Mater Dei College
Tubigon, Bohol
Summer 2021
AE 113 – IT APPLICATION TOOLS IN BUSINESS
Topic 2
COMPUTER FUNDAMENTALS
Computer Literacy
➢ Knowledge and understanding of computers and their uses
➢ Computers are everywhere
What Is a Computer?
• A computer is an electronic device, operating under the control of instructions stored in its own
memory.
• Electronic device operating under the control of instructions stored in its own memory
• Accepts data (Raw facts, figures, and symbols)
• Processes data into information (Data that is organized, meaningful, and useful)
• Produces and stores results
What is the information processing cycle?
➢ Input
➢ Process
➢ Output
➢ Storage
➢ Communication
THE COMPONENTS OF A COMPUTER HARDWARE
Input Device • Allows you to enter data and instructions into a computer
Output Device • Hardware component that conveys information to one or more people
System Unit • Case that contains the electronic components of the computer that are used to process
data
Storage Device • Records (writes) and/or retrieves (reads) items to and from storage media
Communications Device • Enables a computer to send and receive data, instructions, and information to
and from one or more computers or mobile devices
COMPUTER SOFTWARE
SYSTEM SOFTWARE
➢ Programs that control the operations of the
computer
➢ Serves as the interface between the user,
the application software, and the
computer’s hardware
➢ Example: Windows 7, Windows 8, Mac
OS, Linux, android OS, IOS
APPLICATION SOFTWARE
- Programs that are designed to make users more productive and/or assist them with personal
tasks.
Four Categories of Application Software
1. Business
2. Graphics and Multimedia
3. Home/Personal/Educational
4. Communications
Note: The four categories are not mutually exclusive. Software in one category may be used in
another category.
Forms of Application Software
1. Packaged software - is mass-produced, copyrighted retail software that meets the needs of a
wide variety of users, not just a single user or company. It is available in retail stores or on the
Web.
Example: word processing software and spreadsheet software
2. Custom software – performs functions specific to a business or industry. The company may
use programmers to develop tailor-made custom software, which usually costs more than
packaged software.
3. Open source software - is software provided for use, modification, and redistribution. It can be
downloaded from the Internet, sometimes at no cost.
4. Shareware – is copyrighted software that is distributed at no cost for a trial period. To use a
shareware program beyond that period, you send payment to the program developer.
5. Freeware – is copyrighted software provided at no cost by an individual or a company that
retains all rights to the software. The word, free, in freeware indicates the software has no
charge.
6. Public- domain software – has been donated for public use and has no copyright restrictions.
Anyone can copy or distribute public-domain software to others at no cost.
Product activation – is a technique that some software manufacturers use to ensure the software
is not installed on more computers that legally licensed.
Productivity software or productivity tools are programs that are used to create new information such
as text documents, charts, graphs, tables and presentations. Here are some of the most commonly used
types of productivity tools:
1. Word Processor is a program that is used to create, view, edit, and print documents. Think of it a
digital version of a typewriter. Examples are MS Word and Libre Writer (please watch the video for
more examples). This application program allows user to create a document that is why if you use MS
Word the file name extension for the document is .doc for the lower version and .docx for the higher
version of the application.
2. Spreadsheet is an application tool that store, organize, and calculate data in tables. They
are used primarily in recordkeeping tasks and accounting. Examples are MS Excel and Calc. This
application allows user to create a worksheet and the filename extension of the worksheet created
in MS excel is .xls for lower version and .xlsx for higher version.
3. Presentation Program is used to design presentation in the form of slideshows. Example are MS
Powerpoint and Impress. This program allows user to create a presentation slides and the filename
extension of the presentation using Powerpoint is .ppt for lower version and .pptx for the higher
version.
4. Database Management System (DBMS) A BDMS is a software tool for creating, editing, and
managing collection of information called databases. Examples are MS Access and Base.
5. Graphic Suite is a group of programs that are used to view, manipulate, and print computer
graphics. Popular examples are Corel and Adobe, which includes Photoshop.
These productivity tools and other like them normally come in software bundles called office productivity
suites example for this is MS Office Productivity Suite, LibreOffice, and etc. The idea is to make the
most commonly used productivity tools available to the public as an innerduct with uniform designs and
controls so they are easier to purchase, learn and use.
(Source: https://www.coursehero.com/file/44140528/Week -7-Applied-Productivity-Toolsdocx/)
