QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

FUNDAMENTALS OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

UNIT – IV: Software
1. What is Software? List out its need in a computer system.
Software is a collection of instructions or programs that tells a computer how to perform
specific tasks. It can be categorized into two main types:
 System Software: This includes the operating system (e.g., Windows, macOS, Linux)
that helps manage hardware resources and provides a platform for running applications.
System software manages hardware, data, and program files, and other system
resources. It also performs scheduling, memory management, file management, and
security

 Application Software: These are programs designed to perform specific tasks for the
user, such as word processors (Microsoft Word), web browsers (Google Chrome), and
games.

Need for Software in Computers

Software is essential for making computers useful. Without software, a computer is
simply a collection of hardware components (like processors, memory, storage devices, etc.)
that cannot function on their own. Here’s why software is necessary for computers:
Control and Manage Hardware: Without software, computers could not manage
and utilize hardware effectively.
User Interaction: Software provides the interface through which users can interact
with the computer.
Execute Tasks: Software converts user input into machine-readable instructions for
the CPU to execute.
Security: Software protects against viruses, malware, and unauthorized access.
Networking: Enables communication between computers across networks,
including the internet.
Specialized Functions: Many specialized tasks (design, calculations, simulations,
etc.) are only possible through software.
2. Explain briefly the two major types of software.
Software can be categorized in various ways based on its functionality, usage, or
development methodology. Here are the two main types of software:
1. System Software
System software is responsible for managing and controlling hardware components and
providing a platform for running application software.
 Operating Systems (e.g., Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS)
 Utility Programs (e.g., disk cleaners, antivirus software, backup software)
 Device Drivers (software that allows the operating system to communicate with
hardware components like printers, video cards, etc.)
 Firmware (low-level software that controls hardware directly)

2. Application Software
Application software is designed to help users perform specific tasks or activities.
 Productivity Software (e.g., Microsoft Office, Google Docs, spreadsheets,
presentation software)
 Web Browsers (e.g., Chrome, Firefox, Safari)
 Media Players (e.g., VLC Media Player, Windows Media Player)
 Graphics Software (e.g., Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, GIMP)
 Enterprise Software (e.g., ERP systems, CRM tools, project management software)
 Gaming Software (e.g., video games, simulation software)
 Educational Software (e.g., language learning apps, e-learning platforms)

3. Explain in detail about system software with examples

System Software is a type of software designed to manage and control the hardware
components of a computer system, enabling other software to function efficiently. It acts as an
intermediary between the hardware and the application software. System software is essential
for the basic operation of a computer or device and ensures that the underlying hardware and
peripheral devices can be utilized effectively.

Here's a detailed breakdown of the key types of system software:

a) Operating System (OS)
The operating system is the most critical component of system software. It serves as the
interface between the user and the hardware and manages system resources.
Functions of an Operating System:
 Resource Management: The OS manages resources like CPU, memory, disk space,
and peripheral devices. It allocates these resources to different applications as needed.
 File System Management: It manages how data is stored, organized, and accessed on
storage devices (e.g., hard drives, SSDs). This includes creating, reading, writing, and
deleting files.
 Process Management: The OS handles processes, which are running instances of
programs. It schedules processes, assigns them CPU time, and ensures that they execute
efficiently and without conflicts.
 Memory Management: It allocates and manages memory for running applications.
This includes virtual memory management, ensuring that the system doesn't run out of
RAM.
 Security and Access Control: The OS provides security features like user
authentication, access control, and encryption to protect the system and data from
unauthorized access.
 User Interface: The OS often includes either a Graphical User Interface (GUI) (e.g.,
Windows, macOS) or a Command-Line Interface (CLI) (e.g., Linux) for users to
interact with the system.
Examples:
 Windows (Microsoft)
 macOS (Apple)
 Linux (open-source)
 Android (for mobile devices)
 iOS (for Apple mobile devices)

b) Utility Software
Utility software consists of small programs that perform specific tasks related to the
maintenance, optimization, and management of the computer system.
Common Utility Software Includes:
 Disk Clean-up Tools: Programs that remove temporary files and unnecessary data
from the hard drive to free up space (e.g., Windows Disk Cleanup).
 Antivirus/Antimalware Software: Software that scans for and removes malicious
software such as viruses, worms, and spyware (e.g., Norton, McAfee, Avast).
 Backup Software: Programs that help users back up important data to prevent data loss
(e.g., Acronis True Image, Time Machine for macOS).
 File Compression Tools: These compress files to reduce their size for storage or
transmission (e.g., WinRAR, 7-Zip).
 Disk Defragmenters: Utilities that reorganize fragmented data on hard drives to
improve access speed (e.g., Windows Defragmenter).

