SOFTWARE

SYSTEM SOFTWARE
APPLICATION SOFTWARE
WHAT IS SOFTWARE?

• Software is a general term for the various kinds of programs used to

operate computers and related devices.
• Software, commonly known as programs, consists of all the instructions
that tell the hardware how to perform a task.
• These instructions come from a software developer in the form that will
be accepted by the platform that they are based on. For example, a
program that is designed for the Windows operating system will only
work for that specific operating system.
• Software is generally created (written) in a high-level programming
language, one that is (more or less) readable by people.
• These high-level instructions are converted into "machine language"
instructions, represented in binary code, before the hardware can run
the code".
WHAT IS SOFTWARE?

• When the software is installed to the computer, it is generally

already in this machine language.
• Computers operate by executing the computer program.
• This involves passing instructions from the application software,
through the system software, to the hardware which ultimately
receives the instruction as machine code.
• Each instruction causes the computer to carry out an operation –
machine cycle.
WHAT IS SOFTWARE?

•
• Software is often divided into application software (programs that
do work users are directly interested in) and system software
(which includes operating systems and any additional software).
• An additional software is the utility, which is a small useful
program with limited capability.
• Some utilities come with operating systems.
SYSTEM SOFTWARE

• System software is generally prepared by the computer

manufacturers.
• So, system software is almost always pre-installed on the
computer.
• System software includes operating systems, device drivers,
diagnostic tools, compiler, interpreter, assembler and many more.
• These software products comprise of programs written in low-level
languages, which interact with the hardware at a very basic level.
• It helps run the computer hardware and computer system itself.
OPERATING SYSTEM

• An Operating System (OS) is an interface between a computer user

and computer hardware.
• An operating system is a software which performs all the basic
tasks like file management, memory management, process
management, handling input and output, and controlling
peripheral devices such as disk drives and printers.
• Example of operating system are Windows, Mac OS, UNIX, Linux
OPERATING SYSTEM
OPERATING SYSTEM

• In order for the operating system (OS) to communicate with

computer hardware, it needs driver.
• OS will use driver to ensure correct operation of each hardware
device, where driver is an implementation on how to do the
operation.
• For example:
• User request to playsound from media player program.
• Media player program will communicate with operating system
through the API or Application Program Interface such as
playsound(sound) method.
• The API is a set of common functions that the application calls upon
to get the operating system to do what it wants.
OPERATING SYSTEM

• Operating system then will communicate with driver (which is

codes that runs in the operating system kernel that does the low-
level programming of I/O hardware).
• Driver contains codes which specified how an operation will be
done by the hardware. In this situation, audio driver will
implement how to play the requested sound.
OPERATING SYSTEM– FUNCTIONS

• 1. Memory Management
• Memory management refers to management of Primary Memory or Main
Memory.
• Main memory provides a fast storage that can be accessed directly by the
CPU. For a program to be executed, it must in the main memory.
• An Operating System does the following activities for memory management:
• i. Keeps tracks of primary memory (what part of it are in use by whom, what
part are not in use).
• ii. In multiprogramming, the OS decides which process will get memory when
and how much.
• iii. Allocates the memory when a process requests it to do so.
• iv. De-allocates the memory when a process no longer needs it or has been
terminated.
OPERATING SYSTEM– FUNCTIONS

• For example:
• When you double click on desktop to open an application, OS will
loads necessary part of the application to memory.
• As you start using the application, OS will load extra module to
RAM as required.
• If there is module that is no longer needed, OS will remove the
module from memory.
• So, some space can be freed up.
OPERATING SYSTEM– FUNCTIONS

• 2. Processor Management
• In multiprogramming environment, the OS decides which process
gets the processor when and for how much time.
• This function is called process scheduling.
• An Operating System does the following activities for processor
management:
• i. Keeps tracks of processor and status of process. The program
responsible for this task is known as traffic controller.
• ii. Allocates the processor (CPU) to a process.
• iii. De-allocates processor when a process is no longer required.
OPERATING SYSTEM– FUNCTIONS

• For example:
• Computer processes are connected by CPU.
• Signals sent to and from CPU determine what happens and in
what order.
• OS works with the CPU to create a checklist of processes to
execute and ensures that each gets done.
• A CPU can only can only perform one task at one time.
• OS controls the priority of each task.
OPERATING SYSTEM– FUNCTIONS

