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Introduction to Computer
Science

Introduction to Software
 Introduction to Software
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 Software is a set of instructions, data or programs used to operate computers

they perform specific tasks.

 Unlike hardware, which is physical, software is intangible and allows users to

interact with hardware to carry out various functions.

 Software enables everything from basic operations to complex problem-solving

and automation.
 Categories of Software 3

 Software is broadly classified into two main categories:

 System Software: Manages the hardware and provides a platform for application
software.

 Application Software: Helps users perform specific tasks.

 Application Software's are built on top of system software.

 System Software
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 System software is essential for running and managing the computer

hardware and provides a foundation for application software.

 Key types of system software include:

 Operating System (OS)

 The OS is the most critical piece of system software that manages all

hardware and software resources on a computer.

 Examples of : Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.
 System Software (Cont.)
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 Functions of an OS:

 Process Management: Manages the execution of processes, including multitasking and

multithreading.

 Memory Management: Allocates memory to programs and manages data storage.

 File System Management: Organizes and provides access to files on storage devices.

 Device Management: Coordinates communication between hardware devices (e.g.,

printers, hard drives) and the OS.

 User Interface: Provides a graphical or command-line interface for user interaction.

 Utility Software
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 Utility software is a type of system software specifically designed to help manage, maintain
and control computer resources and enhance the functionality of the operating system.

 These programs focus on optimizing the computer's performance, protecting it from

potential risks, and assisting with routine tasks such as data backup, system cleanup and file
management.

 Utility software usually runs at the background of the system and often comes pre-
installed with the operating system, though many utilities can be downloaded or purchased
separately.
 Utility Software (Cont.)
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 Utility software provides additional functionalities to help manage, maintain, and optimize
the computer’s performance. Examples include:

 Antivirus Software: Scans for and removes viruses or malware (e.g., Norton, McAfee).

 Backup Software: Creates backups of files to prevent data loss.

 Disk Cleanup Tools: Clears temporary files and improves disk performance.

 Compression Tools: Compress large files to save storage space (e.g., WinRAR, 7-Zip).
 Utility Software (Cont.)
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 Device Drivers

 Device drivers are specialized system software that allows the OS to communicate with
hardware devices. Each device connected to a computer (like printers, graphics cards,
and sound cards) requires a driver for it to function correctly.
 Examples of Utility Software
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 Windows Utilities: Windows includes several built-in utilities like Disk Cleanup, Task
Manager, and Windows Defender (for security).

 CCleaner: A popular third-party tool for cleaning unnecessary files, managing startup
programs, and optimizing system performance.

 Norton Utilities: A suite of utilities including antivirus, cleanup, and performance optimization
tools.

 MacOS Utilities: Includes Disk Utility for disk management, Activity Monitor for system
monitoring, and Time Machine for backups.
 Importance of Utility Software
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 Utility software plays a vital role in maintaining computer's stability, security and

efficiency in the following ways:

 Enhancing Performance: Tools like disk defragmenters and system cleaners help

improve speed and responsiveness by clearing unnecessary files and organizing data.

 Protecting Data and Privacy: Antivirus, firewall, and encryption utilities help secure

personal information and prevent cyberattacks.

 Importance of Utility Software
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 Simplifying Maintenance: Automated tasks, like scheduled backups and updates, make it

easier to maintain the system.

 Optimizing Resources: System monitors and diagnostic tools help identify and manage

resource consumption to prevent overloads.

 Functions of utility software's
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 Utility software is essential for system efficiency and security, it covers a range of functionalities:

 System Protection and Security Utilities: These utilities protect the computer from malware,

viruses, and other security threats.

 Antivirus Programs: Scan and remove malicious software, including viruses, worms, and spyware.

Examples include Norton, McAfee, and Avast.

 Firewall Software: Monitors and filters network traffic to protect against unauthorized access.

 Encryption Tools: Secure sensitive data by converting it into a code to prevent unauthorized access.
 Functions of utility software’s (Cont.)
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 File Management Utilities: Help users organize and control their files and folders.

 File Compression Tools: Reduce file sizes for storage efficiency and easy sharing (e.g.,

WinRAR, 7-Zip).

 File Recovery Tools: Recover deleted or lost files due to accidental deletion, corruption,

or hardware failure.

 File Organization Tools: Rename, move, and delete files and folders to improve

accessibility.
 Functions of utility software’s (Cont.)
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 System Cleanup and Optimization Utilities: Improve performance by freeing up disk

space and optimizing resource usage.
Disk Cleanup Tools: Delete unnecessary files, such as temporary files and cache, to free up
storage space.
Disk Defragmenters: Rearrange fragmented data on hard drives for faster access speeds
and improved performance (commonly needed
for HDDs but not SSDs).
Registry Cleaners: Remove unused entries in the Windows Registry to optimize system
performance.
 Functions of utility software’s (Cont.)
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System Monitoring and Diagnostic Tools: Provide insights into system performance
and detect hardware or software issues.
Task Manager: Allows users to view active processes, CPU usage, memory usage,
and more.
Resource Monitor: Tracks and reports on system resource consumption, such as
CPU, disk, and memory usage.
Diagnostic Tools: Help identify problems with hardware or software, often providing
troubleshooting suggestions.
 Functions of utility software’s (Cont.)
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Disk Management Utilities: Manage disk storage by organizing partitions and

volumes.
Disk Partitioning Tools: Create, resize, and delete partitions on a hard drive,
which can help separate operating system files from personal files.
Disk Formatting Tools: Prepare storage devices like hard drives or USBs for data
storage by formatting them to specific file systems.
 Functions of utility software’s (Cont.)
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Network Management Utilities: Assist with managing and optimizing
network connections and resources.
Network Monitoring Tools: Monitor network traffic and identify issues like
congestion or connection failures.
Bandwidth Management Tools: Control network data usage and optimize
internet speeds by allocating bandwidth more efficiently.
 Functions of utility software’s (Cont.)
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 System Monitoring and Diagnostic Tools: Provide insights into system performance
and detect hardware or software issues.

 Task Manager: Allows users to view active processes, CPU usage, memory usage, and

more.

 Resource Monitor: Tracks and reports on system resource consumption, such as CPU,

disk, and memory usage.

 Diagnostic Tools: Help identify problems with hardware or software, often providing

troubleshooting suggestions.
 Functions of utility software’s (Cont.)
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Backup and Recovery Utilities: Protect data by creating copies for retrieval in case of
data loss.
Backup Software: Create copies of files or system configurations that can be
restored if the originals are lost or damaged (e.g., Acronis
True Image, Windows Backup).
System Restore Tools: Restore the computer to a previous state, allowing recovery
from system issues without affecting personal files.