SOFTWARE

A computer is not capable of performing any task with the hardware only. It requires instructions
in order to function as desired. These set of instructions are called a program.

Software – A set of programs or instructions that can be run on computer hardware.

Types of Software
1. System Software – These are very important in the working/running of a computer. These
software acts as an interface between the computer and its user. Eg. Operating Systems,
Utility programs, Translators programs, etc.

2. Application Software – These are software designed for a specific purpose or task. Eg.
Microsoft Office Suite Software (Package include Microsoft word, Excel, PowerPoint,
Publisher, Outlook, etc.), Internet Explorer, Corel Draw, Payroll Software, Students Records
Software, Inventory Management Software, etc.

1. SYSTEM SOFTWARE

The system software is collection of programs designed to operate, control, and extend the
processing capabilities of the computer itself. System software are generally prepared by
computer manufacturers. These software products comprise of programs written in low-level
languages which interact with the hardware at a very basic level. System software serves as the
interface between hardware and the computer users (end users).

Features of System Software

• Fast in speed (processing speed)

• Difficult to design
• Difficult to understand by users
• Less interactive
• Smaller in size hence require less storage space
• Difficult to manipulate
• Generally written in low-level language (easily understood by the computer than the user)

The most commonly used system software is the Operating System (OS) software; it instructs the
computer how to use its own components or hardware. When the computer is turned on, it goes
through several steps to prepare itself for use. The first step is a self-test where the computer
identifies the devices attached to it, and check if the memory is working properly.

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Examples of Operating Systems

• Windows Operating System (Windows 7, 8, 10, Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows Server
2008, 2012, etc.)
• Linux Operating System
• Unix Operating System
• Android (used mostly on cellular devices)
• iPhone Operating System (Apple Mac software)

Functions of the Operating System

➢ It make sure that any output is sent to the correct output device. It deals with the inputs and
outputs by accepting data from input device and transfers it to the computer memory where it
will be processed.
➢ It manages the system resources such as memory and also allocate CPU time to the task being
run.

➢ It manages the transfer of data to and from the various peripherals (keyboards, mice, scanners,
printers, etc.) via the computer memory.

➢ It manages the system security. This involves;

- monitoring and restricting access to programs and data.
- prevent unauthorized access to the system.

➢ It deals with the loading of application software into memory and controls their execution or
running. This include providing a way for the application software to communicate with
computer’s hardware.

➢ It provides special facilities for multiprogramming or multi-tasking.

➢ It deals with errors that occur when a program is being run.

➢ It provides human user interface.

Utility programs

They are programs (set of instructions) usually supplied along with an Operating System. They
are used to carry out routine tasks that are often needed by a user. Some of the tasks performed
by the utility programs are;

- Compressing a file to save space on a backing storage

- Defragmenting a disk file
- Recovering data from a damaged file
- Checking disks for faults and repairing them
- Formatting a disk
- Checking the files on disk for computer viruses

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Translator Programs

All programs instructions must be translated or converted into binary codes or machine codes for
the computer to understand. Programs used to convert instructions are called translator programs.

Example; - Assemblers which converts assembly language instructions into machine code.
- Compilers and interpreters convert program from high level language into machine
code.

USER INTERFACES

The user interface allows the user to communicate with the computer. There are three main types
of user interfaces;

i. Command driven user interface

ii. Menu driven user interface
iii. Graphical user interface (GUI)

i. Command driven user interface

To use a command- driven system to communicate with the computer. The user has to type a
special command. Suppose we want to copy a file called Fred… to the user’s flash disk will write
this command: c.\ dos\ > copy c:\fred.tnta:\ If the operation is successful the operating system
will display a message ; 1 file(s) copied.

Example:- DOS (Disk Operating System) is a very commonly used command-driven user
interface.

Advantages of Command driven user interface

• They can be quick to use as long as the user knows the correct commands.
• Each command can usually be followed by different options.

Disadvantages of Command driven user interface

• User has to remember many commands in order to be able to use the software.
• Command are different for various operating systems so the user may mix up the commands
easily.

ii. Menu driven interface

Menu driven interface system offer the user a list of options which they can select by pressing a
particular key on the keyboard. Most menu- driven system have a “main menu” which has option
on it that offer the user other menus (sub-menu) once they have been selected. Eg. File → Save As
→ File_Name → Save

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Advantages of Menu driven interface

• It is not necessary to remember the commands, as they are all displayed/accessible.

• They are easy to use compared with command driven interface as they are readable (written in
simple English).

Disadvantages of Menu driven interface

• They are slow to be executed by the computer compared to the command driven user interface.
• They may be time consuming for the user. Getting one particular option can often involve going
through more than one different menu sessions (sub-menus).

iii. Graphical user interface (GUI)

A graphical user interface provides a way for the user to communicate with the computer through
pictures (icons) and pull down menus. The most widely used type of GUI is WIMP which stands
for Windows, Icons, Menu and Pointing devices. GUI options are represented by small
pictures/graphics called icons or text inside rectangular boxes called windows.

Advantages of Graphical user interface (GUI)

• They are very easy to use especially for the beginners since graphics are easy to follow &
understand.
• You do not have to remember complicated commands.

Disadvantages of Graphical user interface (GUI)

• A GUI like windows need a lot of memory (RAM) to be utilized or operate properly.
• The graphics (icons and windows) takes up a large amount of a storage space on the computer’s
hard disk.
2. APPLICATION SOFTWARE
Application software are designed to satisfy a particular need of a user. They instructs the computer
on how to accomplish specific task for the user. Application software exists mostly for the benefit
of the computer user to perform specific tasks. E.g. Word Processors, database for record keeping,
spreadsheets to calculate company pay roll / transactions, programs for controlling robots or
planes, etc.
Features of Application Software
• Easy to design
• More interactive
• Slow in processing speed
• Generally written in high-level language (easily understood by the user than the computer)
• Easy to understand by users
• Easy to manipulate and use
• Bigger in size and requires large storage space
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Categories of Application Software

Application software can be classified as; - General Purpose / Standard software

- Integrated software
- Tailor-made / Customized software

i. General-purpose application packages

A general-purpose application package is a type of software that can used to perform many
different related tasks.

Type of general purpose / Example of package Function/Task used for

standard software package

Database package Microsoft (MS) Access, File Used to store, retrieve information,
maker pro, FoxPro create reports

Spreadsheet package Microsoft (MS) Excel, Lotus Used for tasks that involve a lot of
123 calculations or for production of
graphs and charts

Word Processing packages Microsoft (MS) Word, Used to produce text-based

WordPerfect document such as letters and memos

Desktop publishing (DTP) Microsoft (MS) Publisher, Used to produce professional

Page Maker, Page Plus quality publications such as posters,
books, newspapers, broachers,
magazines, certificates, etc.

Graphics packages Paint, Paintbrush, Serif draw, Are used to produce and manipulate
Corel Draw artwork

Computer aided design (CAD) 2D-Design, 3D-Design, Used to produce engineering

packages AutoCAD, Turbo CAD designs and architectural plans

Communication software Internet Explorer, Netscape Used to access the internet, send
communicator, MS Outlook and receive e-mails

Presentation graphics Power Point, Lotus Freelance Used to create slide shows and
packages presentation, which can be viewed
on screen or with a projector

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 Web Design packages Microsoft (MS) Front page, Used to create web pages
Macromedia Dreamweaver

General purpose / standard software are sometimes called generic software. This means, for
example; that any one of the many different word-processing packages that you could buy will do
the same general sorts of tasks as the others.

ii. Integrated Software - They consists of a collection of application packages which share a
common set of commands. E.g. Word processor, spreadsheet and database all in one packet.

The advantages of integrated software is that;-

- They share commands hence when a user knows how to use the other it becomes easy to
use another one.
- It is easy to transfer data between these applications.
- Integrated software is cheaper to buy than buying separate packages (tailor
made/customized).

The disadvantage of integrated software is that they tend to be stronger in one area and weak in
others. For instance, a package may have a good database software but poor word processing
software.

iii. Tailor-made / Customized software - Refers to software that has been created specifically to
suit the needs of the person or a specific organization.

The advantages of tailor-made / customized software is that;-

- They are relatively cheap to buy.

- They are readily available and can be installed quickly and easily.
- They have very little chances of having any serious faults or 'bugs' since they have been
thoroughly tested before taken out into the market.
- They are well supported with a lot of manuals or books available about how to use them, as
well as on-line help and discussions on the Internet.

The disadvantage of tailor-made / customized software is that they may be very costly to run
as programmers need to be hired to familiarize users with its specific purpose.