• For example:
• When the currently running program has to temporarily stop for a
while, the operating system will switch the CPU to run another
program in the memory.
• The reasons for a program to stop such as reading/writing hard
disk and waiting for user input (does not need CPU to be
accomplished).
• So, the OS may interrupt that program and give the control to one
of the other in-main-memory programs that are ready to be
executed.
• The main idea of multiprogramming is to maximize the use of CPU
time. (It refers to the software).
OPERATING SYSTEM– FUNCTIONS

• 3. Device Management
• An Operating System manages device communication via their
respective drivers. It does the following activities for device
management:
• i. Keeps tracks of all devices. Program responsible for this task is
known as the I/O controller.
• ii. Decides which process gets the device when and for how much
time.
• iii.Allocates the device in the efficient way.
• Iv. De-allocates devices.
OPERATING SYSTEM– FUNCTIONS

• 4. File Management
• A file system is normally organized into directories for easy
navigation and usage. These directories may contain files and
other directions.
• An Operating System does the following activities for file
management:
• i. Keeps track of information, location, uses, status etc. The
collective facilities are often known as file system.
• ii. Decides who gets the resources.
• iii.Allocates the resources.
• Iv. De-allocates the resources.
OPERATING SYSTEM– FUNCTIONS

• 5. Other Important Functions

• Following are some of the important activities that an Operating System
performs:
• i. Security − By means of password and similar other techniques, it prevents
unauthorized access to programs and data.
• ii. Control over system performance − Recording delays between request for a
service and response from the system.
• iii.Job accounting − Keeping track of time and resources used by various jobs
and users.
• iv. Error detecting aids − Production of dumps, traces, error messages, and
other debugging and error detecting aids.
• v. Coordination between other software and users − Coordination and
assignment of compilers, interpreters, assemblers and other software to the
various users of the computer systems.
SYSTEM SOFTWARE – OPERATING SYSTEM

• The other programs are called applications or application

programs.
• The application programs make use of the operating system by
making requests for services through a defined application
program interface (API).
• In addition, users can interact directly with the operating system
through a user interface such as a command line or a graphical
user interface (GUI).
SYSTEM SOFTWARE – OPERATING SYSTEM - API

• API is the acronym for the Application Programming Interface,

which is a software intermediary that allows two applications to
talk to each other.
• It is a set of defined functions and methods for interfacing with
the underlying operating system or another program or service
running on the computer.
• An API lists a bunch of operations that developers can use, along
with a description of what they do.
SYSTEM SOFTWARE – OPERATING SYSTEM - GUI

• A Graphical User Interface (GUI for short) allows users to interact

with the computer hardware in a user friendly way.
• In basic terms, a GUI is simply a way to present information to a
computer user in a fashion that's easy to understand and interact
with through performing actions by clicking, tapping or navigating
to visual indicators and icons.
• GUIs were initially designed to work with a mouse and keyboard,
but with the advent of touchscreens , everything from
smartphones to ATMs now have some form of GUI.
• GUIs also provide instant feedback. Clicking an icon will open it
up.
SYSTEM SOFTWARE – OPERATING SYSTEM - GUI
SYSTEM SOFTWARE – OPERATING SYSTEM –
CHARACTERISTICS - 1

• 1. Licensing
• There are basically three kinds of Operating systems. One is Open
Source OS, another is Free OS and the third is Commercial OS.
• Linux is an open source operating system which means that anyone
can download and modify it. Other example is Ubuntu and etc.
• A free operating systems doesn’t have to be open source. They are
free to download and use but cannot modify them. For example,
Google owns Chrome OS and makes it free to use.
• Commercial operating systems are privately owned by companies
that charge money for them. Examples include Microsoft Windows
and Apple mac OS. These require to pay for the right (or license) to
use their Operating systems.
SYSTEM SOFTWARE – OPERATING SYSTEM –
CHARACTERISTICS - 2

• 2. Software Compatibility
• The developers make the software which may be compatible or
incompatible in different versions within the same or different
operating system.
• For example: Adobe Dreamweaver CC 18.0, 18.1, 18.2 release
compatible with Windows (Microsoft Windows 7 with Service Pack
1, Windows 8.1, or Windows 10) and Mac OS (macOS v10.13,
macOS v10.12, or OS X v10.11).
SYSTEM SOFTWARE – OPERATING SYSTEM –
CHARACTERISTICS - 3

