Introduction To Computer Application Chapter-2

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CHAPTER 2
COMPUTER SYSTEM COMPONENTS
System is a group of components that work together to attain a common goal. Likewise, computer system is
composed of Hardware Components (input, processing, memory and output units) and Software Component
(system, and application software).
2.1. HARDWARE COMPONENTS
Hardware components are units that are visible (or physical); Software components are non-visible
programs, procedures and associated documentations that make possible the effective operation of computer
system; firmware is software integrated into hardware.
The Computer without software constitutes just the hardware only. The hardware of the computer can be
divided into:
1. Input Unit constituting the various Input Devices.
2. Output Unit constituting the various Output Devices.
3. Various Components within the CPU (Central Processing Unit).
4. Memory Unit consisting primary and secondary memory
These system components are organized as shown in the following figure.

Fig. Organization of Computer System

2.1.1. Input Devices

Input Devices are those devices that are required to translate data that is in human readable form, into a
form the computer can process. These devices allow direct interaction between human and machine. Input
Devices includes:

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A. Keyboard
A Keyboard converts letters, numbers and other characters into electrical signals that are machine
readable by the computer’s processor. There are two types of keyboard
(a) Special Purpose Keyboard
(b) General Purpose Keyboard

a) Special Purpose Keyboard contains limited number of keys and they are used for specific applications.
For Example: 1. Billing Machines
2. ATM in Banks, etc.
b) General Purpose Keyboard is connected to the personal computer and look like a typewriter keyboard to
which some additional keys are added.

There are different categories of keys available in the keyboard.

1 Standard typing keys (alphanumeric keys) are in the same familiar QWERTY arrangement of letter,
number and punctuation keys found on any typewriter. QWERTY refers to the alphabet keys in the top left
row on a standard typewriter keyboard.
2 Cursor movement keys: The Cursor, also called the insertion point, is the symbol on the display screen
that shows where data may be entered next. The cursor movement keys, or arrow keys, are used to move
the cursor around the text on the screen. These keys move the cursor left, right, up or down. The keys
labeled Page Up and Page Down move the cursor, the equivalent of one page, up or down on the screen.
3 Numeric keypad: A separate set of keys, 0 through 9 known as the numeric keypad, is laid out like the keys
on a calculator. The toggle key called Num Lock changes the function of some of the keys on the numeric
keypad as a number entering key and cursor movement key alternately.

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4 Function keys are the keys labeled with an F and a number, such as F1 and F2. Personal Computers have
normally 12 Function keys.
5 Editing keys: Space bar, Backspace, Delete, Insert are used to change a text.

B. Mouse
Mouse is a small, handy pointing device containing usually two buttons:
- Primary button (Left button)
- Secondary button (Right Button) and
- Sometimes a scrolling button in the middle.
Mouse contains a rolling ball beneath it and on moving the mouse, the cursor moves on the screen, as the ball
rotates. The following operations can be performed using the mouse.
1 Selection (Single click)
2 Giving Commands (Double click)
3 Dragging Objects (By pressing mouse button)
4 Dropping Objects (By releasing mouse button)
The mouse is designed for selecting preprogrammed commands from a menu displayed on the screen or moving
around data that have already been input in to the system. Thus a mouse is used in conjunction with the
keyboard rather than exclusively.

Joystick is a pointing device that consists of a vertical handle mounted on a base containing one or two buttons.
The vertical handle of the joystick can be rotated around 360 degrees. As the handle is rotated the cursor also
moves on the screen. Joystick is often used for playing games. It also used for training simulators.

In Touchpad the cursor is controlled with the fingers. About the same size as a mouse, touchpad is a flat,
rectangular device. Since it is pressure sensitive to finger and can sense the horizontal and vertical coordinates
being touched, as fingers are moved over the surface of the touchpad the cursor moves on the screen. The click
operation is performed by tapping the fingers on the surface of the pad.

The Light Pen is a light sensitive stylus or pen like device, connected by a wire to the computer. There is a
button in the Light Pen. When the user brings the pen to the desired location in the screen and presses the
button, the computer identifies the command and executes accordingly. It is used for providing graphical input
as well as menu selection. It is mainly used for CAD (Computer Aided Design) applications.
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Digitizing Tablet is an electronic device with a flat surface and specially designed stylus. A user can draw or
write anything over the flat surface using the stylus. It is used mainly for CAD and graphics applications in
designing cars, buildings, medical devices and robots.