4. List out the three main types of programming languages and explain the
characteristics and structure of machine language.
Programming languages can be classified in various ways based on their level of
abstraction, their use case, and how they interact with the machine. Here are three common
types of programming languages

 Machine Language

 Assembly Language

 High Level Language

MACHINE LANGUAGE
Machine Language (also known as machine code or binary code) is the lowest-level
programming language that a computer's central processing unit (CPU) can directly execute. It
consists entirely of binary digits (0s and 1s) and is the only language understood by computers
at the hardware level. All other higher-level programming languages (such as Python, Java,
C++) need to be translated into machine language before they can be executed by the CPU.

Key Characteristics of Machine Language:

 Binary Representation:
Machine language is written in binary, using only two symbols: 0 and 1, corresponding
to the off (0) and on (1) states of the computer's transistors. This binary system directly
maps to the electrical signals that the hardware processes.
o Example: A machine language instruction could be something like 11010010,
which represents a specific command for the processor.

 Processor-Specific:
Machine language is specific to the architecture of the processor (CPU). Different
CPUs have different instruction sets, meaning that machine language for an Intel
processor (x86 architecture) would differ from the machine language used by an ARM
processor (found in many smartphones).
o For instance, the binary codes for adding two numbers or jumping to a different
part of the program will be different depending on the CPU architecture.

 Direct Execution by the CPU:

Unlike higher-level languages (which require compilers or interpreters), machine
language is directly executed by the CPU. Each instruction in machine language tells
the CPU what operation to perform, such as moving data between registers, adding
numbers, or writing data to memory.

 Memory and Addressing:

Machine code operates directly with memory addresses and data locations. For
example, it tells the CPU to load a specific value from a given memory address or store
 a result in another address. The instructions in machine code are closely tied to how
memory is managed and organized at the hardware level.

 Machine Language Instructions:

Machine language instructions vary in length and format. An instruction might be as
simple as moving data between memory locations, performing arithmetic, or branching
(jumping to another part of the code). These instructions consist of several fields:
o Opcode: Specifies the operation (e.g., addition, subtraction, move).
o Operands: Specify the data or memory locations involved in the operation (e.g.,
two registers or memory addresses).
o Addressing Mode: Defines how the operands are interpreted (e.g., direct,
indirect, register-based).

 Hard to Read and Write:

Machine language is not human-readable. Writing code directly in binary would be
highly inefficient and prone to errors. This is why Assembly Language was created as
a more readable representation of machine code, where operations are represented using
mnemonics (e.g., MOV, ADD, JMP).

Structure of a Machine Language Instruction:

Machine code instructions typically follow a specific format determined by the CPU
architecture. This format can vary, but it generally includes the following components:
a. Opcode (Operation Code):
The opcode specifies the operation the CPU should perform, such as addition,
subtraction, multiplication, division, data transfer, branching, etc. The opcode is
usually a fixed number of bits that the CPU recognizes as a specific operation.
For example:
o 0001 could represent an addition operation (depending on the architecture).
o 1010 could represent a jump instruction.
b. Operands:
Operands are the values or memory addresses on which the operation will act. These
could be data values, memory addresses, or registers. Operands can be:
 o Registers: Small, fast storage locations within the CPU (e.g., AX, BX in x86
architecture).
o Memory Addresses: Locations in the computer's memory (e.g., 0x7FFF).
o Immediate Values: Constants that are used directly in the operation (e.g., 5,
100).
For example:
o In an addition instruction like ADD 5, 10, 5 and 10 are operands, with the
operation being addition.

c. Addressing Mode:
This specifies how the operand(s) are accessed. Common addressing modes include:
o Immediate addressing: The operand is a constant value included directly in the
instruction.
o Direct addressing: The operand is a memory address or register.
o Indirect addressing: The operand is stored in a memory address that must be
fetched before accessing the actual operand.

