Programs and Apps

Programs and Apps
Software, also called a program, consists of a series of related instructions, organized for a common purpose, that tells the computer what tasks to perform and how to perform them. Two categories of software are system software and application software. System software consists of the programs that control or maintain the operations of the computer and its devices. Operating systems are a widely recognized example of system software. Other types of system software, sometimes called tools, enable you to perform maintenance-type tasks usually related to  managing devices, media, and programs used by computers and mobile devices. The next sections discuss operating systems and application software.

Mac OS

Android OS

Windows OS

iOS

Shown here are the Mac OS and Windows operating systems for personal computers and the Android and iOS operating systems for smartphones. You interact with these operating system interfaces by tapping or clicking their icons or tiles.

 Source: Apple Inc.; Apple Inc.; Google Inc.; Microsoft.

Operating Systems

An operating system is a set of programs that coordinates all the activities among computer or mobile device hardware. It provides a means for users to communicate with the computer or mobile device and other software. Many of today’s computers and mobile devices use a version of Microsoft’s Windows, Apple’s Mac OS, Apple’s iOS, or Google’s Android. To use application software, your computer or mobile device must be running an operating system.

Applications

Application software, usually simply called an application(or app for short), consists of 

programs designed to make users more productive and/or assist them with personal tasks. 

Browsers, discussed in an earlier section, are an example of an application that enables users 

with an Internet connection to access and view webpages. Below identifies the categories of 

applications with samples of ones commonly used in each category.

Applications include programs stored on a computer, as well as those on a mobile device 

or delivered to your device over the Internet. The term, desktop app, often is used to describe 

applications stored on a computer. The term, web app is an application stored on a web server 

that you access through a browser. A mobile app is an application you download from a mobile 

device’s application store or other location on the Internet to a smartphone or other mobile 

device. Some applications are available as both a web app and a mobile app. 

Categories of applications

Productivity

Sample applications

Word Processing 

Presentation

Schedule and Contact Management

Personal Finance

Sample Uses

Create letters, reports, and other documents.

Create visual aids for presentations.

Organize appointments and contact lists.

Balance checkbook, pay bills, and track income and expenses

Graphics and Media

Sample applications

Photo Editing

Video and Audio

Media Player 

Sample Uses

Modify digital photos, i.e., crop, remove red-eye, etc. Modify recorded movie clips, add music, etc.

View images, listen to audio/music, watch videos.

Personal Interest

Sample applications

Travel, Mapping, and Navigation

Reference

Educational

Entertainment

Sample Uses

View maps, obtain route directions, locate points of interest. Look up material in dictionaries, encyclopedias, etc. Learn through tutors and prepare for tests. Receive entertainment news alerts, check movie times and reviews, play                                                                                             games.

Communications

Sample applications

Browser

Email

VoIP 

FTP

Sample Uses

Access and view webpages.

Send and receive messages.

Speak to other users over the Internet.

Transfer items to and from other computers on the Internet.

Security

Sample applications

Antivirus

Personal Firewall

Spyware, Adware, and other Malware 

Removers

Sample Uses

Protect a computer against viruses.

Detect and protect against unauthorized intrusions.

Detect and delete spyware, adware, and other malware.

Installing and Running Applications

Installing software is the process of setting up software to work with a computer, printer, 

and other hardware. When you buy a computer, it usually has some software such as an oper-

ating system preinstalled on its hard disk so that you can use the computer the first time you 

turn it on. Installed operating systems often include other programs such as a browser, media 

player, and calculator. To use additional desktop apps on a computer, you usually need to 

install the software. Mobile apps typically install automatically after you transfer the app’s files

to your device from its website. You usually do not need to install web apps before you can 

run them. 

Once installed, you can run an application so that you can interact with it. When you instruct 

a computer or mobile device to run an application, the computer or mobile device loads its 

software, which means the application is copied from storage to memory. Once in memory, the 

computer or mobile device can carry out, or execute, the instructions in the application so that 

you can use it. 

You interact with a program or application through its user interface. The user interface

controls how you enter data and instructions and how information is displayed on the screen.

Often, you work with icons or tiles, which are miniature images that link to programs, media, documents, or other objects. 

Install, Run, and Exit  an Application

The following steps describe how to install, run, and exit an application on a computer.

Locate the Application

Locate the application to install.

Applications are available from retail stores,  websites, and from other services such as 

Apple’s App Store or Google Play.

Download and/or Install the Application

If you are installing an application from physical media such as a CD or DVD, 

insert the media in your computer. If the installation does not start automatically, 

locate the installation program on the media and then double-tap or double-click 

 the installation program.

If the application is available from a website or online store, download the 

application to your computer. Once the download is complete, if the installation 

does not start automatically, locate and then double-tap or double-click the 

downloaded file to begin the installation

Run the Application

You have various options for running an application:

Tap or click the application’s tile or double-tap or double-click the 

application’s icon in the desktop.

Display a list of all applications on your computer and then tap or click 

the icon representing the application to run (some computers may require 

you to double-tap or double-click  the icon).

Use the search feature in the operating system to locate the newly installed 

application and then tap or click the search result to run the application.

Exit the Application

Locate and tap or click an Exit or Close button or an Exit or Close command, which often can

be found on an application’s File menu.

Locate and tap or click the Close button on the application’s title bar (horizontal space 

at top of window).

Locate, Install, and Run a Mobile App

The following steps describe how to locate, install, and run an app on a mobile device:

1.Navigate to the online store for your device. Common stores used to obtain apps include 

 Apple’s App Store and Google Play.

2.Use the search feature to browse for the type of app you would like to download 

and install. If the app is not free, follow the payment instructions.

3.Tap or click the appropriate button to download the desired app. Depending 

on your device, you may need to enter additional information, such as a 

password, to download the app. Once the app downloads, it should install 

automatically.

4.Locate the app’s icon on your device and then tap or click the icon to run the app. 

Depending on the app, you may have to create a profile, which contains personal data 

about a user, or enter your email address.

How do you know if a program will run on your computer?

When you buy a computer, the box, the manufacturer’s website, or the order summary will list the computer’s specifications. Similarly, when you buy software, the software box or the product’s website will list specifications and minimum requirements for memory, speed, and more. Your computer’s specifications should be the  same as or greater than the software specifications. Ensure the software will run on your computer before making a than the software specifications. Ensure the software will run on your computer before making a purchase, because many retailers will not allow you to return software.