Word processing is the art of text manipulation. It involves creating and producing professional looking documents such as letters, memos, reports, etc.
A Word Processor is a computer program that enables a person to create, save, retrieve, edit, format, and print text based documents.
Initially, the term Word processor was used to refer a computer system with a special piece of software used for the production of documents.
Purpose of Word Processing.
A Word processor is a tool that can be used to prepare and produce documents.
A Word Processor is a computer program that enables a person to create, save, retrieve, edit, format, and print text based documents.
Initially, the term Word processor was used to refer a computer system with a special piece of software used for the production of documents.
Purpose of Word Processing.
A Word processor is a tool that can be used to prepare and produce documents.
It can be used in;
(i). Writing Letters (i.e., Business and general mail).
(ii). Writing Memos.
(iii). Writing Books.
(iv). Writing Articles, Research letters such as Reports/thesis and Term papers.
(v). Writing Essays and Projects.
(vi). Writing Curriculum vitae and Resumes.
(vii). Writing weekly Newsletters on sports, entertainment, etc.
(viii). Writing Lease agreements and other legal documents.
Characteristics of a Word processor.
A Word processor can be used to produce quality-finished documents of high standards.
The following are some of the facilities provided by all Word processors;
1. They allow the user to create a file, save it, and retrieve (recover/open) it when required for reuse, printing, editing or formatting.
2. Has Text- editing features.
3. Contains Text and Page formatting features.
4. Enables Printing of documents.
5. Has an inbuilt dictionary.
6. Contains Tools such as Spelling and grammar checkers.
7. Typing errors can be corrected and the text modified before printing the final version.
8. Enables the use of document templates, which can be used to quickly create the most frequently used documents once the format has been set.
All Word processors have similar document windows with the following features;
(a). They are designed to look like a piece of paper with a few electronic improvements.
(i). Writing Letters (i.e., Business and general mail).
(ii). Writing Memos.
(iii). Writing Books.
(iv). Writing Articles, Research letters such as Reports/thesis and Term papers.
(v). Writing Essays and Projects.
(vi). Writing Curriculum vitae and Resumes.
(vii). Writing weekly Newsletters on sports, entertainment, etc.
(viii). Writing Lease agreements and other legal documents.
Characteristics of a Word processor.
A Word processor can be used to produce quality-finished documents of high standards.
The following are some of the facilities provided by all Word processors;
1. They allow the user to create a file, save it, and retrieve (recover/open) it when required for reuse, printing, editing or formatting.
2. Has Text- editing features.
3. Contains Text and Page formatting features.
4. Enables Printing of documents.
5. Has an inbuilt dictionary.
6. Contains Tools such as Spelling and grammar checkers.
7. Typing errors can be corrected and the text modified before printing the final version.
8. Enables the use of document templates, which can be used to quickly create the most frequently used documents once the format has been set.
All Word processors have similar document windows with the following features;
(a). They are designed to look like a piece of paper with a few electronic improvements.
(b). The screen is blank before typing of text.
(c). There is a Cursor, which blinks at the position where you can begin entering text.
(d). There is a Status bar that provides the user with information about current status such as saving operation, the name of the file in use, the current page, and column cursor position.
(e). Word wrap: A facility/feature that automatically moves a word or cursor to the beginning of the next line if there is insufficient room at the end of the current line.
(f). Scrolling: This is the vertical movement of text document on the screen, either using the Up or Down arrow keys, Page Up or Page Down keys, or using the Mouse in Windows based word processors.
(g). Help: Contains instructions, tips, pointers, explanations and guidance on how to use an application.
(h). Editing modes: Word processors have two editing modes; Insert mode and Type over mode.
In Insert mode, every character typed between words, lines or characters is placed at the cursor position. This pushes all the text in front of the cursor away without deleting it.
(c). There is a Cursor, which blinks at the position where you can begin entering text.
(d). There is a Status bar that provides the user with information about current status such as saving operation, the name of the file in use, the current page, and column cursor position.
(e). Word wrap: A facility/feature that automatically moves a word or cursor to the beginning of the next line if there is insufficient room at the end of the current line.
(f). Scrolling: This is the vertical movement of text document on the screen, either using the Up or Down arrow keys, Page Up or Page Down keys, or using the Mouse in Windows based word processors.
(g). Help: Contains instructions, tips, pointers, explanations and guidance on how to use an application.
(h). Editing modes: Word processors have two editing modes; Insert mode and Type over mode.
In Insert mode, every character typed between words, lines or characters is placed at the cursor position. This pushes all the text in front of the cursor away without deleting it.
In Type over mode, every character typed deletes what was there before and replaces it with new text at the cursor position.
Advantages of Word processors.
(i). A document can be stored in the computer for future reference in computer files. The files do not occupy physical space like the one on paper; hence, this creates a paperless document processing environment.
(ii). Typing using a word processor is easier and more efficient because some actions are automated.
(iii). Most word processors have special editing tools such as Spelling and grammar checkers that help the user to easily correct grammar and spelling mistakes. Thesaurus helps to find a word with similar meanings.
(iv). Most word processors have Insert and Type over modes. Therefore, one can easily insert or replace a word or a phrase without affecting the structure and neatness of the document.
(v). Word processors have superior document formatting features such as underlining, boldfacing, italicization, applying different colours, etc.
Formatting refers to the art of making the document more attractive and appealing to the eye.
(vi). A Word processor enables one to produce many copies of a document through printing; whereas, a typewriter may require retying of the entire document when we want many copies.
(vii). Word processor has Cut, Copy and Paste commands that enable the user to incorporate other text without having to retype it.
(viii). Provides secrecy in writing documents through Passwords.
(ix). Allow simple arithmetic operations such as additions, multiplications, etc
(x). Allows Mail merging (combining of several documents).
Factors to consider when choosing a Word processor.
1. The type of operating system (compatibility)
2. Its user-friendliness (ease to use).
3. It’s formatting and editing features. They should be good and in variety.
Advantages of Word processors.
(i). A document can be stored in the computer for future reference in computer files. The files do not occupy physical space like the one on paper; hence, this creates a paperless document processing environment.
(ii). Typing using a word processor is easier and more efficient because some actions are automated.
(iii). Most word processors have special editing tools such as Spelling and grammar checkers that help the user to easily correct grammar and spelling mistakes. Thesaurus helps to find a word with similar meanings.
(iv). Most word processors have Insert and Type over modes. Therefore, one can easily insert or replace a word or a phrase without affecting the structure and neatness of the document.
(v). Word processors have superior document formatting features such as underlining, boldfacing, italicization, applying different colours, etc.
Formatting refers to the art of making the document more attractive and appealing to the eye.
(vi). A Word processor enables one to produce many copies of a document through printing; whereas, a typewriter may require retying of the entire document when we want many copies.
(vii). Word processor has Cut, Copy and Paste commands that enable the user to incorporate other text without having to retype it.
(viii). Provides secrecy in writing documents through Passwords.
(ix). Allow simple arithmetic operations such as additions, multiplications, etc
(x). Allows Mail merging (combining of several documents).
Factors to consider when choosing a Word processor.
1. The type of operating system (compatibility)
2. Its user-friendliness (ease to use).
3. It’s formatting and editing features. They should be good and in variety.
