Anzures, Pamela Grace T. 2011 Mrs. Marilyn L.

Bansagan Summary of System and Application Software

September 28, APM11

SYSTEM SOFTWARE System software performs tasks like transferring data from memory to disk, or rendering text onto a display device.

Specific Kinds of System Software: loading programs operating systems device drivers programming tools compilers assemblers linkers utility software

User-written software tailors systems to meet the user's specific needs. User-written software includes spreadsheet templates, word processor macros, scientific simulations and graphics and animation scripts. Even email filters are a kind of user software. Users create this software themselves and often overlook how important it is.

Three Kinds of Programs:

System software consists of three kinds of programs namely:

1)

System Management Programs

These are programs that manage the application software, computer hardware, and data resources of the computer system. These programs include operating systems, operating environment monitor programs, programs. database Among management the most programs, important and system telecommunications these,

management programs are operating systems. Telecommunications monitor programs are additions of the operating systems of microcomputers. These programs provide the extra logic for the computer system to control a class of communications devices.

2)

System Support Programs

These are the programs that help the operations and management of a computer system. They provide a variety of support services to let the computer hardware and other system programs run efficiently. The major system support programs are system utility programs, system performance monitor programs, and system security monitor programs (virus checking programs).

3)

System Development Programs

These are programs that help users develop information system programs and prepare user programs for computer processing. These programs may analyze and design systems and program itself. The main system development programs are programming language translators, programming environment programs, computer-aided software engineering packages.

What is Application Software? Application software utilizes the capacities of a computer directly to a dedicated task. It manipulates text, numbers and graphics. It can be in the form of software focused on a certain single task like word processing, spreadsheet or playing of audio and video files.

Different Types of Application Software:

Word Processing Software: This software enables the users to create and edit documents. The most popular examples of this type of software are MS-Word, WordPad, Notepad and some other text editors.

Database Software: Database is a structured collection of data. A computer database relies on database software to organize the data and enable the database users to achieve database operations. Database software allows the users to store and retrieve data from databases. Examples are Oracle, MS Access, etc.

Spreadsheet Software: Spreadsheet software allows users to perform calculations. They simulate paper worksheets by displaying multiple cells that make up a grid. Excel, Lotus 1-2-3 and Apple Numbers are some examples of spreadsheet software.

Multimedia Software: They allow the users to create and play audio and video media. They are capable of playing media files. Audio converters, players, burners, video encoders and decoders are some forms of multimedia software. Examples of this type of software include Real Player and Media Player.

Presentation Software: The software that is used to display information in the form of a slide show is known as presentation software. This type of software includes three functions, namely, editing that allows insertion and formatting of text, methods to include graphics in the text and a functionality of executing the slide shows. Microsoft PowerPoint is the best example of presentation software.

Examples of Application Software:

1)

Enterprise Software: It deals with the needs of organization processes and data flow. The customer

relationship management or the financial processes in an organization are carried out by means of enterprise software.

2)

Information Worker Software: Individual projects within a department and individual needs of creation and

management of information are handled by information worker software. Documentation tools, resource management tools and personal management systems fall under the category of this form of application software.

3)

Educational Software: It has the capabilities of running tests and tracking progress. It also has the

capabilities of collaborative software. It is often used in teaching and self-learning.

4)

Simulation Software: It is sed to simulate physical or abstract systems, simulation software finds

applications in both, research and entertainment. Flight simulators and scientific simulators find a place in the list of simulation software.

5)

Content Access Software: It is used to access content without editing. The common examples of content access

software are web browsers and media players.