Computer Software

Programming Language

A special kind of computer languages with

its own syntax and grammar that is used
to write software.
 Types of programming languages

• There are two types of programming

languages:

1. procedural language
and
2. nonprocedural language
 Procedural language

• Language that explains in a step-by-step

sequence how a given task should be
accomplished.
 Nonprocedural Language

Language that focuses on what needs to

be done, without specifying exactly how it
should be done.
 Machine Language

• Language written at the primitive level of binary

arithmetic. It was the first generation of
computer language and was tedious and
error-prone.

• Machine languages are machine dependant

that is program written on one type of machine
could not be executed on other type of machines
without rewriting all the code.
 Machine Language (Cont..)

• N.B. machine language is the only

language that a computer can understand
and execute and so programs written in all
other programming languages must first
be converted or translated into machine
language before the programs can be
executed.
 Assembly Language

• A language based on mnemonics or meaningful

abbreviations of commands, such as add, and
load, and so on. It was the second generation of
computer languages.

• Although assembly language is machine-

dependant, it was an improvement over
machine language because it used words
such as add and sub instead of 0s and 1s
used in machine language.
 Assembly Language (an example)

Instruction Comment

• mov a,01h ;put the number 1 in A

• mov[1000h],a ;store in memory location 1000h
• mov a,02h ;put the number 2 in A
• mov [1001h],a ;store in memory location 1001h
• mov a,03h ;put the number 3 in A
• mov [1002h],a ; store in memory location 1002h
• go 0000h ;set IP back to start of program
 Assembler

A program used to convert assembly

language into machine language.
 High-level language (3GLs)

• Computer languages that improve on assembly

language and machine language because they are
English like and require fewer instructions.

• 3GLs are machine-independent languages; that is

they are portable from one type of machine to another.

• Some popular high-level languages are BASIC, COBOL,

FORTRAN and C.
 Compiler

A system software product that reads a

program written in a high level language
and translates it into machine language
 Very high level languages

• Also called 4GLs (fourth-generation computer

languages),
• these are efficient, user-friendly, and English-
like languages.
• 4GLs are nonprocedural language in which the
user need only specify what task must be done,
not how it should be done. This greatly simplifies
the process of developing applications.
• Example of 4GLs is SQL
 Object Oriented Programming

• A powerful type of programming language that enhances

the productivity of programmers and reduces software
development time. Another significant benefit of OOPs is
code reusability.

Code reusability
• A significant benefit of OOPs that allows the same piece
of code to be used for different applications.
Visual programming
• Programming languages that allow the user to visualize
code and its impact on the system
Types of Software
• Software can be classified into two broad
categories:

• System Software
• Application Software
 System Software

• Software that performs the basic functions

necessary to start and operate a
computer.
 Application Software
• Application software performs people
related tasks, such as human resources
and marketing
 System software
• System software is classified into three categories:

• System control software (programs that manage

system resources and functions)

• System support software (programs that support the

execution of various applications)

• System development software (programs that assist

system developers in designing and developing
information systems)
 System control software

Programs that monitor, control, coordinate,

and manage the resources and functions
of a computer.

The most important system control software

is the operating system.
 Operating system
• The most important system control
software, it refers to a complex set of
software modules that manage the overall
operations of a computer.
The relationship among hardware, system
software, and application software
 Multiprogramming

• A computing environment in which a

number of users can run multiple
programs on a single CPU computer at
the same time.
• Non-multiprogramming Multiprogramming

Operating System Operating System

Program A
Program A Program Program Program
B C D
 A summary of some of the important functions of an
operating system
Functions Description

• Load programs Moves programs to be executed into primary

memory and indicate when program execution is
complete.

