WEEK 1- HANDOUT # 1

Unlocking Content Vocabulary • Cable Testers and Multimeters: These tools help
Solicit Ideas from the learners as the wheel spins, from verify cable connections and measure electrical
the selected word. parameters.
• Computer - is a programmable device that stores, • Cleaning Kits: Keeping computers dust-free is
retrieves, and processes data. essential for optimal performance.
• ICT - information and communications technology is the
infrastructure and components that Common tools and equipment Visual Arts:
enable modern computing. • Digital Cameras and Scanners: Students can capture
• Application - In computing, an application, or app for images of their artwork or scan traditional
short, is a software program designed to artwork to create digital versions.
help a computer user accomplish a task. • Graphic Design Software (e.g., Adobe Photoshop,
• Hardware - consists of the physical parts of a computer Illustrator): These tools allow students to
system manipulate images, create digital art, and design
• Software - is a collection of instructions, data, or graphics.
computer programs used to operate computers • Tablets and Drawing Pads: Artists can use these
and execute specific tasks devices to create digital illustrations and
paintings.
SUB-TOPIC 1: EXPLORING TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT • 3D Modeling Software (e.g., Blender, Autodesk Maya):
IN ICT For students interested in 3D art and
Common Tools and Equipment used in Computer animation.
Programming
1. Hardware Telecommunication:
• Computer: The primary device used for writing code, 1. Hardware
running programs, and testing software. • Modems and Routers: Devices that modulate and
• Desktop or Laptop: Depending on preference and demodulate signals for transmission over
requirements. telephone lines or cable systems and route data between
2. Software devices on a network.
• Integrated Development Environments (IDEs): Examples: DSL modems, cable modems, wireless
Comprehensive tools that provide editing, routers.
debugging, and compilation in one place. Switches and Hubs: Networking devices that connect
Examples: Visual Studio Code, IntelliJ IDEA, PyCharm, multiple devices within a network, facilitating
Eclipse, Xcode. communication between them. Examples: Ethernet
• Code Editors: Lightweight alternatives to IDEs for switches, network hubs.
quick coding and scripting. • Repeaters and Extenders: Devices that amplify or
Examples: Sublime Text, Atom, Notepad++. regenerate signals to extend the range of a network.
• Version Control Systems (VCS): Tools to manage Examples: Signal boosters, Wi-Fi extenders.
changes to source code over time. • Antennas: Devices that transmit and receive radio
Examples: Git, Subversion (SVN), Mercurial. waves for wireless communication. Examples: Yagi
 Repositories and Collaboration Platforms: antennas, parabolic antennas, dipole antennas.
Examples: GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket. • Base Stations: Equipment that connects mobile
• Compilers and Interpreters: Tools that translate code devices to a network in cellular and radio communication.
into executable programs. Examples: Cell towers, microcells, femtocells. 2.
Examples: GCC (GNU Compiler Collection), Clang,
Python Interpreter, Node.js. Software
• Debuggers: Tools to test and debug code. • Network Management Software: Tools for monitoring,
Examples: GDB (GNU Debugger), LLDB, built-in managing, and troubleshooting network performance and
debuggers in IDEs. connectivity. Examples: SolarWinds Network
• Package Managers: Tools to manage software libraries Performance Monitor, PRTG Network Monitor, Nagios.
and dependencies. • Communication Protocols: Software protocols that
Examples: npm (Node Package Manager), pip (Python define rules for data exchange over a network.
Package Installer), Maven, Gradle, NuGet. Examples: TCP/IP (Transmission Control
• Build Automation Tools: Tools to automate the Protocol/Internet Protocol), VoIP (Voice over Internet
process of compiling code, running tests, and Protocol), SIP (Session Initiation Protocol).
deploying applications. • Telephony Software: Applications for managing voice
Examples: Jenkins, Travis CI, CircleCI, Make, Ant. communication over networks. Examples: Asterisk,
FreeSWITCH, Skype for Business.
Common tools and equipment in Computer Systems
Servicing:
• Hand Tools: When servicing computers, students need
tools like screwdrivers, pliers, and anti-static wristbands.
These tools help with hardware installation, repair, and
maintenance.
• Diagnostic Software: Students can use software tools
to diagnose hardware issues, check system
performance, and troubleshoot problems.

