In the last lesson, we discussed a few basic components of an operating system. Now, let's go more in-depth with one of them—applications (apps), which are also known as programs.
As we learned in the last lesson, apps are a type of software that gives you the ability to perform specific tasks. The tasks vary from app to app, depending on their type.
When you open an app, it runs within the operating system until you close it. You can open more than one app at once, in a process aptly called multi-tasking.
As we learned in the last lesson, apps are a type of software that gives you the ability to perform specific tasks. The tasks vary from app to app, depending on their type.
When you open an app, it runs within the operating system until you close it. You can open more than one app at once, in a process aptly called multi-tasking.
Types of Apps
![Picture](/uploads/8/1/8/5/81850832/4436804_orig.png)
1. File Browsers
File browsers, such as Finder on OS X and Windows Explorer on Windows allow you to browse the files you've stored on your computer. Both consist of three sections: a sidebar, a file window, and a top bar.
The sidebar contains a customizable list of most used, or favorite, folders. You can add and remove folders to your favorites list by "dragging and dropping" (click here for a tutorial on "dragging and dropping. The instructions apply to all versions of OS X and Windows.)
The file window displays all of the files and folders are within the folder that you have selected. It also shows thumbnails and file names, just like the desktop. In both Finder and Windows Explorer, you can change the file window to display the files in a list or in a grid.
The top bar contains a search bar, in which you can type the name of a specific file to find it. It also contains the name of the current folder, and a forward and back button to go to the previous or next file window.
File browsers, such as Finder on OS X and Windows Explorer on Windows allow you to browse the files you've stored on your computer. Both consist of three sections: a sidebar, a file window, and a top bar.
The sidebar contains a customizable list of most used, or favorite, folders. You can add and remove folders to your favorites list by "dragging and dropping" (click here for a tutorial on "dragging and dropping. The instructions apply to all versions of OS X and Windows.)
The file window displays all of the files and folders are within the folder that you have selected. It also shows thumbnails and file names, just like the desktop. In both Finder and Windows Explorer, you can change the file window to display the files in a list or in a grid.
The top bar contains a search bar, in which you can type the name of a specific file to find it. It also contains the name of the current folder, and a forward and back button to go to the previous or next file window.
![Picture](/uploads/8/1/8/5/81850832/508223099.jpg?374)
2. Web Browsers
A web browser allows you to access webpages on the internet, such as Google, Yahoo, and Facebook. We will discuss webpages and the internet in later lessons. You're viewing this lesson by using a browser!
Most computers come with a web browser pre-installed. OS X computers come pre-installed with Safari, Windows 10 computers come pre-installed with Microsoft Edge, and computers running Windows 8 or lower come pre-installed with Internet Explorer. The two most commonly used alternatives are Mozilla Firefox, Opera, and Google Chrome. You must install Firefox, Opera, Chrome separately, but many people prefer them to Safari, Edge and Internet Explorer.
Pictured above are (clockwise, from the top left) Safari, Internet Explorer, Firefox, Opera, and Chrome.
A web browser allows you to access webpages on the internet, such as Google, Yahoo, and Facebook. We will discuss webpages and the internet in later lessons. You're viewing this lesson by using a browser!
Most computers come with a web browser pre-installed. OS X computers come pre-installed with Safari, Windows 10 computers come pre-installed with Microsoft Edge, and computers running Windows 8 or lower come pre-installed with Internet Explorer. The two most commonly used alternatives are Mozilla Firefox, Opera, and Google Chrome. You must install Firefox, Opera, Chrome separately, but many people prefer them to Safari, Edge and Internet Explorer.
Pictured above are (clockwise, from the top left) Safari, Internet Explorer, Firefox, Opera, and Chrome.
![Picture](/uploads/8/1/8/5/81850832/277456139.png)
3. Word Processors
Word processors allow you to make documents with text, pictures, and diagrams. You can write a letter, design a flyer or brochure, type a report/paper/article, and so much more using a word processor. Common word processors include Microsoft Word and Pages (OS X Only). They are both fully featured, but the only downside is that they both cost money. Free alternatives include Apache OpenOffice, LibreOffice, and Google Docs (a website).
Word processors allow you to make documents with text, pictures, and diagrams. You can write a letter, design a flyer or brochure, type a report/paper/article, and so much more using a word processor. Common word processors include Microsoft Word and Pages (OS X Only). They are both fully featured, but the only downside is that they both cost money. Free alternatives include Apache OpenOffice, LibreOffice, and Google Docs (a website).
4. Media Players
Media players do exactly what they sound like—play media! If you want to listen to any audio or video, you need a media player. Popular media players are Windows Media Player (Video/Audio - Windows), iTunes (Audio - OS X/Windows), and Quicktime (Video - OS X).
Media players do exactly what they sound like—play media! If you want to listen to any audio or video, you need a media player. Popular media players are Windows Media Player (Video/Audio - Windows), iTunes (Audio - OS X/Windows), and Quicktime (Video - OS X).