Key Terms (Summary in Previous Post)
· Algorithm: A set of clearly defined, logical steps that solve a problem.
· Applications software: Also called productivity software; helps you perform a specific task, such as word processing or spreadsheets.
· Boot: The process of starting a computer.
· Graphical user interfaces (GUIs): Operating systems with graphical symbols representing files, programs, and documents.
· Language translators: Systems software that converts code written in a programming language into machine language that the computer can understand.
· MS-DOS: Microsoft’s Disk Operating System; originally introduced with the IBM PC in 1981.
· Multitasking: Running two or more distinct computer operations simultaneously—one in the foreground, the other(s) in the background.
· Network operating system: An operating system that runs on a network server.
· Operating systems: Systems software that provide an interface between the user or application program and the computer hardware.
· Software development: The multistep process of designing, writing, and testing computer programs.
· Systems software: A group of programs that coordinate and control the resources and operations of a computer system.
· Unix: Operating system developed by AT&T. It is considered portable, meaning it can run on just about any hardware platform.
· User interface: Part of the computer’s operating system that users interact with.
· Utility software: Systems software that performs tasks related to managing the computer’s resources, file management, diagnostics, and other specialized chores.

Summary of lesson 4

Hardware refers to anything you can touch.
Software is instructions that tell the computer what to do.
Software is also called a program.
A computer processes data by applying rules called algorithms.


An algorithm creates a logical progression of steps needed to accomplish a task.

Software development is a multistep process that includes writing the command code in a programming language, having the computer translate the code into machine language, and then debugging and testing the program.

The two basic types of computer software are applications software, also called productivity software, and systems software.

Systems software coordinates and controls the resources and operations of a computer system.

Three major categories of systems software are operating systems, utilities, and language translators.



Operating systems provide an interface between the user and application program and the computer hardware.

Utility programs help users complete specialized tasks, such as file management.

Language translators convert code written in English-based software programs into machine language.


All computers have operating systems.

Mac OS is used with Apple’s Power Macintosh computers and Power Macintosh clones.

DOS was introduced with the IBM PC in 1981 and is a character-based operating system.

Microsoft introduced the first version of Windows in 1987; this was an operating environment.

Windows 95 was Microsoft’s first true multitasking operating system.

Unix is a portable operating system.

Network operating systems allow a group of two or more microcomputers to be connected.

The user interface is the part of the operating system with which we are most familiar.

The two most common user interfaces are command-line interfaces and graphical user interfaces.


Most of today’s computers come with some type of graphical user interface.

Icons are symbols that represent documents, software programs, disks, and so forth.

A graphical interface includes standard text and graphics so that data processed in one application program can be shared by other applications.