Software terms
application software
programs that specify the information processing activities requiredfor the completion of specific tasks of computer users. Examples are electronicspreadsheet and word processing programs or inventory or payroll programs
application-specific programs
application software packages that support specific applications ofend users in business, science and engineering, and other areas
assembler language
a programming language that utilizes symbols to represent operationcodes and storage locations
database management system (DBMS)
a set of computer programs that controls the creation, maintenance,and utilization of databases of an organization
electronic spreadsheet package
an application program used as a computerized tool for analysis, planning,and modeling that allows users to enter and manipulate data into an electronicworksheet of rows and columns
file management
controlling the creation, deletion, access, and use of files of dataand program
fourth-generation language
programming languages that are easier to use than high level languageslike BASIC, COBOL, or FORTRAN. They are also known as nonprocedural, naturalor very high level languages
general-purpose application programs
programs that can perform information processing jobs for users formalapplication areas. For example, word processing programs, electronic spreadsheetprograms, and graphics programs can be used by individuals for home, education,business, scientific, and many other purposes
graphical user interface
a software interface that relies on icons, bars, buttons, boxes, andother images to initiate computer based tasks for users
graphic package high-level language
a programming language that utilizes macro instructions and statementsthat closely resemble human language or mathematical notation to describethe problem to be solved or the procedure to be used. Also called a compilerlanguage
integrated package
software that combines the ability to do several general-purpose applications(such as word processing, electronic spreadsheets, and graphics) into oneprogram
language translator program
a program that converts the programming language instructions into acomputer program into machine language code. Major types include assemblers,compilers, and interpreters
machine language
a programming language where instructions are expressed in the binarycode of the computer
multitasking
the concurrent use of the same computer to accomplish several differentinformation processing tasks. Each task may require the use of a differentprogram, or the concurrent use of the same copy of a program by severalusers
natural language
a programming language that is very close to human language. Also calledvery-high-level language.
Procedure oriented language
a programming language designed for the convenient expression of proceduresused in the solution of a wide class of problems
nonprocedural language
programming languages the at allow users and professional programmersto specify the results they want without specifying how to solve the problemobject-oriented language
operating system
the main control program of a computer system. It is a system of programsthat controls the execution of computer programs and may provide scheduling,debugging, input/output control, system accounting, compilation, storageassignment, data management, and related services
programming tools
software packages or modules that provide editing and diagnostic capabilitiesand other support facilities to assist the programming process
resource management
an operating system function that controls the use of computer systemresources such as primary storage, secondary storage, CPU processing time,and input/output devices by other system software and application packages
software suites
a combination of individual software packages that share a common graphicaluser interface and are designed for easy transfer of data between applications
system software
programs that control and support operations of a computer system. Systemsoftware includes a variety of programs, such as operating systems, databasemanagement systems, communications control systems, service and utilityprograms, and programming language translators
system support programs
programs that support the operations, management, and users of a computersystem by providing a variety of support services. Examples are systemutilities and performance monitors
task management
a basic operating system function that manages the accomplishment ofthe computing tasks of users by a computer system
user interface
that part of an operating system or other program that allows usersto communicate with it to load programs, access files, and accomplish othercomputing tasks
utility programs
a standard set of routines that assists in the operation of a computersystem by performing some frequently required process such as copying,sorting, or merging
virtual memory
the use of secondary storage devices as an extension of the primarystorage of the computer, thus giving the appearance of a larger main memorythan actually exists
This page was created by David Lewis on 6/18/97