IC3 Certification Prep Computing Fundamentals Domain 3.0 Computer Software Architecture

Please note: This document supplements the Connect Master IC3 Certification Prep learning platform. It is not meant to replace it. Additional important information, such as videos and interactive activities, are not included in this document.

Computing Fundamentals: Domain 3.0 Computer Software Architecture 1 Learning Objectives

Understanding the benefits of software updates

• Describe the benefits of software updates o Understanding file management • Describe a file • Describe a folder • Describe how to copy files or folders • Describe how to rename files or folders • Describe how to move files or folders

Understanding file extensions • Describe video file extensions • Describe image file extensions • Describe audio file extensions • Describe word processing file extensions • Describe other document file extensions • Describe executable file extensions • Describe how to view file extensions • Understanding file compression o Describe common compressed file formats o Describe image file compression o Describe audio file compression

Understanding troubleshooting and the Windows Task Manager • Describe common troubleshooting terminology • Describe potential issues with software upgrades • Describe the Windows Task Manager o Describe the capabilities of the Task Manager  

Computing Fundamentals: Domain 3.0 Computer Software Architecture 2 Benefits of updating software

There are many benefits to updating software. Updates can increase the performance of the computer. The computer can respond faster when opening applications and booting the device. Updates might fix software issues that impact the performance of the computer.

Many software updates provide fixes for known issues. Updates allow access to the latest software features and functionality.

Software companies are continually improving the user interface and functional elements of their software as well as security features. Updates include enhancements designed to increase device security.

It’s a good idea to check for software updates on all your digital devices.

Computing Fundamentals: Domain 3.0 Computer Software Architecture 3 Files

According to Microsoft, a file is an item that contains information as, for example, text, an image, or music.

When opened, a file can look very much like a text document or a picture that you might find on someone's desk or in a filing cabinet. On your computer, different types of files are represented by different icons to make it easy for you to recognize the type of the file.

Common file types include:

Application Files: Application files contain detailed instructions for the CPU about what tasks to perform. Usually these are stored in the Program Files folder on the hard drive.

Data Files: Data files contain information you have entered and saved on a specific application on your computer. Common data files include Microsoft Excel spreadsheets and Microsoft Word Files are represented by an documents. A file you create or a file you save can be stored in a icon. For example, the icon place on your hard drive that you designate. above represents a Microsoft Word file. System Files: System files are included with the operating system. Many system files are hidden to prevent them from being altered or deleted.

Selecting files or folders

To select files or folders use one of the following methods:

To select one file or folder, point to that file or folder.

To select all files and folders in a specified location, click Organize and then click Select All. You can also press Ctrl+A to select all.

To select multiple files or folders that are consecutive, click on the first file or folder in the list, press and hold Shift key and then click on the last file or folder in the list.

To select multiple files or folders that are non-consecutive, click on the first file or folder to be selected, press and hold the Ctrl key and then click on each file or folder you want.

If you need to change any part of the selection, use either the Shift or Ctrl key to deselect specific parts of the selection.

To turn off a selection of files or folder simply click anywhere away from the selection.

Computing Fundamentals: Domain 3.0 Computer Software Architecture 4 Copying files or folders

When you copy a file or folder, the original remains in the source location and a copy is placed in the destination location. This means the same information will be in both locations.

Use one of the following methods to copy a file or folder:

Press Ctrl+C and then move to the new location where the file will be copied. Then press Ctrl+V.

Right-click the selection and then select Copy. Then move to the new location where the file will be copied, right-click and select Paste.

To copy a file or folder from one device to another, select the file, hold down the left mouse button and drag the selection to the new location.

To copy files in the same drive, press Ctrl as you drag the selected file or folder to the new location.

If you have copied files with the same file name you may get a message indicating there are duplicate files.

Renaming files and folders

It is sometimes necessary to rename files or folders. There are several methods to do this, but here are two easy ways.

Most users simply right-click on the file or folder and then select Rename from the shortcut menu.

Another way is to select the file or folder by clicking on it and then press the F2 key.

With either method, when you see the highlighted name, simply type in the new file or folder name and then press Enter.

Computing Fundamentals: Domain 3.0 Computer Software Architecture 5 Moving files or folders

Moving a file or folder means it is deleted (cut) from its original storage location (the target) and copied (pasted) into the new storage location (the destination). When you move a folder, all of the contents of the folder are moved to the new storage location.

