BOOTING

In computing, booting is the process of starting a computer. It can

be initiated by hardware such as a button press, or by a software
command. After it is switched on, a computer's central processing
unit (CPU) has no software in its main memory, so some process must
load software into memory before it can be executed. This may be done
by hardware or firmware in the CPU, or by a separate processor in the
computer system.
When the computer is switched on, a copy of boot program is brought
from ROM into the main memory. This process is called booting. The
CPU first runs a jump instruction that transfers to BIOS (Basic Input
output System) and it starts executing. The BIOS conducts a series of
self diagnostic tests called POST (Power On Self Test). These tests
include memory tests, configuring and starting video circuitry,
configuring the system’s hardware and checking other devices that help
to function the computer properly. Thereafter the BIOS locates a
bootable drive to load the boot sector. The execution is then
transferred to the Boot Strap Loader program on the boot sector which
loads and executes the operating system. If the boot sector is on the
hard drive then it will have a Master Boot record (MBR) which checks
the partition table for active partition. If found, the MBR loads that
partition’s boot sector and executes it.

Booting Process is of two types – Warm and Cold

Cold Booting: When the system starts from initial state i.e. it is
switched on, we call it cold booting or Hard Booting. When the user
presses the Power button, the instructions are read from the ROM to
initiate the booting process.

Warm Booting: When the system restarts or when Reset button is pressed,
we call it Warm Booting or Soft Booting. The system does not start
from initial state and so all diagnostic tests need not be carried
out in this case. There are chances of data loss and system damage as
the data might not have been stored properly.

TYPES OF SOFTWARE
Computer system consists of hardware and software for its proper functioning.
Hardware represents the physical and tangible components of the computer i.e., the
components that can be seen and touched. Input devices, output devices, CPU, hard
disk, printer etc. are examples of computer hardware.
Software represents the set of programs that govern the operation of a computer
system and make the hardware run. Software can be classified broadly into two
categories.
1.System Software
2. Application Software
Following sections discuss system software and application software in details.
System Software
Computer is mere a machine that knows nothing of itself. Rather it requires instructions
for each and everything it performs. These instructions are provided to it through
software. The software that controls internal computer operations (viz. reading data
from input devices, transmitting processed information to the output devices, checking
system components, converting data/instructions to computer understandable form
etc.) is known as system software. System Software helps the user, hardware, and
application software to interact and function together. These types of computer
software allow an environment or platform for other software and applications to work
in. This is why system software is essential in managing the whole computer system .
The system software can further be classified into two categories:
1. Operating System
2. Language Processors
Operating System
An Operating system (OS) is a software which acts as an interface between the end
user and computer hardware. Every computer must have at least one OS to run other
programs. An application like Chrome, MS Word, Games, etc needs some
environment in which it will run and perform its task. The OS helps you to communicate
with the computer without knowing how to speak the computer's language. It
is not possible for the user to use any computer or mobile device without having an
operating system.
Operating system provides an interface to the user, to interact with the system. This
interface may be Character User Interface (CUI) ex. DOS or a Graphical User Interface
(GUI) ex. Windows.

Following are some of important functions of an operating System.

• Memory Management
• Processor Management
• Device Management
• File Management
• Security
• Control over all system performance
• Job accounting
• Error detecting aids
• Coordination between other software and users

There are different types of operating systems available today to serve various types
of requirements. These are: Single user OS, Multiuser OS, Time Sharing OS, Real
time OS, Multiprocessing OS, Distributed OS etc.

Some of the popular operating systems used in personal computers are DOS,
Windows, Unix, Linux, Solaris, etc.
Language Processors
We know that computer understands instructions in machine code, i.e. in the form of
0s and 1s. It is difficult for us to write computer program directly in machine code. The
programs are written mostly in high-level languages, i.e. BASIC, C++, Python etc. A
program written in any high-level programming language (or written in assembly
language) is called the Source Program or Source Code.
The source code cannot be executed directly by the computer. The source code must
be converted into machine language to be executed. The program translated into
machine code is known as Object Program or Object code.
The special translator system software that is used to translate the program written in
high-level language (or Assembly language) into machine code is called language
processor or translator program.
The language processors can be any of the following three types- Assembler,
Compiler and Interpreter.
Generations of Programming languages:
First Generation: Machine language, as used only 0 and 1 was difficult to learn and implement.
10001110
Second Generation: Assembly language used some codes and symbols with binary language.
First and second generation languages are together grouped as low level languages (as they
were more near to machine).
Third Generation: Termed as High Level languages (C, C++, Java, Python etc), use
English words for programming.
Fourth Generation: Use complete English sentences or phrases for programming. Mainly
used for database handling, mysql, oracle etc.
Fifth Generation: Related to artificial intelligence and robotics, mercury, prologue

Assembler
The Assembler is used to translate the program written in Assembly language into
machine code. The input of Assembler is a source program that contains assembly
language instructions. The output generated by assembler is the object code or
machine code understandable by the computer.
Compiler
The language processor that translates the complete source program as a whole in
one go into machine code is called compiler. Some of the examples are C and C++
compilers. The program translated into machine code is called the object program.
The source code is translated to object code successfully if it is free of errors. If there
are any errors in the source code, the compiler specifies the errors at the end of
compilation with line numbers. The errors must be removed before the compiler can
successfully recompile the source code again.
Interpreter
The language processor, that translates a single statement of source program into
machine code and executes it immediately, before moving on to the next line is called
an Interpreter. If there is an error in the statement the interpreter terminates its
translating process at that statement and displays an error message. Only after
removal of the error, the interpreter moves on to the next line for execution.