5. List out the advantages and disadvantages of machine language

Advantages of Machine Language:
a) Direct Control Over Hardware:
Machine language provides complete control over the hardware, enabling the
programmer to perform operations that are highly optimized for the specific hardware
architecture.

b) Efficiency:
Machine code programs are extremely efficient, as they are executed directly by the
CPU with minimal overhead from translations or intermediate layers.

c) Speed:
Machine language instructions are very fast because they don’t need to be interpreted or
compiled—direct execution is possible.
Disadvantages:
a. Difficult to Write and Maintain:
Writing programs in machine code is time-consuming, error-prone, and difficult to
maintain. It requires knowledge of the hardware’s architecture and low-level details.
b. No Abstraction:
There is no abstraction between the programmer and the hardware. This lack of
abstraction makes it challenging to develop complex applications and systems
efficiently.
c. Hardware-Specific:
Machine language is tied to specific hardware architectures. Programs written in
machine code for one type of processor won’t work on another without modification.
d. Lack of Portability:
Machine language is not portable. A program written for one CPU architecture cannot
run on another without significant changes (such as rewriting the machine code).

6. Explain briefly about the reason for transition to assembly language.

Transition from Machine Language to Assembly Language
To address the challenges of writing in machine language, Assembly Language was
created. Assembly language uses human-readable mnemonics (such as MOV, ADD, SUB,
etc.) to represent machine instructions. While assembly still closely maps to machine code, it
is much easier for humans to write and understand. An assembler is used to convert assembly
language code into machine language code, which the computer can execute.

For example, assembly instructions like:

MOV AX, 5; Move the value 5 into register AX

gets translated into machine code that the CPU can understand, such as:

10110000 00000101
6. Explain in detail about Assembly language.
ASSEMBLY LANGUAGE
Assembly Language is a low-level programming language that serves as a human-
readable representation of machine language, or binary code. Unlike high-level programming
languages (such as Python, Java, or C++), which abstract away hardware details, assembly
language allows programmers to write code that closely interacts with the computer's
hardware.
Assembly language uses mnemonics and symbols to represent machine-level instructions,
making it easier for humans to write and understand compared to raw machine code (binary).
However, it is still very low-level compared to modern high-level languages and is specific to
the architecture of the processor (CPU).

Key Characteristics of Assembly Language:

1. Human-Readable Syntax:
Assembly language uses mnemonic codes and symbolic names instead of binary code.
For example, instead of writing machine code like 101010, assembly language uses a
human-readable mnemonic such as MOV (move data) or ADD (add numbers).
2. Direct Mapping to Machine Code:
Each instruction in assembly language corresponds closely to a machine code
instruction for a specific CPU architecture. Assembly language provides an abstraction
over machine code, but it still allows the programmer to control the CPU's operations
directly.
3. Architecture-Specific:
Assembly language is specific to the architecture of the processor. There are different
assembly languages for different processor families (e.g., x86, ARM, MIPS), because
each processor has its own instruction set architecture (ISA) and machine language
format.
4. Low-Level Control:
Assembly language allows fine-grained control over hardware resources, such as
memory management, processor registers, and I/O operations. This level of control
 makes it useful for tasks that require direct manipulation of hardware, such as operating
system development, embedded systems programming, and real-time applications.
5. Assembler:
An assembler is a program that translates assembly language code into machine code
(binary), which the CPU can execute. The assembler takes the mnemonic instructions
written by the programmer and converts them into the binary opcodes that the CPU
understands.
6. Efficient Execution:
Programs written in assembly language are generally highly efficient because they can
be optimized to perform tasks directly without the overhead introduced by higher-level
languages.
Basic Components of Assembly Language:
a) Mnemonics (Operation Codes)
b) Registers
c) Labels
d) Directives:
e) Comments:

