Unit 9: Computer Software
Introduction - Software
A computer is an electronic machine that can process
data. But it needs to be told what to do in the form of a set
of instructions. These instructions are called a 'software
program'.
Purpose:
Software allows the hardware to do something useful; without
software, the hardware wouldn't know what it was supposed to
do. So software depends on hardware and hardware depends
on software. Together they form a computer system.
Software programs are stored as files on a storage device
such as the hard disk, DVD or memory sticks. When they
need to run, they are loaded into the computer's memory
(RAM).
System Software
Types Of Software
Software can be classified into following two main
categories or types
1. System Software
2. Application Software
System Software
A program or set of programs that is especially designed
to control different operations of computer system is
called system software. It controls the working of different
components of the computer. The system also enables the
other application programs to execute properly.
System software falls into following categories:
1. Operating System
2. Language Translators
Operating system is the main and most popular type of
system software.
Operating System
The operating system is a set of computer programs,
which controls the operations of computer hardware.
It also supports software development of a user by
acting as an interface between the application
program and the hardware.
It usually resides on a disk. After a computer system
is started, or “booted up”, portions of the operating
system are transferred to memories as they are
needed.
Types of Operating Systems
Depending upon the working, the Operating Systems
are divided into the following main types:
Batch Processing Operating Systems
Real-Time Operating Systems
Single User Operating Systems
Multi-User Time Sharing Operating Systems
Network Operating Systems
Operating Systems - Activities
Some of the activities of an operating system are as
follows:
Performing common hardware functions:
Providing a user interface
Providing a degree of hardware independence
Managing system memory
Managing processing tasks
Providing network capability
Controlling access to system resources
Managing files
User Interface
User interface
A function of the operating system that allows individuals to
access and command the computer
Command-based user interface
A particular user interface that requires text commands be given
to the computer to perform basic activities
E.g., Unix, DOS
Graphical user interface (GUI)
A user interface that uses pictures (icons) and menus displayed on
the screen to send commands to the computer system
E.g. Windows, MAC OS
Operating System-Functions:
Perform common computer hardware functions
Provide a user interface
Provide a degree of hardware independence
Manage system memory
Manage processing tasks
Provide networking capability
Control access to system resources
Manage files
Language Translators
When computers execute programs written in high-level languages
such as COBOL, FORTRAN, or C, the computer must convert these
human-readable instructions into a form that it can understand.
Compiler: System software includes special language translators that
translate high-level language into machine language.
High-Level Language Machine Language
Program COMPILER Program
(Source Code) (Source Code)
Interpreter: Some programming language such as BASIC do not use a
compiler but an interpreter, which translates one statement at a time
into machine code, as the computer executes the program.
Language Translators
Source Code: The program in the high-level
language before translation is called source code.
Object Code: Compiler translates source code
into a language called object code. When a
computer executes a program, it really executes the
object code.
Application Software
Application Software
A program or set of programs that are especially
designed to solve the specific problems of users, are
called application software. It is also known as
software package.
There are Different kinds of application software such as
commercial software, scientific software, financial
packages, games, multimedia software.
The Application software is divided into two main
categories
1- Special Purpose/Custom-built Application software
2- General Purpose/Packaged Application Software
Categories of Application software
Special Purpose/Custom-built software:
The software that is developed for a particular customer or organization
is called custom-built software. It is also known as customized software.
For example, software developed to maintain the records of students of
a particular collage is an example of custom-built software.
General Purpose/Packaged Software:
The software that is developed for sale to the general public is called
packaged software. Packaged software is used to solve some common
problem of many people or users.
Some examples:
1- Word processor such as MS-Word
2- Spreadsheet such as MS-Excel
3- Database software such as MS-Access
4- Graphic software such as Adobe Photoshop and CorelDraw
5- Communication Software such as Internet Explorer
General Purpose/Packaged Software
Word processing applications for creating documents that are
attractively formatted.
Spreadsheet applications for creating documents to manage and
organize numerical data
Presentation applications for making slide shows
Graphics applications for creating pictures
Database applications for developing databases that can organize
and retrieve large amounts of information
Communications programs like e-mail and faxing software for
sending and receiving messages
Multimedia applications for creating video and music
Utilities for performing a variety of tasks that maintain or
enhance
Relation between Software, Hardware and User
User’
Application Hardware System Software
Software
Uses of Spreadsheets
describe the use of spreadsheets in exploring "what
if" scenarios and identify the best use of this
application;
What-if analysis is the process of changing the values in cells to see how
those changes will affect the outcome of formulas on the worksheet.
A scenario is a set of values that Excel saves and can substitute
automatically in cells on a worksheet. You can create and save different
groups of values on a worksheet and then switch to any of these new
scenarios to view different results.
spreadsheet application is generic because it is off-the-shelf package
which can serve an accountant for finance, engineers for calculation,
modeling for forecasting and so on without any modification
9.4.3-Databases and its application
A database is a collection of information that is
organized so that it can easily be accessed,
managed, and updated. In one view, databases can
be classified according to types of content:
bibliographic, full-text, numeric, and images.
9.4.4-Integrated software packages
1. When you purchase the product, you get everything you
need all at the same time.
2. They will work together quite efficiently to help you
create quality documents (for example you can embed
Excel charts in Word or Powerpoint documents. Or you can
import Excel tables into Access (for databases).)
3. Standard GUI - learn one and you've got a great head
start on the others.
Eg. Mail Merge where you combine excel or access database
with ms-word to import data with single file of ms-word
could be used for many recipients.
Advantages Integrated Software Packages
The advantages of integrated software are:
Low cost
Only one program to install and learn
Consistent interface from one module to another
The ability to share information between modules
Usually only one reference manual
Ideal for personal use or small business
DOS – Disk Operating System
Difference b/w DOS and Windows
DOS Windows
Definition DOS (Disk Operating System) are Windows is a range of graphical
simple text command operating interface operating systems that are
systems that were popular from 1981 developed and sold by Microsoft.
to 1995.
GUI DOS used a text based interface that Windows uses graphics, images and
required text and codes to operate text.
Input System Text is used as the basic input system Uses a mouse for all operating
commands. system input.
Multitasking DOS is unable to run multiple Windows is a multitasking operating
processes at the same time. system; allowing more than one
process to work simultaneously.
Storage Size The highest amount of storage size Window systems offer storage space
available is 2GB. up to 2 terabyte.
Demands on System Resources Booting up system is DOS is less Booting up Windows is more
demanding on the CPU. demanding on the CPU.
Registry and Swap Files DOS uses a directory system, where Windows uses a different registry
all the files are contained within a compared to DOS, making it difficult
particular directory or a to manually delete programs. An
subdirectory. excessive number of temporary files
and file fragments can cause the
system to slow down or crash.
Current Uses More ideally used for prototyping, Used worldwide as the most popular
testing, and making automated operating system.
systems.
Price DOS is free Windows is costly
Why DOS is no longer the dominant operating
system for personal
computers ?
Generic Software
This is a class of software that is can be used for a
number of different purposes without requiring
modification.
For example a spreadsheet application is generic
because the off-the-shelf package can serve an
accountant for finance, engineers for calculation,
modeling for forecasting and so on without any
modification
The opposite of generic software is 'bespoke software',
where the software is specially adapted to suit a client.