Application Software
As a user of technology, Application Software or ‘Apps’ are what you engage with the
most. These types of computer software are productive end-user programs that help
you perform tasks. Applications software is capable of dealing with user inputs and
helps the user to complete the task. It is also called end-user programs or only an app.
It resides above system software. First user deal with system software after that
he/she deals with application software. The end user uses applications software for a
specific purpose. It is 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,
CAD/CAM, Sending email etc. Software applications are also referred to as non-
essential software. They are installed and operated on a computer-based on the user’s
requirement. There are plenty of application software that you can use to perform
different tasks. The number of such apps keeps increasing with technological
advances and the evolving needs of the users. You can categorize these software
types into 4 different groups:

1. General Purpose Software

2. Utilities
3. Customised Software
4. Software Libraries

General Purpose Software:

These include the software which are used for general purpose by all the
users. These include:
• Word processing software
• Database software
 • Spreadsheet software
• Multimedia software
• Desktop Publishing Software
• Communication Software
• Presentation Software
A Package is a term used for multiple applications bundled together. Related functions,
features and user interfaces interact with each other. MS-office suite is the best example of a
package which include various software bundled together.

Utilities
A utility software is one which provides certain tasks that help in proper maintenance
of the computer. The job of utility programs is to keep the computer system running
smoothly. Nowadays many utility softwares are part of the operating system itself.
Even if there is no utility software on your computer, the computer works but with the
right kind of utility software loaded, the computer becomes more reliable and even its
processing speed increases. Some of the commonly use utility software are antivirus,
Disk defragmenter, backup, compression etc.
Antivirus
An antivirus is utility software which detects and removes computer viruses. If the
software is not able to remove the virus, it is neutralized (quarantined). The antivirus
keeps a watch on the functioning of the computer system. If a virus is found it may
alert the user, flag the infected program or kill the virus. Some of the common types of
viruses are:
Boot Sector Virus:
File Virus:
Macro Virus:
Trojan Horse:
Worm:

Disk Defragmenter
The memory is used in small chunks randomly. Sometimes when a memory chunk of
appropriate size is not available, the operating system breaks or fragments the files
resulting in slower access to files. A disk defragmenter scans the hard disk for
fragmented files and brings all the fragments together.
Backup Utility
This utility is used to create the copy of the complete or partial data stored in a disk or
CD on any other disk. In case the hard disk crashes or some other system failure
occurs, the files can be restored using backup software.
Compression Utility
This utility is used to compress large files. Compression is useful because it helps
reduce resources usage and the file transmission on the network becomes easier.
 Disk Cleaner
This utility scans for file that have not been accessed/used since long. Such files
might be occupying huge amount of memory space. In that case the Disk Cleaner
utility prompts the user to delete such files so as to create more space on the disk.
If the files are important, the user might take a backup before deleting them.
File Management Tools
This utility helps the user in storing, indexing, searching and sorting files and
folders on the system. The most commonly used tool is the Windows Explorer and
Google Desktop.

Customized Software
Customized Software is one which is tailor made as per the user’s requirement. Such
type of software is customer specific. It is made keeping in mind the individual needs
of the user and so are also referred as Domain Specific Tools. Such software cannot
be installed and used by any other user/customer since the requirements may differ.
Some examples of customized software are discussed below:
Inventory Management System & Purchasing System: Inventory Management
System is generally used in departmental stores or other organizations to keep the
record of the stock of all the physical resources.
School Management System: School Management System (sometimes called
a School Information System or SIS) is a system that manages all of a school's data
in a single, integrated application. Having all of the information in a single system
allows schools to more easily connect data together.
Payroll System: Payroll Management System software is used by all modern
organizations to keep track of employees of the organization who receives wages or
salary. All different payment amounts are calculated by the payroll software
and the record is maintained.

Financial Accounting: Financial accounting System is used to prepare accounting

information, maintain different accounts ledger, and account books. It also helps
an organization to make budget.
Hotel Management: Hotel management software refers to management techniques
used in the hotel sector. These can include hotel administration, accounts, billing,
marketing, housekeeping, front office or front desk, food and beverage management,
catering and maintenance. Even advance bookings can be made through this
software. Customers can have a look at the hotel and the rooms before taking
bookings. At any point of time the room availability, tariff for each
type of room and even booking status can be checked.
Reservation System: Reservation System is software used to book (reserve) air
flights, railway seats, movie tickets, tables in a restaurant, etc. In the case of a booking
system, the inputs are booking requests. The processing involves checking if bookings
are possible, and if so making the bookings. The outputs are booking
confirmations/rejections.
Weather Forecasting system: This software makes it possible to forecast the
weather for days and even months in advance. The detailed weather reports can also
be generated.
Software Libraries:

A software library is a suite of data and programming code that is used to develop
software programs and applications. It is designed to assist both the programmer
and the programming language compiler in building and executing software.

A software library generally consists of pre-written code, classes, procedures,

scripts, configuration data and more. Typically, a developer might manually add a
software library to a program to achieve more functionality or to automate a process
without writing code for it. For example, when developing a mathematical program or
application, a developer may add a mathematics software library to the program to
eliminate the need for writing complex functions. All of the available functions within
a software library can just be called/used within the program body without defining
them explicitly. Similarly, a compiler might automatically add a related software
library to a program on run time.