Unit 1

Introduction to
Computer Software
Contents
1.0 Introduction
2.0 Learning Outcomes
3.0 Learning Contents
3.1 Categories of Computer Software
3.2 Operating Systems
3.3 Utilities
3.4 Languages
3.5 Word Processors
3.6 Spreadsheets
3.7 Database Management Systems
3.8 Presentation Software
3.9 Graphics Software
4.0 Conclusion
5.0 Summary
6.0 Tutor-Marked Assignment (TMA)
7.0 References/Further Readings
1.0 Introduction
You should be familiar with hardware which refers to the physical parts of the computer that can
be touched, software is the set of intangible instructions that tell the computer what to do. This
unit discusses the two major categories of computer software, namely application and system
software, as well as the types of software in each category.

2.0 Learning outcomes

At the end of studying this unit, you should be able to:
i. Describe the two broad categories of computer software
ii. Describe different types of software such as operating systems, utilities and language
translators.

3.0 Learning Contents

3.1 Categories of Computer Software
Be informed that software is broadly divided into two categories:
System Software: These are the software that interact with the computer at a very basic level.
They help the computer to carry out its basic operating functions such as managing files,
interacting with input/output devices, and removing viruses from the computer. Examples of
system software are operating systems, utilities and language translators.
Application Software: These are the software that help users to do real work such as creating
documents, editing photos or tracking finances. Application software do not interact with the
computer directly. Rather, they do so through system software such as operating systems and
utilities.
Figure 1.0, provides an overview of application software and system software, as well as the types
of software in each category.

Operating Systems

System Software Utilities

Software

Language translators

Wordprocessors

Spreadsheet Software

Application Software Database management systems

Presentation software

Graphics software
Figure 1.0: Overview of types of software

3.2 Operating Systems

Operating systems are the most important programs that run on a computer, because they control
all activities that take place in a computer. Operating systems perform basic tasks such as keeping
track of files, management of memory allocated to programs and data, and controlling input/output
devices such as keyboard and printer.
Examples of operating systems for general-purpose computers are Microsoft Windows, Mac OS,
UNIX and Linux. Handheld devices use operating systems such as Windows Mobile OS, iOS and
Android OS.

3.3 Utilities
A utility is a program designed to perform tasks such as making a computer’s performance
efficient, protecting data and make communication easy. Examples of utility programs are:
i. Antivirus software for protecting the computer from computer virus.
ii. Backup software that help store copies of files, which can be restored in case the files
get lost or damaged.
iii. Compression utilities (or zip software) that shrink files so that they require less storage
space. Compression utilities can also return files to their original form when required.
iv. Email software for managing the flow of data to/from an electronic post office box.

3.4 Language Translators

Now know that computers understand only machine language, in which instructions are written
as strings of zeros and ones. However, programming in machine language is difficult and error-
prone for humans. As a result, programs are usually written in high level languages which contain
English commands and mathematical symbols that humans are familiar with.
Language translators are system software that convert high level language programs to machine
language programs which the computer understands. Examples of language translators are:
i. Compilers which translate all instructions in a high level language program to machine
language before executing any instruction.
ii. Interpreters which translate and execute an instruction in a high level language program
before moving to the next instruction.
Self-Assessment Exercise(s) 1
1. ………………software helps the computer to carry out its basic operating functions.
2. ………………software helps to do real work.
3. Which of the following is NOT a type of utility program?
 a. Antivirus software
b. backup software
c. Compilers
d. Compression or zip software
4. Which of the following is NOT an example of language translators?
a. Interpreters
b. Debuggers
c. Compilers

3.5 Word Processors

A word processor is a program for producing documents such as letters, memos, reports and
manuscripts. Word-processing software allow you to create, edit, format and spell-check
documents on the screen before orienting on paper. Examples of word processors are Microsoft
Word and OpenOffice Writer.

3.6 Spreadsheets
You need to know that spreadsheet is an arrangement of rows and columns containing values
that can be manipulated. An electronic spreadsheet is a program for working with spreadsheets.
Because electronic spreadsheets allow users to simple or complex formula, they can be used for
performing tasks such as budgeting, tracking finances, calculating loan payments, computing
student grades and estimating project costs. Electronic spreadsheets allow users to display
varieties of colorful graphs. They often support what-if-analysis, for analyzing different scenarios
such as “What if I score Bs in all my courses this semester? But what if I score only Cs?” examples
of electronic spreadsheets are Microsoft Excel and OpenOffice Calc.

3.7 Database Management Systems

However, database is a collection of data stored on one or more computers. A database can
contain data such as details of books in a library, university student records, or bank customer
details. A database management system (DBMS) is a program for storing, modifying, finding and
reporting data contained in a database. DBMS allow users to query the database, that is, to extract
information that meets certain criteria. For example, a query could request the DBMS to list all
students who scored at least a B grade in CPT 111, arranged according to their matriculation
numbers. Examples of popular DBMS are Microsoft Access, Oracle and My SQL.

3.8 Presentation Software

Be aware that Presentation software enable users to combine text, graphs, photos, sound clips
and animation into series of electronic slides. For one-on-one presentations, the slides can be
viewed on the monitor. However, group presentations are commonly viewed using a computer
projector. Presentation slides can also be posted on the Internet. Electronic slides can be used
by instructors and students to deliver lecturers and oral presentations. They are also useful for
presenting ideas in meetings and conferences. Examples of common presentation software are
Microsoft PowerPoint and OpenOffice Impress and Google Presentations.
3.9 Graphics Software
Graphics software allow users to create, edit and manipulate graphics. These graphics could be
pictures, images, drawings, icons or photographs. There are different types of graphics software:
i. Paint Software help you paint images by providing pens, brushes and paints. They represent
images using bitmap graphics formats such as BMP, PNG, TIF and JPEG. Examples of paint
software are Microsoft Paint and Corel Painter.
ii. Drawing Software are designed to for combining lines, shapes and colors into diagrams.
They represent diagrams using vector graphics files such as WMF and EPS. Examples of
drawing software are Adobe Illustrator and Corel DESIGNER.
iii. Photo Editing Software allow you to enhance poor-quality photos by adjusting brightness
and contrast, cropping out unwanted portions, and so on. An popular example of photo editing
software is Adobe Photoshop.

4.0 Conclusion
Computer hardware cannot function on its own because software is needed to direct the
operations of the computer. System software such as operating systems and utilities help the
computer to perform the most basic functions while Application software interacts with system
software to help the computer user perform useful tasks.

5.0 Summary
You have learnt that:
i. The two major categories of software are system software and application software.
ii. System software help the computer to carry out its basic operating functions.
iii. Types of system software are operating systems, utilities and language translators.
iv. Application software help users to do real work such as creating documents.
v. Types of application software include word processors, spreadsheets, database
management systems, presentation software and graphics software.

6.0 Tutor-Marked Assignment

1. Describe the two major categories of software.
2. Differentiate between compilers and interpreters.
3. What is an operating system? List three examples of operating systems.
4. Which type of application software would you likely use to:
a. Write a letter to your head of department
b. Store the details such as names, residential addresses, email addresses, phone
numbers, etc. of your friends
c. Display charts about the number of students admitted in your department in the last five
years
d. Make an oral presentation of your assignment to the whole class
 e. Change the background of your photograph

7.0 References/ Further Readings

Parsons, J. J., Oja, D. (2011), Practical Computer Literacy3rd edition, Centage Learning.
Norton, P. (2005), Peter Norton's Introduction to Computers 6th edition, McGraw-Hill/Irwin
Leon, A., Leon, M., (1999), Fundamentals of Information Technology, leonVikas Hall