefore are sometimes called operating systems. The above applies especially to interface systems.

A much less homogeneous group system programs funds are instrumental systems. What they have in common is that they are intended for software development, although some of them can also be used to solve applied problems. Using the majority instrumental systems associated with programming. therefore they can be considered programming systems. However, programming systems themselves traditionally include systems that can be used to program and solve any problem that can be solved algorithmically. In other words, programming systems are universal. Other types of tool systems are specialized in the sense that they are used to create software for a specific functional purpose. At the same time, the efficiency of software development increases compared to using universal tools for the same purpose.

Systems Maintenance designed to facilitate equipment testing and troubleshooting. They are a tool for specialists in the operation of computer hardware and are not discussed in this book.

General information about Windows

Modern Windows is an operating system work manager personal computer. Windows has a user-friendly graphical user interface. Unlike the old operating room DOS systems with a text interface, Windows does not require knowledge of operating system commands and their precise keyboard input. The vast majority of operations to control the operation of a personal computer are performed with the mouse over graphical Windows objects, or with short key combinations (hot keys) on the keyboard.

Today, one of the main places in the software market is occupied by operating systems of the family Windows. These products are designed to be used modern computers and application software. They provide people of various professions with a convenient means of communicating with a computer.

The most significant advantages of Windows systems are the following:

 GUI user. Unlike previously accepted concepts and methods of communication (through commands and file names), Windows takes a significantly different approach to managing programs. Here the user works with graphic images on the monitor screen.

 Interface consistency. To work in Windows environment many applications have been created, all developed according to a single standard. All applications are similar to each other in terms of management and communication with the user. This allows the user, having acquired skills in working with one application, to easily master working with another. In addition, software products created using some Windows applications are completely absorbed by other applications.

 Multitasking mode. When working in Windows, the user can simultaneously run several programs (tasks), which makes it possible, without completing work in one application, to use the services of another.

User interface– these are methods and means of human interaction with computer hardware and software.
Starting Windows screen is a system object called the desktop.

Desktop is a graphical environment on which objects and elements are displayed Windows management. On the desktop you can see icons (icons), shortcuts, and the taskbar (the main control element). At Windows startup There are at least three icons on the desktop: My Computer, Network Places, Recycle Bin. There may be other icons on the desktop. It can also be used as a temporary storage for your files, but after finishing work in the classroom, they should either be deleted or moved to their own folders.

Badges are graphic representation objects and allow you to manage them. Icon - this is a graphical representation of an object in a collapsed form, corresponding to a folder, program, document, network device or computer. Icons, as a rule, have labels - inscriptions that are located under them. Left-clicking on an icon allows you to select it and double click– open (launch) the application corresponding to this icon.

Label is a pointer to an object. The shortcut is special file, which contains a link to the object it represents (information about the location of the object on the hard drive). Double-clicking on a shortcut allows you to launch (open) the object it represents. Deleting it does not erase the object itself, unlike deleting an icon. The advantage of shortcuts is that they provide fast access to an object from any folder without using up memory. You can distinguish a shortcut from an icon by the small arrow in the lower left corner of the icon.

Task bar is a tool for switching between open folders or applications. On the left side of the taskbar is the Start button; on the right is the display panel. The panel itself displays all currently open objects.

Start button opens Main menu. With its help, you can launch all programs registered in the operating system, gain access to all operating system configuration tools, search and help systems and other functions.

The central concept of Windows is the window. Window– a structural and control element of the user interface, which is a rectangular area of ​​​​the screen limited by a frame in which an application, document or message can be displayed.

The above picture shows a worker Windows table with the Main Menu open, text window Word processor, icons and shortcuts, and some minimized documents on the taskbar.

From others Windows concepts The concepts of directory and folder should be noted.

Catalog– a named group of files united by some characteristic.

Folder is a concept that is used in Windows instead of the directory concept in earlier operating systems. The concept of folder has an expanded interpretation, since, along with regular directories, folders also represent objects such as My Computer, Explorer, Printer, Modem, etc.

Program Windows Explorer simultaneously displays both the nesting structure of folders located on the computer (their hierarchy) and the contents of the selected folder. This is especially convenient when copying and moving data: just open the folder containing required file, and drag this file to another folder.

Program Conductor manages files and provides one of the most convenient ways file system browsing. In the case when you need to open, copy, move, delete, rename or rearrange folders and/or files, you can either use the program Conductor, or work with folders and files directly on the Desktop. The main advantage of the program Conductor, compared to folder windows on the Desktop, is that in the program Conductor you can simultaneously work with the contents of the right pane of the window and the entire structure of your computer’s file system in the left pane (Fig. 1.5). This makes it much easier to copy files from the right panel to a logical drive or folder located in the left panel. In this case, there is no need to open a large number of windows, as would have to be done on the Desktop. The most convenient technique is to open two program windows Conductor, ordered vertically or horizontally.

Working with the program Conductor is no different from working with most other windows and programs, except that you are given the ability to view the hierarchical structure of the file system. You can click right click mouse over a folder and view its menu, or click on any icon and drag it from one place to another.

When working with the program Conductor you need to master the following operations: launch conductor, browsing the disk directory, viewing the contents of folders, expanding and collapsing folders, copying, moving and deleting folders, files and applications, searching for folders, files and applications, sorting objects.

Program Conductor– a tool that allows the user to see the structure and placement of folders in a hierarchical form and quickly move to any object (folder, file, shortcut), as well as perform a number of actions with folders and files.

Call Conductor You can use the command from the Main Menu Start/Programs/File Explorer or by selecting Conductor in button context menus Start or My Computer folder. From the folder window Conductor can be called as follows: select a subfolder and give the command File/Explorer. A window will appear on the screen Conductor with the selected folder open.

Window Conductor consists of two panels. The left panel shows information resources presented in a hierarchical tree. The right pane shows the contents of the current folder.

The process of moving through folders in order to open the necessary one is called navigation. Conductor is a search tool - a navigator. To work effectively in an environment Conductor, you need to know how to navigate it.

If a folder contains other folders, it is indicated by a + icon in the tree in the left panel. To display the structure of its subfolders, you need to click on this icon. When the folder opens, the + sign will change to -. To collapse a folder, click on the - icon.

To view the contents of a folder, click on the folder name or icon in the tree. In the left panel the icon will change to . The contents of the folder will be displayed in the right pane. You can also open a folder by double-clicking its icon or name in the right pane. In this case, the contents of the folder will appear in the right panel, and in the left panel the icon of this folder will replace the icon of the open folder.

To open an object located inside a folder, you must do one of the following:

• Double click on the object icon;
• Select an object with a mouse click and give a command File/Open ;
• IN context menu object select item Open.

If the object is a program, then Windows will launch it. If the object is a document, then Windows will launch the program with which it was created and open the document in its window. If the object is a shortcut, then this is equivalent to opening the object for which this shortcut was created.

Conductor allows you not only to view existing objects, but also to create new ones.

In the environment Conductor can be done various actions with objects (copying, renaming, deleting, etc.). To do this, objects must be selected. A single object is selected by clicking on its name or icon.

6.Working with files and folders.

File is a named sequence of bytes of arbitrary length.

Copy and move

1 way. Place two windows on the desktop: a copy source and a copy destination. Select the required icons in the source window. Several icons are highlighted when the Ctrl key is pressed. Drag the selected icons into the destination window with the mouse, pointing at any of the selected icons. When the Ctrl key is pressed simultaneously, copying occurs; without it, elements are moved (provided that the folders are on the same disk).

Method 2. Select the elements to be copied. Select the Edit/Copy (Cut) menu. Selecting “Cut” will cause movement. Open the destination folder. Select the Edit/Paste menu.

Deleting files and folders

Deleting files is done by selecting items and pressing Delete keys. In this case, the marked items are moved to a special folder - Trash. Emptying the Recycle Bin destroys files. There is also an operation for erasing files, when special utilities fill the clusters that contained the erased files with random data.

Due to the huge variety of software, there are a huge number of different classifications. The most general classification is one that involves dividing software into three main classes:

Picture 1.

General purpose application software

General purpose software includes programs designed to solve general universal problems. Such programs are used by most PC users.

Text editors are used to create and edit text without applying any styling. The most famous text editors are Notepad (included in the standard Windows operating system), TextPad.

• images – ACDSee, FastStone programs Image Viewer and etc.;
• HTML pages – web browsers Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Opera, etc.;
• media content (players, turntables):
  • o audio players AIMP, Spider player, Media Monkey, etc.;
  • o multimedia centers Windows Media Player (WMP, included in the standard MS Windows operating system), QuickTime Player(included as standard with Mac OS), Winamp, VLC Media Player, Media Player Classic and etc.;
• Flash content, which is used to play video and audio files on websites, for online games - Adobe Flash Player Flash Player and etc.;
• pdf files for viewing and printing pdf files – Adobe Reader.

Database management systems (DBMS), which include desktop databases for creating and managing the operation of databases, including MS Access, Paradox. The functions of a DBMS include describing data, providing access to data, searching and selecting data according to certain criteria.

Translation programs:

• electronic dictionaries for translating individual words - ABBYY Lingvo, MultiLex;
• programs for translating large texts - PROMT.

Special Purpose Application Software

Note 1

Special purpose software– a set of programs for solving narrower problems in various subject areas.

Expert systems become further development DBMS are designed to analyze data stored in knowledge bases (replace a specialist expert). DBMS perform data manipulation operations, and expert systems carry out logical data analysis and are equipped with self-learning functions. The most famous are: MYCIN (medicine), ACES (military science), ACE (electronics), CODES (computer science), DENDRAL (chemistry), PROSPECTOR (geology), REMORAMA (trade). Expert systems are primarily used by workers involved in diagnosis, design, planning, and control.

Desktop Publishing, which are used for electronic layout of printed materials (newspapers, magazines, books, booklets). They are used by employees of printing houses, editorial offices of magazines and newspapers, publishing houses, as well as employees of advertising agencies. Programs include QuarkXPress, Adobe InDesign, Adobe FrameMaker, Corel Ventura, MS Publisher (most often used as a general-purpose program).

Electronic encyclopedias, textbooks, dictionaries, and reference books are used by schoolchildren, students, researchers, and specialists in various fields to gain knowledge in a certain field. Known for the Encyclopedia of Modern Technology. Construction”, “Handbook of Master Builders”, “Musical Dictionary”, interactive multimedia textbook “Organic Chemistry” and many others. etc.

Server DBMS used by database administrators to manage the creation and work with information systems databases. These include mySQL, MS SQL Server,Oracle Database.

Video editors (video editing systems):

• professional (Adobe Premiere Pro, Grass Valley Ediu, Sony Vegas Pro);
• "home" (Windows Movie Maker (included in the operating system) Windows system), Corel VideoStudio Pro, Pinnacle Studio).

Audio editors (audio editing systems):

• professional – designed for recording music files, creating phonograms for radio, scoring films, computer games, restoring old phonograms (Adobe Audition, Sony Sound Forge. Audacity, etc.);
• “home” – used for recording amateur music files, creating your own ringtones for mobile phones etc. (CyberPower Audio Editing Lab, Akram Audio Editor, etc.).

Music editors are used by employees of music publishing houses, music educational institutions, musical theaters, philharmonic societies, composers, and conductors to create and edit musical text with design, as well as to play the typed text (Finale, Encore, Cakewalk Overture, Sibelius, MuseScore).

Professional application software

Application software professional purpose solves narrow problems of a professional nature in various subject areas.

Professional software is currently increasingly used in various spheres of life and has separated into separate group(previously, professional programs were included in the list of special software). This includes accounting systems, automated management systems, automated scientific research systems, and many others.

Computer-aided design systems (CAD, CAD/CAM/CAE) are used to automate the process of developing drawings, diagrams, 3D models, and design documentation. Used by design engineers and architects. Well-known programs include Compass, AutoCAD, ZwCAD, BtoCAD, etc.

Geo Information Systems(GIS):

• universal and specialized, with the help of which you can create, edit and analyze electronic geographical maps, search for information about map objects: cities, roads, buildings, streets, rivers, relief, average annual temperature. Used by GIS specialists, GIS operators, cartographic engineers, geologists, surveyors, hydrologists, meteorologists (MapInfo, ArcGIS, Arcview, GeoServer, GRASS, Polygon, Panorama, GIS Meteo);
• information and reference books are used by non-professionals to view maps of the city and surrounding area, to search for organizations, transport routes, and find directions around the city. These include 2GIS.

Integrated office systems are used by clerks to maintain the full document cycle in an institution: from creating documents, organizing the movement and accounting of documents to storing documents (programs Delo, LanDocs, Cinderella, Grand-Doc, etc.).

Accounting systems used for accounting and tax accounting. For example, 1C: Accounting.

