Chapter 4- Software Concepts

Chapter-4

SOFTWARE CONCEPTS

 Introduction
 A computer system has three components viz.
o Hardware
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o Software
o User
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 Hardware: It consists of the physical components of a computer.
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 Software: A set of instructions that tells the computer to perform an intended task.

 Types of Software
 Software is broadly classified into two categories namely,
 o System Software
o Application Software

 System Software
 System software is a computer program that controls the system hardware and interacts with
application software.
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 System software is hardware dependent and not portable.
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 System software provides a convenient environment for program development and execution.
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 Programming languages like assembly language/C/C++/Visual C++/Pascal are used to develop the
system software.
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 System software is of three types:
o Language Translators
o Operating System
o Utilities Software

 Application Software
 Application software that has been written to process performs a specific job.
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 Application software is generally written in high level languages.
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 It focus is on the application, not the computing system.
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 Application software is classified into two types:
o Application Specific
o General Purpose
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Chapter 4- Software Concepts

 Application specific software is created to execute an exact task.

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 It has a limited task. For example accounting software for maintaining accounts.
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 General purpose software is not limited to only one function.
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 For example: Microsoft office (MS-Word, MS-Excel), Tally, Oracle etc.

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 Introduction to Computer Languages
 Programming Language is a set of rules called syntax which user has to follow, to instruct the
computer what operation are to be performed.
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 Computer language are classified into two categories:
o Low-Level Languages
 Machine level languages
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 Assembly languages
o High-Level Languages
 General Purpose languages (Ex: BASIC, PASCAL, C)
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 Specific purpose languages (Ex: COBOL, FORTAN, C++)
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 Machine Level Language
 Machine level language is the fundamental language of a computer.
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 It is written using binary numbers i.e. 0’s and 1’s.
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 A program written in the machine level language is called Machine code.
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 The instructions provided in machine language are directly understood by the computer and
converted into electrical signals to run the computer.
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 For example a typical program in machine language to add two numbers:

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Chapter 4- Software Concepts

STATEMENTS ACTION
0001 00110010 Load the data
0100 10100101 Add the contents
1000 00101001 Store the results
0000 00000000 Stop

 An instruction given in the machine language has two

parts: 
o OPCODE (Operation Code)
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o Operand (Address/ Location)
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 The first 4-bit represents Opcode denoting operation such as load, move, store etc.
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 The last 8-bit represents the operand denoting the address.
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 Advantages: It can be directly typed and executed and no compilation or translation is requires.
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 Disadvantage: These instructions are machine dependent and it is difficult to program, modify and
debug errors.

 Assembly Level Language:

 Assembly level language is a low-level programming language that allows a user to write
programs using letters, words and symbols called mnemonics, instead of the binary digits used in
machine level languages.
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 A program written in the assembly level language is called Assembly code.
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 For example a typical program in assembly language to add two numbers:
STATEMENTS ACTION
STA A Load the data to accumulator
ADD B Add the contents of B to Accumulator
STR C Store the results in location C
PRT C Print the results
HLT Stop

 However a program in assembly language has to be converted to its equivalent machine language
to be executed on computer.
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 The translator program that converts an assembly code into machine code is called an assembler.
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 Advantages: Mnemonic code are easy to remember, easy to understand, easy to modify and
debug.
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 Disadvantage: These languages are the mnemonic are machine dependent and assembly language
programming takes longer to code.
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 High-level Languages
 A language designed to make programming easier through the use of familiar English words and
symbols.
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 High-level languages used English like language, which are easier to learn and use.
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 High-level languages are machine independent. Therefore, a program written for one computer can
be executed on different computers with no or only slight modifications.
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 Some of the high-level languages are C, C++, JAVA, FORTRAN, QBASIC, and PASCAL.
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 For example a typical program in high level language to add two numbers:
cin>>a>>b;
c = a + b;
cout<< “ Answer = “ << c;

 However a program in high-level language has to be converted to its equivalent machine language
to be executed on computer.
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 The translator program that converts an high level code into machine code is called an compiler.
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 Advantage:
o HLL’s are machine independent.
o Easy to learn and understand.
o Easy to modify and debug the program.
 Disadvantage:
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o HLL is slower in execution.
o HLL requires a compiler to convert source code to object code.
o HLL take more time to execute and require more memory.

