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Computer Software Introduction
Computer Software Introduction
What We'll Learn
How software is organized on your computer
How to check what version of Windows you are running
How Computer Software Works
How Computer Software Works
This video from CommonCraft explains some great concepts of how Software works on your computer:
Software Building Blocks
Software Building Blocks
The software on your computer is like a multi-layered cake. Here's what happens when you first start your computer:
Software and Hardware
Software and Hardware
How do software and hardware work together? On startup, the computer loads software stored on your Hard Disk into RAM. The software in RAM provides instructions to the CPU to complete the tasks you request.
If there is not enough space for all the software in the RAM (Workbench) then the system begins to "swap" information between RAM and the Hard Disk, slowing it down significantly. Increasing RAM is one of the most common ways to improve your computer performance.
Windows and Software Updates
Windows and Software Updates
First the computer loads a small software program from a chip inside the computer called the BIOS. This "wakes-up" the computer and gives it some basic information, including where to look for the Windows Operating System.
Next the computer typically goes to Drive C: and loads up the RAM with the necessary parts of the Windows Operating System. Now the system is fully aware of all it's hardware and how to use it. Windows also provides the basic tools to work with files and folders and administer your system.
At anytime you can run programs, such as Internet Explorer.
When you use Internet Explorer for special tasks, such as viewing a YouTube video, it will load an Adobe Flash plugin to help you successfully complete the task.
As you can see from the diagram, each piece of software builds on the next. A problem in one layer can affect all the other layers, so sometimes troubleshooting can get quite complicated.
1985 - Windows 1.0
1987 - Windows 2.0
1990 - Windows 3.0
1992 - Windows 3.1
1995 - Windows 95
1998 - Windows 98
2000 - Windows ME
2001 - Windows XP
2007 - Windows Vista
2009 - Windows 7
2012 - Windows 8
2013 - Windows 8.1
2015 - Windows 10
Exercise
Exercise
Check what version of Windows you have on your computer. Here's how:
Click on Start Button
Right-mouse-click on Computer (This PC)
Click on Properties
The screen with similar information is pictured below:
Microsoft Windows is the most important piece of Software on your computer. It is also the most common computer operating system in the world. Over the years, Microsoft has released different versions of Windows:
Software Updates
Nearly every week, Microsoft is releasing updates and improvements for Windows. These updates should automatically be loaded on your computer as long as you have an Internet connection.
You can check your updates as follows:
In Windows XP
Click on Start
Click Control Panel
In the left pane, click Windows Update
On the Windows Update screen, click Review your update history
In Windows 7
Click the Start button . In the search box, type Update
In the list of results, click Windows Update.
In the left pane, click View update history.
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