MATERIAL 2 NOT FOR SALE

CSC 101.1- INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER SCIENCE

COMPUTER SOFTWARE
1. System software

System software is a set of instructions that serve primarily as an intermediary between computer
hardware and application programs. System software is usually written by computer manufacturers.
They are supplied with the computer system on purchase. The system software includes:
a. Operating system
b. Utility Software
c. Device Drivers
d. Language Translators
a. Operating system
The operating system is that system software that interfaces between the user of the computer and the
computer hardware. The operating system is described as the manager of computer resources. It is the
house keeper of the computer resources, and as the housekeeper, it knows the condition and the
location of each resources. It allows the computer user to make use of those resources and reclaims
them from the user after use the safe keep them again for future use. OS includes Unix, Linux, Mac OS
etc.

b. Utility software

The utility software, just like the name sounds is the type of system software that are utilized by the
users of computer to solve one data processing operation or the other. Utility software assist in
maintenance and monitoring activities and they usually remain resident in the storage media where
they are stored until they are invoked through a command to perform. Utility program includes
antivirus, firewalls, disk utilities etc.

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c. Device drivers

A device driver or hardware driver is a group of files that enable one or more hardware devices to
communicate with the computer's operating system. Without drivers, the computer would not be able
to send and receive data correctly to hardware devices, such as keyboards, printers, scanners, digital
cameras and external storage devices. Each of these need a driver in order to work properly.

d. Language translators

A language translator is a program that performs translation of a program written in a given

programming language into a functional equivalent program without losing the functional or logical
structure of the initial program. Any program not written in machine language has to be translated
into machine language before it could be executed by the computer (CPU). Examples of language
translators:

a) Assembler
b) Compiler
c) Interpreter

a. The Assembler: The assembler is the language translator that converts programs written in
assembly language to machine language. It translates the assembly programs contained in the source
file to the target or object language which the computer can now execute if it is error free

Examples are:

i) Microsoft MACRO ASSEMBLER

ii) Microsoft Quick Assembler

iii) A86 Macro Assembler.

b. The Compiler: - The complier is a language translator that converts programs from high level
language to machine language. It picks the high-level language contained in the source file, converts
all to machine language. The compiler creates a file called object file by itself and does the translation
where it puts the translated version of the source code which becomes the object code. In essence, the
compiler maintains two files i.e. source file and object file. The object files are in executable form.
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Compilers have diagnostic capabilities that prompts the programmer with appropriate error message
in the event of an error while compiling a high-level language program.

The compiler differs from one type of language to the other i.e. each language has its own compiler.
The FORTRAN language uses FORTRAN compiler and dot cannot be used to compile COBOL for
instant. The rules and syntax that guide the writing of the languages differ and so the compiler differs
as well. COBOL uses COBOL compiler etc.

c. The Interpreter: - The interpreter is a language translator that translates the high level language
to machine language. It picks the statements line by line and translates them one statements after the
other sequentially. Any line translated, is executed by the computer before the next line is translated.
If the interpreter meets a syntax error in any line, it will signal the error and the line number. That
syntax error must be debugged before the interpreter can go to the next line. The problem with the
interpreter is that any time the program will be executed or run again it must have to be retranslated
by the interpreter suite unlike the compiler that keeps the translated version in a file (object file) which
is executable any time.

PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES
A computer programming language is a language used to write computer programs, which involves
a computer performing some kind of computation or algorithm and possibly control external devices
such as printers, disk drives, robots, and so on. The term programming language usually refers to high-
level languages, such as BASIC, C, C++, COBOL, Java, FORTRAN, Ada, and Pascal.

Generations of Programming Languages

1. First generation – Machine Language

2. Second generation – Low level language e.g assembly language
3. Third generation – high level languages e.g Pascal
4. Fourth generation
5. Fifth generation

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1) First generation (Machine Language): The first-generation programming language is also called
low-level programming language because they were used to program the computer system at a very
low level of abstraction. i.e. at the machine level. The machine language also referred to as the native
language of the computer system is the first-generation programming language. In the machine
language, a programmer only deals with a binary number (0’s and 1’s).

Advantages:
a) They make fast and efficient use of the computer.
b) Require no translator and they are directly understood by the computer.
c) Computer storage is efficiently used.
Disadvantages:

a) It is hard to read and understand what a machine code does simply from its encoding.
Machine code is therefore difficult to read and write.
b) Writing machine code is extremely time consuming and prone to errors.
c) Many machine codes exist for different types of computers.
d) Since it is machine dependent, the programmer also needs to understand the hardware.

2) Second generation (Assembly Language): The second-generation programming language also

belongs to the category of low-level- programming language. The second-generation language
comprises assembly languages that use the concept of mnemonics for the writing program. In the
assembly language, symbolic names are used to represent the opcode and the operand part of the
instruction.

Advantages:

a) Assembly language is easier to understand compared to machine language.

b) It is easy to locate and identify errors unlike machine language.
c) Assembly language is easier to modify.
d) Programs written in AL are replaceable by mnemonics which is easier to remember.
e) Easy to make insertions and deletions.
f) Require fewer instructions to get the same result.

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Disadvantages:

a) As it is a machine-oriented language, it requires familiarity with machine architecture and

understanding of available instruction set.
b) Execution in assembly language is comparatively time consuming compared to machine
language because AL requires a separate language translator program to translate assembly
program to machine language.
c) Large programs written in assembly language(AL) cannot be executed on small computers.

