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Computer System Software

The document provides an overview of computer software, focusing on system software and its categories, including operating systems, device drivers, and utility software. It outlines the functions and types of operating systems, such as single-user and multi-user systems, as well as the roles of utility software in maintaining computer functionality. Additionally, it discusses different types of language translators used in programming.

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3 views2 pages

Computer System Software

The document provides an overview of computer software, focusing on system software and its categories, including operating systems, device drivers, and utility software. It outlines the functions and types of operating systems, such as single-user and multi-user systems, as well as the roles of utility software in maintaining computer functionality. Additionally, it discusses different types of language translators used in programming.

Uploaded by

shalomfadile944
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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SSS 1 COMPUTER STUDIES

COMPUTER SYSTEM SOFTWARE

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
1. Remember: Define computer software and list its main categories.
2. Remember: Define computer system software and list its main categories.
3. Understand: Explain the functions of system software categories.
4. Apply: Classify different types of system software based on their purpose and functions.
5. Analyze: Compare and contrast various types of operating systems and their features.

Computer Software

Computer software is the collection of computer programs, procedures and documentation that perform
different tasks on a computer system. It is a collection of programs along with the associated documentation
to solve a given problem. The software is the intangible part of the computer system

Categories of Software
1. System software
2. Application software

System Software

A set of one or more programs designed to control the operation of the computer system and provide a
platform for running application packages. It is the interface between the user, hardware and application
packages.

The major classifications of system software are:

1. Operating system 3. Device Drivers


2. Utility software 4. Translators
1. Operating System (OS)

This is a suite of programs that manages computer hardware resources and provide a common platform to
operate the computer system by the user as well as provide common services for the execution of various
application packages.

Functions of Operating System

• File and folder management • Processor management


• Device management – controls hardware • User interface
resources • Task management
• Memory storage and management • Formats new disks
• System Security and privacy • Diagnose disk errors
• Application interface • Provides utilities to configure a system
Types of Operating System

a. Single-user operating system: An operating system mostly used on desktop and laptop which allows
only one user at a time. It can be single-user single-task where the user can perform only one task at a
time e.g. MS-DOS or single-user multi-task where the user can perform several tasks simultaneously
e.g. Windows, MAC.

MRS ADOGIE - POWERFIELDS GROUP OF SCHOOLS [COLLEGE], EGBIN


SSS 1 COMPUTER STUDIES

b. Multi-user operating system: Allows multiple users to access a computer system’s resources
simultaneously e.g. UNIX, Novel Netware. It is often used in business and offices where different users
need to access the same resources, but these resources cannot be installed on every system.
c. Command Line or Text-based User Interface OS: Provides an interactive terminal where a user must
enter the command to execute as opposed to using the mouse. E.g. MS-DOS
d. Graphical User Interface (GUI) OS: Makes use of windows, icons, mouse and pointer (WIMP) where
users can interact with the computer using picture and graphs, rather than characters and commands.
E.g. Microsoft Windows and MAC OS.
e. Network Operating System: Links computers and users together to share resources and communicate
with one another. E.g.: Windows NT, Windows Server 2003, etc.
f. Mobile Operating System: Controls a mobile device. Its design supports wireless communication and
mobile application. E.g. Android, IOS, Java, Blackberry, etc.

2. Device Drivers: These are programs that help to activate and recognize computer hardware devices.

3. Translators
Translator is a computer program that converts the programming instructions written in high-level or low-
level language into machine codes. There are three types of language translators.
a. Compiler: Converts high level language program instructions into a separate machine language
instruction.
b. Interpreter: Converts high level language program instructions into machine language instruction and
then immediately executes it.
c. Assembler: Converts low level language program instructions into machine language instructions.

4. Utility Software
These are programs that ensure the smooth functioning of the computer. They perform housekeeping
functions. Examples are:
a. Disk management tools: Include a range of tools to manage hard disk drives and other storage
devices by performing various functions like partitioning devices, disk checking, disk formatting, etc.
on it. E.g. disk defragmenter, disk cleanup, scandisk, DriveSpace, etc.
b. Backup and recovery: To backup data and restore when needed. E.g. Windows backup & recovery
tool, Acronis True Image or Carbonite, etc.
c. Security [Antivirus scanning]: To protect the computer and data from attacks and damages. E.g.
McAfee, Norton, etc.
d. Editors: For creating and editing text files. E.g. Notepad
e. File managers: A computer program that allows users to organize files and folders on a computer's
storage device. E.g. Windows file manager, Dropbox, eFileCabinet, Google Drive, etc.
f. Compression utilities: Facilitates compression and decompression of files when needed. E.g. WinZip,
WinRAR, 7-Zip, etc.
Types of File Compression
a) Lossless File Compression - Here, the file size is reduced without losing any data. This type of file
compression is achieved by removing redundancy (a condition in which a single piece of data is
repeated many times) in data. Instead of saving the same data in the database, repeatedly, only
one copy of data is saved. When decompressing the files, the data gets back to its original form.
This method is used in text and spreadsheets files.
b) Lossy File Compression - Works like lossless file compression, but some data of the files are
permanently lost. These losses are not noticeable and generally occur in media files like images,
audios, and videos.

MRS ADOGIE - POWERFIELDS GROUP OF SCHOOLS [COLLEGE], EGBIN

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