Course: ICT & Computer for Business Mr.

TAWE Boris M

MODULE THREE:

COMPUTER SOFTWARE

Introduction
A computer system is basically made up of hardware and software. Software refers to the
collection of computer programs and data that run on a computer, and which make the hardware
useful. They are the intangible components of the computer system.

Computer software has two major categories namely system software and application
software.

I. System Software
System software controls and coordinates computer resources (hardware and operations) so that
the computer user and applications can smoothly interact. They help the computer carry out its
basic operating tasks. System software are designed to perform computer related tasks. They
include operating systems, firmware, utility programs, device drivers, library programs and
language translators.

A. The Operating System

The operating system is the essential software that is required for a computer to become
operational. It is the software layer that is on top of the hardware to provide functionality to
computer components, manage the hardware and serve as interface between the computer user
and the computer. The operating system is called a virtual machine as it hides the complexity of
the hardware and presents the user with an interface that is easier to understand and program.

The operating system is stored on disk, but it needs to be loaded into memory (RAM) once the
computer is switched on and before any other program can be run.

Bootstrapping refers to the process of loading the operating system into a computer’s memory.
This process is done by a program called the bootstrap loader that is stored permanently in the
computer’s electronic ROM chip.

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Examples of operating systems are Windows (95, 98, 2000, XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10 and 11),
Macintosh Operating System (Mac OS), Linux and UNIX.

The operating system can be divided into two main components: kernel and command
interpreter (shell).

• The kernel is the central part of an operating system that is running at all times on the
computer. It loads first and remains in memory as long as the computer is on. It consists
of utilities (file manager, memory manager, device drivers, process manager etc.) that
perform basic required functions. In many operating systems, only the kernel can access
hardware directly.
• The command interpreter (processor) is the part of the operating system that
understands and executes commands that are entered interactively by a human being or
from a program. In some operating systems the command interpreter is called shell. It
provides an interface between users and the operating system (kernel). When a user logs
in, a shell is started up.
• The interface between the OS and the user program is defined by a set of instructions
called system calls. System call is the mechanism by which a program requests a service
from the operating system’s kernel. User programs use system calls to talk with the
operating system.

Types of Operating Systems

Single User OS
A single user operating system is an operating system which allows only one user to work on the
system at a time. No two or multiple users can work on the system simultaneously.

Examples are Control Program for Microcomputers (CP/M) and Microsoft Disk Operating
System (MS DOS).

Multi User OS
A multi-user operating system is an operating system which allows multiple users to work on the
system simultaneously.

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Features of multi-user operating systems, which are not provided in single user operating
systems, are:

• Time sharing (CPU devotes time to all the users in round robin fashion).
• Tight security features.
• Resource sharing among users.
• System administrator privileges

Examples of multi-user operating systems are Linux, Unix and Virtual Machine System (VMS).

Single task OS
A single task operating system allows a user to execute one and only program at a time. The user
cannot run two or more programs at the same time. It is not possible to be preparing a worksheet
on the computer while printing a report or listening to music. Once a user invokes a program, the
computer gets dedicated to that task only.

MS-DOS is an example of single user single task operating systems.

Multiprogramming OS
A multi-programming operating system is an operating system that allows multiple programs to
be held in main memory at the same time. The operating system keeps several jobs in memory
simultaneously and decides which can be executed at a given moment.

Multitasking OS
A multitasking operating system allows a user to execute more than one program at a time. It
allows a user to be preparing a worksheet on the computer while printing a report or listening to
music. Multitasking is an extension of multiprogramming as two programs cannot be executed
simultaneously if they are not found in memory at the same time.

Windows-XP, Macintosh operating system, are examples of single user, multitasking operating
systems.

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Embedded OS
An embedded operating system is an operating system that is used in an embedded system. An
embedded system is a small computing device that is built into a larger equipment often as a
single chip and dedicated to a given task. Embedded systems control many devices in use today
such as digital watches, mobile phones, microwave ovens, washing machines, vehicles,
photocopiers, cameras and process controllers.

Embedded OS are ROM based. That is, they cannot be modified as ROM is read only.

Network OS
A network operating system is an operating system which includes networking features. It
contains special functions, protocols and device drivers that enable the computer to be connected
to a network.

B. Basic Input Output System

Basic input output system (BIOS) is software that contains hundreds of programs that allow for
communication between the CPU and devices. It is stored on ROM, which is a permanent chip
on the motherboard.

There are three kinds of BIOS for hardware devices:

• Permanent never changing BIOS for never changing hardware like the keyboard
• BIOS for hardware that changes occasionally. It requires extra volatile information so it
is stored on a separate chip called CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor).