• 3. Complexity
• Operating systems come in basically two editions one is 32-bit and
other is 64-bit editions.
• The 64-bit edition of an operating system best utilizes random
access memory (RAM).
• A computer with a 64-bit CPU can run either a 32-bit or a 64-bit
OS,
• But a computer with a 32-bit CPU can run only a 32-bit OS.
SYSTEM SOFTWARE – DEVICE DRIVER

• Device driver is a software that controls a hardware part attached

to a computer and allows the computer to use the hardware by
providing a suitable interface.
• This means that the operating system need not go into the details
about how the hardware part works.
• As soon as the driver software has been installed into the
computer, it detects and identifies the peripheral device and able
to control the device with the computer.
SYSTEM SOFTWARE – DIAGNOSTIC TOOLS

• Computer diagnostics tools are also regarded as utility programs.

SYSTEM SOFTWARE – UTILITY

• Software programs that add functionality to the computer and

help computer to perform better.
• Some utility programs come built into the operating system while
others you can purchase off the shelf.
• Example of utility program function such as help keep the
computer free from unwanted software such as viruses or spyware
using antivirus software.
• Other example such as add functionality that allows user to
customize your desktop and user interface such as through
personalization option in control panel.
SYSTEM SOFTWARE – UTILITY – OTHER
EXAMPLE

• 3. Disk Defragmenter
• Disk Defragmenter is a tool of Windows operating system that
analyses the hard drive and merges fragmented files into one
contiguous block or space.
• This will allow your system to access files and folders and save
new ones more efficiently.
SYSTEM SOFTWARE – UTILITY – OTHER
EXAMPLE

• 4. Disk Cleanup
• The clean up process involves searching and analyzing the hard
drive for files that are no longer needed.
• Then it proceeds to remove them and thus freeing up disk space
on the hard drive.
• Example of files that can be deleted are temporary internet files,
recycle bin, downloaded program files.
SYSTEM SOFTWARE – UTILITY – OTHER
EXAMPLE

• 5. System Restore
• System Restore protects and revert the Windows operating system
to a previous state which is known as a restore point.
• System Restore attempts to correct issues with system stability
after a particular event occurs that affects the performance of a
computer.
• A restore point is a saved "snapshot" of a computer's data at a
specific time.
• When a restore point is established, the computer creates a
backup copy of all data at that particular time.
SYSTEM SOFTWARE – UTILITY – OTHER
EXAMPLE

• 6. Task Manager
• Provides details about programs and processes running on
your computer.
• It also displays the most commonly used performance measures for
processes.
• Using the Task Manager can provide user with details on current
programs, and see which programs have stopped responding.
• Can be used to start and stop programs.
SYSTEM SOFTWARE – UTILITY – OTHER
EXAMPLE

• 7. Task Scheduler
• Enables user to automatically perform routine tasks on a chosen
computer.
• The Task Scheduler does this by monitoring whatever criteria user
choose to initiate the tasks (referred to as triggers) and then
executing the tasks when the criteria is met.
• For example, user can schedule a task to run a backup script every
night.
SYSTEM SOFTWARE – UTILITY – OTHER
EXAMPLE

• 8. Scan DIsk
• Enables user to automatically perform routine tasks on a floppy
and hard disk for errors and to correct problems that are found.
• It also marks those sections to prevent the rewriting of data and
data loss.
• 9. File Management (Windows Explorer/ My Computer/
Computer) – depend on windows version used
• Provides a user with a graphical interface in which he/she can
organize files and folders on a computer's storage device.
SYSTEM SOFTWARE – UTILITY – OTHER
EXAMPLE

• 10. Web Browser

• Allows a user to locate, access, and display web pages. In common
usage, a web browser is usually shortened to "browser."
• Browsers are used primarily for displaying and accessing websites
on the internet.
• Common web browsers include Microsoft Internet Explorer, Google
Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Apple Safari.
SYSTEM SOFTWARE – TRANSLATOR

• Compiler, Interpreter, and assembler are example of computer

language translator.
• Translator is needed to convert a program which is written in high-
level language which is called as source code into an equivalent
machine language program.
• It also detects error during translation, and provide diagnostic
messages for the error found.
SYSTEM SOFTWARE – TRANSLATOR - COMPILER