Touch Screen is a device that has mixed characteristics of being input and output device. It displays the choice
of commands, and instructions. When you touch the screen using your fingers, the unit senses the X-Y
coordinate points and executes the command at that point.

C. Scanner: The keyboard can input only text through keys provided in it. If we want to input a picture the
keyboard cannot do that. Scanner is an optical device that can input any graphical matter and display it back.
The common optical scanner devices are Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR), Optical Mark Reader
(OMR) and Optical Character Reader (OCR).

1 Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR): - This is widely used by banks to process large volumes
of checks and drafts. Checks are put inside the MICR. As they enter the reading unit the checks pass
through the magnetic field which causes the read head to recognize the character of the checks.

2 Optical Scanner: these scanners can read data (text, image, and handwritten document) recorded on
paper. The scanning technology used is a light source and light sensors. The common optical scanner
devices are: OMR, OCR and Barcode Reader.

 Optical Mark Reader (OMR): This technique is used when students have appeared in
objective (fill in the bubble) type tests and they had to mark their answer by darkening a
square or circular space by pencil. These answer sheets are directly fed to a computer for
grading where OMR is used. The OMR senses the magnetized marks, enabling the reader to
determine which responses are marked.

 Optical Character Recognition (OCR): - This technique unites the direct reading of any
printed character. Suppose you have a set of hand written characters on a piece of paper. You
put it inside the scanner of the computer. This pattern is compared with a site of patterns

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stored inside the computer. Whichever pattern is matched is called a character read. Patterns
that cannot be identified are rejected. OCRs are expensive though better the MICR.

 Barcode Reader: Barcode is a printed code (bars of different thickness and spacing between
them) on products that uniquely identifies that product. Barcode is also called Universal
Product Code (UPC). Barcode Reader detects this combination of marks or printed bars that
represent data. UPC is 10 digits long; the first 5 identify the manufacturer (supplier); the next
5 identify the specific product of that manufacturer; the number on the left shows the
category of product. E.g. 9 for Books

D. Microphones are used to enter voice data. They let computers listen to us. Without microphones, computers
would not have sound data in them.
E. Digital Cameras are photoelectrical devices that enter image data to computers.

2.1.2. Output Devices

2.3.1.1 Display devices – softcopy output
 CRT
Abbreviation of cathode-ray tube, the technology used in most televisions and computer display screens. A
CRT works by moving an electron beam back and forth across the back of the screen. Each time the beam
makes a pass across the screen, it lights up phosphor dots on the inside of the glass tube, thereby illuminating
the active portions of the screen. By drawing many such lines from the top to the bottom of the screen, it creates
an entire screenful of images. It is large in size and requires a lot of space. Moreover, it consumes much power.
But it produces a sharp output.

 LCD
Short for liquid crystal display, a type of display used in digital watches and many portable computers. LCD
displays utilize two sheets of polarizing material with a liquid crystal solution between them. An electric current
passed through the liquid causes the crystals to align so that light cannot pass through them. Each crystal,
therefore, is like a shutter, either allowing light to pass through or blocking the light.

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Monochrome LCD images usually appear as blue or dark gray images on top of a grayish-white background.
Color LCD displays use two basic techniques for producing color: Passive matrix is the less expensive of the
two technologies. The other technology, called thin film transistor (TFT) or active-matrix, produces color
images that are as sharp as traditional CRT displays, but the technology is expensive. Its advantage is that it
does not consume a lot of space since it is thin and that it does not consume a lot of power hence it is ideal for
portable computers.

 ELD
A technology used to produce a very thin display screen, called a flat-panel display, used in some portable
computers. An ELD works by sandwiching a thin film of phosphorescent substance between two plates. One
plate is coated with vertical wires and the other with horizontal wires, forming a grid. When electric current is
passed through a horizontal and vertical wire, the phosphorescent film at the intersection glows, creating a point
of light, called pixel.

2.3.1.2 Printer – hardcopy output

Printer is a device that prints text or illustrations on paper. There are many different types of printers. In terms
of the technology they utilize, printers fall into the following categories:
Daisy-wheel: Similar to a ball-head typewriter, this type of printer has a plastic or metal wheel on which the
shape of each character stands out in relief. A hammer presses the wheel against a ribbon, which in tur n makes
an ink stain in the shape of the character on the paper. Daisy-wheel printers produce letter-quality print but
cannot print graphics.
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 Dot-matrix: Creates characters by striking pins against an ink ribbon. Each pin makes a dot, and
combinations of dots form characters and illustrations.

 Ink-jet: Sprays ink at a sheet of paper. Ink-jet printers produce high-quality text and graphics.

 Laser: Uses the same technology as copy machines. Laser printers produce very high quality text and
graphics.
 LCD & LED: Similar to a laser printer, but uses liquid crystals or light-emitting diodes rather than a laser to
produce an image on the drum.

 Line printer: Contains a chain of characters or pins that print an entire line at one time. Line printers are
very fast, but produce low-quality print.

 Thermal printer: An inexpensive printer that works by pushing heated pins against heat-sensitive paper.
Thermal printers are widely used in calculators and fax machines.

Printers are also classified by the following characteristics:

 Quality of type: The output produced by printers is said to be either letter quality (as good as a
typewriter), near letter quality, or draft quality. Only daisy-wheel, ink-jet, and laser printers produce
letter-quality type. Some dot-matrix printers claim letter-quality print, but if you look closely, you can
see the difference.

 Speed: Measured in characters per second (cps) or pages per minute (ppm), the speed of printers
varies widely. Daisy-wheel printers tend to be the slowest, printing about 30 cps. Line printers are
fastest (up to 3,000 lines per minute). Dot-matrix printers can print up to 500 cps, and laser printers
range from about 4 to 20 text pages per minute.

 Impact or non-impact: Impact printers include all printers that work by striking an ink ribbon. Daisy-
wheel, dot-matrix, and line printers are impact printers. Non-impact printers include laser printers and
ink-jet printers. The important difference between impact and non-impact printers is that impact

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printers make physical contact with the paper and are much noisier whereas non impact printers do not
make physical contact and are too noisy.

 Graphics: Some printers (daisy-wheel and line printers) can print only text. Other printers can print
both text and graphics.

2.3.1.3 Plotter – hardcopy output

A Plotter is also a printer that produces hard copy output. Plotters produce high quality color graphics output
by using pens for creating images. Plotters help to draw maps from stored data. Plotters are ideal for
Engineering, Drafting and many other applications that require intricate graphics.

2.3.1.4 Speaker – voice output

Speaker is an electro-acoustic transducer that converts electrical signals into sounds loud enough to be heard at
a distance. It is used in computer system to produce sound or voice output. The sound is input from external
world into computer system via microphone and is output to external world via speaker.

2.3.1.5 Robot – physical output

Robot is the most intriguing output device. Robotic device consists of arms that can perform a preprogrammed
task. Robots are mostly used in manufacturing tasks such as spray painting or assembling parts. Advanced
robots are used in scientific research such as space and undersea exploration.
.

2.1.3. COMPONENTS WITHIN THE CPU

Abbreviation of central processing unit, and pronounced as separate letters. The CPU is the brains of the
computer. Sometimes referred to simply as the processor or central processor, the CPU is where most
calculations take place. In terms of computing power, the CPU is the most important element of a computer
system. Many people wrongly call the system case (chasis) as CPU. But the chasis is a housing for devices like
CPU, RAM, disks, motherboard and expansion cards.The Central Processing Unit is the Computing part of the
Computer and is also called as the Brain of the Computer.

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The various components within the CPU can be identified as following:

(a) Control Unit
(b) Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU)
In a personal computer or microcomputer, the control unit and the ALU together, is a small chip called the
Microprocessor or the Processor. This Processor and other components necessary to make the computer to
function are housed in a main circuit board called the Mother Board or the System Board. In micro computers
the processor works hand in hand with memory unit and other components to carry out processing.

The Processor executes the given instructions and manipulates data into information.
As mentioned earlier the processor can be further divided into two components:
1 Control Unit
2 Arithmetic & Logic Unit
1. The Control Unit directs the Instructions in the form of electronic signals, to the rest of the computer that
are input unit, ALU, memory and output unit. The Control unit can be defined as ‘the section of the CPU
that selects, interprets and sees to the execution of program instructions’
2. The Arithmetic & Logic Unit performs all Arithmetic and Logical operations and controls the speed of
those operations. The ALU can be defined as ‘the part of a computing system containing the circuitry
that does the adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing and comparing.’