SUB-TOPIC 2: TYPES OF SOFTWARE

1. Explicitation
Definition of Software 1. Accessibility. The degree to which a diverse group of
Software is a set of instructions, data or programs used people, including individuals
to operate computers and execute specific tasks. It is the who require adaptive technologies such as voice
opposite of hardware, which describes the physical recognition and screen magnifiers, can comfortably use
aspects of a computer. Software is a generic term used the software.
to refer to applications, scripts and programs that run on 2. Compatibility. The suitability of the software for use in
a device. It can be thought of as the variable part of a a variety of environments, such as with different OSes,
computer, while hardware is the invariable part. devices and browsers.
3. Efficiency. The ability of the software to perform well
The two main categories of software are application without wasting energy, resources, effort, time or money.
software and system software. An application is software 4. Functionality. Software's ability to carry out its
that fulfills a specific need or performs tasks. System specified functions.
software is designed to run a computer's hardware and 5. Installability. The ability of the software to be installed
provides a platform for applications to run on top of. in a specified environment.
1. Application software. The most common type of 6. Localization. The various languages, time zones and
software, application software is a computer software other such features a software can function in.
package that performs a specific function for a user, or in 7. Maintainability. How easily the software can be
some cases, for another application. An application can modified to add and improve features, fix bugs, etc.
be self-contained, or it can be a group of programs that 8. Performance. How fast the software performs under a
run the application for the user. Examples of modern specific load.
applications include office suites, graphics software, 9. Portability. The ability of the software to be easily
databases and database management programs, web transferred from one location to another.
browsers, word processors, software development tools, 10. Reliability. The software's ability to perform a
image editors and communication platforms. required function under specific conditions for a defined
2. System software. These software programs are period of time without any errors.
designed to run a computer's application programs and 11. Scalability. The measure of the software's ability to
hardware. System software coordinates the activities and increase or decrease performance in response to
functions of the hardware and software. In addition, it changes in its processing demands.
controls the operations of the computer hardware and 12. Security. The software's ability to protect against
provides an environment or platform for all the other unauthorized access, invasion of privacy, theft, data loss,
types of software to work in. The OS is the best example malicious software, etc.
of system software; it manages all the other computer 13. Testability. How easy it is to test the software.
programs. Other examples of system software include 14. Usability. How easy it is to use the software.
the firmware, computer language translators and system
utilities. 2. Worked Example
3. Driver software. Also known as device drivers, this 1. Operating System (OS)
software is often considered a type of system software. Example: Installing a new application on Windows 10.
Device drivers control the devices and peripherals Step 1: Download the installation file for the application.
connected to a computer, enabling them to perform their Step 2: Double-click the downloaded file to begin the
specific tasks. Every device that is connected to a installation process.
computer needs at least one device driver to function. Step 3: Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the
Examples include software that comes with any installation.
nonstandard hardware, including special game Step 4: Once installed, you can find the application in the
controllers, as well as the software that enables standard Start Menu and run it.
hardware, such as USB storage devices, keyboards, 2. Application Software
headphones and printers. Example: Creating a presentation in Microsoft
4. Middleware. The term middleware describes software PowerPoint.
that mediates between application and system software Step 1: Open PowerPoint and select a template or create
or between two different kinds of application software. a new blank presentation.
For example, middleware enables Microsoft Windows to Step 2: Add new slides and input content such as text,
talk to Excel and Word. It is also used to send a remote images, and videos.
work request from an application in a computer that has Step 3: Apply transitions and animations to enhance the
one kind of OS, to an application in a computer with a presentation.
different OS. It also enables newer applications to work Step 4: Save the presentation and practice your
with legacy ones. slideshow.
5. Programming software. Computer programmers use 3. Utility Software
programming software to write code. Programming Example: Running a disk cleanup on a computer.
software and programming tools enable developers to Step 1: Open the Disk Cleanup utility from the Start
develop, write, test and debug other software programs. Menu.
Examples of programming software include assemblers, Step 2: Select the drive you want to clean up and click
compilers, debuggers and interpreters. “OK”.
Step 3: Check the boxes for the types of files you want to
How does software work? delete and click “OK”.
All software provides the directions and data computers Step 4: Confirm the action and wait for the cleanup to
need to work and meet users' needs. However, the two finish.

different types -- application software and system

software -- work in distinctly different ways.
The dimensions of software quality include the following
characteristics: