You will study software in the fifth week of the course, including the concepts of what it is and the various types that IT Support Specialists might deal with. You’ll also learn how to manage software while looking at the old concept of “abstraction.” By the end of this module, you’ll be able to install, update, and remove software on both Windows and Linux operating systems via the Qwiklabs environment.
Learning Objectives:
- Install Software on Windows and Linux.
- Comprehend the Primary Components of Software and How They Work.
- How Computers Accept and Process Instructions to Produce an Output.
- Break Down a Program into Directions for the CPU.
PRACTICE QUIZ: INTRODUCTION TO SOFTWARE
1. Which of these is application software? Check all that apply.
- RAM
- CPU
- Email client (CORRECT)
- Web browser (CORRECT)
Correct! Applications such as browsers and email clients are considered as applications apps to address specific needs of users.
2. Which of these is system software? Check all that apply.
- Windows OS (CORRECT)
- CPU
- Text editor
- BIOS (CORRECT)
You got it! Operating systems such as Windows and BIOS are regarded as system software because they manage the hardware and provide a foundation for running application software.
3. What is the difference between an interpreted and a compiled language? Check all that apply.
- Compiled languages are translated into machine instructions beforehand. (CORRECT)
- Compiled languages are not translated into machine instructions beforehand.
- Interpreted languages are broken into machine instructions beforehand.
- Interpreted languages are not broken into machine instructions beforehand. (CORRECT)
Excellent job! Interpreted languages, unlike compiled languages, do not convert the code to machine instructions before execution. Rather, it is interpreted or executed line by line at runtime by an interpreter.
4. ____ is translating one language to another.
- Coding (CORRECT)
- Transcribing
- Encrypting
- Transforming
Great job! Coding is the procedure through which one translates from or converts human-readable programming into something that can be executed by a computer.
5. When writing code, a(n) ____ is usually used to perform a single- or limited-range task.
- program
- software
- application
- script (CORRECT)
Nice work! With the implementation of scripts, they usually automate the execution of one or more tasks limited to that single task in itself through a set of commands or statements that are executed in their respective sequence.
6. A type of software that can allow freedom of use, modification, and sharing is known as:
- Commercial software
- Open-source software (CORRECT)
- Application software
- System software
Nice work! Open source software is that type of software that can be used without cost, modified without any restrictions, or shared with others.
7. Which of these software is firmware?
- Windows Operating System
- Calculator app
- BIOS (CORRECT)
- Web browser
Great job! BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is an actual software program that exists permanently in hardware, most likely in the form of a chip on the motherboard, and it enables the initializing of hardware and the booting of the operating system.
8. Which of the following software versions is the highest?
- 4.1.2 (CORRECT)
- 3.0.9
Great job! Software 4.1.2 surpasses software version 3.0.9 in terms of newness.
9. The concept of taking a complex system and simplifying it for use is known as ____.
- coding
- abstraction (CORRECT)
- obfuscation
- encryption
The use of abstraction applies to every branch of computing. It brings about simplification of complex processes and allows us, instead, to concentrate on higher-level tasks, leaving behind the minor details for others to take care of them.
10. Before we had compilers, what language was used to allow human readable instructions to be assembled into machine code?
- Assembly (CORRECT)
- C++
- Cobol
- Basic
Wohoo! Assembly language that acted as a medium of translation between human-readable instructions and machine codes was closer to what the computer could understand- but it was more convenient for humans than raw machine code. .
PRACTICE QUIZ: INTERACTING WITH SOFTWARE
1. In the Linux distribution Ubuntu, what command would you use to install an application?
- run
- application
- execute
- apt (CORRECT)
Great job! The command apt is associated with Ubuntu (and other Debian-related distributions), which refers to the management of software packages installation or upgrades.
2. True or false: When managing software, you should only be worried about how to install software.
- True
- False (CORRECT)
Right on! Software management is handling software installations, updating software, uninstalling software all with the effect of keeping the system updated and running efficiently.
3. True or false: When using a 64-bit OS, you should install 64-bit applications.
- True (CORRECT)
- False
You got it! It is very vital to have the same architecture both for the application and for the operating system in order to ensure better compatibility as well as performance when one thinks about CPU architecture.
4. ____ makes processes work automatically.
- Software management
- Compilation
- Automation (CORRECT)
- Abstraction
That’s right! Automation allows us to scribe processes so that they run automatically, eliminating the need for any manual intervention and ensuring greater efficiency.