Sets of instructions or statements to the computer.
What are computer programs?
100
The systematic process of transforming a software idea into functional software.
What is software engineering?
100
Software that is mass-produced for use by the general public and made available through online outlets or retail stores.
What is Off-the-shelf software?
100
The hardware configuration of the computer system combined with the particular operating system in use.
What is the computer platform?
100
Allows users to create formatted text documents varying in complexity from simple notes to professional magazine layouts.
What is word processing?
200
Assists computer hardware with the work it is designed to do. Examples include operating systems, disk management tools, and antivirus software.
What is system software?
200
A five-stage process that begins with requirements analysis, proceeds to the design stage, and is followed by implementation, verification (testing), and maintenance.
What is software development life cycle (SDLC)?
200
A marketing method for distributing software that allows customers to use software free of charge for a limited time in order to evaluate the software and decide if they wish to purchase it.
What is shareware?
200
The sequence of instructions in the BIOS that are executed when a computer is powered on to check the system and load the operating system into memory.
What is the boot process, also known as booting, booting up, or bootstrapping?
200
The most popular type of application software.
What is productivity software?
300
Assists people with work and activities that people do. Examples include word processing, spreadsheet, database, and presentation software.
What is application software?
300
The process of creating software through the use of logic, algorithms, and programming languages.
What is computer programming?
300
A computing environment where software and storage are provided on the Internet and accessed over the Web, requiring very few resources to be installed or stored on the user’s computer, and providing access from any Internet-connected device.
What is cloud computing?
300
Software that is installed for each device connected to a PC that allows the OS to communicate with that device.
What is a device driver?
300
The most popular spreadsheet application.
What is Microsoft Excel?
400
The electronic instructions that govern a computer’s actions to provide a computing service.
What is software?
400
The set of instructions or statements that signal the CPU to perform circuit-switching operations.
What is program code?
400
Designed for network-distributed software; allows any number of users to use the software, but allows only a specific number of users to use it concurrently (at the same time)
What is a Concurrent user license?
400
Uses a keyboard and mouse or other pointing device to manipulate graphics images on the display to issue commands to the computer system.
What is a graphical user interface (GUI)?
400
Used to store, manipulate, and manage data in order to find and present useful information.
What is database software?
500
The most common ways are to click an icon on the desktop, in the Windows Start menu, or on the Mac Dock or in Finder.
What is starting or running executable files?
500
A programming environment designed to write software for a particular computing platform.
What is a software development kit (SDK)?
500
Examples include the Thunderbird e-mail client, Pidgin instant messaging software, Adobe Reader, AVG Anti-Virus software, all Web browser software, and OpenOffice.org productivity software.
What is freeware?
500
A utility for Macs that lets you easily find large files that are taking up space on your hard drive.
What is WhatSize ?
500
Use the Web as the computing platform rather than the PC. If they continue in their growth, it will no longer matter whether you have a Mac or Windows PC, as long as you can access the Web.