As a separate device the control and ALU units are known as the Processor. Processors used in Microcomputers
are known as Microprocessors. The speed of the Processor is summed by 2 things
 The number of Operating cycle it executes in a time period
 And the amount of data it can process in one cycle.
During one operating cycle, "the processors transfers an amount of data from memory to the arithmetic unit,
performs a calculation on an amount of data, Transforms an amount of data from memory to an output device,

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or Reverse data into memory from an input device". Minimum speed of the processor operates at about 1
million cycles per second.
Successful Processors
1 INTEL Processors
o 8086, 80286, 80386, 80486, 80586
o Pentium I to IV
2 APPLE MACINTOSH: Uses the Motorola 68000 microprocessors - Has an internal bus of 32 bit and an
external bus of 16 bits.
3 ALPHA MICRO - Uses both side 32 bits Microprocessor - that is both internal and external.
4 IBM - Uses a processor called System 38 - Is an 48 bit processor
5 ZILOG - Uses an 8-bit process - Processors used in today's computer are 1000 times more powerful than
those used earlier are. Yesterday's Mainframe power is available in today's Laptop Microcomputers.

2.1.4. Memory unit

Primary storage
2.3.1.5.1 Cache memory
Small memories on or close to the CPU chip can be made faster than the much larger RAM (main memory).
Most CPUs since the 1980s have used one or more caches, and modern general-purpose CPUs inside personal
computers may have as many as half a dozen, each specialized to a different part of the problem of executing
programs.

2.3.1.5.2 RAM (Random Access Memory)

Generally, RAM in a computer is considered main memory or primary storage: the working area used for
loading, displaying and manipulating applications and data. This type of RAM is usually in the form of
integrated circuits (ICs). These are commonly called memory sticks or RAM sticks because they are
manufactured as small circuit boards with plastic packaging and are about the size of a few sticks of chewing
gum. These days, most personal computers have slots for adding and replacing memory sticks. RAM is also
volatile, losing the stored information

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in an event of power loss, and quite expensive.

Fig. 1 Typical RAM stick

2.3.1.5.3 ROM (Read-only Memory)

Read-only memory (ROM) is a class of storage media used in computers and other electronic devices.
Because it cannot (easily) be written to, its main uses lie in the distribution of firmware (software that is very
closely related to hardware and not likely to need frequent upgrading).

Modern semiconductor ROMs typically take the shape of IC packages, i.e. "computer chips", not immediately
distinguishable from other chips like RAM but for the text printed on the chips. "ROM" in its strictest sense can
only be read from, but all ROMs allow data to be written into them at least once, either during initial
manufacturing or during a step called "programming". Some ROMs can be erased and re-programmed multiple
times, although they are still referred to as "read only" because the reprogramming process involves relatively
infrequent, complete erasure and reprogramming

Types of ROM

Classic mask-programmed ROM chips are written to during production and cannot change content afterwards.
But there are other types of non-volatile solid-state memory:

 PROM (Programmable Read-Only Memory) can be written to (programmed) via a special device, a
PROM programmer. The writing often takes the form of permanently destroying or creating internal links
(fuses or anti fuses) with the result that a PROM can only be programmed once.
 EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) can be erased by exposure to ultraviolet light then
rewritten via an EPROM programmer. Repeated exposure to ultraviolet light will eventually destroy the

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EPROM but it generally takes many (greater than 1000) exposures before the EPROM becomes unusable.
EPROM can be easily identified by the circular 'window' in the top which allows the UV light to enter.
Once programmed, this window is typically covered by a label to prevent accidental erasure.

EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) allow the entire ROM (or selected banks
of the ROM) to be electrically erased (flashed back to zero) then written to without taking them out of the
computer (camera, MP3 player, etc.). Flashing is much slower (in milliseconds) than writing to RAM (in
nanoseconds) (or reading from any ROMSecondary memory
The Memory which can store data or information permanently for future use is called secondary storage
devices (secondary memory). Normally, these secondary storage devices are very huge in storage capacity
and economical when compared to RAM.
Examples of secondary storage devices are:
 Hard disks
 Magnetic Tapes
 CD-ROM (Compact Disk  Read Only Memory)
 Floppy Disks, Etc.
1. HARD DISKS are also called as Non-removable disk or Rigid Disk fixed inside the computer. It can
contain more volume of data. Removable, smaller size hard disks are called Winchester Disk. Brand names of
the hard disks are SEAGATE, SAMSUNG, KANESK, LARSON AND TUBRO.
Hard disks are available in many sizes such as
 20MB, 40MB, 100MB, 540MB, 1GB, 20GB, 40GB, 80GB but today there is also more than this.
 Two different hard technologies are there
1. IDE- INTEGRATED DIGITAL ELECTRONICS
2. SCSI - SMALL COMPONENT SYSTEM INTERFACE
IDE hard disks are cheaper and slower. SCSI hard disks are costly and faster

2. FLOPPY DISKS are also called floppies , flexible diskettes or removable disks used for backup purpose.
They are encased permanently in a protective envelope, which is insulated into the disk drive.