 Language Translators
 The translator translates the high-level language to low level language.
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 There are three types of translators: Compilers, Interpreters, and Assembler
Translators

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 Assembler:
 Assembler is system software which translates an assembly language program into its machine
language.
 It recognizes the mnemonics used in the assembly level languages and substitutes the required
machine code for each instruction.
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 Example: TASM (Turbo Assembler), MASM (Microsoft Macro Assembler) etc.

 Compilers:
 Compiler is system software that translates high-level language (source code) into the machine
level language (machine/object code).
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 It reads the whole program and translates the entire program at once into a series of machine level
language instructions.
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 Once compiled, the program normally gets saved automatically and can be executed directly.
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 Examples: C, C++.

 Interpreters:
 An Interpreter reads once a statement of a high-level language program at a time and translates it
into machine level language and executes it immediately.
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 It continues to read, translate and execute the statements one by one until it reaches the end of the
program.
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 Therefore, it is slower than a compiler.
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 The machine code produced by the interpreter is not saved and hence, to execute a statement
again, it has to be interpreted again.
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 Example: BASIC, PROLOG
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 Linker and Loader:

 A source program written in high-level languages may contain a number of modules or segments.
To execute properly the modules are to be linked so that execution of the program is sequential.
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 This operation is performed by software called as the linker.
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 A linker is system software that links (combines) smaller programs to form a single program.
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 Once an executable program is generated someone will have to load the program into the main
memory of the computer so that it can be executed.
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 This operation is performed by software called as the loader.
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 A loader is system software that loads machine code of a program in to the system memory
and prepares these program s for execution.

 Utility Software
 Utilities are those helpful pro grams that assist the computer by performing helpful functions like
backing up disk, scanning/cleaning viruses etc.
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 Utility software is generally called as Application oriented ready-made system programs.
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 Some of the important utility software is: Text editor, Backup utility, Disk Defragmenter,
Antivirus software.

 Operating System(OS) :
 An operating system is a set of programs which acts
as an interface between the user and the computer.
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 The main system software is the operating systems,
which starts up the computer and control its
operation.
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 Operating system manages the resource, resolves
conflicts’ and tries to optimize the performance of the
system.
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 The user communicates with the computer through
operating system commands and program
instructions.
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 Operating System plays an important role in loading programs from disk into memory, displaying
message, translating program and in outputting the results.
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 Some examples of operating system are: UNIX, LINUX, MS-DOS, and Microsoft Windows such
as Win 95, Win 98, Win 2000, Win XP, Win 7, Win 8, Android, Mac OS et c.
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 Functions of Operating System(OS):

 Main functions of the operating system are as follows:
O Memory Management o File Management
O Process Management o Protection and Security
O Device Management o User interface or Command interpreter.

 Memory Management:
 The activities of memory management handled by OS are:
o Allocate memory
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o Free Memory
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o Re-allocate memory to a program when a used block is freed
o Keep track of memory usage.

 Process Management:
 The activities of process management handled by OS are:
o Control access to shared resources like file, memory I/O and CPU
o Control execution of applications
o Create, execute and delete a process
o Cancel or resume a process
o Schedule a process
o Synchronization, communication and deadlock handling for process

 Device Management:
 The activities of device management task handled by OS
are:
o Open, close and write device drivers.
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o Communication, control and monitor the device drivers.

 File Management:
 The activities of file management task handled by OS are:
o Create and delete both files and directories
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o Provide access to files
o Allocate space for files
o Keep back-up of files
o Secure files
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Protection and Security:

 OS protects the resource of system.
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 User authentication, file attributes like read, write, encryption and back-up of data are used by OS
to provide basic protection.