How Assembly Language is translated:

1. Writing the Code:
A programmer writes assembly code using a text editor.
2. Assembling:
The assembly code is passed through an assembler. The assembler converts the
mnemonics and symbols into machine language instructions (binary), which the CPU
can execute directly.
3. Linking:
In many cases, especially for larger programs, an assembler might produce an object
file, which needs to be linked to form an executable. The linker combines object files
and resolves addresses to produce the final program.
7. List out the advantages and dis-advantages of Assembly language.
Advantages of Assembly Language:
1. Efficiency:
Assembly allows the programmer to write highly optimized code that can run very
efficiently, with minimal overhead. This is especially useful in systems where
performance and resource constraints are critical, such as embedded systems.
2. Direct Control:
Assembly language provides full control over hardware resources, allowing for
operations like memory management, processor control, and precise hardware
manipulation.
3. Speed:
Because assembly language instructions map directly to machine code, they can be
executed extremely fast by the processor.

Disadvantages of Assembly Language:

1. Complexity:
Writing in assembly language is more time-consuming and error-prone compared to
higher-level languages. It requires knowledge of the hardware architecture and the
machine instructions it supports.
2. Portability:
Assembly language is highly specific to the CPU architecture. A program written for
one type of processor (e.g., x86) won't work on another type (e.g., ARM) without
significant modification.
3. Difficulty in Maintenance:
Assembly programs can be difficult to maintain and understand, especially as the
codebase grows larger. Debugging and making changes can also be more challenging
compared to higher-level languages.
4. Limited Abstraction:
Assembly language is very close to machine code, offering little abstraction from the
hardware. As a result, programmers have to manage memory manually and deal with
low-level operations, making it less user-friendly.
8. What is High-Level Language?
It is a machine-independent language. It enables a user to write a program in a
language that resembles English words and familiar mathematical symbols, COBOL was the
first high-level language. Examples of high-level language are python, C#, etc.

Examples
 Python
 Java
 C++
Advantages
 Increase Readability
 Portability
 Faster Development

Disadvantages
 Slower Execution
 Memory Usage
 Less Control Over Hardware

Difference between Assembly Language and High Level Language

S.No ASSEMBLY LEVEL HIGH-LEVEL LANGUAGE

LANGUAGE
1 It needs an assembler for It needs a compiler/interpreter for conversion
conversion
2 In this, we convert an Assembly In this, we convert a high-level language to
level language to machine level Assembly level language to machine level
language language
3 It is machine dependent It is machine-independent
4 In this mnemonics, codes are used In this English statement is used

5 It supports low-level operation It does not support low-level language

6 In this, it is easy to access In this, it is difficult to access hardware
hardware component component
7 In this more compact code No compactness
9. What is an Application Software? Explain in detail about its types.
Application Software refers to programs that are designed to perform specific tasks or
solve particular problems for users. Unlike system software (which manages hardware and
system resources), application software is directly used by end-users to accomplish tasks,
ranging from creating documents to managing databases.

Types of Application Software:

1. Word Processing Software
2. Spreadsheet Software
3. Presentation Software
4. Graphics Software
5. Database Management System (DBMS)

1. Word Processing Software

Word processing software allows users to create, edit, format, and print documents
that are primarily text-based but can include images, tables, graphs, and other media. These
programs are essential for a wide range of tasks, from writing simple notes to creating
complex reports, resumes, and manuscripts.

Common Features:
 Text formatting (fonts, sizes, colors, alignment)
 Spell check and grammar checking
 Inserting images, tables, hyperlinks, and other objects
 Creating headers, footers, page numbers, and tables of contents
 Template usage for documents like letters, resumes, or reports
 Support for different file formats (e.g., .docx, .pdf, .txt)
Popular Word Processing Software:
 Microsoft Word: One of the most widely used word processors, part of Microsoft
Office Suite.
 Google Docs: A cloud-based word processor allowing real-time collaboration and easy
sharing.
2. Spreadsheet Software
Spreadsheet software is used to organize, analyze, and store data in tabular form (rows
and columns). Spreadsheets are powerful tools for calculations, data analysis, and
visualizations. They are widely used in business, finance, accounting, and data analysis.