C. Utility Software
Utility software is used to enhance the operating system, or in some other way improve the
usefulness of the system. They help analyze, configure, optimize and maintain the computer.
Rather than providing user-oriented or output-oriented functionality, utility software focuses on
how the computer infrastructure operates. Most major operating systems come with several pre-
installed utilities.

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Examples of utility software include: disk defragmenters, backup utilities, disk compression
utilities, disk cleaners, file managers, disk formatters and virus checkers.

• Disk defragmenters detect computer files whose contents are broken across several
locations on a disk, and move the fragments to one location to increase efficiency.
• Disk cleaners find and delete files that are unnecessary to computer operation, or take up
considerable amounts of space. They help users decide what to delete when their hard
disk is full.
• Backup utilities make copies of all information stored on a disk, and restore either the
entire disk (e.g., in an event of disk failure) or selected files (e.g., in an event of
accidental deletion).
• Disk compression utilities reduce the space that a file takes up on disk, increasing the
capacity of the disk.
• File managers provide a convenient method of performing routine data management
tasks, such as deleting, renaming, moving, copying, merging, generating and modifying
files.
• Disk partition utilities divide an individual drive into multiple logical drives, each with
its own file system which can be mounted by the operating system and treated as an
individual drive.
• Disk formatters
• Virus checkers prevent, detect, and remove malware.

D. Device Driver
A device driver is software that allows interaction between the operating system and a hardware
device. It is an interface for communicating with the device through the specific computer bus
that the hardware is connected to. Without an appropriate device driver, the system cannot
communicate with a device, rendering the device useless.

Installation of device drivers usually happens automatically when hardware is connected (plug n
play), or from a CD provided with the device. Sometimes a device driver needs to be updated to
stay functional.

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E. Language Translators
A language translator is a computer program that translates program instructions from one
programming language to another. There are three types of language translators: compilers,
interpreters and assemblers.

• Compilers translate instructions written in a high-level language into machine language

instructions.
• Interpreters translate instructions written in a high-level language into machine language
instructions and execute them, one line at a time.
• Assemblers translate instructions written in assembly language to machine language
instructions.

II. Application Software

Application software is computer software that causes a computer to perform useful tasks
beyond the running of the computer itself. They provide user-oriented functionality. Application
software are used to carry out productive work like typing a letter, designing and invitation card,
surfing the Internet, listening to music or watching a movie. Application software includes a
variety of programs that can be subdivided into general purpose software, special purpose
software and custom-written software.

A. General Purpose Software

General purpose software is designed for a variety of tasks. It is not limited to one particular
function. They are also called generic software and can be found off-the-shelf. That is, they can
be bought from the market. Different types of general-purpose application software exist.

i. Word Processing Software

Examples are MS Word, WordPad, Notepad

ii. Spreadsheet software

Examples are MS Excel, Lotus 1-2-3, Quattro Pro, Apple Numbers

iii. Database Software

Examples are MS-Access, Oracle, dbase, FileMaker Pro

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iv. Presentation Software

Examples are MS PowerPoint, Hyper Studio, Digital Chisel

v. Desktop Publishing Software

Examples are MS Publisher, Adobe PageMaker, Quark Express

NOTE: An integrated software package is software that consists of multiple applications

bundled together. They usually have related functions, features and user interfaces, and may be
able to interact with each other. Examples are Microsoft Office, OpenOffice, Lotus Smart suite
and Microsoft works.

B. Special Purpose Software

Special purpose software is designed for a specific task.

Examples are web browsers, game applications, weather forecasting applications, media players
and flight control software.

C. Custom-Written Software
Custom-written software is written to a particular user’s requirements or needs. It is generally
not available off-the-shelf and often has to be purchased directly from the software manufacturer.
It is also called bespoke software or tailor-made software as it is tailored to the exact
requirements of the user or organization.

D. Software Distribution Licenses

Software is distributed under different licenses. They include public domain, freeware,
shareware, open source and all rights reserved.

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Public Domain
Public domain software has no owner and is not protected by copyright law. It was either created
with public funds or the ownership was forfeited by the creator. Public domain software can be
copied, sold and/or modified. It is often of poor quality.

Shareware
Shareware is copyrighted software that allows you to use it for a trial period but you must pay a
registration fee to the owner for permanent use. Purchasing the right to use the software may also
get you a version with more powerful features and published documentation.

Freeware
Freeware is copyrighted software that is licensed to be copied and distributed without charge.
Freeware is free but it is still under the owner’s control. Examples are Eudora and Netscape.

Commercial Software
All rights reserved software is software that must be used by the purchaser according to the exact
details spelt out in the license agreement.

Open-Source Software
Open-source software is software whose source code is published so that a variety of people can
add contribution. Examples are Linux OS, MySQL, Mozilla and OpenOffice.

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