Financial and analytical systems are designed to maintain analytical accounting of the financial and economic activities of an organization (systematization of information, calculation of analytical indicators and generation of reports). For example, Alt-Finance, Audit Expert, INEC-Analyst, FinEkAnalysis, etc.

Note 2

The list of programs given is far from complete, because programs for various purposes are multiplying exponentially.

What is software

The capabilities of a modern PC are so great that an increasing number of people are finding use for it in their work, study, and everyday life. The most important quality of a modern computer is its “user friendliness”. Communication between a person and a computer has become simple, visual, and understandable. The computer itself tells the user what to do in a given situation and helps get out of difficult situations. This is possible thanks to computer software.

Let's use the analogy between a computer and a person again. A newborn person knows nothing and cannot do anything. He acquires knowledge and skills in the process of development, learning, accumulating information in his memory. A computer that is assembled in a factory from microcircuits, wires, circuit boards and other things is like a newborn human. We can say that loading software into a computer's memory is similar to the process of teaching a child. Software is created by programmers.

The entire set of programs stored on all devices of a computer's long-term memory constitutes its software (software).

Computer software is constantly updated, developed, and improved. The cost of installed programs on a modern PC often exceeds the cost of its technical devices. Development of modern software requires very high qualifications from programmers.

Types of software

There is a necessary part in computer software, without which you simply cannot do anything on it. It is called system software. The buyer purchases a computer equipped with system software, which is no less important for the operation of the computer than the memory or processor. In addition to system software, computer software also includes application programs and programming systems.

Computer software is divided into:

System software;
- application software;
- programming systems.
System software and programming systems will be discussed later. Now let's get acquainted with the application software.
Application software composition
Programs with which the user can solve his information problems without resorting to programming are called application programs.

As a rule, all users prefer to have a set of application programs that almost everyone needs. They are called general purpose programs. These include:

Text and graphic editors, with which you can prepare various texts, create drawings, and draw drawings; in other words, write, draw, draw;

Database management systems (DBMS), which allow you to turn your computer into a reference book on any topic;

Table processors that allow you to organize spreadsheet calculations that are very common in practice;

Communication (network) programs designed to exchange information with other computers connected to the data in a computer network.

Computer games are a very popular type of application software. Most users begin their communication with the computer from them.

In addition, there are a large number of special-purpose application programs for professional activities. They are often called application software packages. These are, for example, accounting programs that perform payroll and other calculations that are done in accounting departments; computer-aided design systems that help designers develop designs for various technical devices; packages that allow you to solve complex mathematical problems without writing programs; training programs on various school subjects and much more.

System software

System software is a set of programs that provide effective management of components computer system, such as a processor, RAM, input-output devices, network equipment, acting as an “interlayer interface”, on one side of which is the hardware, and on the other - user applications. Unlike application software, system software does not solve specific application problems, but only ensures the operation of other programs, manages the hardware resources of the computer system, etc.

OS

An operating system is a set of system programs that expands the capabilities of a computer system, as well as providing management of its resources, loading and execution of application programs, and interaction with users. In the majority computing systems OS is the main, most important (and sometimes the only) part of the system software.
OS features
Main functions(simple OS):
Loading applications into RAM and executing them.
Standardized access to peripheral devices (input/output devices).
Control RAM(distribution between processes, virtual memory).
Controlling access to data on non-volatile media (such as HDD, CD, etc.) organized in one or another file system. User interface.
Network operations, protocol stack support.

Additional functions:
Parallel or pseudo-parallel execution of tasks (multitasking).
Interaction between processes: data exchange, mutual synchronization.
Protecting the system itself, as well as user data and programs, from actions of users (malicious or unknowing) or applications.
Differentiation of access rights and multi-user mode of operation (authentication, authorization).
== Operating system concept
==

There are two groups of OS definitions: “a set of programs that control hardware” and “a set of programs that control other programs.” Both of them have their own precise technical meaning, which, however, becomes clear only with a more detailed consideration of the question of why operating systems are needed at all.
There are computing applications for which operating systems are unnecessary. For example, built-in microcomputers are found today in many household appliances, cars (sometimes a dozen in each), cell phones etc. Often such a computer constantly runs only one program, which starts when turned on. And simple game consoles - which are also specialized microcomputers - can do without an OS, launching a program recorded on a “cartridge” or CD inserted into the device when turned on. However, some microcomputers and game consoles still run their own special operating systems. In most cases, these are UNIX-like systems (the latter is especially true for programmable switching equipment: firewalls, routers).

