CBCT 2203

Basic Concepts of
Information technology

Topic: 5
Computer Software
Objectives:

By the end of this topic, you should be able to:

• Explain the FOUR roles of system software.
• Identify FOUR categories of system software.
• Discuss the functions and features of operating system.
• Explain the strengths and weaknesses of operating system
• Discuss FOUR categories of advanced application software
• Discuss FOUR types of database
Software

• Computer software is actually a set of planned instructions and

step by step action

• It is required to convert data into information and making the

computer useful.

• Computer software can be divided into TWO categories:

- System software
- Application software

• Both of the software can be divided further into a few categories

Software: System Software

Operating system System Utility Program

software
Language translator Device Drivers

• OS contains various functions and features like multitasking, multi-

user, multiprocessor, etc
• Windows OS is the most popular built by Microsoft Corporation
• UNIX is mostly used in the server system
• Linux contains various features of UNIX and is becoming more
popular because it is a free and reliable operating system
Software: Application software
Used by many people to solve specific problems like:
• providing documents
• generating reports
• making presentations
Electronic
• performing calculations spreadsheet
Word
• Others processing

Word Processor MS Word, Word Perfect, Writer

Multimedia Flash, Director, Authornware
Database
Games Caesar Ill, Quake, FIFA 13
Communications Internet Explorer, Google Chrome
Application
Compiler Borland C++
software
Database DB2, Foxpro, MySQL
Electronic Spreadsheet Excel, Lotus 1-2-3, Calc Presentation
software Others
Presentation PowerPoint, Impress, Prezi
Software :
Relationship between computer hardware, OS and application
software

Word processor, multimedia, games,

communication, database

Linux, UNIX, Windows

Monitor, Printer, Mouse, RAM, CPU

System Software :

Software consists of Coordinates the

instructions that run hardware
inside the computer. components and
What is
application software.
system
software?
Use to start the
computer and it is Enables users to
located on the back interact directly with
of the application the computer.
software
System Software :
Categories and roles of system software.
Utility Program Operating system
Roles:
Roles: • Operates
• Perform special tasks microcomputers
related to management • Coordinate resources
of computer resources • Provide interface
and files. between users –
computer
• Runs applications

Language translator Device Drivers

Roles:
Roles:
• Translate program
• Allow input and
(written by System output devices to
programmer) into a software communicate with
language that is
other computer
understood and
systems
processed
by the computer.
Operating System: Functions
Optimise the use of Graphical User
Provide Interface for
computer system Interface (GUI)
Users
resources Command line

Reduce time for Run Application

executing users Software
instructions

Reach all files in

the disc storage Manage
resources
Mouse,
keyboard,
scanner
Ensure safety of the
Manage Hard Disc
computer system
File System
Manage
movement of
data
Features of Operating System:
The ability of a
computer system to Capability to accept more than
perform more than one one user to access the
task at one time Multi-User computer at one time
(simultaneously).

Multi-tasking Multi-
Processing

Operating Capability to handle

System more than one processor
simultaneously.

Virtual
Memory Batch
The processing
Processing mode of an
operating system
Types of OS:
Types of Operating System (OS)

Personal OS Server OS Mobile OS Embedded OS

It is also called It is commonly It is designed for It is installed in

desktop operating referred as mobile devices, other kind of
system and network such as mobile computer, such as
installed in a operating system phones, cash
single computer. and smartphones and registers, kiosks
designed for tablets. and most
network server consumer
that allows electronics.
multiple user
Disk Operating access Windows Embedded Blackberry OS
Windows
System (DOS) to a network, as Windows Mobile Palm OS & Palm
well as resources. Web OS
Linux Windows phone

Android Symbian
Mac OS UNIX
iOS Embedded Linux
Application Software

Shareware

Custom Software Freeware

Application
Packaged Software/ Software Public Domain
Commercial Software Software

Open Source Software Web Application

Advanced Application Software

Business Software Graphic &

Multimedia
• Microsoft Word, Excel,
Oracle Db, Apple
Software
Keynote & Oracle • AutoCAD, Adobe
Primavera Illustrator, Adobe
Dreamweaver
Software
• Movie Maker,
Categories • Mozilla Firefox,
Broderbund Instant Skype, Yahoo!
Architect, Intuit Messenger, Microsoft
Quicken Outlook
Home, Personal
and Education Communication
Software Software
Word Processing Software
A word processing software enables you to create, edit, format,
store and print texts and graphics in one document

Information
printing

Information Information
Entry Word Display
Processing
Activities

Storage & Information

Retrieval Editing
Spreadsheet Software

• A spreadsheet consists of rows and columns

• Each row is numbered, while each column is given name

Functions support by spreadsheet software

Accepting
Performing
summarised raw
Storing data analysis and
data and
automatically improving
producing
planning.
information
Database Software
• This software can store, update, manipulate, access and report in
various views and print data in various form
• Database can be define as:

- Collection of data or information and relationship among them; or

- Collection of data with related set of entities

Dat
a
Attribute
Field
Record
File
Database
Database Software

What is a Database?
Types of Database

Hierarchical Networked
Records are arranged Every child have more
in related groups that than one parent. This
resemble family tree type database can
(concept; parent and have all types of
child) relationships.

Types of
Object Oriented Database Relational

An object contains Data stored inside a

both data (attributes) table containing rows
and behaviour and columns.
(programme).
Other Software
Decorative Graphics
Business/Analytical
Graphics
Presentation Graphics

Illustration Graphics

Document
Graphics
Processing
Multimedia
Groupware Software
Software
Software
Software
Software Suite Animation Graphics
Desktop Publishing Software