SOFTWARE

Software is another name for the programs that run on a computer. A program is a series of
computer instructions which tells the computer what to do. There are two (2) main categories
of software:

1. Application Software 2. Systems Software

SYSTEMS SOFTWARE

System software are the programs that enable the computer to run properly and efficiently.
Systems software must be installed before application software can run. There are three types
of system software:
1.Operating Systems
2.Utilities
3.Translators

Operating Systems (O.S.)

An operating system is a set of programs that govern the operation of a computer. Without
operating system software, the computer would not be able to function. The O.S. is loaded as
soon as the computer is powered on or the system is ‘booted’.

Booting is the process of loading the operating system software into a computer’s main
memory from the hard disk.

Types of Operating Systems

One of the older types of O.S. used by computers is known as DOS (Disk Operating System)
which uses a command-line interface. Commands were typed into the machine using the
keyboard rather than using a mouse to select an object on the screen. The system then read
this command and carried it out.
Microsoft Windows (e.g. Windows 98, Windows XP, Windows Vista) , Apple Macintosh
(OSX, MAC OS 11, IOS,). Google-Android are also operating systems. They provide a
picture-based interface called a graphical user interface or GUI. With a GUI, you often use
a mouse to select the operations you want to perform. Other OS include Linux and Unix.

Functions of the Operating System

1. File management – The O.S performs functions such as saving, copying, renaming,
deleting and backing-up files.

2. Memory management – The OS manages all the files on the computer. It keeps track of
the locations where programs and data are stored on the computer.

3. Security – allows the user to set passwords so that only authorized persons can use the
system. The OS keeps a log which records users logged in, the length of time each user spent
on the system and what they did. Administrators can check the log to look for security
breaches and abuse of resources.

4. Device management – the OS sets rules for controlling hardware resources such as:

 Peripherals – controlling devices such as keyboards, printers and scanners.

 Memory – controlling the amount of memory used
 CPU – controlling the time allocated to a task by the CPU
 Disk space – controlling the amount of disk space used

5. Managing computer resources – the OS allows application software such as word

processors, spreadsheets and database packages to communicate with the computer’s
hardware. For example printing a document.

6. Managing tasks – a computer can perform many tasks simultaneously. One way of doing
this is by multi-tasking, i.e. the ability of a computer to run more than one program at the
same time. For example, a user can listen to music while typing a document or playing a
computer game.

In the case of networks, multi-user OS allows more than one user to access the same data at
the same time.

Multiprogramming The ability of a computer to execute two or more programs at the

same time, using one CPU (or processor).

Multiprocessing The ability of a computer to execute programs on two more

processors simultaneously. The program is distributed over several
processors.

7. Provide a user interface – A user interface is the method by which the user interacts with
the computer system. The O.S. is responsible for providing this interface. (To be discussed
later)
 Utility Programs

Utility programs help to manage, maintain, protect and control computer resources.
These programs are available to help you with the day-to-day activities associated with
personal computing and to keep your system running at peak performance.

Some examples of utility programs include:

 Virus scanning software

 Backup software
 Scandisk
 Disk defragmenter

Virus Scanning Software (Anti-virus software) is a utility program designed to protect

your computer from computer viruses. Virus scanning software is critical due to the number
of computer viruses. Updates insure that your virus scanning software will protect you from
the most recent viruses. Virus scanning packages come with directions on how to receive
updates to your software!

Backup software is software that assists you in backing up your files, including the entire
computer hard disk. It is important for you to back up your files regularly because in the
event of computer failure, all necessary data will be saved to another storage medium.

Scandisk is a utility provided with Windows computers. Scandisk scans your disks to see if
there are any potential problems on the disk, such as bad disk areas. Since disks are magnetic
media, all disks, including your hard disk can be corrupted.

Disk Defragmenter software assists you in reorganizing your disk drives. After files are
saved, deleted and re-saved again, the disk can become fragmented --- available space is in
small blocks located throughout the disk. Disk defragmenters gather those free spots and put
them together to enable you to continue to save your data in the most efficient manner.

Translators

Translators or language processors – Translators are system software that convert other
programming language instructions into machine code. The three main types of translators
are assemblers, interpreters and compilers.
 APPLICATION SOFTWARE

Application software are programs that enable the computer to carry out one or more specific
tasks.

Types of Application Software

1. General-purpose software – also known as ‘off the shelf’ software. This is the most
popular application software and is used by businesses, schools and by individuals at home.
It is designed to help the user perform general tasks such as word processing, spreadsheet or
database management. These programs are called general-purpose because the user decides
what to use the software for, e.g. word processing software can be used to write letters,
reports and memos, databases can be used for searching and sorting data etc. General-purpose
software also includes Graphics Software, Web Browsers and Multimedia Software.

General purpose software is readily available in computer stores. The may be available as a
part of a an integrated software. Integrated software – this is a term used to describe a
program that includes different types of applications such as word processing, spreadsheets,
database, presentation programs etc. and brings them together into a single software
package, for example Microsoft Office Professional 2007.

2. Custom-written software – also known as ‘tailor-made’. This is software written to

meet the specific needs of a person or company. It may be written by individuals within the
company or contracted out to a software house (a company that specializes in writing
software). Custom written software is very expensive but may be necessary because there are
no commercial applications available.

3. Specialized software – this is written solely for a specific task. Examples are software
used by air traffic controllers to manage the flights of thousands of aircrafts, accounting
software, airline reservations etc. These are not general-purpose since the users of these kinds
of software (for example accountants and engineers) are trained in a particular field of
expertise. It may be readily available, like integrated software and software suites, or it may
be custom-written for the organisation.

4. Customized software – When a user can find an off the shelf software(whether general
purpose or specialized) which provides for most of their needs , they may enter into a
contract with the owners of the off the shelf software to make changes to it in order to meet
their specific needs. They do not have to build their own software from scratch.