Chapter-2

Computer Software
 A computer needs both hardware and software for its proper functioning. The
hardware refers to the physical equipment that are necessary for performing various
operations, such as reading and processing data, storing results and providing output
to the users in a desired form. The computer hardware alone cannot perform any
particular function without software.
 The software refers to a set of computer programs that are required to enable the
hardware to work and perform operations effectively. It is a set of programs ,
procedures , routines, set of instructions and documentation that perform some tasks
on a computer system.
 A computer programs is basically a set of logical instructions, written in a computer
programming language that tells the computer how to accomplish a task. It is a
sequence of instructions. An instruction is a command given to the computer to
perform certain specified operation of given data.
 Firmware is a small piece of software that makes hardware work and do what its
manufacturer intended it to do. it has been permanently written onto ROM. It is
programmed to give permanent instructions to communicate with other devices and
perform functions like basic input/output tasks. It can be erased and rewritten.
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 Software:
Software is a computer program (set of
instructions) that causes the hardware to do work.
The software acts as an interface between the
user and the computer. Software as a whole can
be divided into a number of categories based on
the types of work done.
The two primary software categories are
system software and
application software.

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System software
System Software
System software is a software that basically makes
the computer work. It is used to control and
coordinate all the operations of the computer
system (hardware and software).. It is also known as
operating system. As for example
windows,vista,unix,linux etc.
System software can be divided into three ways.
Operating systems
Language Processors (Translators)
Utility software
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 Operating systems are the most important programs that run on a
computer. It is an integrated set of programs that is used to manage the
various resources and overall operation of the computer system.
 Operating system controls, coordinates, and supervises the activities of
the various components of a computer system.
Operating system acts as an interface between the user and the
computer hardware.
operating system manages and coordinates the functions performed by
the computer hardware. Operating systems perform basic tasks, such as
recognizing input from input devices, sending output to output devices,
keeping track of files and directories on the disk, and controlling
peripheral devices such as disk drives and printers. Most commonly used
operating systems include Microsoft Windows, MS-DOS, UNIX, Solaris etc.
The primary objectives of OS are:
 Making computer system easy to use
 Managing the resources of the computer system

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 Language Processor (Translators)
We have to convert source code into object code, we need a
language processor. Source code is high level language/Assembly
language. Object code is machine language or machine code.
Computer understand only machine language. A program written
in high-level language or assembly language cannot run on a
computer directly. It must be converted into machine language
before execute. Language processor or translator is a software that
convert these programs into machine language. Every computer
has its own translator

Language processor can be divided into three types.

• Compiler
• Interpreter
• Assembler

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 Compiler can translate source code into object
code one at a time. It may take short time. So, it
is faster than interpreter. E.g. C,C+
+,JAVA,COBOL,FORTRAN etc.
Interpreter can translate source code into object
code one by one. It may take long time. So, it is
slower than the compiler. E.g. BASIC
Assembler is also a translator which translate the
program which is written in assembly language
into Machine language. Assembly language
written in mnemonics code such as ADD, SUB,
MUL, DIV, MOV etc.
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 Assembler is a translator for low level language.
But, compiler/interpreter is a translator for high
level language.

Utility software
Utility programs are a set of programs that helps
users in system maintenance, disk formatting ,data
compression ,data back up & scanning computer
virus etc.

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Application Software
 Application software is a set of programs designed to solve a
specific task. It is written by the user to solve a specific user
oriented problem using computer
It is also called end-user programs or only an app. The end user
uses applications software for a specific purpose. It programmed
for simple as well as complex tasks. It either be installed or
access online. It can be a single program or a group of small
programs that referred to as an application suite.
Some examples of Application Software are Word processing
software, Spreadsheets Software, Presentation, Graphics,
Database software, Sending email etc.
Application software can be a program used for accounting
control in business, a program used for engineering design etc.

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Application software
Application software is two types
1. Standard or package software: The software which are
designed and developed for general purpose it is large
sized, bug free, advance and standard software for special
work. This software’s are equipped with all essential tools
and technology to enhance user productivity. E.g. MS -
Word, MS - Excel, MS - Power Point etc.
2. Customized or Tailored software: The software which are
designed to meet the specific requirements of an
organization or individuals is called customized software.
It is developed on the demand of customer by software
contractor. It serves only one user or organization. E.g.,
school billing system, accounting software etc.

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Differentiate between application software and system software

Application Software System Software

1. It is user-oriented. 1. It is hardware oriented software.
2. It is developed to solve the 2. It is developed to operate or
particular problem of the user. manage the hardware
componentsWhile its a specific
3. While high level languages are purpose software.
used to write the application
software. 3. Low level languages are used to write
4. Its a general purpose software. the system software.
5. Without system software, 4. While without application software
system can’t run. system always runs.
6. System Software programming 5. Application software programming
is complex than application is simpler as comparison to system
software. software.
7. Examples of application 6. Examples of system software are
software are MS office all MS- Windows, Android,
package, tally, banking compilers, Device drivers,
 Middleware
Middleware is software that lies between an
operating system and the applications running on
it. Essentially functioning as hidden translation
layer, middleware enables communication and
data management for distributed applications. It’s
sometimes called plumbing, as it connects two
applications together so data and databases can
be easily passed between the “pipe.” Using
middleware allows users to perform such requests
as submitting forms on a web browser, or allowing
the web server to return dynamic web pages
based on a user’s profile.
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 Common middleware examples include database middleware,
application server middleware, message-oriented middleware,
web middleware, and transaction-processing monitors. Each
program typically provides messaging services so that different
applications can communicate using messaging frameworks like
simple object access protocol (SOAP), web services,
representational state transfer (REST), and JavaScript object
notation (JSON). While all middleware performs communication
functions, the type a company chooses to use will depend on
what service is being used and what type of information needs
to be communicated. This can include security authentication,
transaction management, message queues, applications servers,
web servers, and directories. Middleware can also be used for
distributed processing with actions occurring in real time rather
than sending data back and forth.

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 Computer virus & Antivirus
A computer virus is a type of malicious software that, when
executed, replicates itself by modifying other computer programs and
inserting its own code. When this replication succeeds, the affected
areas are then said to be "infected" with a computer virus.
The term "virus" is also commonly, but erroneously, used to refer to
other types of malware. "Malware" encompasses computer viruses
along with many other forms of malicious software, such as computer
worms, ransomware, spyware, adware, Trojan horses, key loggers,
rootkits, boot kits, malicious Browser Helper Object (BHOs), and other
malicious software. Viruses often perform some type of harmful activity
on infected host computers, such as acquisition of hard disk space or
CPU etc.
 The term computer virus, coined by Fred Cohen in 1985.
Viruses often perform some type of harmful activity on infected host
computers, such as acquisition of hard disk space or central processing
unit etc.

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 Antivirus
Antivirus software, or anti-virus
software (abbreviated to AV software), also
known as anti-malware, is a computer
program used to prevent, detect, and
remove malware.
Antivirus software was originally developed to
detect and remove computer viruses, hence the
name. However, with the proliferation of other
kinds of malware, antivirus software started to
provide protection from other computer threats.
As for example, Avast,NOD 32, AVIRA, Kaspersky,
Semantic, Bit Defender etc.
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