This document outlines the objectives and content for a training to enable trainees to understand basic computer software concepts. It aims to discuss what software is, how it requires hardware to function, different types of software including application, system, and malicious software. The training further explains software architectures like standalone, client-server, and web-based; common software components like the user interface, file storage, and database; and why we develop software to solve problems and improve productivity.

1. Aim: To enable the trainees understand the basics of a computer software
Objectives:
1. Talk about the meaning of a software - ask them what they think a software is?
1.1. Software is a set of instructions that tells the computer what to do. these
instructions are understandable by the machine, since the machine is not as
intelligent as us, its easier to teach the machine what exactly to do than have
them learn what we do. Machines are faster so they can perform task more
effectively than us.
2.
3. Introduce hardware as what a software needs to function
4. Identify the core components of a hardware system - CPU, Memory(temporary storage),
Disk Drive (persistent storage) - ask them to give examples of persistent storage
5.
6. Talk about the different types of software
7. Focus on Business Applications( describe ERP as being at the heart of these
group ) and relate it to what they are learning (OpenERP) - briefly discuss
OpenERP, meaning of ERP, why Organizations needs it, How it will function in the
organization etc.
7.1. Application software, which uses the computer system to perform special
functions or provide entertainment functions beyond the basic operation of the
computer itself.
7.2. System software, which is designed to directly operate the computer hardware,
to provide basic functionality needed by users and other software, and to provide
a platform for running application software.[3] System software includes:
7.2.1. Operating systems, which are essential collections of software that
manage resources and provides common services for other software that
runs "on top" of them
7.2.2. Device drivers, which operate or control a particular type of device that is
attached to a computer
7.2.3. Utilities, which are computer programs designed to assist users in
maintenance and care of their computers.
7.3. Malicious software or malware, which are computer programs developed to
harm and disrupt computers.
8.
9. Differentiate standalone, web-based and client-server software architectures
9.1. Desktop applications such as web browsers and Microsoft Office, as well as
smartphone and tablet applications (called "apps").

2. 9.2. Web applications, which usually run on the web server and output dynamically
generated web pages to web browsers, using e.g. PHP, Java or ASP.NET, or
even JavaScript that runs on the server..
9.3. Plugins and extensions are software that extends or modifies the functionality of
another piece of software, and require that software be used in order to function;
9.4. Embedded software resides as firmware within embedded systems, devices
dedicated to a single use or a few uses such as cars and televisions (although
some embedded devices such as wireless chipsets can themselves be part of an
ordinary, non-embedded computer system such as a PC or smartphone)
9.5. Microcode is a special, relatively obscure type of embedded software which tells
the processor itself how to execute machine code, so it is actually a lower level
than machine code.
10. Describe briefly what data is? & different formats such as images, text, videos, sound etc
11. Describe the components of a software - User Interface, File Storage System, Database,
Instructions
12. Identify the various components of the UI - buttons, form elements etc and the functions
they perform
13. Why we develop software - to solve specific problems & improve productivity
14.
15. Briefly describe what software architectures are?
15.1. The term can be defined as the set of structures needed to reason about the
software system, which comprises the software elements, the relations between
them, and the properties of both elements and relations
Next Class: Process of Developing a Software - tools required, methodologies, steps taken, req.
analysis, coding, testing, design etc.
Separate Class: Briefly describe what software architectures are?