Computer software

A software is a set of instructions that the processor executes in order to accomplish a given task.
Example include programs, data, protocols etc. Software plays a critical role in computer based
information systems because our hardware will be useless without it. Software is classified into
two major categories which are system software and application software
Application software is a collection of related programs designed to perform a specific task or
to solve a particular problem for the user
The system software is a program that controls the allocation and usage of computer hardware
in order to run application software. starts up (boots) the computer and functions as the principal
coordinator of all the hardware components and application software programs
Types of system software
1. Operating system
The operating system is a set of programs that controls and manages computer hardware
resources and provides common services for efficient execution of various application software.
Operating systems are found on almost all computing devices and are a core software component
in the computer. Examples of Operating systems include window XP, windows 7, Disk
Operating System (DOS), Macintosh Operating system (MAC/OS), Unix, Linux, etc.
Functions of the Operating System
 Allocation of processor time for each programming task that is running
 Manages priority for each running program.
 Handling input operations from the user and from other input devices.
 Provides a means of communication that is it creates an interface between the user and
the hardware.
 Monitors system activities
 Manages files and disk
a. Allocation of resources
i. Memory management; that is allocation of main memory and other storage areas to the
system programmers as well as user programs and data
ii. Time management: Time in the CPU is divides into slices which are measured in
milliseconds. Each task the CPU does is assigned a certain number of time slices. When
times gets expired, another tasks gets into
iii. Input/output management: This is the co-ordination and assignments of the different
output and input devices while one or more programs are being executed.
b. Monitoring system activities
system performance such as the response time, which is how long the computer takes to respond
when data is entered and system security are controlled by the operating system
c. File and disk management
OS keeps track of which files are available and where.
2. Utility software:
Utility software are programs used to support or expand functions of existing programs
Functions of utility programs
- Utility programs help in backing up of computer data
- Data recovery like to recover deleted files
- Virus protection
- Disk compression
- Disk repair etc.

3. Language translators
A language translator is a type of system software that translate a program written in high
level into machine language. Translators are of three kinds: Compiler, assemblers and
interpreters.
A compiler is a language translator that converts the entire program of a high level language
into machine language before the computer executes the program. Programming instructions
of a high level language are called source code. While the code translated into machine
language is called the object code
An assembler is a program that translates the assembly language program into machine
language. It is a low level programming language and therefore easy to translate to machine
code.
An interpreter is a language translator that converts each high level language statement into
machine language and executes it immediately statement by statement. No object code is
saved as in the case of a compiler. Here, code can be tested line by line.
A loader is a software that is responsible for transferring translated programs from the
secondary storage device e.g. Hard disk to the main memory during computer operations.
For example, when you want to work MS Word, the application must be loaded from the
hard disk to the RAM where it can be used.
Interface or user interface. It is the point of interaction between a human and a computer
system. There are basically two main types of interfaces
Graphical User Interface and Command Line Interface
CLI does not have buttons nor graphics found in the GUI, it rather has a text base interface
where users can type in commands. The disk OS and UNIX are some OS that use a
Command line interface.
 Most modern computers systems support the usage of GUI. A GUI is an interface which
interacts with the users through the use of icon, menus, graphics and buttons.
Types of Application software
Word processing: enables users to create and edit text documents e.g. MS Word, latex,
WordPerfect.
Database software: it allows users store and retrieve data from a database e.g. MySQL, MS
Access. A database is a structured collection of data
Spreadsheet software: Allows users to perform calculations e.g. MS Excel, Lotus 1-2-3 and
Apple numbers.
Multimedia software: they allow users to create and play audio and video media e.g. VLC,
Windows media player
Presentation software: they are software used to provide illustrations. It displays information in
the form of slideshows e.g. include MS PowerPoint, Lotus Freelance.
Graphic software: It is a software that permits users to create graphical images in a digital
format e.g. include Adobe Illustrator, paint, Photoshop etc.
Desktop publishing software: These are software which facilitate the placing of text and
graphic on a single page for publicity e.g. Adobe Page maker, MS Publisher
Communication software: these are software used to access the internet examples include
Google Chrome, Opera, Mozilla Firefox.
Assignment:
a) Define the following terms
1) general purpose software
2) Customized software
3) Generic software
4) Special purpose software
b) what is a browser