Computer ch4 notes.

Without software hard ware would be useless that’s why we

have softwares.
There are 2 types of software
1) System software: those programs which make hardware
run properly and allow user to communicate with comp.
2) Application software: allow user to carry out specific
tasks.
Features of system software
1) Set of programs manage and control hardware.
2) Provides platform for other softwares.
3) Allows software and hardware to run without
problems.
Features of application software
1) Use to perform apps on comp.
2) Allow user to perform specific task.
3) User can excute software when they req.
Ex of system software:
1) Compilers: is program which translate program
written in (hll) to (lll) so that the comp can use it
to perform req task. Code before complitation is
called source code after object code. Ex java.
2) Utilities: is program designed to carry out specifc
tasks like control,manage, maintain comp
resources. Ex anti virus. Screen savers
 3) o/s : it is program that manages the basic function
of comp without it most comp would un-user
friendly. And it would be hard to work with
comps.ex i/o functions. User to communicate with
comp. windows.
Ex of app software
1) spreadsheet: it helps user to organize data in
form of integer,string whatever in columns ans
numbered rows.
2) Apps: are softwars runned on phones or tablets
they are installed from playstore and range
from games to online banking.
3) Video editing software: they allow user to
manipulate and handle videos and clips to
produce new ones by adding titles chaning
contrast color ratio,adding sound etc.
Virus checkers: any comp,phone or tablet could get a virus.
They check the files or apps before they are runned or
downloaded. It does not open files or emails send from
unknown websites. The anti vsoftware checks from virus from
indentified list of of virus and comapres them to the possible
virus. They need to be updated and full system check need to
be done regurlarly.
Defragmentation software: Defragmentation is a process that
helps organize the data on your hard drive for better
performance. When you save files or install programs, the
data is often split into small pieces and stored in different
parts of the hard drive—this is called "fragmentation." As a
result, the computer has to search in multiple places to find all
parts of a file, which can slow it down.
Defragmentation works by gathering all these scattered pieces
of data and placing them close together in a more organized
manner. This makes it easier and faster for the computer to
access files because they’re stored in one continuous section.
Backupsoftware: it helps to protect impt data. It makes a
schedule for the backing up to be made and only carries it out
if a change has been made to a file. For total security there 3
version of a file: current version stored on internal hdd.
Locally backed up stored on portable ssd. And a remote back
up version.using cloud storage. Windows restore files,data
from backup. It restores comp to its past state. Backs up files
are loaded up automatically to a chosen device.
Security software: it manges access control and user accounts
by ids and passwords, it links into other softwares like
spyware or virus checkers. It uses incryption and decryption
keys and uses firewall to protect network interface.
Screen savers: it supplies moving and still images on monitor
of comp after period of inactivity. Originally they were
introduced to protect CRT from phosphorus burn now used
as customization or security of comp system. If its not being
used screen saver will be loaded.
Device drivers: Device drivers are small programs that help your computer communicate with
hardware devices like printers, keyboards, or graphics cards. They act as a bridge between the operating
system and the hardware, making sure everything works smoothly. Without drivers, the hardware
wouldn't function properly, and you might see a message saying "device not recognized" on your screen.
All usb device drivers have info about devices called descriptors. So it asks descriptors (VID) and (PID)
and serial no if it dosent have serial no. comp will treat new evrythime it is plugged in.

o/s: its make comp systems function correctly and allows users to
communicate with comp system it needs to be installed. It provides
enviromnement for application to run and an interface for b/w
human and comp. ex windows apple ios. Most o/s are stored on HDD
or SSD since they are large programs.
Functions of O/S
1) HCI
2) Multi tasking
3) Memory management
4) Platform for running app software.
HCI focuses on how users interact with the system. It is in form of CLI
or GUI. In CLI user have to type commands to just carry out basic
operations like loading or slecting a file. While it can be slow and time
consuming. But user is in direct communication with comp and not
restricted to predermined options. While in GUI user interacts by
icons or pics. It uses various technologies one is WIMP:
 Windows: Boxes where different applications or files are shown.
 Icons: Small pictures representing apps or files.
 Menus: Lists of options or commands to choose from.
 Pointers: The arrow or cursor you move to click on things.

Advantages b/w CUI/GUI

CLl
1) User is in direct communication with comp.
2) It uses small memory on comp
 3) User is not restricted to pre determined options.
Diaadvantages
1) User has to learn commands to carry out basic functions.
2) It can be time comsuming and slow.
3) It has to be in correct format spelling etc.
GUI ADVANTAGES
1) It is more user friendly as icons are used.
2) User dosent need to learn commands.
3) It is faster and easier than typing commands.
Disadvantages
1) It uses more memory than ClI.
2) User is restriced to pre determined options.
3) It uses O/S such as windows to operate which uses quite
a bit memory.
So basically
Cli: it should be used by programmers technicans who
need direct communication with comp to develop
softwares or remove errors etc.
GUI: it should be used by someone who dosent have
great knowledge of comp and uses for apps running or
playing games. An ordinary person.
Memory management: Memory management is the process that a computer's
operating system uses to handle and allocate memory (RAM) to different programs. Here's how
it works, simply:

1. Allocation: When a program needs memory, the operating system gives it a specific
amount of RAM to use.
2. Tracking: The system keeps track of which parts of memory are being used and by
which programs.
3. Freeing: When a program finishes, the system reclaims the memory so other programs
can use it.
4. Swapping: If the system runs out of RAM, it moves data to the hard drive temporarily
(called virtual memory) to free up space.
 5. Conflict: If two apps run at the same time using the same memory locations, the
computer could crash, data could be lost, or worse.

