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SOFTWARE

Software is a set of programs and instructions that enable computer hardware to function, with types including operating systems and application software. Operating systems manage hardware resources and provide user interfaces, while application software allows users to accomplish specific tasks. The document also discusses productivity software, utility software, enterprise applications, cloud computing, and the software creation process.

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Rechie
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7 views

SOFTWARE

Software is a set of programs and instructions that enable computer hardware to function, with types including operating systems and application software. Operating systems manage hardware resources and provide user interfaces, while application software allows users to accomplish specific tasks. The document also discusses productivity software, utility software, enterprise applications, cloud computing, and the software creation process.

Uploaded by

Rechie
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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SOFTWARE

Software comprises the entire set of programs, procedures, and routines associated
with the operation of a computer system.
Software is the set of instructionsthat tell the hardware what to do. Software is
created through the process of programming.
Without software, the hardware would not be functional.

TYPES OF SOFTWARE
1. Operating systems manage the hardware and create the interface between the
hardware and the user.
2. Application software is the category of programs that do something useful for the
user

The operating system provides several essential functions, including:


1. managing the hardware resources of the computer;
2. providing the user-interface components;
3. providing a platform for software developers to write
applications.
All computing devices run an operating system. For personal computers, the most
popular operating systems are Microsoft’s Windows, Apple’s OS X, and different
versions of Linux. Smartphones and tablets
run operating systems as well, such as Apple’s iOS, Google’s Android, Microsoft’s
Windows Mobile, and
Blackberry.

Mac VS. Window


Ever since its introduction in 1984, users of the Apple Macintosh have been
quite biased about their preference for the Macintosh operating system (now called
OS X) over Microsoft’s.
When Microsoft introduced Windows, Apple sued Microsoft, claiming that they
copied the “look and feel”
of the Macintosh operating system. In the end, Microsoft successfully defended
themselves

Application software is, essentially, software that allows the user to accomplish
some goal or purpose. For example, if you have to write a paper, you might use the
application-software program Microsoft Word. If you want to listen to music, you
might use iTunes. To surf the web, you might use Internet Explorer or Firefox. Even
a computer game could be considered application software.

A killer app (short for "killer application") is a software program that is so innovative,
useful, or popular that it drives the adoption of the platform or hardware it runs on.
These applications often define the success of an operating system, gaming
console, or device.
Early Computing Era
VisiCalc (1979) – Apple II
The first spreadsheet program, which made the Apple II a must-have for businesses.
Lotus 1-2-3 (1983) – IBM PC (MS-DOS)
A spreadsheet program that boosted the popularity of IBM PCs in the corporate
world.

Productivity Software
1. Word processing: This class of software provides for the creation of written
documents. Functions include the ability to type and edit text, format fonts and
paragraphs, and add, move, and delete text throughout the document.
2. Spreadsheet: This class of software provides a way to do numeric calculations
and analysis. The working area is divided into rows and columns, where users can
enter numbers, text, or formulas.
3. Presentation: This class of software provides for the creation of slideshow
presentations.Harkening back to the days of overhead projectors and
transparencies, presentation software allows its users to create a set of slides that
can be printed or projected on a screen.
4. Some office suites include other types of software. For example, Microsoft Office
includes
Outlook, its e-mail package, and OneNote, an information-gathering collaboration
tool. The
professional version of Office also includes Microsoft Access, a database package.

Comparison of office application software suites

Utility software includes software that allows you to fix or modify your computer in
some way. Examples include antivirus software and disk defragmentation software.
These types of software packages were invented to fill shortcomings in operating
systems. Many times, a subsequent release of an operating system will include
these utility functions as part of the operating system itself.
Programming software is software whose purpose is to make more software. Most
of these programs provide programmers with an environment in which they can write
the code, test it, and convert it into the format that can then be run on a computer.

Applications for the Enterprise


As the personal computer proliferated inside organizations, control over the
information generated by the organization began splintering. Say the customer
service department creates a customer database to keep track of calls and problem
reports, and the sales department also creates a database to keep track of customer
information.

Enterprise Resource Planning


In the 1990s, the need to bring the organization’s information back under centralized
control became more apparent. The enterprise resource planning (ERP) system
(sometimes just called enterprise software) was developed to bring together an
entire organization in one software application. Simply put, an ERP system
is a software application utilizing a central database that is implemented throughout
the entire organization.

Sidebar: Y2K and ERP


Y2K (Year 2000 Problem)
The Y2K problem, also known as the Millennium Bug, was a computer issue that
arose because many older systems stored years using only the last two digits (e.g.,
"99" for 1999). When the year 2000 arrived, systems feared that "00" would be
misinterpreted as 1900, causing calculation errors, software crashes, or system
failures.

Mobile Applications
Mobile devices such as tablet computers and smartphones also have operating
systems and application software. In fact, these mobile devices are in many ways
just smaller versions of personal computers. A mobile app is a software application
programmed to run specifically on a mobile device.

Cloud Computing
“The cloud” refers to applications, services, and data storage on the Internet. These
service providers rely on giant server farms and massive storage devices that are
connected via Internet protocols. Cloud computing is the use of these services by
individuals and organizations.

Advantages of Cloud Computing


• No software to install or upgrades to maintain.
• Available from any computer that has access to the Internet.
• Can scale to a large number of users easily.
• New applications can be up and running very quickly.
• Services can be leased for a limited time on an as-needed basis.
• Your information is not lost if your hard disk crashes or your laptop is stolen.
• You are not limited by the available memory or disk space on your computer.

Disadvantages of Cloud Computing


• Your information is stored on someone else’s computer – how safe is it?
• You must have Internet access to use it. If you do not have access, you’re out of
luck.
• You are relying on a third-party to provide these services.

Virtualization is the process of using software to simulate a computer or some other


device. For example, using
virtualization, a single computer can perform the functions of several computers.

Using a Private Cloud


The organization has full control over
that server space while still gaining some of the benefits of cloud computing.

Software Creation
Software creation, also known as software development, is the process of designing,
coding, testing, and deploying applications to solve specific problems or perform
functions. It involves various stages, methodologies, and tools to create software for
different platforms (web, mobile, desktop, embedded systems, etc.).
Programming Languages Used in Software Creation
💻 Python – Used for AI, automation, and web development.
📱 Java & Kotlin – Popular for Android app development.
🌐 JavaScript & TypeScript – Essential for web applications.
🎮 C++ & C# – Used for game development (e.g., Unity, Unreal Engine).
🖥 Swift & Objective-C – For iOS/macOS applications.

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