To move a file or folder, select it and then use one of the following methods:

Press Ctrl+X, move to the new location where the file will be copied and press Ctrl+V.

You can also right-click the selection and select Cut. Then move to the new location where the file will be copied, right-click, and select Paste.

To move a file or folder from one device to another simply select the file and hold down Shift key while you drag the file to the new location. If you don’t hold down the Shift key, the file will be copied instead of being moved.

If you try to move a file that is currently open, you will get the message shown here.

Computing Fundamentals: Domain 3.0 Computer Software Architecture 6 Common video file formats

Video files can be played using specialized applications called players. Video players that are freely available include Windows Media Player, RealNetworks RealPlayer, and Apple QuickTime. When you play a video file your designated player will automatically begin video playback.

Common video file extensions include: The popularity of streaming video has created a race to increase Internet • .avi (Audio Video Interleave) - the standard for bandwidth. Windows video files • .mov – the video format for Apple QuickTime and Mac OS • .mpeg and .mp4 - Motion Picture Experts Group – the format for Internet video files • .ram - Real Audio Metadata file – RealNetworks video format

Image file extensions

Image files include photos, drawings, and charts that have been saved in a digital format. Many graphics files are supported by web browsers and various operating systems due to built-in graphics viewers.

Graphics can be imported into a digital device from digital cameras or scanners. They can also be created using a dedicated graphics app such as Microsoft Paint or Adobe Illustrator.

When you click on an image, the image will be automatically displayed in a viewer or graphics editing program. If the file does not open Windows will prompt you to select the appropriate app to open the file.

Common image file formats include:

• .gif - Graphics Interchange Format - Used for drawings and illustrations

• .jpg or .jpeg - Joint Photographic Experts Group - Used for Though developed photos and graphics over 30 years ago, .gif remains the most • .tif or .tiff - Tagged Image File Format - Used in desktop commonly used publishing and medical imaging graphics extension. • .png - Portable Network Graphics - commonly used on web pages

Computing Fundamentals: Domain 3.0 Computer Software Architecture 7 Audio file players and extensions Audio files can be played using specialized applications called players. Audio players that are freely available include Windows Media Player, RealNetworks RealPlayer, Winamp3 and XXMX designed for UNIX systems.

Common audio file extensions include:

• .mp3 and .m4a - Motion Pictures Experts Group - Requires a player such as iTunes, QuickTime, or Windows Media Player The .m4a format has • .au - Audio format used on UNIX servers largely replaced the .mp3 format for • .wav - Waveform Audio File Format - Windows format audio files. sound files

Executable file extensions

Executable files are critical to the operation of your computer and are designed to launch programs and specific procedures.

Be cautious when downloading or opening executable files you receive as email attachments or downloaded from the Internet. When you open an executable file your computer may automatically run any operations that are included in the file, which can be detrimental to your digital device.

Common executable files include:

• .cgi - Common Gateway Interface - files used to generate web content • .exe - Windows executable program - compressed files that are self-extracting When you open an executable file you’re probably adding a • .vbs - Visual Basic script files - created using the Visual program to your computer. Basic programming language and these files are known to Be careful! carry viruses • .cmd - Windows command file • .msi - Windows installer files - used to automate software installation

Computing Fundamentals: Domain 3.0 Computer Software Architecture 8 Common document file extensions

Documents and other text files are created using Microsoft Office, OpenOffice, Google Docs, Apple Pages and many other programs. Some documents can be created to be cross-platform compatible which means they can be viewed using most common operating systems. Common cross-platform file types include .pdf and .rtf.

Common document file types include:

• .docx - Document format for Microsoft Word 2007 and above • .htm or .html - Hypertext Markup Language – the document format used in web pages and supported by web browsers • .pdf - Portable Document Format - can be viewed using the Adobe Reader plug- in • .rtf - Rich Text Format - supported by most word processing programs and operating systems • .one - Microsoft OneNote

Other common document file extensions

The type of document determines the file extension.

For example, when you create a presentation document you might use Microsoft PowerPoint, which would use the extension .pptx, or Prezi, which uses the file extension .pez. If you were creating a webpage you would use the file extension .html. For spreadsheets, you might use Microsoft Excel with the extension .xlsx while for a database you might use Microsoft Access with the extension .accdb, or .fp if you used FileMaker. In short, nearly every application has its own file extension.

