COMPUTER

SOFTWARE
• The term Software describes the programs that run on
your system. This includes your computer operating
system and other computer programs which run. Software
is written in a computer language (such as Basic, C, Java,
or others) by programmers.
Computer software is typically classified into two major
types of programs:
• System Software
• Application Software
System Software
• is a set of programs that control or
maintain the operations of the computer
and its devices. System software serves
as the interface between the user, the
application software, and the computer’s
hardware.
• Controls a computer’s operations and
manages a computer’s resources.
• It includes the operating system, utilities,
and computer programming tools.
Types of System Software:
• Operating System
• Utility Software
Operating System
• Operating system (OS) - is a set of programs containing
instruction that coordinate all the activities among
computer hardware resources.
Operating System
• - Controls the allocation of hardware resources such as
memory space and CPU processing time, and handles the
basic input and output (I/O) for data flowing from and to storage
devices (such as hard disks) and peripherals (such as your
keyboard). The operating system allows application software to
access system resources without the applications having to
know the details about the system hardware. The operating
system often allocates resources and processing time between
several programs which are running at once, which is called
multitasking. Multitasking allows you to perform multiple tasks
at the same time, such copying a chart from an open Excel
document and pasting it into a report you have open in Word,
all while your web browser is downloading a large file from the
Internet in the background. It is the OS that plays traffic cop in
this situation, deciding which program gets time on the CPU
when, and handles the flow of data.
Function of OS
• Starting a computer
• Providing a user interface
• Managing programs
• Managing memory
• Scheduling jobs
• Configuring devices
• Establishing an internet connection
• Monitoring performance
• Providing file management and other utilities
• Controlling a network
--Administering security
• B. Utility Software – a utility program is called utility. It is
a type of system software that allows a user to perform
maintenance-type task, usually related to managing a
computer, its devices or its programs.
Types of Utility software
• File Manager – a utility that performs function related to
file and disk management. E.g. Windows Explorer
• Image Viewer – a utility that allows user to display and
copy the content of a graphics file. E.g. Windows Picture,
Fax Viewer
• Disk Scanner – a utility that (1) detects and repair both
physical and logical problems on a hard disk or floppy
disk and (2) searches for and remove unnecessary files.
• Uninstaller – a utility that removes a program, as well as
any associated entries in the system file. E.g.
Add/Remove Program
Types of Utility software
• Disk Defragmenter – a utility that recognizes the files and
unused space on a computer’s hard disk so the OS
accesses data more quickly and program run faster. E.g.
Disk Defragmenter
• Diagnostic Utility – compile technical information about
your computer’s hardware and certain system programs
and then prepares a report outlining any identified
problem. E.g. Dr. Watson, DirectX Diagnostic Tool
• Back-Up Utility – allows user to copy or back-up, selected
files or an entire hard disk onto another storage device.
• Screensaver – a utility that causes a monitor’s screen to
display a moving image or blank screen if no keyboard or
mouse activity occurs for a specified time.
Application Software
• Programs that direct the performance of a particular use,
or application, of computers to meet the information
processing needs of end users.
• It runs on top of the operating system and allows the user
to perform a specific task, such as word processing a
letter, calculating a payroll in a spreadsheet, manage a
database of information, reading e-mail messages, or
manipulating digital photographs.
• Applications (and other programs) are stored on your PC
as executable files (they contain program steps that the
computer can execute); documents are stored as data
files.
Application Software
• Uses of application software
• As a business tool.
• To assist with graphics and multimedia projects.
• To support home, personal, and educational activities.
• To facilitate communication.
Forms of application software
• Package software – is mass produced, copyrighted retail
software that meets the needs of a wide variety of users,
not just a single user or company.
• Custom software – performs functions specifically to a
business or industry.
• Shareware – is copyrighted software that is distributed
free for a trial period.
• Freeware – is software provided at no cost to a user by an
individual or company.
• Public-domain software- also is free software, but it has
been donated for public use and has no copyrighted
restrictions.
Some common applications software
used on personal computers include:
• 1. Word processor (such as MS Word or Wordperfect)
allows you to enter and format text (as well as some
graphics) to create reports, letters, etc.
• 2. Desktop Publishing software (such as QuarkXPress
and Adobe InDesign) go beyond word processors, giving
you more control over the typesetting and graphic
placement of a document.
• 3. Spreadsheet software (such as MS Excel) allows the
user to do numerical calculations and produce charts of
the results. In a spreadsheet program, the user works in a
worksheet consisting of rows and columns (labeled with
numbers and letters). The intersection of each row and
column is a cell that can contain text, numbers, or
formulas.
Some common applications software
used on personal computers include:
• 4. Database management software (such as MS Access or
FileMaker Pro) allow users to manipulate large amounts of
information and retrieve any part of the information that is of
interest.
• 5. Graphic Software (such as Adobe Photoshop and
Macromedia Fireworks) is used to create digital media art
images and illustrations, to edit digital images from scanners or
digital cameras.
• 6. Presentation Software (such MS PowerPoint) is used to
create presentations of slides containing text and graphics (and
also incorporating sound and visual images). These
presentations can be projected from a computer display
projection unit, or the slides can be printed out onto
transparencies.
• 7. Web Authoring Software (such as Dreamweaver ) allow
users to create complex web pages without the user having to
know XHTML or CSS or JavaScript.