Software

Introduction
A computer carries out data processing activities,
which include capturing of data, manipulating it and
managing output results. While carrying out these
activities computer has to manage peripheral devices
(input and output) and its internal resources (ALU,
memory etc.). It has to interact with the user who
provides instructions about what to do? For internal
management and interaction with the user,
procedures and instructions are laid down in the form
of programmes. A set of programmes put together
is called Software. Thus, software is needed to
accomplish the input, processing, output, storage and
control activities in a computer system. A user can
intract with the hardware through the software.
The Computer software is typically classified into
two major types – system and application software.

System_Software : It is a collection of complex

programmes designed to operate, control and
enhance the processing capabilities of the
computer itself. It consists of programs that
manage and support the resources and operations
of a computer system as it performs various
processing tasks.
Application_Software : Programmes that direct
the performance of computers to meet the needs
of the end users. These programmes that are
written for specific tasks of end users are referred
as application software.
SYSTEM_SOFTWARE
It is a collection of complex programmes
designed to operate, control and extend the
processing capabilities of the computer itself.
These programs serve as a vital interface
between computer system hardware and the
application programs of users (see figure
showing the layered or hierarchical structure
of software). It can further be classified into :
1. Systems Management Software
2. Systems Support Software
3. Systems Development Software
 Hardware