There are thousands of different document production programs and each one has its unique file extension.

Computing Fundamentals: Domain 3.0 Computer Software Architecture 9 How to view file extensions in Windows

To display the file extensions at all times, open a Windows Explorer window and, on the Command bar, click Organize. Click Folder and search options. On the View tab in the Advanced Settings list uncheck Hide extensions for known file types.

Important file types such as system and data files will remain hidden to prevent unintentional changes.

Computing Fundamentals: Domain 3.0 Computer Software Architecture 10 Compressed file formats

Compressed file formats reduce the amount of time needed to download a file and the amount of storage capacity a file takes up. Most file types can be compressed and decompressed using a file compression utility.

Common file compression extensions include:

• .zip – Compression type used by the WinZip app • .rar - Compression type that is platform neutral – on a Windows systems the WinRAR application is used • .bz2 - Compression type used by the Bunzip app

Image file compression Because a digital photo can be a large file, many users compress images before storing or sending them.

Popular image compression formats include .jpeg, .png, and .gif.

.jpeg is the most popular lossy image compression format. .png is the most popular lossless image compression format. Some still use .gif, though it has largely been replaced by .png. This image illustrates a gradual lossy (.jpeg) compression.

Audio file compression Audio file compression allows extremely small devices to store large numbers of music files. The most popular compression format is a lossy compression format called .m4a.

The most popular lossless compression format is .wav.

The .mp3 audio compression format and iTunes changed the music industry by allowing customers to easily purchase and play single songs.

Computing Fundamentals: Domain 3.0 Computer Software Architecture 11 Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting involves identifying the source of a problem and then applying a solution to fix the problem. There are four steps that should be taken when troubleshooting:

1. Define the problem - What is the issue? What are the symptoms your device is experiencing? 2. Pinpoint possible causes - Assess what could be causing the issue. Have you Chances are that someone else has recently downloaded new software? experienced the issue impacting your Have you installed a new device? digital device. Many problems can be resolved by searching the Internet for the 3. Determine the most likely cause - solution. Using the process of elimination is helpful in this step. 4. Apply a solution - Apply possible solutions until the issue has been resolved.

Potential issues with upgrading software

Software manufacturers provide upgrades for their software for many reasons. Often it is so that the software will remain compatible when changes are made to the operating system software. Another reason is that developers can take advantage of technological advances in hardware such as, for example, faster and larger memory (RAM) or more powerful processors.

Most problems that arise from upgrading applications software can be resolved by simply uninstalling the software or restoring your settings to a date previous to the new install.

Major challenges can occur when upgrading the computer's operating system such as changing from Windows 7 to Windows 10. Since the operating system is such a big program, it requires significant rewriting of the hard drive, which can cause a hard drive crash. Also, your computer's processor may not be fast enough to handle the updated operating system. And the new operating system will come with new drivers that may not work that well with your older peripherals such as your monitor and printer.

For these reasons, it is important to backup your files before upgrading your operating system. This way you do not run the risk of losing your important data.

Computing Fundamentals: Domain 3.0 Computer Software Architecture 12 Windows Task Manager

The Task Manager is useful when you need to switch programs, check which programs are running, or close a program when problems occur, such as when a program becomes locked and does not respond. Due to the system settings that can be accessed, caution should be used when accessing or using the Task Manager.

Here are the steps to access the Task Manager:

• Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete at the same time to display options which include Switch User, Log off (or Sign Out), Change a password, or Start the Task Manager. Click Start Task Manager. • You can also right-click the Taskbar to and select Start Task Manager.

Task Manager capabilities What’s included with the Task Manager?

• Applications - Displays a list of open programs and their status. Use the Status column to help you determine if you need to close a specific program. Use the buttons to close the program or select the program and then right-click to close it. • Processes - Displays a list of all currently running processes on your computer. You can use this tab to diagnose how much RAM is being used and to identify any suspicious activity. To stop a process, select the process you want to stop and click End Process. • Services - Services are programs that perform a computer function without user involvement. Services run in the background. The Services tab displays a list of currently active services. To stop a service simply right-click the service you want to stop and select the desired command.

If you have a problem with a program and it seems to lock up your computer or the program just isn't responding, you can close the program by going to the Task Manager.

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