COMPUTER SOFTWARE

Software is detailed step-by-step sequence of instructions known as program which guide

computer hardware. A computer program is a sequence of instructions that tell the computer
hardware what to do. Programs are written in programming languages, which consists of a set
of symbols combined according to a given syntax.
A program must be in main memory (RAM) to be executed. These invisible, intangible
components of a computer that direct and control the operations of the hardware when
processing data are referred to as software.
Software is classified into two major types: system and application software.
1. System software
Systems software consists of programs that coordinates the activities of hardware and other
programs. System software is designed for a specific CPU and hardware class. The combination
of a particular hardware configuration and operating system is called a computer platform.
These programs manage the "behind the scenes" operation of the computer.
Examples
 Operating systems
 Utility Programs - Utility programs often come installed on computer systems or
packaged with operating systems. Utilities can also be purchased individually. Utility
programs perform useful tasks, such as virus detection, tracking computer jobs, and
compressing data.
 Language processors – Compilers and interpreters
Operating systems
The functions of an operating system include:
 Perform common hardware functions
- Accept input and store data on disks and send data to output devices
 Provide a user interface
 Provide hardware independence
 Manage system memory
 Manage processing
 Control access to system resources
- Protection against unauthorized access
- Logins and passwords
 Manage files
- Physical storage location
- File permissions
- File access
Examples of operating systems include:
 DOS – Disk operating system Windows 3.1, 95, 98, NT, 2000, ME, XPLinux, Unix,
MAC OS, System/7

Utility software
Utility software is software designed to help to analyze, configure, optimize or maintain a
computer.
List of Utility Programs

1. System Utilities - system utility is a system software designed to help analyze configure
optimize or maintain your system. utility software along with operating system software
is a type of system software to support the computer infrastructure, distinguishing it from
applications software that is aimed at directly performing tasks that benefit the ordinary
users.

Include;

a) Anti-virus
b) Clipboard managers
c) Computer access control
d) Debuggers
e) Diagnostic programs
f) Network utilities
g) Package managers
h) Registry cleaners
i) System monitors
j) System profilers

2. Storage Device Management Utilities –

a) Backup software
b) Disk Scanners
c) Disk compression
d) Disk defragmenters
e) Disk formatters
f) Disk partition editors
g) Disk space analyzers

3. File Management Utilities

a) Archivers
b) Cryptographic
c) Data compression
d) Data conversion
e) Data recovery
f) Data synchronization
g) File synchronization
h) Revision control
i) File comparison
j) File managers
 4. Miscellaneous Utilities

a) File Viewer
b) Diagnostic Utilities
c) Disk Defragmenter
d) Backup Utility
e) Data Recovery Utility

2. Application software
Applications software includes programs designed to help end users solve particular problems
using the computer or to perform specific tasks.

Sources of software
Advantages of proprietary software
 You can get exactly what you need in terms of reports, features etc.
 Being involved in development offers a further level in control over results.
 There is more flexibility in making modifications that may be required to counteract a
new initiative by a competitor or to meet new supplier or customer requirements. A
merger with another firm or an acquisition will also necessitate software changes to meet
new business needs.
Application
Software

Proprietary Off-the-shelf

In - house Contract Customized Standard

developed package Package

In – house Contract
customization
customized
 Disadvantages of proprietary software
 It can take a long time and significant resources to develop required features.
 In house system development staff may become hard pressed to provide the required
level of ongoing support and maintenance because of pressure to get on to other new
projects.
 There is more risk concerning the features and performance of the software that has yet
to be developed.
Advantages of off-the-shelf software
 The initial cost is lower since the software firm is able to spread the development costs
over a large number of customers.
 There is lower risk that the software will fail to meet the basic business needs
– you can analyze existing features and performance of the package
 Package is likely to be of high quality since many customer firms have tested the
software and helped identify many of its bugs.
Disadvantages of off-the-shelf software
 An organization may have to pay for features that are not required and never used.
 The software may lack important features, thus requiring future modifications or
customization. This can be very expensive because users must adopt future releases of
the software.
 Software may not match current work processes and data standards.
Application software is further classified into general-purpose software, Custom Designed and
applications specific.

General-purpose software
Examples include
 Word processing – Create, edit and print text documents. E.g. MS Word, Word Perfect.
 Spreadsheets – Provide a wide range of built-in functions for statistical, logical,
financial, database, graphics, data and time calculations. E.g. Lotus 1-2-3, Excel, Quattro
Pro.
 Database management systems (DBMS) – Store, manipulate and retrieve data. E.g.
Access, FoxPro, dBase.
 Online Information Services – Obtain a broad range of information from commercial
services. E.g. America Online, CompuServe
 Communications- Ms Outlook for email
 Browsers e.g Internet Explorer, Eudora
 Graphics – Develop graphs, illustrations and drawings. E.g. Paint Shop, FreeHand, Corel
 Project Management – Plan, schedule, allocate and control people and resources needed
to complete a project according to schedule. E.g. Project for Windows, Time Line.
 Financial Management – Provide income and expense tracking and reporting to monitor
and plan budgets. E.g. Quicken
 Desktop publishing -used to create high-quality printed output including text and
graphics; various styles of pages can be laid out; art and text from other programs can
also be integrated into published pages. E.g. PageMaker, Publisher.
 Presentation packages like MS PowerPoint
Note: A software suite, such as Microsoft Office, offers a collection of powerful programs
including word processing, spreadsheet, database, graphics and other programs. The
 programs in a software suite are designed to be used together. In addition, the commands,
the icons and procedures are the same for all programs in the suite.

Custom designed software (also known as bespoke software or tailor-made software) is

software that is specially developed for some specific organization or other user. Custom
software may be developed in an iterative processes, allowing all nuances and possible hidden
risks to be taken into account

Application software is specific to the task it is designed for and can be as simple as a
calculator application or as complex as a word processing application. ... For example, office
software suites might include word processing, spreadsheet, database, presentation, and email
applications

Factors to consider when buying computer hardware and software

(i)Microprocessor type and speed

One should consider a computer system with an acceptable speed that meets user requirements
(ii)Warranty
Its an agreement between the seller and the buyer that spells out terms and conditions of: After
product sale, failure or malfunction
(iii)Cost
This depends on processing capabilities and the sized of the computer.
(iv)Portability
This is mostly for people who do not spend most of their time in office.
(v)Special user needs
For example, when the user is physically challenged
(vi)Monitor
this depends on size, resolution and technology used.
(vii)Multimedia capability
It is the capability of a computer to process and output text, sound, video and pictured

viii)Brand

For many, brand is a big deal for good reasons. Several brands are already time tested and have
proven their products to be functional and efficient, therefore they are reliable sources while
others may not.