 User Interface or Command Interpreter:

 OS provides an interface between the user and the computer hardware.
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 The user interface is a set of commands or a Graphical User Interface via which the user interacts
with the application and the hardware.

 Types of Operating System(OS):

 The different types of operating system are:
o Single user Operating System
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o Batch Operating System
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o Multiprogramming Operating System
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 Multitasking Operating System
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 Multiuser Operating System
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 Time sharing System (Online /Multiuser)
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 Real time system
o Distributed Operating System
o Network Operating System
o Multithreading Operating System
 Single User Operating System:
 This OS allows only one user to share the system resource including the CPU.
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 These are mainly the operating system configured for the use of desktop PC and laptops.
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 DOS and Windows- 95, Win-98, Apple Macintosh etc are example.

 Batch Operating System:

 Batch is defined as a group of job with
similar needs and similar resource
requirements.
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 The operating system that allows
users to create batches and execute
each batch sequentially, processing
all jobs of batch considering them as
a single process is called “Batch
Operating system”
Chapter 4- Software Concepts

 It allows no interaction between users and executing programs.

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 This is well suited for applications with large computation time and no user interaction.
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 Payroll, forecasting, statistical analysis are programs example for its usage.
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Advantages:
User need not wait during its execution
o It will function in FIFO (First In First Out) order.
Disadvantages:
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p Non-interactive mode of execution
o Offline debugging
 IBM System/360 Operating system is an example for Batch Operating syste m
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 In DOS, we can emulate the batch processing using .BAT file.

 Multiprogramming Operating System:

 Multiprogramming is the cap ability of CPU to execute two or more
programs concurrently.
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 Two or more programs are stored concurrently in primary storage, and
the CPU moves from one program to another, partially executing each in
turn.
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 Early computer system and m any personal computers execute program
in the order in which it is read into the system.
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 Only one program is executed at a time.

 Multitasking Operating System:

 Multitasking operating system s allow more than one program to run at a tim e.
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 Int gives you the perception of 2 or more tasks running at the same time. It does this by dividing
system resources amongst the tasks.
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 Multitasking is usually implemented by code
and data of several programs in memory
simultaneously and multiple processor and I/O
device among them.
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 Multitasking is also called context switching.
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 Multitasking usually refers to a single user.
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 Example: Windows 98

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Chapter 4- Software Concepts

 Multi-user Operating System:

 A multi-user operating system allows multiple users on different computer s or terminal to access a
single system with one OS on it.
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 It creates and maintains individual user environments, individual authentication and security level
privileges, provides per user re source usage accounting.
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 Time-Sharing Operating System:
 Time-Sharing operating system allows many users to share the computer resource simultaneously.
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 Time sharing refers to the allocation of computer resource in time slots to several programs
simultaneously.
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 Large CAD and text processing systems belong to time-
sharing OS.
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 Most of the time-sharing operating systems adopted time-
slicing/ round robin scheduling algorithm.
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 Each user/process will receive a portion of the time slot.
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 UNIX, Windows Server is the example for multiprogramming, multi-use and time sharing
systems.

 Real-time Operating System:

 Real time systems refer to a computer and software systems that respond to events before the
events become obsolete.
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 The primary objective of real-time systems is to provide quick event – response times and thus
meeting the scheduling deadlines.
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 The main applications where real time systems are used include medical imaging systems,
industrial control systems, flight control and military application.
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 Windows CE, Symbian, Linux OS are example for real-time systems.

 Distributed Operating System:

 A distributed operating system is a collection of autonomous computer systems capable of
communication and cooperation via the software and hardware interconnections.
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 For example: if we have ‘N’ systems in a distributed environment then the distributed OS helps us
in balancing the load by sharing processors, I/O devices and memory etc.
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 The ATM centers of a bank are example of distributed operating system.
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 Network Operating System:

 A network operating system is a collection of software and associated protocols that allow a set of
autonomous computer which are interconnected by a computer network.
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 It can be used in a convenient and cost-effective manner.
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 In a network operating system the user are aware of the existence of multiple computers and can log
in to remote machines and copy files from one machine to another machine.
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Windows NT, windows server, LINUX are example.
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 Multithreaded Operating System:
 A thread is a sequence of instructions within a program.
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 A program or process may have many threads which share the same
code section, data section, and other OS resources.
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 It provides many logical paths through the program to be executed
simultaneously.
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 Sun Solaris, Windows 2000, Multithreaded UNIX, LINUX are
examples.

