One device can do many jobs — Computing, 4–6
The same computer can become a drawing tool, music player or storybook because different programs give it different jobs.
Jobs come from programs
A tablet or computer is one machine, but it can do many jobs. A drawing program tells it how to make marks, while a music program tells it how to play sounds. The machine stays the same; the program changes what it does.
Why programs are useful
Making a separate machine for every job would need lots of space and money. A program lets one device change jobs without changing all its parts. That is why the same screen can help you draw in the morning and listen to a story later.
One tablet, three jobs
First, open a drawing app and use your finger to make a red circle. Next, close it and open a music app; the tablet plays a song. Finally, open a story app; it shows pictures and words. Nothing inside the tablet was rebuilt between these jobs.
The app is not the whole machine
It can seem that a drawing app is the thing making the picture, because that is what you see. Actually, the app gives instructions and the tablet carries them out on its screen, memory and other parts. They work together, but they are not the same thing.
Many jobs in real life
A phone can be a camera, map, clock, game and music player because it runs different programs. A shop tablet can show prices, take payments and print a receipt. Each program helps the device do a particular job; it does not make the device able to do everything.
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