Software: Systems and Application Software

Made by :Bhuwanesh kumarB.comm. hons. (sec. A)

Why Should Learn About Software?

Computer software, or simply software, is that part of a computer system that consists of encoded information or computer instructions, in contrast to the physical hardware from which the system is built.

Personal tasks using software. Keeping a budget Internet research Games Music

Types of Software System Software

Application Software

System Software: System Software includes the Operating System

and all the utilities that enable the computer to function.

System software is a term referring to any computer software which manages and controls the hardware so that application software can perform a task.

Example: Operating Systems, Compiler, Loader, Linker,

Interpreter.

Types of systems software

Operating systemsUtility programsMiddleware

Operating system (OS): set of programs that controls the computer hardware and acts as an interface with application programs.

Operating System is a software, which makes a computer to actually work.

It is the software the enables all the programs we use.

Examples: Windows, Linux, Unix and Mac OS, etc.,

Operating System:

The Role of Systems Software

The role of Systems Software –interface between users, application software and hardware

Operating Systems Functions1. User interface and

input/output management User interface: allows individuals to access

and command the computer system. Command-based user interface: requires

that text commands be given to the computer to perform basic activities.

Graphical user interface (GUI): uses icons and menus displayed on screen to send commands to the computer system.

2. Hardware independence Application program interface

(API): allows applications to make use of the operating system.

3. Memory management Control how memory is accessed and

maximize available memory and storage.

4. Processing tasks Multitasking: more than one program can run at the

same time. Time-sharing: allows more than one person to use a

computer system at the same time.

5. Networking capability Features and capabilities of the OS that aid users in

connecting to a computer network.

Current Operating Systems

Popular Operating Systems Cross All Three Spheres of Influence

Utility Programs Help to perform maintenance or

correct problems with a computer system.

Common types of utility programs: Hardware utilities Virus-detection and recovery utilities Spam and pop-up blocker utilities File-compression utilities

Middleware Middleware: software that allows

different systems to communicate and exchange data.

Middleware can also be used as an interface between the Internet and older legacy systems.

Application Software: Application software interact with

systems software; systems software then directs computer hardware to perform the necessary tasks.

Application software: helps users solve particular problems.

In most cases, application software resides on the computer’s hard disk.

Application Software Application software can also be

stored on CDs, DVDs, and flash or keychain storage devices.

Example: Manage student database, Word Processor, Spreadsheet and Database

Management System etc.

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Application Software Graphic Presentations: The presentation

programs can make giving presentations and using overheads easier.  Other uses include: 

Slide Shows Repeating Computer Presentations on a computer

monitor Using Sound and animation in slide shows 

The most recognized graphic presentation programs are Microsoft PowerPoint .

Application Software:

Word Processors:

Word processing is a tool that helps user in creating, editing, and printing documents. Word processors will normally have the following capabilities built into them:  Spell checking Standard layouts for normal documents Have some characters appear in bold print, italics, or underlined Center lines, make text line up on the left side of the paper, or the right side of the paper Save the document so it can be used again print the document.

Examples: WordPerfect and Microsoft Word

Installing and Removing Software for PCs

Before you can use software, it must be installed on a computer.

Software for personal computers typically comes on CDs or is downloaded from the Web.

Most operating systems have an add/remove program feature for removing software. Does not work with all software. Does not always remove all elements of the software.