Introduction to Software

Course Management Software

A program that provides traditional classroom tools, such as calendars and grade books, over the internet, as well as areas for students to exchange ideas and information in chat rooms, discussion forums, and e-mail

Beta Version

A version of the software that's still under development and is available for a limited trial period and are used to help the developers correct any errors before they launch the software on the market

Computer-Aided Design(CAD)

a 3-D modeling program used to create automated designs, technical drawings, and model visualizations

Software Suite

a collection of software programs that have been bundled together as a package

Template

a form included in many productivity application that the basic structure a particular kind of document, spreadsheet, or presentation

Digital Video-Editing Software(DTP)

a program for editing digital video

Web-based Application

a program that's hosted on a website and that doesn't require installation on the computer

Program

a series of instructions to be followed by a computer to accomplish a task

Copyleft

a simplified licensing scheme that enables copyright holders to grant certain rights to a work while retaining other rights

Macro

a small program that groups a series of commands o run as a single command

Wizard

a step by step guide that walks a user through the necessary steps to complete a complicated tasks

Software License

an agreement between the user and the software developer that must be accepted before installing the software on a computer

Presentation Software

an application program for creating dynamic slide shows such as Microsoft PowerPoint or Apple Keynote

System Software

an application program such as Microsoft Excel or Lotus 1-2-3 that enables a user to do calculations and numerical analyses easily

Accounting Software

an application program that helps business owners manage their finances more efficiently by providing tools for tracking accounting transactions such as sales, accounts receivable, inventory purchases, and accounts payable

Database Software

an electronic filling system best used for larger and more complicated groups of data that requires more than one table and the ability to group, sort, and retrieve data and generate reports

Freeware

any copyrighted software that can be used for free

Proprietary (commercial) software

custom software application that's owned and controlled by the company that created it

Management Software

is a general phrase used to describe a category of computer software designed to help streamline the complexity of large projects and tasks as well as facilitate team collaboration and project reporting.

Tax Preparation Software

is defined as a type of computer software designed to help individuals or companies prepare for and file income, corporate and similar tax returns.

Vertical Market Software

is software aimed at a particular vertical market and can be contrasted with horizontal market software (such as word processors and spreadsheet programs) that can be used in a cross-section of industries.

Open Source Software

programs code made publicly available for free; it can be copied, distributed, or changed without the stringent copyright protections of proprietary software products

Drawing Software (illustration software)

programs for creating or editing two dimensional line-based drawings

Image-Editing Software

programs for editing photographs and other images

Desktop Publishing Software

programs for incorporating and arranging graphics and text to produce creative documents

Financial Planning Software

programs for managing finances such as Intuit's Quicken, which include electronic checkbook registers and automatic bill- payment tools

Personal Information Manager (PIM) Software

programs such as Microsoft Outlook or Lotus Organizer that strive to replace the various management tools found on a traditional desk such as a calendar, address book, notepad, and to-do lists

Productivity Software

programs that enable a user to perform various tasks generally required in home, school, and business. Examples include word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, personal information management, and database programs

Multimedia Software

programs that include image-, video-, and audio-editing software, animation software and other specialty software required to produce computer games, animations, and moves

Audio-Editing Software

programs that perform basic editing tasks on audio files such as cutting dead air spaces from the beginning or end of a song or cutting a portion from the middle

Word Processing Software

programs used to create and edit written documents such as papers, letters, and resumes

Web Page-Authoring Software

programs you can use to design interactive web pages without knowing any HyperText Markup Language (HTML) code

End User License Agreement(EULA)

software license agreement is the contract between the licensor and purchaser, establishing the purchaser's right to use the software.

Software as a Service (SaaS)

software that delivered on demand over the internet

Simulation Programs

software, often used for training purposes, which allows the user to experience or control an event as if it's reality

Full Installation

the process of installing all the files and programs from the distribution media to the computer's hard drive

Custom Installation

the process of installing only those features of a software program that a user wants on the hard drive

Cloud Computing

the process of storing data, files, and applications on the web, which allows access to and manipulation of these files and applications from any internet connected device

Software

the set of computer programs or instructions that tells the computer what to do and that enable it to perform different tasks

System Requirements

the set of minimum storage, memory capacity, and processing standards recommended by the software manufacturer to ensure the proper operation of a software applicationn

Application Software

the set of programs on a computer that helps a user carry out tasks such as word processing, sending e-mail, balancing a budget, creating presentations, editing photos, taking an online course and playing games

Software Piracy

violating a software license agreement by copying an application onto more computers than the license agreement permits