3) Third generation (High level Languages): The third-generation programming languages were
designed to overcome the various limitations of the first and second generation programming
languages. The languages of the third and later generation are considered as a high-level language
because they enable the programmer to concentrate only on the logic of the programs without
considering the internal architecture of the computer system. Examples of third generation languages
are: FORTRAN, C, C++.Advantages:

a) Better Portability (runs on many CPU’s).

b) Richer data types and memory management.
c) Natural structures for expressing flow of control.
d) Much better support for software maintenance.
e) Supports software reuse.

Disadvantages:

a) Requires translation into machine language by a translator, which takes time.

b) Object code generated by a translator might be inefficient compared to an equivalent
assembly language program.

4) Fourth generation: The languages of this generation were considered as very high-level
programming languages required a lot of time and effort that affected the productivity of a
programmer. The fourth-generation programming languages were designed and developed to reduce
the time, cost and effort needed to develop different types of software applications. Examples of forth
generation programming languages include SOL, CSS.

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5) Fifth generation: The programming languages of this generation mainly focus on constraint
programming. Natural languages represent the next step in the development of programming
languages, which are fifth generation languages. The major fields in which the fifth-generation
programming language are employed are Artificial Intelligence and Artificial Neural Networks

APPLICATION SOFTWARE

These are programs written by the computer user as it wills suite their own environment. These
programs are designed and program to solve the specific problem by a computer specialist who is
employed in the company. This type of program is not solved by vendors like the package, rather they
are indigenous to an individual or company environment unlike the packages, they are not ready
made.

Examples include the following:

- Payroll, - Stock control,

- Sales order processing and sales ledger,

- Purchase order processing and purchase ledger. Those that are used for a specialized form of business.

- Transaction processing banks, - Airline seat reservation

- Theatre seat reservation, -Hotel room reservation,

- Point of sale software.

APPLICATION PACKAGES

This is a specially designed program written by the professional programmers for solving specific data
processing needs, either commercial or scientific. A package is a complete suite of readymade programs
with its documentation covering a processing routine. It is usually supplied by software house or
manufacturer. The supply might either be on purchase or on lease. It is usually intended to meet the
needs of a wide range of user companies. Examples of such applications include: Payrolls, auditing,
Stock control, Network Analysis, Dbase, Spreadsheet, WordPerfect, etc.

1. Word processing: These programs that, more or less, turn a computer system into a powerful
typewriting tool and more. It helps us to produce letters, reports, magazines, memos etc.

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Example of Word Processing programs are: MS Word, Wordstar, Wordperfect. PC Write, Multimate,
Ten Best and Wordstar 2000.

2. Database Management: Databases are the backbone of business computing. They store and retrieve
information such as customer lists, inventories and notes. They can also sort information, letting users
do things like search their customer list for customers in a given STATE.

These programs help us to record and maintain information about people, places, things and
management reports of all types. Examples are Dbase III & IV, Foxbase, Oracle, Foxpro and Clipper,
MICROSOFT ACCESS, Paradox, Professional File, Windows File and Q&A etc.

3. ACCOUNTING. Accounting programs keep track of business income and expenditures including
accounts receivable, accounts payable, operating expenses, cash flow and payroll.

Popular accounting programs include QuickBooks, DacEasy Accounting, Peachtree Accounting, Profit,
One-Write, Paciolli 2000, and the ACCPAC series of programs.

4. Spreadsheet- Spreadsheets are software packages that, more or less, turn a computer system into a
sophisticated electronic calculator. Many spreadsheet packages also have presentation graphics
generators, which take data and painlessly convert them into bar charts, line charts, and the like, for
management presentations at meetings. These programs help us to produce financial reports and
reports. Examples are Lotus 1-2-3, Quatopro, SuperCalc, Multiplan, VP Planner, Planning Assistant
and Microsoft Excel.

5. GRAPHICS PROGRAMS. Graphics programs create graphs and drawings that can be used in
newsletters, posters, advertisements and other documents. Some allow users to import photographs
into documents or create animated pictures for use in "multimedia" presentations.

Popular graphics programs include PC Paintbrush, Professional Drave, IntelliDraw, illustrator,

Persuasion, Cricket Draw, Corel Draw, Print Master, Print Shop, Microsoft PowerPoint, and Harvard
Graphics.

6. DESKSTOP PUBLISHING. Desktop publishing programs are extremely sophisticated word

processors that can incorporate word processing and graphics files to create newsletters, manuals, files,

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advertisements, magazine and newspapers. Popular DTPs include Microsoft Express Publisher, Aldus
PageMaker, Ventura Publisher and Quark XPress.

7. INTEGRATED Packages/ALL IN ONE. Integrated programs are a program that combines the ability
to do several general-purpose applications including three or four different functions, usually word
processing, database, graphics and spreadsheet in one program. Some include communications
software that, combined with a modem, will enable you to look up and dial telephone numbers easily.
The most popular integrated packages include Microsoft office, WordPerfect Works, ClarisWork,
GeoWorks Pro and Lotus Symphony.

8. COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN. Computer Aided Design is a package that can be used to produce
drawings of professional quality on paper as large as your printer or plotter can handle. Such drawings
like engineering plans, models, maps, electrical circuit diagrams, planning diagrams, architectural and
more are made possible by the use of computer. CAD is widely used in Industry, Commerce, and
Education.

Popular CAD Packages which can perform all these functions include like AutoCAD, Auto-Sketch etc.

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