 Functional Features of Operating System(OS):

 There are two types of user interface:

o Command-Line User Interface (CUI)
o Graphical User Interface (GUI)

 CUI Interface:
 CUI interface allows the user to interact with a computer through text terminal.
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 It is a Non-graphical and text- based user interface.
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 MS-DOS is an operating system which provides a CUI.
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 The commands must be given at the command prompt ( C:\>)
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 Both input and output are character based, the interface is also known as Character User Interface.

 GUI Interface:
 The GUI was first introduced in 1984 by Apple with Macintosh.
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 GUI is an interface where the commands are selected from menus and icons rather the typing them
from the keyboard.
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 It allows user to click on the re quired icon, with the help of Mouse.
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 Windows Operating System is the most popular OS based on GUI.
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 Difference between CUI and GUI:
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CUI GUI
1 Command line user interface Graphical User Interface
2 The user must type the commands at the The user must click on icons, menus, dialog boxes etc to
command prompt to interact with the interact with the computer
computer
3 The user must remember the commands The user need not remember any commands as it is
and their parameters available in the form of menus and icons on monitor
4 Mouse operation not available for DOS Mouse operation required to select commands
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Operating system Features
DOS(Disk Operating System)  File management features (to create, edit, write
 DOS is a single user operating system. and delete files)
 It was developed by Bill Gates and Paul Allen in  Directory management
1980 for IBM PCs  Memory management
 Command interpreter interprets commands and
executes DOS functions, utility programs or
application programs
 Has utility programs like COPY, ERASE, DIR,
etc
UNIX OS  Hierarchical file organization
UNIX was developed by Dennis Ritchie and Ken  Portability
Thompson on a DEC in 1985 by Sun Micro systems  Multi-use, multitasking support
 Facilitates Kernel and Shell Programming
 Machine independent
 Excellent tools and tool-building utilities
LINUX OS  Facilitates Kernel programming, which provides
Linux was initially developed by Finnish University access to software and hardware
student Linus Torvalds.  Open Source development operating system
It is a free download from www.linux.org  Machine independent
 Multi-user, multitasking support
 Compatibility and portability
SOLARIS OS  Advanced networking capability supporting
The Solaris OS is a free Unix-based operating system wireless and high throughput networks
introduced by Sun Microsystems in 1992 as the  Facilitates zoning security
successor to Sun OS  User-interface for internet browsers, media
players, office suite
 Managing hardware usage of a particular
application
WINDOWS  It is a Graphical User Interface OS
Developed by Microsoft Corporation  Helps in sharing of files and folders
 Automatic defragmentation of disk
 Inbuilt Internet Explorer
 Multimedia support
 High security support
 Easy installation of software
 Supports multi-tasking multi-user and
multithreading
 Supports multi-core processors
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MOBILE OPERATING SYSTEMS FEATURES

Android OS  Linux based OS
 Supports multi-tasking
 User can connect to any mobile network
 Compatible with latest applications
 Powerful sensors for detecting fingerprints,
voice, retina, face.
Symbian  A mobile operating system supports multi-
tasking and multi-threading
 Supports internet browsing.
 Open source mobile operating system
designed for smart phones
 Flexible user interface
 EG: Nokia, Samsung, Sony Ericson
Windows phone  Supports multi-tasking
 User can connect to any mobile network
 Compatible with latest applications
 Powerful sensors for detecting fingerprints,
voice, retina, face.
 Powerful back-up
 Customize the start screen according the
requirements

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