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 Depending upon the size two types are available such as

 5.5 inch, 3.5 inch
 Advantages of these floppies
 Portable
 Cheaper cost
 Easy to handle
 Disadvantage of these floppies
 Small memory capacity
 Not Reliable
 Manufacturers of floppy diskettes are
 IMATION, SONY, AMKETTE, DYSAN, KOREX

3. TAPE DRIVES are much slower than disk drives, but their capacity is extremely large. They are generally
used for system backups: long-term storage of large amounts of important information.
4. CD DRIVES
Like floppy disk drives, Compact Disks (CDs) are removable storage mediums. There are three types of CD:
• CD-ROM (CD Read-Only Memory)
• CD-R (CD-Recordable)
• CD-RW (CD-ReWritable)
CD-ROMs are read-only - this means that it is not possible to write new information to the disks. For many
years all CDs were read-only. However, in recent years drives capable of writing new information to CDs have
become more and more common. These can use two different types of writeable disk: CD-R disks can only be
written to only one time, whereas CD-RW disks can be written too many times.

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5.DVDDRIVES
The technology involved in DVD (Digital Video Disk) drives is similar to that of CD drives. However their
storage capacity is greater – around 3GB per disk. Like CDs, DVDs can be either read-only or writeable.
6. Flash Memory

USB flash drives -thumb drives, handy drives-, which are used for general storage and transfer of data between
computers. It has also gained some popularity in the gaming market these days. Flash memory is highly
portable and it can store much data but it is expensive.

Storage Capacity Measurement

Bit (Binary Digit): A bit of storage is like a light switch; it can be either on (1) or off (0). A single bit is a one
or a zero, a true or a false, a "flag" which is "on" or "off", or in general, the quantity of information required to
distinguish two mutually exclusive states from each other. Gregory Bateson defined a bit as "a difference that
makes a difference".

The bit is the smallest unit of storage used in computing.

Byte: A byte is a contiguous sequence of a fixed number of bits. In recent years, the use of a byte to mean 8 bits
has become nearly ubiquitous.

KB (Kilo byte): A kilo byte is 210 bytes = 210 x 8 bits

MB (Mega byte): A mega byte is 220 bytes = 220 x 8 bits

GB (Giga byte): A giga byte is 230 bytes = 230 x 8 bits

TB (Tera byte): A tera byte is 240 bytes =240 x 8 bits

Example: If a storage device is 23 GB, find the memory capacity in

a. byte
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b. bit

1 GB = 230byte

23 GB = y

y = 23 GB x 230 byte/1 GB

y = 23x230 byte

b)

1GB = 8 x 230 bit

23 GB = y

y = 23 GB x 8 x 230 bit/1 GB

y = 23 x 8 x 230 bit

2.2. SOFTWARE COMPONENTS

Data are nothing but raw facts and figures without any meaning. They are to be processed. Information
is nothing but meaningful data after processing.
To convert or process any raw data into meaningful information software is required. Software is very,
very important to any computer and it is compared as “breathe life” into the computer.
Definition: Computer software is nothing but the step-by-step instructions given to the computer in the form of
programs or procedures or routines in order to accomplish any specified task or to process the raw data and
convert it into meaningful information. In short the software is nothing but the intelligence of the computer.

Software is “Soft” because you can’t touch the instructions, the way you touch the computer equipment
– the “hard” ware.

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Software is of two different types as it is, for the computer and for the user.
1. System Software – controls and coordinates the computer hardware.
2. Applications Software – designed to solve a specific problem.

2.2.1. System Software

 System Software manages the computer’s basic operations, allows the computer to run applications
software and allows the user to interact with the computer.
 System software tells the computer how to interpret data and instructions; how to communicate with
peripheral equipments like mouse, keyboard, printers etc; and how to use the hardware in general.
 There are many number of system software, but let us consider only a few for our discussion. The different
types of system software are:
 Operating Systems
 Device Drivers
 Language Translators
 Utility Programs
a) Operating System [OS]:-is system software containing a set of programs called the supervisor that manages
the basic operations of a computer. Flexibility of the computer usage depends on Operating System. Without
the operating system loaded into the computer, all hardware and other software are useless.

