COMPUTER SOFTWARE

Software is a generic term for organized collection of

computer data and instructions. It is responsible for
controlling, integrating, and managing the hardware
components of a computer and to accomplish specific
tasks. In other words, software tells the computer
what to do and how to do it. For example, software
instructs the hardware what to display on the user’s
screen, what kinds of input to take from the user, and
what kinds of output to generate. Thus, software
communicates with the hardware by organizing the
control sequences, and the hardware carries out the
instructions defined by the software.
A computer needs to be instructed to perform
any task. These instructions are given in the
form of computer programs, which are written in
computer programming languages. A program
controls the activity of the processor. The
moment the hardware (processor, memory, etc.),
acts as per the instructions of a program, the
program is said to be in running or executing
state.
A set of programs, which are specifically written
to provide the user a precise functionality like
solving a specific problem is termed as a
software package. For example, word
processing software package provides
functionality to the computer so that it can be
used to create text documents like letters and
mailing lists. Similarly, an image processing
software package assists a user in drawing and
manipulating graphics.
 FEATURES OF SOFTWARE
1. Ease of use
The software systems and applications are becoming more and
more easy to use. In fact, software developers and system
analysts go to great lengths to ensure that the products they
develop are user-friendlier than their competitor’s products.

2. Graphical user interface (GUI)

GUI or graphical user interface has now become the default
standard for most of the software applications. Gone are the
days of the crude character based interfaces of UNIX and DOS
application. Today’s software applications and products provide
the users with perceptive, graphical and easy-to-use interfaces.
Now the users do not have to remember the cryptic system
commands or shortcut keys that were a must in the character
based era. Now almost any task can be accomplished by a mouse
click.
3. Multi-platform capability
Today’s software applications are not developed for just one
platform. Most of the software applications supports multiple
platforms-both hardware and software platforms. There are
software applications that support hardware platforms ranging
from mainframes to PCs and different software platforms like
MVS, Solaris, AIX, UNIX, Windows and so on. For example IBM’s
DB2 Universal database is available for a variety or hardware and
software platforms.

4. Multi-language capability
Another important feature of today’s software application is that
they support multiple languages and multiple currencies. Many
vendors are providing their applications in many languages like
English, Arabic, Japanese, and Chinese and so on.
5. Compatibility with other software
Now the competition for each market segment in the software
marketplace is rather fierce. We have many software vendors battling
for the market share in the same segment. For example, Microsoft
Word 2000 supports all previous versions of Work like Word 97, Word
6, Word and so on. The two features –compatibility with earlier
versions and compatibility with other products make it easier for the
users, as they can choose the application they want and still use the
old files they have created using other applications or using older
versions of the same application.

6. Mail enabling
Mail enabled applications are designed to take advantage of on e-mail.
These are the familiar word processors, spreadsheets, and other
individual desktop applications that have email features built to them.
There is another class of message-centered programs that are built
specifically around e-mail functions.
7. Web enabling
With the ever-increasing popularity of internet and
the amount of information that is available on the
net, most software applications are now web-
enabled. Web enabling helps the user in many
different ways. Its use starts while the user is
installing the application. During installation, most
of the applications will automatically connect to the
Internet and to the vendor’s web site and will
register their products (earlier one had to fill in a
paper form and mail or fax it to the vendor).
 Differences between Hardware and
Software
HARDWARE SOFTWARE
1. It is the physical unit of the computer It is a collection of programs to bring the
hardware system into operation .
2. Hardware understands only machine It is written by a well versed programmer
language ,lower level language or binary and generally in higher level language
It is the physical unit of the computer which is readable by human being

3. It works with binary code, the presence It is represented by the Higher Level
or absence of Pulses as 1’s or 0’s Languages such as BASIC, COBOL, Etc.,

4. It has permanent structure and cannot be It has no permanent structure but can be
altered altered and reused

5. It is normally affected by agent like dust, It is not affected by these agents to some
heat, humidity, etc extent
 CATEGORIES OF SOFTWARE
Software is mainly classified into:

• System Software
• Application Software

Other software types include Utility Software

and Firmware.
 SYSTEM SOFTWARE
System software consists of several programs, which
are directly responsible for controlling, integrating,
and managing the individual hardware components
of a computer system.
The systems software is generally provided by the
manufacturer of the computer hardware. Without
the systems software the hardware would not work.
In simple terms, system software makes the
computer functional. They provide basic
functionality like file management, visual display,
and keyboard input are used by application software
to accomplish these functions.
System software is more transparent and less
noticed by the users, they usually interact with
the hardware or the applications this software
provides a programming environment in which
programmers can create applications to
accommodate their needs. This environment
provides functions that are not available at the
hardware level and performs the tasks related to
the execution of an application program. Hence,
system software acts as an interface between
the hardware of the computer and the software
application
Some examples of system software are:
1. Operating system
2. Device drivers
3. Language translators
4. System utilities.
1. Operating System: It is the first layer of software
loaded into computer memory when it starts up. As the
first software layer, all other software that gets loaded
after it depends on it for various common core services.
These common core services include disk access, memory
management, takes scheduling, and user interfacing. In
addition the operating system ensures that different
programs executing at the same time do not interfere
with each other. It provides a software platform on top of
which other programs can run. In simple words, the
operating system organizes and controls the hardware.
Examples of operating systems are Windows XP, UNIX, and
Linux.
2. Device Drivers: Device drivers are system
programs, which are responsible for proper
functioning of devices. Every device, whether it
is a printer, monitor, mouse or keyboard, has a
driver program associated with it for its proper
functioning. Whenever a new device is added to
the computer system, a new device driver must
be installed before the device is used. A device
driver is not an independent program; it assists
and is assisted by the operating system for the
proper functioning of the device.
3. Language translators: Computers only understand a
language consisting of 0s and 1s called machine language.
To ease the burden of programming entirely in 0s and 1s,
special programming languages called high-level
programming languages were developed that resembled
natural languages like English. Language translators help in
converting programming languages into machine language.
To be precise, they convert programming statements into
the 0s and 1s that the computer is able to process.

Depending on the programming language used, language

translators are divided into three major categories:
compilers, interpreter, and assembler.
4. System Utility: System utility programs perform day-to-day tasks related to the
maintenance of the computer system. They are used to support, enhance, and
secure existing programs and data in the computer system. They are generally
small programs, having specific tasks to perform:

a) File Management: These utilities make it easier to manage data files. Many
programs are written to help users to find the files, create and organize directions,
copy, move, and remove files.

b) Backup: It may happen that sometime data files are corrupted, or accidentally
deleted. In such a case, data backups become very useful. A backup system utility
is essential for those organizations, which want to keep their data intact.

c) Data Recovery: It is the process of retrieving deleted or inaccessible data from

failed electronic storage media such as computer hard disk drives, removable
media, optical devices, and tape cartridges.
d) Virus Protection: Anti-virus programs are essential system utilities for a
computer system functioning in a network. They provide the security to the
system form viruses that can damage the computer system.

e) Disk Management: Disk management program includes various system

software like disk defragmenter, data compressor and disk formatting tools.
De-fragmentation implies putting fragments of files in a sequential order onto
the disk which reduces the time to access the file.

f) Firewall: It is commonly used to protect information such as e-mail and data

files within a physical building or organization. Essentially, a firewall is
designed to protect a computer from unauthorized access, especially via
network.

g) Disk Cleanup: To keep a computer running smoothly, regular maintenance

is vital. Therefore, one should use the disk cleanup utility, which easily
determines which files on hard drive are no longer needed, then delete those
files.
 APPLICATION SOFTWARE
The most often seen software by a user is the application
software. It used to accomplish specific tasks rather than
just managing a computer system.
Application software may consist of a single program,
such as Microsoft’s Note pad (for writing and editing
simple text). It may also consist of a collection of
programs, often called a software package, which work
together to accomplish a task, such as database
management software. Application software may also
include a larger collection of related but independent
programs and packages (a software suite), which have a
common user interface or shared data format, such as
Microsoft Office suite.
Applications software are controlled by system
software, which manages hardware devices and
performs background tasks for them. The
distinction between the two is important.
Without system software, the computer will not
run, and without application software, the
computer, no matter how powerful, will not be
helpful in meeting user requirements.
Application software ranges from games,
calculators, and word processors (document
creating programs), to programs that “paint”
images on screen (image editors). Applications
represent real world tasks. They can be easily
divided by looking at exactly what function they
serve.
Some of the most commonly used application software include:

1. Word processor: A word processor is software used to compose,

format, edit, and print electronic documents. Word processing is one of
the earliest applications for office productivity and the personal computer.
It involves not only typing, but also checking the spelling and grammar of
the text and arranging it correctly on the page. A variety of different
typefaces is available for a verity of effects. It is possible to include
pictures, graphs, charts and many other things within the text of the
document. It also allows for changes in margins, fonts, and colour.
Nowadays, virtually all personal computers are equipped with a word
processing program, which has the same function as a typewriter for
writing letters, reports or other documents, and printing. Examples of
some well-known word processors are Microsoft Word and Word Perfect.
2. Spreadsheets: One of the first commercial uses of computers was in
processing payroll and other financial records, so the programs were
designed to generate reports in the standard “spreadsheet” format
bookkeepers and accountants used. A spreadsheet application is a
rectangular grid, which allows text, numbers, and complex functions to
be entered into a matrix of thousands of individual cells. The
spreadsheet provides sheets containing cells each of which may contain
text and / or numbers. Cells may also contain equations that calculate
results from data placed in other cells or series of cells. A simple
example might be a column of numbers totaled in a single cell
containing an equation relating to that column.

Spreadsheet software are used predominantly for accounting a other

numerically-based tasks, because financial and mathematical data and
analysis are often managed in a tabular style, with columns of financial
figures being manipulated and then influencing other data
computations. Microsoft Excel and Lotus 1-2-3 are examples of
spreadsheet applications.
3. Image Editors: Image editor programs are designed
specifically for capturing, creating, editing, and
manipulating images. These graphics programs provide a
variety of special features for creating and altering images.
In addition to offering a host of filters and image
transformation algorithms, some image editors also enable
the user to create and superimpose layers. Most graphic
programs have the ability to import and export one or
more graphic file formats. These computer programs
enable the user to adjust an image to improve its
appearance. With image editing software, one can darken
or lighten an image, rotate it, adjust it contrast, crop out
extraneous detail, and much more. Examples of these
programs are Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator and
CorelDraw.
4. Database management systems: Database
management software is a collection of computer
programs that allow storage, modification, and extraction
of information from a database in an efficient manner. It
supports the structuring of the database in a standard
format and provides tools for data input, verification,
storage, retrieval, query, and manipulation. When such
software is used, information systems can be changed
much more easily as the organization’s information
requirements change. New categories of data can be
added to the database without disrupting the existing
system. It also controls the security and integrity of the
database from unauthorized access. FoxPro and Oracle
are database management systems.
5. Presentation applications: A presentation is a
means of assessment, which requires presentation
providers to present their work orally in the
presence of an audience. It combines both visual
and verbal elements. Presentation software allows
the user to create presentations by producing slides
or handouts for presentation of projects. Essentially,
such computer programs allow users to create a
variety of visually appealing electronic slides for
presentation. Microsoft PowerPoint is one of the
most famous presentation application.
6. Desktop publishing software: The term desktop
publishing is usually used to describe the creations of
printed documents using a desktop computer. It is a
technique of using a personal computer to design
images and pages, and assemble type and graphics,
then using a laser printer or image-setter to output
the assembled pages onto paper, film, or printing
plate. These software are used for creating
magazines, books, newsletters, and so on. Such
software assist in creating sophisticated documents
including complicated page designs, detailed
illustrations, and camera-ready types faces. Quark
Express and Adobe PageMaker are examples of
desktop publishing software.
END