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Computer Software

October 12, 2017 0

What is Computer Software? 


Computer software, or simply software, is a part of a computer system that consists of data or computer instructions, in contrast to the physical hardware from which the system is built. 

Types of software



Based on the goal, computer software can be divided into:

  • Application software
    which is software that uses the computer system to perform special functions or provide entertainment functions beyond the basic operation of the computer itself. There are many different types of application software, because the range of tasks that can be performed with a modern computer is so large—see list of software.
  • System software
    which is software that directly operates the computer hardware, to provide basic functionality needed by users and other software, and to provide a platform for running application software.[2] System software includes:
    • Operating systems
      which are essential collections of software that manage resources and provides common services for other software that runs "on top" of them. Supervisory programs, boot loaders, shells and window systems are core parts of operating systems. In practice, an operating system comes bundled with additional software (including application software) so that a user can potentially do some work with a computer that only has one operating system.
    • Device drivers
      which operate or control a particular type of device that is attached to a computer. Each device needs at least one corresponding device driver; because a computer typically has at minimum at least one input device and at least one output device, a computer typically needs more than one device driver.
    • Utilities
      which are computer programs designed to assist users in the maintenance and care of their computers.
  • Malicious software or malware
    which is software that is developed to harm and disrupt computers. As such, malware is undesirable. Malware is closely associated with computer-related crimes, though some malicious programs may have been designed as practical jokes.


  1. 1. DEFINITION • SOFTWARE'S - are programs that make a computer run. They are sets of instructions which tell the computer what to do to come up with the desired result.
  2. 2. The Software Development Process
  3. 3. Categories of Computer Software Computer Software System Software Application Software General Purpose Programs Application Specific Programs System Management Programs System Development Programs
  4. 4. Hardware Operating System Utility Language Translator Scientific Apps. Device Driver Business Apps. Entertainment Apps. System software Application software Productivity Apps.
  5. 5. Software System Software Application Software
  6. 6. System Software - Programs that work automatically once you open or boot your computer. - Their task include loading and running programs, checking and protecting computers, and controlling hardware. - It is the control software that operates the hardware and allows the application to run.
  7. 7. Operating System (OS) • Performs its work invisibly to control the internal functions of a computer, e.g. maintaining files on the disk drive, managing the screen, controlling which tasks the computer performs and in what order • It interacts directly with the computer HW • Other SW normally does not directly interact with the HW, but through the OS
  8. 8. Examples • • • • • • • Windows XP – home and business Windows 2000 – business network use Mac Operating System – GUI, graphics OS/2 Warp – commercial work UNIX – general purpose, mainframe Linux – alternative to Windows Dos – command driven
  9. 9. SYSTEM MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS Utility Programs • Virus checking and cleaning. • Security using identification and passwords. • File and hard disk management for efficiency and storage. • Customising the computer to the users requirements, i.e. short cut menus from mouse click. • Setting peripheral devices to the users requirements, i.e. setting the monitor resolution.
  10. 10. Utilities Computer programs that perform a particular function related to computer system management and maintenance Examples: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Anti-virus SW Data compression SW Disk optimization SW Disk backup SW Disk cleaner
  11. 11. Operating Systems • Operating Systems run in the background without the users being aware of it. • It controls the inputs, outputs, interrupts, and storage of files as requested by the applications software.
  12. 12. LINUX
  13. 13. DOS
  14. 14. SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES LANGUAGE TRANSLATORS LINKER LOADER
  15. 15. LANGUAGE TRANSLATORS LANGUAGE TRANSLATORS COMPILERS INTERPRETERS ASSEMBLERS
  16. 16. COMPILER SOURCE PROGRAM COMPILER INPUT EXECUTABLE PROGRAM OUTPUT
  17. 17. INTERPRETER SOURCE PROGRAM INPUT INTERPRETER OUTPUT
  18. 18. ASSEMBLER SOURCE PROGRAM (In Assembly language) LDA ADD SUB STO CMP JNZ OUT OBJECT CODE X Y Z A B TOP Z ASSEMBLER 10001010010 00101001000 00101001000 11110010100 00100001111 00101110010 00010100111
  19. 19. LINKER AND LOADER SOURCE PROGRAM CIN>>X; A=X+Y-Z If(a !=B) COUT<<A; WHILE {!THRU} OBJECT CODE COMPILER 10001010010 00101001000 00101001000 LINKER MEMORY LOADER EXECUTABLE PROGRAM
  20. 20. APPLICATION SOFTWARE • Are programs installed in the computer. It enables the user to do different tasks.
  21. 21. APPLICATION SOFTWARE • Used for a specific purpose or application. – Word processing; – Numerical analysis; – Recording of data; – Designing and graphics; – Image processing; – Presentations; – Desk top publishing; – Web design.
  22. 22. WORD PROCESSORS • Used in creating letters, memos, reports and other write-ups. Examples: Wordstar MS Word WordPerfect
  23. 23. MS Word
  24. 24. ELECTRONIC SPREADSHEET • Software that are equipped with rows and columns where data may be entered and processed automatically or tabulated. Examples: Visicalc Quattro Supercalc Ms Works Lotus 123 Excel
  25. 25. EXCEL 2007
  26. 26. VISICALC – the first Spreadsheet
  27. 27. SuperCalc
  28. 28. DATABASE • Programs that can be use to organize data in a customized way. Examples: MS Access MySQL Dbase Oracle Foxbase Lotus Approach
  29. 29. Dbase
  30. 30. Oracle Database
  31. 31. Entertainment Software • Specially designed for fun and relaxation. Example Real Player WinAmp QuickTime Windows Media Player VLC Media
  32. 32. Multimedia, Desktop and Image Editing Software • Used to create graphics and publications and to edit images Examples Adobe Photoshop Adobe Pagemaker Corel Draw Publisher
  33. 34. Designing and graphics

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