Computer Software and Operating System

Software is a set of program to perform a particular task. It is the logical

component or a set of processes to perform a particular task.

The program is a sequence of instructions.

An instruction is a command given to computer to perform certain and

specific operations on given data.

The computer has no use without software. The computer will just be like a
metallic box if there were no software. So, it is the interface between computer and
the user.

Categories of Software:
 System Software
System Software is a software that basically makes the computer
do work. The software required to execute user’s program is called
system software. It is used to control and co-ordinate computer
hardware and software. It is responsible for resource management,
memory management, file management, task scheduling, software
repairing, language translation and system maintainance. The system
software is normally supplied by the computer manufacturer. This
software is usually designed for one type of computer and cannot be
used in other computers without modifications. System softwares are
classified as:
i. Operating System
It is a set of program that controls the execution of
application program and acts as a interface between user and
computer hardware. The operating system is large type of
software that is dependent of hardware. All computers and
computer like devices require operating system including
 laptop, tablet, desktop, smartphones, smart-watch and router.
Most of the operating system uses a complex high level
language program to build a specific operating system for a
computer.
ii. Utility Software
Utility software is a software designed to help, manage, tune
the computer hardware and software. It is a small program
that provides addition to the capabilities provided by an
operating system. Some of examples of utility software are:
Antivirus Software, Backup Utility, Disk Checker,
Compression Software, Disk Cleaner, Defragmentor,
partitioner, file manager, etc.
iii. Language translator
A language translator is a system software that converts
statements written in another language such as from high
level language to machine level language. It performs tasks
such as translating and interpreting different types of
processing for a specified language. It converts any type of
language into machine readable form. There are 3 types of
language translators. They are:
a) Assembler
b) Interpreter
c) Compiler

iv. Device Driver

A device driver is a software that is used to recognize
unknown hardware to a computer system. A device driver is
small software program basically designed for small
 hardware devices like mouse, keyboard, pen-drive, digital
camera, etc.

 Application Software
Application Software is a user oriented software that is used to
solve a particular problem of a user and make user’s task easier.
Application Software allows several types of operations like
creating text, playing games, listening to music, searching on web,
etc. So, application softwares are prepared for doing a specific
task. This program directs computer to solve user oriented problem
such as preparing bill, preparing marks-sheet, video documentry,
presentation, etc.
Application Softwares are categorized into two types:
i. Tailored Software
This type of software is a generalized set of
program designed and developed for general
purpose. It is generally designed to fulfill the
requirements of users or an organization to do a
specific task. This type of software is prepared
by using high level language like C, C#,
Python, Perl, JavaScript, PHP, etc. Some of the
tailored Softwares are:
(a) Hotel Reservation Software
(b) E-Payment Software
(c) Flight Ticketing Software
(d) Hospital Software
(e) School Software
ii. Package Software
 A package software is a set of software which
is generally found in large size, bug-free,
standard and advanced type of software for
solving a specific task. All word processing,
database, graphics, animation, web designing,
etc. are packaged software. This software is
equipped with all essential tools and
technologies to enhance the user productivity.
 Utility Software
Utility software is a software designed to help, manage, tune
the computer hardware and software. It is a small program
that provides addition to the capabilities provided by an
operating system. Some of examples of utility software are:
Antivirus Software, Backup Utility, Disk Checker,
Compression Software, Disk Cleaner, Defragmentor,
partitioner, file manager, etc.

 Web Based Software

A web based software is an application software that is accessed
over a network connection using http within a device memory.
Web-based application runs onside web browser and it includes
light application like flash game, calendar, web-based email, social
networking site, search engine, etc. So, the web based applications
are mainly browsers. For eg. Google Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft
Edge, Safari, Internet Explorer, Opera, DuckDuckGo, etc.
 Mobile Software(Application)
A mobile application is a software application developed
especially for use in small hardwares like laptop, mobile phones,
and tablets. Some of the features of monile application are;
 (a) Faster access Speed
(b) Wireless Connectivity
(c) Battery Operated System,
(d) Inbuilt hardware like camera,
microphone, bluetooth, speaker, etc.
(e) GPS navigation
(f) Telecommunication Coverage,
Concept of Operating System
The operating system is an integrated set of program that
controls the resources like CPU, memory, Input/Output devices of the
computer system. Some of the roles of Operating System are:
(a)
Open Source and Mobile Operating System
Open source is a methodology or approach towards the design and
development of software with the intension of giving the user access to the source
code. If you use open source software, not only will you be able to use it, but you
will also be able to see how it works, debug it, modify it and redistribute it. It is
licensed in a way that makes it legal to use as many copies as wanted.

There are core differences between open source software and free software.
They both represent the same core idea. The open source allows the commercial
utilization of the code with the motive of profit. Many companies such as Red Hat
gain significant profit from the sell, distribution, maintenance and service.
However, free software cannot be used for commercial purposes.

Introduction to UNIX and Linux

UNIX
UNIX is a powerful, flexible and manageable Operating System with good
utilities and communication abilities. It is a multi-user, multi-tasking and multi-
processing Operating System. It was used in bigger sized machines like mainframe
and mini-computer. It was developed by “AT and Bell Labs” around at times of
1970s. The development of UNIX has given birth to many Operating Systems that
can work on different size of a computer. It can work on a single and multiple
processors. It is developed in C-language and assembly language. Many of the
popular commercial Operating Systems are: