Understanding Software
GRADE 7
What is Software?
● Set of instructions (programs) that
tell a computer what to do
● Allows you to perform tasks like
writing, drawing, or calculating
● Examples: word processors,
spreadsheets, graphics packages
● Question: What software have you
used recently?
Types of Software
● Two main categories: Application software and System software
● Application software: Programs for specific tasks (e.g., writing,
drawing)
● System software: Programs that manage the computer's operations
● Can you think of examples for each type?
Application Software
● Designed for specific tasks or
problems
● Examples: Word processors,
graphics packages, games
● Often comes pre-installed on
new computers
● What application software do
you use most often?
Categories of Application Software
● Entertainment software (e.g., games)
● Home or personal software (e.g., encyclopaedias)
● Productivity software (e.g., word processing,
spreadsheets)
● Specialist software (e.g., desktop publishing, graphics
packages)
Types of Application Software
● General-purpose software - designed to provide users with a general tool to
perform a wide range of tasks on a computer
● Integrated software - combines several software applications into one program.
Example microsoft office suite.
● Customised software - Created or modified to suit the user’s need.
● Custom-written (tailor-made) software - designed software to satisfy a
customer’s particular preferences.
● Specialized Software - software that is specially designed to perform specific
tasks.
System Software
● Manages and supports computer
operations
● Acts as a buffer between hardware and
application software
● Enables application software to run
● Why do you think system software is
important?
Components of System Software
● Operating system - An operating system is a set of programs residing in main
memory which directs all operations in the computer. Examples of operating
systems:
●
Components of System Software
● Utility programs - software is a specialised software that can be used to
protect and maintain the System software.
Utility Software continued
Common task performed by a Utility programs:
● Protecting software against damage caused be computer viruses
(anti-virus program)
● Back-up of files
● Recovering files after software has stopped working(crashed).
● Install/uninstall programs
● Troubleshooting or diagnostic programs
Components of System Software
● Device drivers - a special kind of software program that controls a
specific hardware device attached to a computer.
● Language translators - translate programs written in high level
languages into the machine code that a computer understands.
Software in Your Daily
Life
● Smartphone apps are also
software!
● Think about the apps you use
every day
● What tasks do these apps help you
accomplish?
● Can you name three apps you
couldn't live without?
Multimedia Software
● Multimedia: Combination of text, audio, images, animations, video,
and interactive content
● Examples: Video editing software, music production apps
● How might you use multimedia software in your school projects?
The Future of Software
● Software is constantly evolving
● New technologies like AI and
VR are changing software
● What new types of software do
you think we'll see in the future?
● How might software change the
way we learn and work?
