SOFTWARE

Computer software

Computer software comprises a set of machine-readable instructions that directs a computer’s

processor to perform specific operations. Computer software can be divided into the following
types:
– System software
– Programming tools and language translators
– Application software
 SYSTEM SOFTWARE
– There are three categories of system software:
–  Operating system software
–  Utility software
–  Communications software
– Operating system software
– An operating system (OS) is the software that controls the operation of the Computer.
Examples of operating systems include
DOS (short for disk operating System), Android.
Windows 95, 98, ME, NT, XP, Vista, Windows 7
Unix, Linux,
 Command Line Operating Systems

DOS is an example of a command line operating system.

On the next slide, Notice that there are no:

– Icons (pictures)
– Colors
– Mouse Pointer
– Buttons
– You have to memorize commands in order to use this text based operating
system.
 Operating Systems: GUI

– GUI stands for Graphical User Interface

– Uses pictures (icons) to represent files, folders, disk drives, modems, printers,
etc.
– GUI’s were created to make using a computer easier, more interesting, non-
threatening to inexperienced users.
– A mouse allows users to point at something and click to make it work. With
command line you have to have all of the commands to make your programs
work.
– Here is an example of a GUI
 WINDOWS
– Salient features of Windows Operating System:
– 1. It converts the plain character based user interface provided by DOS into a Graphical User Interface(GUI) such as
pictures, symbols and words on your screen that can be controlled by the mouse.
– 2. It provides a multitasking capabilities to the PC.
– 3. It supports long file name rather than the limited 8 characters with extension of three letter file name (8:3) as used by
DOS. In Windows file name can have name up to 255 characters long.
– 4. Windows owes its name to the fact that it runs each program or document or application in its own separate window.
– 5. Windows have the facility of accessories such as Word pad, Note pad, Calculator and Paint.
– 6. User can paste portion of one document into another by utilizing more advanced document linking features called
Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE), Object Linking and Embedding (OLE).
– 7. It provides a big facility of plug and play standard. It allows user to simply plug a new board such as a video, audio or
network card into the computer without having a set of switches or making other settings.
– 8. If a program crashes, then it will display fault error message about its crash and you can eliminate the crashed
program from the task list without affecting other running applications.
 Key features of OS include:

–  The OS controls all operations within the computer itself

–  The OS controls the operation of all other software, such as the application
software
–  The OS controls the operation of all the other hardware connected to the
computer
–  The OS provides systems security. For example, it enables work to be saved
and provides password protection
–  The OS also provides the graphical user interface (GUI) between the user and
the computer
 Functions of Operating System :

Today most operating systems perform the following important functions :

1. Processor management : It manages the assignment of processor to different tasks being performed by the computer
system.
2. Memory management : It manages the allocation of main memory and other storage areas to the system programmes as
well as user programmes and data.
3. Input / Output management : It manages the co-ordination and assignment of different Input and Output devices while one
or more programmes are executed.
4. File management : It allows all files to be easily changed and modified through the use of text editors or some other file
manipulation routines.
5. Establishment and enforcement of a priority system : It determines and maintains the order in which jobs are to be
executed in the computer system.
6. Interpretation of commands and instructions.
– Where is the operating system located?
– Operating System resides on ROM chip in handhelds
devices like PDA, Mobile Phone.
– Operating System resides on hard disk in most computer
cases.
 OS CPU Management

Processing applications
Multitasking = ability of the operating system run multiple software programs
(only one programs gets processed at a time)
Multiprocessing = ability of the operating system to run multiple software
programs at the same time
Number of users with simultaneous access
Multiuser = ability of the operating system to allow multiple users access to the
same computer at the same time
Single user = the operating system only allows a single user at a time access to
the computer
 Utility software

– Utility software performs a variety of functions on the computer, such as

copying files, sorting data on files and checking for viruses.
– Utilities are either:
–  provided with the operating system by its developer (e.g. a file copying utility); or

–  purchased in the form of utility packages (e.g. Norton Utilities anti-virus software)
– Utility programs provide many of the background operations essential for
the efficient operation of any computer system such as continuous
protection against viruses.
 Communications software

– Communications software
– Communications software controls the transmission of data
within a computer network making it possible to send and
receive data over media such as telephone lines and fibre optic
cables
 Networks

– A network is a group of computers that share information and hardware.

– The computers are connected together using copper phone wires, fiber optic
cables, or radio waves.
– Our computers are on a network here at school...Look under the table and see
the blue wires that connect your computer to the network.
– The internet is many networks around the world that are all connected together
to make 1 huge network.
 PROGRAMMING TOOLS AND LANGUAGE
TRANSLATORS

– Programming tools are software that assists programmers with writing programs. Software is
written in a programming language, such as ‘Java’, which is used in the development of Internet
applications. Programs written in a particular programming language have to be ‘translated’
into a binary coded form that the
 APPLICATION SOFTWARE

– Application software enables computer users to do their jobs. Application

software can be classified into two broad types:
–  Off-the-shelf software or software packages. This is software that can be purchased (or
may in some cases be free such as Google docs) from a supplier and installed on the
computer. Examples include accounting software packages, word processing packages (e.g.
Microsoft Word), spreadsheet packages (e.g. Microsoft Excel), presentation packages (e.g.
Microsoft PowerPoint) and database packages (e.g. Microsoft Access)
–  Bespoke software or tailored software. These are programs that are written for a specific
purpose, to meet the user’s specific processing requirements. Bespoke software is
commonly used by larger organisations to fulfil their special purpose needs which cannot be
completed by off-the shelf software.
 Application Software

1. Business software: word processors, spreadsheets, and database programs.

2. Communication software: allows computers to communicate with other computers: fax software,
Novell NetWare, AOL, Modem Software.
3. Graphics software: software that allows users to create and manipulate graphics...Photoshop, Print
Shop, etc.
4. Education and Reference software: Programs that help teach new material and ideas, and programs
that can be used to find information...Encarta, Worldbook Encyclopedia, Jumpstart Kindergarten,
MicroType.
5. Entertainment and Leisure software... Games Warcraft, Age of Empires, Barbie Design Center, Mrs.
Pacman, Solitair
6. Integrated software: Combines several types of software into one program or package...Quicken
(Spreadsheet/data base/communications/reference) or Print Shop (Graphics/Word processor).
 Computer Applications and Society
– Education
– Finance
– Government
– Health Care
– Science
– Publishing
– Travel
–