1.2.2 Applications Generation

general term which covers all computer programs

it does not have a specific or narrow purpose can use it to carry out different tasks and meet multiple needs

• wordprocessor • presentation software

has highly specific and bespoke uses installed on systems where there is a direct need

• word processor • database • web browser • graphics manipulation • communication software • DTP • Presentation • video editing • email clients • games

• keep your computer safe • keep it running efficiently • provide tools to manage files + applications

software that attempts to correct corrupted or damaged files and restore the to a working state

• creates copies of data/files to protect them in case they are lost/corrupted ect. • can be manual, automatic or scheduled • can be full or incremental • can back up to different media or cloud

reduction of the size of files so it takes up less space and downloads faster over the internet can be lossy or lossless

must be extracted

software which reorganises files on a hard disk, putting fragments of files and free space back together

reduces the movement of the read/write head across the surface of the disk

keep computer and files safe from malware eg: - viruses - trojans - worms - spyware

• users can modify + distribute software • can be installed on any number of computers • support provided by community • users have access to source code • may not be fully tested

Benefits: - free - wide community modification Drawbacks: - Can be poorly supported - Somme features not well tested

Benefits: - gets software out to wider community Drawbacks: - little-to-no financial gain

• protected by copyright, design and patent act • cannot modify • paid for + licensed per computer • supported by developers • tested prior to release

Benefits: - Well supported, tested + professional built product Drawback: - cost or ongoing subscription

Benefits: - receive income for product Drawbacks: - constant demand from community for more features + improvements - piracy issues

what humans write programs in - descriptive and easy for us to understand, read, maintain and debug

the pure binary form of source code

the process of converting source code to machine code

• by an assembler • translates the mnemonics of the assembly code into their binary codes • typically a 1 to 1 relationship between each line of mnemonics and their binary equivalents

• interpreter • compiler