WORD PROCESSING

PROGRAMS
REPORT BY RAJA MOHAMMAD ALI
Abstract

 Word Processing refers to the act of using a computer to create, edit, save and print
documents. In order to perform word processing, specialized software (known as a
Word Processor) is needed. One example of a Word Processor is Microsoft Word. These
programs allow users to create a wide variety of documents including (Word processing
cycle but certainly not limited to) reports, letters, memos, newsletters and brochures. In
addition to typing text, the word processor allows you to add content such as pictures,
tables, and charts to your documents as well as decorative items including borders and
clipart.
 The editing and formatting capabilities of the word processor demonstrate the
application's true power. Text can be inserted, edited, moved, copied or deleted within
your document and the appearance of the text can be modified in numerous ways.
Word Processing Terminology
 Alignment  Word processing is the act of using a computer to transform written, verbal, or recorded information
into typewritten or printed form. This chapter will discuss the history of word processing, identify
 Application
several popular word processing applications, and define the capabilities of word processors.
 Autocorrect
 Clipboard
 Of all the computer applications in use, word processing is by far the most common. The ability to
 Copying
perform word processing requires a computer and a special type of computer software called a word
 Cursor/ Insertion Point processor. A word processor is a program designed to assist with the production of a wide variety of
 Cutting documents, including letters, memoranda, and manuals, rapidly and at relatively low cost. A typical
word processor enables the user to create documents, edit them using the keyboard and mouse, store
 Document
them for later retrieval, and print them to a printer. Common word processing applications include
 Editing Microsoft Notepad, Microsoft Word, and Corel WordPerfect.
 Footer
 Font
 Word processing technology allows human beings to freely and efficiently share ideas, thoughts,
 Formatting
feelings, sentiments, facts, and other information in written form. Throughout history, the written
 Header word has provided mankind with the ability to transform thoughts into printed words for distribution
 Highlighting to hundreds, thousands, or possibly millions of readers around the world. The power of the written
word to transcend verbal communications is best exemplified by the ability of writers to share
 Landscape
information and express ideas with far larger audiences and the permanency of the written word.
 Legal Size
 Letter size
 Line Spacing
 Paragraph
 Etc.
Introduction

 Word processors have allowed users to record their thoughts, ideas, messages,
and other writings to ever-increasing audiences. Access to inexpensive,
powerful, and easy-to-use word processing technology has radically altered the
workplace, increased communications capabilities, and made it possible for just
about anyone to publish their work. In the years to come, it is certain that word
processing technology will become even more pervasive in society as more
users take advantage of this technology.

 The power, ease of use, and sophistication of word processors will increase,
while the costs associated with its use will decrease. The features wars are far
from over, evidenced by the introduction of exciting new capabilities such as
fully automated formatting, voice recognition, and tighter integration with
operating systems and Internet resources. Recent improvements in word
processors have introduced improved data management features and the ability
to search for and replace multiple word forms such as buy, bought, and other
forms of the same word with the corresponding forms of purchase in a single
operation. Fully integrated software suites will become increasingly common,
and will include extensive data sharing capabilities, natural language help
systems, and eventually maybe even thought recognition capabilities. All of
these exciting new capabilities will play an important role in allowing users to
tap into the power of the world's most sophisticated computer–the human brain.
Ultimately, word processing technology will grow even more ubiquitous as it
continues to improve, becoming tightly ingrained into people's everyday lives
as they communicate with those around them.
The following brief descriptions outline general capabilities of word processing applications.

• Formatting/layout capabilities reflect the application's ability to shape the content of a document
through page layout features.

• Composing/editing capabilities provide tools for adding and modifying text within a document.

• File management capabilities help users easily locate files and store them in an efficient manner.

• Collaboration capabilities allow users to share documents via e-mail, perform group editing, track
revisions, place comments within documents, and consolidate complex documents.

• User automation capabilities are designed to make document creation easier via tools such as
templates, macros, scripts, and mail merge features.

• Advanced capabilities allow users to customize the application to their particular needs through
macro creation and editing capabilities, customizable keyboards and menus, drawing tools, and image
handling features.

All word processors include basic capabilities such as the ability to insert, delete, cut, paste, copy, and
print text. Documents can be saved onto a storage media and later retrieved for editing. See Table III
for a cursory list of basic word processing terms and capabilities.
Comparison between Word processing and  A word processor offers many features not
type writer found in a manual typewriter. Word
processors have far more capacity than
The most obvious advantage of word processing over using a
typewriters for document creation and
typewriter is that the user can make changes without retyping the modification. Using a word processor, it is
entire document. If a typing mistake is made, it can be easily
corrected. Entire paragraphs can be removed without leaving a not necessary to have a small bottle of Liquid
trace. Adding words, sentences, paragraphs, and even entire Paper available just to erase an unwanted
sections is just as easy. Word processors also make it easy to
move text from one section to another within a document or even word. The user does not need a pair of
between documents. After the user has made all the changes he scissors to cut and paste (rearrange) text in a
or she wants, the user can send the electronic file to a printer to
get a fresh hard copy. document as he or she would with a manual
typewriter. Everything is done electronically
with a high degree of speed, efficiency, and
Word processing software permits editing flexibility no effectiveness.
typewriter can match, enabling the user to revise a document
before committing it to paper.

Not only do word processors eliminate the tedium of retyping, Differences between a Word Processor and an
they also permit greater control over the contents of documents. Electric Typewriter
Word processors can be used to quickly and painlessly perform
text entry, correction, substitution, check spelling, cut, copy,
paste, and page layout operations well beyond the capabilities of  While it can be argued that modern electronic
any typewriter. If the user makes a typing mistake, he or she typewriters contain many of the same
simply backs up the cursor and corrects the mistake. If the user
wants to delete a paragraph, he or she simply removes it, without capabilities of word processors, the major
leaving a trace. It is equally easy to insert a word, sentence, or
paragraph in the middle of a document. Word processors also
difference is in the word processor's ease of
make it possible to print multiple copies of documents that are use and huge capacity to create and edit
better reading and better looking than that which is possible from
a typewriter.
sophisticated documents.
Types of Word Processors
Word processors are either character based or contain a GUI. Character-based word
processors do not display documents exactly as they will appear on the printed page. Some
character-based word processors, however, include a “preview” capability, allowing the
user to preview documents as they will appear on the printed page. This useful feature
allows the user to verify that the appearance of the document matches the desired
expectations.

The arrival of popular GUIs such as the Macintosh and Windows operating systems led to a
change in the way word processors handled fonts. Word processors offering a GUI allow
the user to see the document on the computer's display screen exactly as it will appear after
it is printed. In other words, with a GUI word processor what you see is what you get
(known as the acronym WYSIWYG).

Word processor types range from simple text editors to full-featured applications. As the
name implies, a simple text editor contains very limited capabilities such as the ability to
enter, store for later retrieval, modify, and print text.
Text editors lack the sophisticated features of full-featured word processors. Text editors
are easy to learn and use and are commonly used for creating generic American Standard
Code for Information Interchange (ASCII) text files as opposed to binary files created by
more sophisticated word processors. Developed by the American National Standards
Institute (ANSI), ASCII is the most common format for text files in computers and on the
Internet. Due to the very limited character set of ASCII text files, common text
enhancement tools such as underline, bold, and italics cannot be used.

A popular example of a text editor is Microsoft Notepad, which is an accessory

TEXT EDITORS