OS Basic Ideas

The predecessor of the OS should be considered utility programs (loaders and monitors), as well as libraries of frequently used routines, which began to be developed with the advent of universal computers 1st generation (late 1940s). Utilities minimized the operator’s physical manipulations with the equipment, and the libraries made it possible to avoid repeated programming of the same actions (implementation of input-output operations, calculations mathematical functions and so on.).

In the 1950-60s, the main ideas that determined the functionality of the OS were formed and implemented: batch mode, time sharing and multitasking, separation of powers, real time, file structures and file systems.

Built-in programs

Built-in programs or firmware are programs “hardwired” into digital electronic devices. In some cases (for example, the BIOS of IBM-PC compatible computers) are essentially part of the operating system, stored in permanent memory. Enough simple devices the entire operating system can be embedded. Many modern computer devices have their own firmware that controls these devices and simplifies interaction with them.

Utilities

Utilities (eng. utility or tool) are programs designed to solve a narrow range of auxiliary tasks. Sometimes utilities are classified as utility software. Utilities are used to
Monitoring sensor indicators and equipment performance - monitoring processor and video adapter temperatures; reading S.M.A.R.T. hard drives;
Managing equipment parameters - limiting the maximum rotation speed of the CD drive; changing fan speed.
Monitoring indicators - checking referential integrity; correctness of data recording.
Expanded capabilities - formatting and/or re-partitioning the disk while saving data, deleting without the possibility of recovery.

Types of utilities

Disk Utilities
Defragmenters
Disk scanning - searching for files and disk areas that were incorrectly recorded or damaged in various ways and their subsequent removal for efficient use of disk space.
Disk Cleanup - deleting temporary files, unnecessary files, cleaning the “basket”.
Disk partitioning is the division of a disk into logical disks, which can have different file systems and be perceived by the operating system as several different disks.
Backup - creation backup copies whole disks and separate files, as well as restoration from these copies.
Disk compression - compression of information on disks to increase the capacity of hard drives. Registry utilities
Equipment monitoring utilities
Equipment tests

Application software

An application program or application is a program designed to perform certain user tasks and designed for direct interaction with the user. In most operating systems, application programs cannot access computer resources directly, but interact with hardware, etc. through the operating system. Also on in simple language- auxiliary programs.
Classification

Type
general purpose software
Text editors
Computer publishing systems
Graphic editor
DBMS
special purpose software
Expert systems
Multimedia applications (Media players, programs for creating/editing video, sound, Text-To-Speech, etc.)
Hypertext systems (Electronic dictionaries, encyclopedias, reference systems)
Content management systems
professional level software
CAD
AWS
ACS
APCS
ASNI
Geographic information systems
Billing systems
CRM
By area of ​​application
Application software for enterprises and organizations. For example, financial management, customer relations, supply chain. This type also includes departmental software for small businesses, as well as software for individual departments within a large enterprise. (Examples: Travel Expense Management, IT Help Desk)
The software provides user access to computer devices.
Enterprise infrastructure software. Provides common capabilities to support enterprise software. These are database management systems, servers Email, network and security management.
Information worker software. Serves the needs of individual users to create and manage information. This, as a rule, manages time, resources, documentation, for example, text editors, spreadsheets, client programs for email and blogs, personal information systems and media editors.
Software for accessing content. Used to access certain programs or resources without editing them (however, it can also include an editing function). Intended for groups or individual users of digital content. These are, for example, media players, web browsers, auxiliary browsers, etc.
Educational software is close in content to software for media and entertainment, but unlike it, it has clear requirements for testing the user’s knowledge and tracking progress in learning a particular material. Many educational programs include sharing and multi-stakeholder collaboration features.
Simulation software. Used to simulate physical or abstract systems for scientific research, education, or entertainment.
Software tools in the field of media. Serves the needs of users who produce print or electronic media resources for other consumers, on a commercial or educational basis. These are programs for printing, layout, multimedia processing, HTML editors, digital animation editors, digital audio and so on.
Application programs for design and construction. Used in the development of hardware (“Hardware”) and software. Covers computer aided design (CAD), computer aided engineering (CAE), editing and compiling programming languages, Integrated Development Environments, Application Programmer Interfaces.
Links to resources used