Common Features:
 Cells for entering data (numbers, text, formulas)
 Built-in functions and formulas for mathematical calculations (e.g., SUM, AVERAGE,
IF)
 Charts and graphs to visualize data (e.g., bar charts, line graphs)
 Data sorting and filtering
 Pivot tables to summarize large datasets
 Macros to automate repetitive tasks

Popular Spreadsheet Software:

 Microsoft Excel: Part of Microsoft Office, widely used for professional data analysis
and reporting.
 Google Sheets: A cloud-based spreadsheet app, which is part of Google Drive,
allowing for real-time collaboration.

3. Presentation Software
Presentation software is used to create slideshows composed of text, images, charts,
and multimedia elements, which are typically used for delivering presentations to an audience.
It's commonly used for business meetings, educational lectures, and public speaking events.

Common Features:
 Slide creation with customizable layouts
 Inserting multimedia elements (images, videos, sound, and animations)
 Transition effects between slides
 Text formatting and bullet points for clear communication
 Speaker notes and audience handouts
  Collaboration tools for real-time edits and feedback

Popular Presentation Software:

 Microsoft PowerPoint: A dominant presentation tool, part of the Microsoft Office
suite, with extensive features for slide creation.
 Google Slides: A cloud-based presentation tool that allows collaboration and sharing in
real-time.

4. Graphics Software
Graphics software is used for creating, editing, and manipulating visual content, such
as images, illustrations, and animations. This category includes both raster (pixel-based) and
vector (line-based) graphics programs.

Common Features:
 Image editing (crop, resize, color adjustments)
 Drawing and painting tools (brushes, pens, shapes)
 Layer management (for organizing parts of a design)
 Filters and special effects (e.g., blurring, shadows, gradients)
 Support for different file formats (e.g., .jpg, .png, .gif, .svg)
 3D modeling and rendering (in advanced programs)

Types of Graphics Software:

 Raster Graphics Software: Used to edit pixel-based images (e.g., photographs).
o Adobe Photoshop: Industry standard for photo editing and digital art creation.
o GIMP: Free and open-source alternative to Photoshop.
o Corel PaintShop Pro: A popular raster graphics tool with photo editing
capabilities.

 Vector Graphics Software: Used to create and edit vector graphics (scalable graphics
based on paths).
o Adobe Illustrator: Industry standard for vector design and illustration.
 o CorelDRAW: A vector graphics design tool used for creating logos,
illustrations, and print graphics.
o Inkscape: A free, open-source vector graphics editor.

 3D Graphics Software: Used for modeling, rendering, and animating 3D objects.

o Autodesk Maya: Industry-leading software for 3D animation and modeling.
o Blender: A free and open-source 3D graphics software used for modeling,
animation, and rendering.

5. Database Management System (DBMS)

A Database Management System (DBMS) is a software that allows users to create,
manage, and manipulate databases. DBMS provides an interface between the database and the
users or applications, ensuring efficient data storage, retrieval, and manipulation.

Common Features:
 Data storage and retrieval in an organized manner (tables, rows, and columns)
 Support for structured query language (SQL) to query and manage the data
 Data integrity and consistency checks
 Backup and recovery options to protect data
 Security features (access control, authentication)
 Transaction management (ACID properties: Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation,
Durability)
 Multi-user support for concurrent access

Types of DBMS:
1. Relational DBMS (RDBMS): Organizes data in tables (relations). Supports SQL
queries and ensures data integrity through normalization.
Examples:
o MySQL: A popular open-source RDBMS.
2. NoSQL DBMS: Designed for non-relational data models. These systems are often used
for handling unstructured data, big data, and real-time web applications.
Example:
o MongoDB: A document-based NoSQL database used for storing JSON-like
data.

3. Hierarchical DBMS: Data is organized in a tree-like structure (parent-child

relationship).
Example: IBM's IMS (Information Management System).

4. Network DBMS: Similar to hierarchical, but allows more complex relationships

(many-to-many).
Example:
IDMS (Integrated Database Management System)