Computer Software & its Types

Week#1
Lecture #1(a)
 Software

 A set of instructions given to the computer to solve a

problem
 Software is a single/collection of programs that
performs a particular task.
 Software is also called Program.
 Different software's are used to solve different
problems.
 Types Of Software

 There are two types of software on the basis of their

functionality:
 System Software
 Application Software
 System Software

 Manages the fundamental operations of the

computer, such as
- loading programs and data into memory,
executing programs, saving data to disks,
displaying information on the monitor, and
transmitting data through a port to a
peripheral device.
 System software: operating systems, utilities, device
drivers.
 Operating System

 Collection of computer programs that control the

interaction of the user and the computer hardware.
 Responsible for directing all computer operations and
managing all computer resources.
 Controls basic input and output, allocates system
resources, manages storage space, maintains security, and
detects equipment failure.
 A part of the operating system code is stored in a ROM and
the rest of it resides on a disk.
 Loading the operating system into memory is called
booting the computer
 Responsibilities of an Operating
System

 Communicate with user, receive and execute commands, show

error messages.
 Manage allocation of memory, processor time and other
resources.
 Collect input from keyboard, mouse, and provide data to running
programs.
 Convey program output to screen, printer, or other output
device.
 Access data from secondary storage.
 Write data to secondary storage.
 Maintains security (checks user-name , password, virus infection)
 Tasks Performed by Operating
System

Following are some of important functions of an operating System.

 Booting
 User Interface
 Processor or CPU Management
 Memory Management
 File Management
 Device Management
 Task Management
 Security
 Control over system performance
 Job accounting
 Error detecting aids
 Coordination between other software and users
 Tasks Performed by Operating
System

➢Booting
 Cold Booting
 Warm Booting
➢User Interface
 Command Driven Interfaces
 Menu Driven Interfaces
 Graphical User Interfaces
Processor or CPU Management

 Supervisor or Kernel manages the CPU

 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 −
 Keeps tracks of processor and status of process. The program
responsible for this task is known as traffic controller.
 Allocates the processor (CPU) to a process.
 De-allocates processor when a process is no longer required.
 Memory Management

 Memory management refers to management of Primary

Memory or Main Memory.
An Operating System does the following activities for
memory management −
 Keeps tracks of primary memory, i.e., what part of it are in
use by whom, what part are not in use.
 In multiprogramming, the OS decides which process will
get memory when and how much.
 Allocates the memory when a process requests it to do so.
 De-allocates the memory when a process no longer needs
it or has been terminated.
 Memory Management Methods

 Partitioning
 Foreground/ Background
 Queues
 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 −
 Keeps track of information, location, uses, status etc. The
collective facilities are often known as file system.
 Decides who gets the resources.
 Allocates the resources.
 De-allocates the resources.
 Device Management

An Operating System manages device communication

via their respective drivers. It does the following
activities for device management −
 Keeps tracks of all devices. Program responsible for
this task is known as the I/O controller.
 Decides which process gets the device when and for
how much time.
 Allocates the device in the efficient way.
 De-allocates devices.
 Task Management

➢ A task is an operation
➢ An Operating System manages all the tasks
➢ It does this by following method

 Multitasking.
 Multiprogramming.
 Time-Sharing.
 Cont….Task Management

➢ Multiprocessing

▪ Co- Processing
▪ Parallel Processing
 Security Management

➢ Controls Access to Computer

 Access Rights
 Assigning and managing Passwords
 Other Important Activities

Following are some of the important activities that an Operating

System performs −
 Security − By means of password and similar other techniques, it
prevents unauthorized access to programs and data.
 Control over system performance − Recording delays between
request for a service and response from the system.
 Job accounting − Keeping track of time and resources used by
various jobs and users.
 Error detecting aids − Production of dumps, traces, error messages,
and other debugging and error detecting aids.
 Coordination between other software and users − Coordination
and assignment of compilers, interpreters, assemblers and other
software to the various users of the computer systems.
 Device Driver

 A Device Driver is a computer program that operates

or controls a particular type of device that is attached
to a computer.
 Like printers
 Utility program

 Utility program is a system software that allows a user to

analyze, configure and Maintain the computer.
 It performs a specific task related to the management of
computer.
 Backup
 Data Recovery
 Virus Protection
 Data Compression
 File Defragmentation
 Disk Scanner
 Application Software

It is a program or group of programs designed for end users.

Examples :
▪ word processor
▪ a spreadsheet
▪ an accounting application
▪ a web browser
▪ an email client
▪ a media player
▪ a file viewer
▪ simulators
▪ a console game or a photo editor
Types of Application Software

 Commercial Software
 Public Domain Software
 Shareware
 Free Software
 Rental Software
 Pirated Software
 Custom Software
 Application Software

 Productivity Software
 Specialty Software
 Educational /Reference Software
 Personal Software
 Entertainment Software