COMP101 Introduction to Computer Applications

By B. Osero

2.0 Computer Software

2.1 What is Software?

Computer software or simply Software1 refers to a set of instructions that tell a computer
what to do and how to do it. Your computer hardware without the software component is
just a useless metal. This definition implies that computer software is the most important
part of a computer. Also, users have access to the computer resources through the
computer software. Currently, the cost of buying computer hardware is increasingly going
down. The cost of software on the other hand exceeds the cost of hardware. Software is
what makes a computer relevant.

We have two major categories of computer software: (1) application software and (2)
system software. Application software refers to software enables you to solve specific
problems or perform specific tasks. Microsoft PowerPoint, for example, can help you create
slides for a presentation; hence it’s application software. Name other types of application
software: payroll software, inventory management software …

System software refers to software that controls and supports the operations of a computer
system as it performs various information processing tasks. Examples of system software
include: operating system, and utility software.

Application Software
System Software

Hardware

Other categories of computer software include:

Middleware, programming languages, programming tools, firmware, device drivers,

productivity software, multimedia software, entertainment software, educational and
reference software, among others

Firmware – is like prewritten program that is permanently stored in Read-Only Memory

(ROM). The BIOS (Basic Input Output System) instructions are an example of firmware.

1
Software is a set of instructions executed by the computer’s processor to perform a task.

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COMP101 Introduction to Computer Applications
By B. Osero
2.2 Application Software

Application software consists of those programs that solve specific problems for the users
and execute under control of the operating system. The application programs are developed
by individuals and organizations for solving specific problems. In general, application
software is a set of instructions that perform specific tasks. They include:

- specific/customized application software such as payroll software, inventory

management software among others.
- Generalized application software that can perform many different tasks. Examples:
word processors, spreadsheets (Excel), presentation software (PowerPoint) etc.
- Other categories of application software: productivity software, entertainment
software, educational and reference software.

Integrated software applications versus software suites

• Integrated software is a single application that incorporates the most commonly

used tools of many productivity software programs into one integrated stand-alone
program. They don’t include many of the more complex features of the stand-alone
productivity software applications and cost less than individual programs.
- Microsoft Works is an example of an integrated software application that
includes word processing, spreadsheet, and database functionality.

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COMP101 Introduction to Computer Applications
By B. Osero
• A software suite is a group of software programs bundled together as a package.
Because the programs come from the same developer, they work well together and
share common features such as menus and toolbars. They also integrate well.
- Microsoft Office is one example of the many types of software suites on the
market today. You can also buy different versions of the same suite, the
difference among them being the combination of software applications
included in each version. Other Examples OpenOffice among others.
Other developers of software suites: Corel and Lotus

2.3 Categories of System Software

System software refers to software that controls and supports the operations of a computer
system as it performs various information processing tasks. Examples of system software
include: operating system, and utility software. System software therefore handles tasks
specific to technology management and coordinates interaction of technology devices.

Operating Systems

Operating system software controls application software and manages how various
hardware devices work together. As such, there are operating systems for just about every
type of technology configuration, even for sewing machines. An operating system is an
integrated system of programs that supervises the operation of the CPU, controls the
input/output storage functions of the computer system, and provides various support
services. The operating system acts as an intermediary between the user and the computer
system.

Functions of an operating system

The two main functions of an operating system are:

 To manage the hardware resources of a computer

 To provide the applications with an easy way to use the hardware resources of the
computer without the applications having to know all of those details. This, in
computing jargon is called being a Application programming interface (API)

One of the challenges facing developers is keeping their operating systems flexible enough
to run hardware from the thousands of vendors manufacturing computer equipment.
Today's systems can accommodate thousands of different printers, disk drives and special
peripherals in any possible combination

   The main functions of Operating systems are

 Processor management
 Memory management,

 Storage management and

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COMP101 Introduction to Computer Applications
By B. Osero
 Device management .

All of the above coming under hardware managing capabilities of an operating system, while
the following come under software capabilities of an operating system.

Application interface

Application programming interface is that where the operating system creates link between
the application and system providing an active link between the program and hardware of
the computer.

User interface

User interface provides a link between the user and the computer, which is one of the main
functions of an OS. This can be from providing user with the convenience of giving text
commands or else giving the comfort of playing something with the graphics that are built in
the operating system to get the desired results. Keeping in mind, a User who doesn't want
to be a professional to be able to operate a computer, graphic user interfaced Operating
systems is more popular in the market and even the free source Linux is also being available
in graphic user interfaced version.

Types of Operating System Software

a) Microsoft Windows – developed by Microsoft

- Earliest Versions MS-DOS  Windows 95  Windows NT … latest Windows 7
- Mostly used OS in PCs (about 65 % of the market share)
b) Linux - generic name for a UNIX-like OS
- Used in supercomputers --- to wristwatches
- Considered to be very secure; not easily broken into by “hackers”
c) Unix – developed by Ken Thompson
- Like Linux, considered to be very secure; not easily broken into by hackers
d) Macintosh currently Mac OS X
- Developed, marketed and sold by Apple Inc.
e) Others: Google Chrome OS

Classification of Operating Systems

Operating systems can be divided broadly into four types, based on the computers they
control and applications they support.

Real time OS:

These types of operating systems are used to control scientific devices and similar small
instruments where memory and resources are crucial. These type of devices have very
limited or no end user utilities , so more effort should go into making the OS really memory
efficient and fast, so as to minimize the execution time, in turn saving on power as well.

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COMP101 Introduction to Computer Applications
By B. Osero
Examples: LynxOS, OSE, QNX, RTLinux, VxWorks, Windows CE.

Single User single Task:

This type of OS is just better version of Real time OS, where one User can use the computer
to do one thing at a time, which means that doing thing more than one thing at a time is
difficult in this type of OS. The handhelds or the palmtop computers are good examples of
this type of systems.

Example: Windows mobile etc.

Single User Multi Task:

This is the most common type of operating system used today. Microsoft windows and
Apple Macintosh are the living examples of this Genre. These can perform Multi tasking
operations, like for example playing a multimedia file; downloading a file from the internet
and editing a Text file simultaneously.

Example: Windows XP, Windows vista, Windows 7, Mac OS etc

Multi User:

This type of operating system allows multiple users to use the system resources
simultaneously. This should not be confused with the multi user accounts in windows or
similar, the main difference being, the network administrator is the only actual user in
Windows or Macs and one more difference being that in OS like UNIX more than one user
can simultaneously login while this is not possible in windows.

Example: Unix, Linux, Solaris etc..

Utility Software

Utility software is software that provides additional functionality to the operating system
software. Examples of utility software:

 anti-virus software e.g., Norton, McAfee,

 screen savers,
 disk optimization software,
 uninstaller software,