• It translates the entire program and also reports the errors in

source program encountered during the translation.
• Example of language using compiler is C++.
SYSTEM SOFTWARE – TRANSLATOR -
INTERPRETER

• Interpreter translates line by line and reports the error once it

encountered during the translation process.
• It directly executes the operations specified in the source program
when the input is given by the user.
• It gives better error diagnostics than a compiler.
• Example of language using interpreter such as BASIC.
SYSTEM SOFTWARE – TRANSLATOR -
ASSEMBLER

• Assembler is a translator which is used to translate the assembly

language code into machine language code.
APPLICATION SOFTWARE

• Application software products are designed to satisfy a particular

need of a particular environment.
• It is an end-user programs because they enable user to complete
tasks.
• Software suite is a collection of several applications that are
bundled together and sold or distributed as a package. Each
component program generally provides different, but related,
functionality.
• Microsoft Office is one popular example for software suite.
APPLICATION SOFTWARE – GENERAL PURPOSE
SOFTWARE
• A general purpose application, sometimes known as ‘off-the-shelf’ is the sort of software
that user use at home and school.
• Examples include word processors, spreadsheets, databases, desktop publishing packages,
graphics packages etc.
• Example of use:
• 1. Word processing application – Example: Word (Part of Microsoft Office)
• Word processing software is used to manipulate a text document.
• Some of the features of word processing software include:
• Creating, editing, saving and printing documents.
• Copying, pasting, moving and deleting text within a document.
• Formatting text, such as font type, bolding, underlining or italicizing.
• Creating and editing tables.
• Inserting elements from other software, such as illustrations or photographs.
• Correcting spelling and grammar.
APPLICATION SOFTWARE – GENERAL PURPOSE
SOFTWARE

• 2. Spreadsheet application - Excel (Part of Microsoft Office)

• Is used to organize and manipulate numerical data.
• Numbers are organized on a grid of lettered columns and
numbered rows.
• The grid itself consists of cells, and each cell can be located using
a unique combination of columns and rows.
• Some of the features of spreadsheet application include:
• Provide variety of built-in functions and those functions can be
copied from 1 cell to the other cells.
• Cells can be formatted for certain types of data. For example,
percentage (%)
APPLICATION SOFTWARE – GENERAL PURPOSE
SOFTWARE

• 3. Database application – DBMS: Access (Part of Microsoft

Office)
• Organizations use large amounts of data.
• A database management system (DBMS) is a software tool that
makes it possible to organize data in a database.
• Some of the features of database application include:
• Provides a description of the data
• Improve the integrity of the data
• Determine access rights of users
APPLICATION SOFTWARE – GENERAL PURPOSE
SOFTWARE

• 4. Desktop publishing application – Microsoft Publisher

• Is a tool for graphic designers and non-designers to create visual
communications such as:
• Brochures
• Business cards
• Greeting cards
• Web pages
• Posters.
APPLICATION SOFTWARE – GENERAL PURPOSE
SOFTWARE

• 5. Presentation software – PowerPoint (Part of Microsoft Office)

• Allow user to organize the most important information into a
series of slides.
• During the presentation, these slides will be projected to a screen
so the audience can see them.
• Slides will contain text and illustrations, but only as much as the
audience can absorb in the short amount of time that it will be
shown during the presentation.
• Make it simple and often fun to create a presentation for the
audience.
APPLICATION SOFTWARE – GENERAL PURPOSE
SOFTWARE

• 6. Graphics application – Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator

• Some of the common things people use graphics software for
include:
• editing and sharing digital photos
• creating logos, drawing and modifying clip art
• creating digital fine art
• designing advertisements and product packaging
• touching up scanned photos
• drawing maps or other diagrams.
• There are the unconventional uses as well, such as 3D drawing in
Illustrator.
APPLICATION SOFTWARE – GENERAL PURPOSE
SOFTWARE

• 7. Web design application – Adobe Dreamweaver

• Is used to create web page and web site.
• It includes several different aspects such as:
• Webpage layout
• Content production
• Graphic design.
APPLICATION SOFTWARE – BE SPOKE
SOFTWARE

• Is software customized for a specific purpose.

• That is specially developed for some specific organization or other
user.
• Maybank banking application is one example of custom-made
application according to services Maybank offers for their
customers.