SUBJECT: COMPUTER STUDIES
TOPIC: COMPUTER APPLICATION SOFTWARE
STEP 1: DEFINITION OF APPLICATION SOFTWARE
Application software is a computer program that performs a specific function, be it educational,
personal, or business. That means each of the computer application software programs is developed
to assist you with a particular process that may be related to creativity, productivity, or better
communication. It is also known as an end-user program or a productivity program.
STEP 2: TYPES OF APPLICATION SOFTWARE
Application software is divided into two major types:
User program(i.e programs written for user’s specific needs)
Application Packages
STEP 3: COMMON APPLICATION PACKAGES
The following are the common application packages we have
Word processors: - an application program used to create and edit text based documents such as
letters, reports, memos etc. Examples Microsoft Word ,Word star, Word perfect, Word pad, Corel
word perfect, Google Docs
Graphics packages: - programs that allow users to create, edit, display or print graphic images
using computer. Examples are: paint, coreldraw, Harvard graphics, photoshop, instant artiste etc.
Database software:-a software designed to create databases and to store, manage, change, search,
and extract the information contained within them. Examples are Microsoft Access, Microsoft SQL
Server, MySQL,Oracle RDBMS,IBM DB2, Informix etc.
Spread sheet software:- Also called an electronic worksheet, is a computer program that
organizes data into rows and columns used to calculate numerical data [Link] tool is especially
useful for accountants, financial analysts, and business people to analyze business performance
numbers and [Link] areMicrosoft Excel,Lotus 1-2-3,VisiCalc,Google Sheets, iWork
Numbers,SuperCalc, Quattro Pro
STEP 4: PACKAGES FOR SPECIALIZED AREAS
The following are the packages for specialized areas of human need
Accounting software
Payroll program
Banking software
Educational management Software
Statistical packages
Hospital Management software etc
ASSIGNMENT:
1. List ten different application for specialized area
TOPIC: DATABASE
STEP 1: MEANING OF DATABASE AND OTHER TERMS
Definition of terms
1. Database: is an organised collection of related information for
easy search and retrieval. Information stored in a database is
organised in a structured manner.
2. Database management system (DBMS): refers to a set of
programs that enables the user to store, modify, and extract
information from a database OR a software that manages the
database to create, manipulate, control, and retrieve data stored
in a database.
3. Field: a group of characters OR a piece of attribute about an
entity e.g. a student is an entity with attributes (characteristics)
such as name, sex, age etc. A field is the smallest unit of
information that can be accessed in a database. Every field has a
name called the field name and the maximum number of
characters the value of a field may assume or contain is known
as field width or size.
4. Record: a collection of related fields OR a complete set of
attributes (fields) about an entity. This is represented as rows in
a database. In a RDBMS, records are called tuples.
5. File: a collection of related records e.g. a file containing
academic records of students, a file containing account records
of an organization etc.
6. Database: a collection of related files
7. Database administrator: a person who acts as a special
manager managing the database usually a staff in an
organisation.
8. Key: an attribute or field that can be used to identify a record in
a database e.g. primary key, foreign key, composite key,
candidate key etc.
9. Primary key: an attribute or field that is used to uniquely
identify a record in a database e.g. phone number, registration
number, account number.
10. Foreign key: is a field in one table that must match the
primary key in another table OR is one or more fields in a table
intended to contain only values that match the related primary
key field in the referenced table OR a primary key of one table
sitting in another table.
It is often used to create relationship between two or more
tables.
KEY FEATURES OF A DATABASE
Organized Data Storage: Data is stored in structured
formats, such as tables, documents, or key-value pairs.
Efficient Access: Advanced search and query capabilities
allow for quick data retrieval.
Security and Scalability: Databases provide robust
security measures and can scale with growing data needs.
WHY IS A DATABASE IMPORTANT?
Databases play a critical role in managing and organizing data,
enabling businesses to operate efficiently and make informed
decisions. Here’s why they are essential:
1. Efficient Scaling: Databases can handle massive amounts of
data, scaling to millions or billions of records. Without databases,
managing this level of digital data would be impossible.
2. Data Integrity: Built-in rules and conditions in databases
ensure data consistency and accuracy, even as it grows or
changes.
3. Data Security: Databases protect sensitive information by
implementing user authentication, access control, and
compliance with privacy regulations.
4. Data Analytics: Modern databases support analytics tools
to identify patterns, trends, and predictions. This capability
helps organizations make data-driven decisions.
Examples of Database Applications
Banking: Manage customer accounts, transactions, and
loan records.
Retail: Monitor sales, inventory, and customer
preferences.
Healthcare: Store patient records, medical histories, and
prescriptions.
Education: Maintain student data, attendance, and
grades.
STEP 2: EXAMPLES OF DBMS OR DATABASE PACKAGES
Examples of DBMS or database packages
i. Microsoft access
ii. Oracle
iii. MySQL
iv. PostgreSQL
v. Foxbase
vi. Paradox
vii. Informix
viii. Maria DB
ix. SQL server
x. Adabas
xi. Sybase etc.
STEP 3: FUNCTIONS OF A DBMS
Functions of a DBMS
i. It is used to create database
ii. It provides easy access and retrieval of data
iii. It provides backup and recovery
iv. It minimises data redundancy (repetition)
v. It maintains data integrity
vi. It offers user access control/security and protection of data
vii. It provides data communication interface
viii. It enables report generation/presentation
ix. It provides database communication interface
TOPIC: DATABASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
STEP 1: MEANING OF MICROSOFT ACCESS
Microsoft Access
Microsoft Access is a relational database management system (RDBMS) used to create and modify
databases. After creating a database with MS-Access, it can be searched, manipulated and
information extracted from it.
Ms-access file extension is .accdb and .mdb
STEP 2: OBJECTS IN MS-ACCESS
Objects in MS-Access
1. Tables: in MS-Access or other DBMS, data and information are stored in tables. A table
contains set of columns and rows with each column referred to as field and each row referred to
as a record. Tables are the foundation of a database and the most important database object. It is
used to store records about a particular entity.
2. Queries: are ways of searching for and compiling data from one or more tables. They are used to
retrieve specific data from a database.
3. Forms: are used for entering, modifying and viewing records. They are for input purposes.
4. Reports: reports are used to organise or summarize data for printing or viewing. They are for
output purposes.
5. Macros: give ability to automate tasks i.e. set of actions that can be run automatically
Modules: give ability to automate tasks i.e. set of actions that can be run automatically