When the computer is switched on the operating system is automatically loaded into the main memory or
RAM of the computer. This process of loading the operating system into the RAM of the computer is called
Booting the computer. Can be classified as
 Single user OS [MS-DOS,PC-DOS,NOVELL-DOS]
 Multi user OS [NOVELL, WINDOWS, UNIX, XENIX, OS/2,NT]
 Real time OS [EMBEDDED OPERATING SYSTEMS] - RTOS

Basic functions of an Operating System are:

1 Input-Output management
2 Memory management
3 File management
4 Job control
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All these function together as a group of programs known as system programs under the control of the
supervisor yields the computer operating system.

Roles of the operating system

The operating system has various roles:
 The operating system is responsible for managing allocation of the processor between the different
programmes using a scheduling algorithm. The type of scheduler is totally dependent on the operating
system, according to the desired objective.
 The operating system is responsible for managing the memory space allocated to each application and,
where relevant, to each user. If there is insufficient physical memory, the operating system can create a
memory zone on the hard drive, known as "virtual memory". The virtual memory lets you run applications
requiring more memory than there is available RAM on the system. However, this memory is a great deal
slower.
 The operating system is responsible for smooth execution of applications by allocating the resources
required for them to operate. This means an application that is not responding correctly can be "killed".
 The operating system is responsible for security relating to execution of programs by guaranteeing that the
resources are used only by programs and users with the relevant authorizations.
 The operating system manages reading and writing in the file system and the user and application file access
authorizations.
 The operating system provides a certain number of indicators that can be used to diagnose the correct
operation of the machine.

b) Device Drivers: Each and every device (input or output) connected to the computer requires relevant
software, which makes the device to communicate or interact with the CPU. The software that makes the
devices to communicate or interact with the CPU is called the device driver.

The device drivers for commonly used device may be available along with the operating system itself.
The device drivers for the optional devices used with the computers may be supplied by the device
manufacturer. Without these device drivers any device connected to the computer is useless and cannot be
used.

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c) Language Translators: Humans need to communicate with computers. Computers cannot understand data
or information in human readable form. The data or information in human readable form has to be converted
into computer understandable form. To communicate with computers and to instruct the computers to
accomplish any specific task, humans have developed many computer languages. These computer languages
are of two types
 High Level Language
Example: Basic, FORTRAN, Pascal, C, C++, PL/1, Java, etc.
 Low Level Language
Example: Assembly Language

Both these high level language and low level language require language translators to convert the instructions in
the human understandable form into machine understandable form.

Compilers and Interpreters are the language translators required to translate high level language into
machine understandable form. Compilers are a computer program that produces a machine language program
from a source program that is usually written in a high-level language by a programmer. The compiler is
capable of replacing single source program statements, with a series of machine language instructions or with a
subroutine. Otherwise, it can be defined as Compiler helps to convert instruction understandable by humans
into instructions understandable by computers.

Assembler is the language translator required to translate the assembly language into machine
understandable form.

d) Utility Programs are generally used to support, enhance or expand existing programs in a computer system.
Examples of utility programs are
 Backup - to duplicate the data or information for safety.
 Data Recovery - to restore data that is physically damaged or corrupted
 Virus Protection - Antivirus software which will eliminate viruses from affected files or protect files from
being infected from viruses.
 Data Compression - To compress huge files and save memory storage.

2.2.2. Application Software

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Computer Software has become a multibillion-dollar industry. Thousands and thousands of companies
have entered the applications software industry, and they have developed a wide variety of products. Basically,
there are four categories of application software.
 Productivity Software: The purpose of this software is to make the users more productive at performing
general tasks. For example, word processing, spread sheets, presentation, database managers, accounting
etc.
 Home / Personal software: The purpose of this software is mainly for domestic and personal use. For
example, cook books, medical guide, gardening, etc.
 Education / Reference software: The purpose of this software is mainly to learn any subject or to refer for
additional information. For example: Encyclopedia, Dictionaries, Computer Based Tutorials (CBT), etc.
 Entertainment software: The purpose of this software is for entertainment and time passing. For example
games.
Application software can be acquired directly from a software manufacturer. If it does not satisfy the
needs completely, a software can be developed for own purpose, either by having professionals within the
organization or by hiring outside consultants.

Compiled By Leyila Dile