• Manage I/O operations Enables and manages the use of multiple I/O
devices. Ensure the efficient utilization of I/O
devices

• Manage files Allows application programs to read and write

files. Performs other file related operations such
as copying, deleting , moving and so on

• Manage memory Allocates memory so user can create, execute

and retrieve different applications. Ensures that
memory is fully and efficiently utilized
 A summary of some of the important functions of an
operating system

• Functions Description
• Detect errors Brings system and execution errors to the
attention of the user so that timely action can be
taken

• Allocate resources Manages all computer resources, including the

CPU ,primary memory, secondary storage and
I/O
devices and other peripherals

• Monitor resource use Tracks use of computer resources for cost

accounting and statistical purposes. Mostly done
for enterprise wide system

• Resolve conflicts Acts as an arbitrator among competing

programs, taking into account factors such as
the criticality of the application or the priority of
the program
Time-sharing environment
• A way of allowing different users to use
the CPU at the same time.

Multiprocessing system
• A multi-user system in which a number of
processors, or CPUs, process data and
instructions.
 Some popular dos commands
Command Description Examples
CD Allows you to switch between subdirectories cd\ reports
cd\ reports \annual
CHKDSK Analyzes the directories, the files and the file chkdsk
allocation table chkdsk f:
COPY Allows you to copy files copy a:\friday c:\
DEL Allows you to remove one or more files from a
hard disk or diskette del Friday
del c:\reports\*.*
DIR Allows you to see what files are on a disk. The
DIR command lists all files and subdirectories
in a directory. dir
dir c:
DISKCOPY Allows you to make a copy of a complete diskette
on another diskette of the same size and formatted
capacity. diskcopy a: b:
 Some popular dos commands
Command Description Examples

DOSSHELL Allows you to start or return to the dosshell

DOS Shell from the dos command
prompt.
FORMAT Allows you to prepare a diskette or format a:
hard disk for use on your system. Format checks
the disk for defects and prepares it to hold information.
If you format a diskette or hard disk that already contains
data, all the data is erased.
MEM Displays the amount of used and free memory, allocated
and free memory areas and all programs loaded
in the system mem
RENAME Allows you to change one or more filenames and/or
extensions. Renaming a file does not change the
contents of the file. rename memos letters
rename *.old *.new
 System support software

Programs that support the smooth execution of

various programs and operations of a
computer.
 Categories of system support software:

There are four major categories of system support

software:

1. utility programs,

2. language translators,

3. database management systems and

4. performance statistics software

 Utility programs
• Programs that perform routine, repetitive tasks. Utility
programs make it easier to use the computer.

• Utility programs are among the most popular types of

system support software. They perform tasks such as
formatting disks, locating free space on a disk,
retrieving lost or damaged files, sorting and merging
data, converting files from one format to another,
backing up important files and providing online
helps.
 Language translators
All programs must be translated into
machine language for the computer to
understand and execute them. Language
translators are support programs written
specifically to convert a programming
language into machine language.
Database management systems

• Data is at the heart of an information

system. Database management system
helps us to create, manage and maintain
data.
 Performance statistics software
• Performance statistics software monitors the
performance of a system by collecting data
about various computer activities such as idle
CPU time, utilization of different I/O devices, amount of
memory used by programs and amount of time users are
logged onto the system

• By collecting data on system performance

managers can take action to ensure full
utilization of their systems
 Interpreter

• A system software product that translates

and executes one statement at a time.
 System development software
• Software packages and programs that assist
programmers and system analysts in
designing and developing information
systems.

• Shell
A set of tools and techniques that allows
developers to build the prototype of a system.
 Application software
• Software designed to perform people-
related tasks such as word processing,
graphics, and so on.

• There are two types of application

software:
• General purpose software
and
• Application-dedicated software
 General purpose software

• Software that is mass-produced for a broad range of

common business applications, such as word processing.

Word processing
A computerized way to create, edit and manage text.
Desktop publishing
The production of office documents such as memos, price sheets, technical
manuals, invoices, and newsletters.
Spreadsheets
Programs that are used for applications involving numerical analysis,
number crunching, graphical output and “what-if “scenarios.
Computer Graphics
The graphical display of computerized information.
Accounting software
General-purpose software that helps companies automate their accounting
functions.
Imaging software
Programs that scan data and information and convert them into digital images.
 Application-dedicated software

• Specialized or customized applications

designed to meet the particular
information needs of an organization.