HIERARCHICAL STRUCTURE OF SOFTWARE

1. System_Management_Software : These are the
programmes, which help the computer for its internal
management of hardware, networking, graphic interfaces
and data resources. Three important types of System
Management Software are:
Operating_System. : The most important system
software package for any computer is its operating
system. An operating system is an integerated system of
programs that manage resources and activities of the
computer system, providing various support services as
the computer executes the application programs of
users. The primary purpose of an operating system is
to maximise the productivity of a computer system
by operating it in the most efficient manner. It
minimises human intervention required during
processing. Popular operating systems for PCs are MS
DOS, OS/2 and UNIX, Windows 95/98, Windows NT/2000.
Telecommunications_Monitors : Modern
information systems rely heavily on
telecommunication networks, which provide
communication links between end user terminals,
other computer systems, and databases. This requires
control programs called telecommunications
monitors. These are used by a main computer (Main
frame, mini) called a host or in telecommunications
control computers such as front end processors and
network servers. These programs perform such
functions as connecting/disconnecting
communications links between computers and
terminals, automatically checking terminals for
input/output activity, assigning priorities to data
communications requests from terminals, and
detecting and correcting transmission errors.
Operating_Environment_Packages : These
programs are used for enhancing the capability of
the operating system by providing a graphics-
based interface between end users, the operating
system, and their application programs. These
packages serve as a shell to inter connect several
separate application packages so that these can
communicate and work together and share
common data base files. These packages provide
icon display, and support the use of electronic
mouse and other pointing devices. They also allow
the output of several programs to be displayed at
the same time in multiple windows. Thus, these
programs help in on-screen management.
Examples of such software are Windows, Desqview.
2. System_Support_Software :
System Support Programs are
specialised programs that perform
routine and repetitive functions and are
made available to all users of a
computer system. System support
software is used for augmenting the
capabilities of the operating, which may
not be built within the operating
system. In case of operating system for
PCs, most support programmes are part
of it, but in case of mainframe
System Utility – A major category of
systems support involves utility
programs or utilities. These are a
group of miscellaneous programs that
perform various “housekeeping” and
file conversión functions. Some of the
functions are:
 Peripheral transfer
programs(copying)
 File transfer programs.
 Sort programs
 System status utility.
System Performance Monitors -
Error handling and reporting
programs.
System Security Monitors -
Programs for password and access to
files are the examples of security
monitors.
3. System Development Software : Programs
that help users develop information system’s
programs and procedures and prepare user
programs for computer processsing. When we
develop information systems (eg. Pay account
system, inventory management system etc.) we
need to write programs. Programmes written in
various languages are required to be translated
into machine code (binary code). For this purpose
we use assembler , compiler and linker and
interpreter. Besides these program editors,
program generators, debuggers and computer
Aided Software Engineering tolos are specialised
programmes which help in software development.
APPLICATION SOFTWARE
Application_software consists of programs that direct
computers to perform specific information processing
activities for end users. These programs are called
application packages because they direct the
processing required for a particular use, or
application, that the end users want accomplished.
Application software includes a variety of programs
that can be subdivided into general-purpose and
application-specific categories. General-purpose
application programs are programs that perform
common information processing jobs for end users. For
example, word processing programs, spreadsheet
programs, database management programs,
integerated packages, and graphics programs are
popular with user's of PCs.
Single Function Special Purpose
application Programs
‘Single function’ means a program
carries out one type of job; ‘special
pupose’ means programmes are
written for specific needs of the users.
Thousands of application software
packages are available to support
specific applications of end users.
Major categories of such application-
specific programs are :-
Business_Application_Programs. : These are
programs that accomplish the information processing
tasks of important business functions or industry
requirements. Examples of such business functions are
accounting (general ledger), marketing (sales analysis),
finance (cash budgeting), manufacturing (material
requirements planning), operations management
(inventory control), and human resource management
(employee benifit analysis).
Scientific_Application_Programs : These are
programs that perform information processing tasks for
the natural, physical, social, and behavioral sciences,
and for mathematics, engineering, and all other areas
involved in scientific research, experimentation, and
development. Some broad applications include
scientific analysis, engineering design, and monitoring of
experiments.
Other_Application_Programs : These
programs cover computer applications in
education, entertainment, music, art, law
enforcement, medicine and so on. Examples are:
Educational packages – Computer aided
education or computer assissted Instructions
Accounting General Ledger
Marketing – Sales analysis etc.
Finance – Budgetring, balance sheet etc.
Engineering – Computer Aided Designs
Entertainment – Games, painting etc.
Medical – Diagnostic packages
Single Function General_Purpose_Application Programs
Word Processing_Programs : Word processing means
creating a document, formatting, editing, saving and
printing the document. Word processing is an important
part of office automation. Word star and Word perfect were
two popular wordprocessing software programs in common
use. Subsequently it is replaced by Microsoft words.
Electronic_Spreadsheet : Electronic spreadsheet
packages are application programs used for analysis,
planning and modeling. They provide an electronic
replacement for more traditional tools such as paper
worksheets, pencils and calculators. They generate an
electronic spreadsheet, which is a worksheet of rows and
columns stored in the computer memory and displayed on
its video screen. Popular spreadsheet packages for PCs are
LOTUS 1-2-3, Excel, and VP-Planner.
Presentation Software : These are
the software which can be used for
creating general slides (presentation)
and can be presented through a
projection system. For Example. MS
Power Point, Howard Graphics and
Story Board.
Database Management Software :
These are the general-purpose
programs for creating and managing
databases and report generation.
These could be DBMS or RDBMS
Integerated_Software
As the name suggests, they are multi-
function software i.e. one integrated
software is capable to handle number of
functions. Integrated packages combine
the abilities of several general-pupose
applications in one program.
Integerated packages were developed to
solve the problems caused by the
inability of individual programs to
communicate and work together with
common files of data. These can be two
General Purpose : It means all the four functions
described above (Word processing, presentation,
spreadsheet and database management) and more
can be integrated into a single package. Examples
are MS Office 97/2000, MD Works and Lotus Smart
Suite.
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Packages
: ERP packages are built as integrated software
packages around the management functions i.e.
Finance, Human Resource Management, Inventory
Management and Accounting. etc. The specific
requirements of each discipline are catered by a
single package which could be customised as per
the needs of an organisation. Examples are SAP,
BAaN, peoples Soft.
User Made Programs.
A proper understanding of computer software
requires a basic knowledge of programming
languages. Programming languages allow
programmers and end users to develop the
programs of instructions that are executed by a
computer. Knowledge of the basic categories of
programming languages will help in a better
understanding and use of computer systems.
Many different programming languages have
been developed, each with its unique
vocabulary, grammar, and uses. Programming
languages can be grouped into four major
categories.