I am a matriculant who achieved >90% for the final CAT exam. I have created a summary of Module 1.4: Software from the textbook "Computers, part of your life - Grade 12" to make your life easier and to save you time.
This summary follows the CAPS curriculum.
1.4: Software
• ÷ into application + system software
• System software = designed to control, support, operate a computer eg. security programs, file managers, OS
• End users spend most of our time using application software directly
Choosing the right software
1. Purpose of software
2. Web-based vs installed applications
3. Compatibility
4. System requirements
Purpose of software
• Choose software based on what you need + what it does
• There are many applications that can perform the task you want to perform
• Often basic software could be adequate
• May need more advanced software specifically designed for specific task
• Notepad can be used to write anything, but Word provides more features, Microsoft Paint 3D vs Adobe
Photoshop
** Web-based applications vs. installed applications
− Installed applications: software/apps installed on disk drive on computer
− ‘cloud’/web-based applications: installed entirely on + run directly from server on internet – run app from
website eg. Gmail
Adv of web-based applications Disadvantages
Use the software from any computer (with internet Can’t use the software if you don’t have an internet
connection) connection
Software always up to date Performance of software affected by speed and
quality of internet connection
Don’t have to download/ install software – saves storage Web applications may have slower performance than
space desktop
Hardware requirements to access and run software not as Software might not have all the features/ capabilities
high – don’t have to upgrade/ replace hardware as often of traditional desktop version
No compatibility issues
Online apps provide some free online storage space eg.
OneDrive for Office365
Files stored can be synchronised with other devices: off-
site backup of date ‘on cloud’
Web-based applications examples
• G-Suite apps: • Office 365 and Google Docs
o Google Calendar • Facebook apps
o Google Hangouts • Adobe Photoshop Express
o Google Drive
o Google Forms Read info on each one in
o Google Maps textbook pg. 52
Subscription-based software
• Traditional licensing models: the user pays ‘up-front’ for a license to use the software indefinitely
• Subscription software: user pays a monthly or yearly subscription for the use of the software
• Adv: always have latest version
• Office 365 gives you access to an offline version, but you need internet connectivity at least once a month for
updates and account verification
, Compatibility
= ability of your software to work with the hardware + software installed on your comp/ device
Compatibility with the operating system Compatibility between versions of the same
• Any app you want to install must be able to work application
with your OS + needs specific ‘min version’ of OS • Most software applications are
eg. Android 7 or Windows 10 ‘downward/backward compatible’ = able to open
• Vendors produce software to work with specific + use files created in previous/ older versions
sets of OS • Almost never ‘upward/ forwards’ compatible =
• Platform-specific versions of apps are sold via older versions can’t open/ use files creates in
online stores – Google Play Store (Android) + newer version (don’t support features from newer
Apple App Store (iOS) versions)
System requirements
• Check hardware and software specifications before buying software.
• Minimum or recommended requirements
(bare min req needed to install/ use software) (needed to use software effectively)
Processor Intel® Core 2 or AMD Athlon® 64 processor
2 GHz or faster processor
Memory 2 GB or more of RAM (8 GB recommended)
Disk space 3.1 GB of available hard disk space for installation
Take into account space needed for files you’ll create with software
Graphics 1024 x 768 display (1280 x 800 recommended) with 16-bit colour and 512 MB or more dedicated
requirements video RAM
*powerful graphics cards needed for certain programs (games) – problem for portable devices ∵
can’t easily upgrade
Operating Microsoft Windows 7 with Service Pack 1 (SP1), Windows 8.1 or 10
system Problem if software req newer (or older) version of OS than what you have
Connectivity Internet connection for software activation, user validation, access to online services, gain
additional features + updates to programs
Application software
Office suites
• Word processing – create, edit, format or work with a document.
• Spreadsheet – budgeting, financial and business planning, analysis.
• Presentation – creating slides to get your message across to an audience.
• Database – collect, store, search, filter and report on data.
Productivity software for mobile users (increased internet connectivity)
Lightweight versions of productivity software for mobile devices.
• Automatic meeting scheduling • Time and travel tracking
• Video conferencing • To-do-lists
• Note taking • Mobile users can use cloud storage
• Project management
Reference software
• The web much easier to use; mostly more up to date than a CD/DVD.
• People increasingly use reference apps on mobile devices for quick access
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