Security management: it makes sure to ensure the

confidentiality , integrity of data and how legit is it:
It uses some features to do it:
1) It keeps O.S upto date by reguraly updating
2) It keeps anti- virus software up to date.
3) It offers the abilty to recover data.
4) Also prevents illegal intrusion in comp
Hardware peripheral management: it manges input and
output devices that are not main part of comp unit ex
mouse ,printer etc.
It communicates with all i/o devices using the suitable
device drivers converts them into a format they devices
can understand. And ensures each hardware resorce has
a priorty so it can be used when wanted and after done
relased back for avaliblty. It manges I/O using queues
and buffers.
File management: here its main tasks
1) File naming rules are used to name it
2) Specific tasks are performed with files like deleting
open closer move
3) Maintain how they are organized in comp.
4) Ensuring the acces control on files.
Multi tasking: allows comp to perform more than one
task at the same time. Each process shares hardware
resources unter the control of O/S. and needs to be
monitered reguraly o they don’t clash.
1) Resources are given to process for a specific time
limit
2) Process can be interrupted while running. It allows
O/S to mange better
3) Process is given prority the higher the more easily it
will get resources or sooner.
Management of user accounts: comp allows more
than one user to log on to the comp and so data is
secured in diff parts of memory due to security
reasons. Each user gets an account protected by
username and password. The admistrator then
amanges the account as he can create delete
accounts assign acces levels and moniter user
activity and can even disable accounts.
Running of applications: When you click on an application icon, the
operating system (OS) takes charge and loads the app from the hard drive into memory
(RAM) for quick access. The OS then communicates with the hardware, such as the CPU
and graphics card, to perform tasks. Firmware, like BIOS, acts as a translator between
the OS and hardware, ensuring instructions are understood. As you interact with the
app, the OS processes your inputs, with the CPU handling data and RAM storing
temporary information. Outputs are sent back to the OS, which instructs the hardware
to display results on the monitor. This teamwork continues in a loop until you close the
app, at which point the OS frees up the resources used.

Interrupts: it is a signal sent from a device or software

to the microprocessor. Causing it to stop. And service
the interrupt. It can be caused by:
1) Timing signal
2) i/o process
3) hardware fault
4) software fault.
Once the the. signal is received it can either carry
on or look at the interrupt. It is identified what type
of interrupt it was and its priority level is also
identified. Interrupts allow comp to carry out many
functions at same time. As data is being passed
in/out of memory very fast. This can be done using
buffer. When it is serviced the staus of interrupted
task is saved. After it is serviced the status of
interrupted task is resumed. Ex scenario
downloading file and listeing to music.
4.2
TYPES OF PROGRAMING LANGUAGES:
Programmers use many diff programing
languages to interact with comp. comp can only
understand machine code.
HIGH level language: it enables programmer to
focus on the problem and req no knowledge of
hardware and instruction set of comp. many HLL
can be used on diff types of comps. If a program is
written in high level language:
1) easier to understand
2) can be written in shorter time
3) debug easily at developmet stage. Ex java, C++
Low level language: they are harder to
understand and can referred as machine code,
the binary instructions which comp understand
or assembly language that need to be
translated. Programmers don’t write in it as it is
very hard. It is written in hex-decimal.
High level languages
Advantages
1) easier to read and write
2) easier to debunk
3) independent of comp being used.
Diadavantages
1) programs can be big
2) it can take longer to excute
3) and make not make use of special
hardware
low level languages
advantages
1) make use of special hardware
2) code that performs task very quckly
3) code that dosent take up much space.
Disadvantages:
1) harder to understand
2) take more time to debunk.
 Assembly language: few programmers
write in this language they do for
following reasons:
1) to make use of special hardware
2) to write code that dosent take
much space
3) to write code that perform task
quickly.
It needs to be translated into
machine code using assembler.
Translators: program trnalsated
into binary before comp can use it
is done using a program called
translator.
Compiler: it is a program that trabslates HLL program into
machine code in one go so that it can be understoond by
comp. once it is complied machine code can be used again and
again.
Interpreters: it tanslates hll program into machine code
statement by statement. If error is detected a message is
shown and correction is suggested. It needs to be interpreted
each time run.
Assembler: same as compiler. Except it can be performed
again and again without re-assembly. And translate ll
assembly language.
Compiler
1) translate hll into machine code
2) an excutablle file of machine code is produced
3) it is runned without compiler.
Interpreter
1) excute hll into machine code line by line
2) no excutable file is produced.
3) Cannot be run without interpreter
Assembler: 1) translate LL assembly language into
machine code.
3) Excutable file is produced.
4) Can run without assembler.
INTERPRETER advantages
1) Easier and quicker to debunk
2) Easier to edit programs
Disadvantages
1) Cannot be run without
interpreter.
2) Longer to excute.
Compiler advantages
1) Can be excuted without
compiler
2) Take less space in memory
3) Can be excuted quickly
(IDE): are used by programmers to aid writing and
development of programs. Some support only 1 language
while others support several.
Features of IDE
1) Code editiors
2) Translators
3) Auto completion etc