SOFTWARE

Software is a set of instructions or a program that performs a particular task. Without software,
most computers would be useless. For example, without your Internet browser software, you
could not surf the Internet or read a web page. Without an operating system, the browser could
not run on your computer.

CATEGORIES OF SOFTWARE

1. SYSTEM SOFTWARE
2. APPLICATION SOFTWARE

SYSTEM SOFTWARE

Are softwares that are designed to control and coordinate the procedures and functions of
computer hardware. They actually enable functional interaction between hardware, software and
the user. System software aids the user and the hardware to function and interact with each other.
Basically, it is software to manage computer hardware behavior so as to provide basic
functionalities that are required by the user. In simple words, we can say that system software is
an intermediator or a middle layer between the user and the hardware. This computer software
sanctions a platform or environment for the other software to work in. This is the reason why
system software is very important in managing the entire computer system. When you first turn
on the computer, it is the system software that gets initialized and gets loaded in the memory of
the system. The system software runs in the background and is not used by the end-users. This is
the reason why system software is also known as ‘low-level software’

Systems software can be categorized under the following:

 Operating system: Harnesses communication between hardware, system

programs, and other applications.
 Device driver: Enables device communication with the OS and other programs.
 Firmware: Enables device control and identification.
 Translator: Translates high-level languages to low-level machine codes.
 Utility: Ensures optimum functionality of devices and applications.

1. Operating System (OS)

The operating system is a type of system software kernel that sits between computer hardware
and end user. It is installed first on a computer to allow devices and applications to be identified
and therefore functional.

System software is the first layer of software to be loaded into memory every time a computer is
powered up.
Suppose a user wants to write and print a report to an attached printer. A word processing
application is required to accomplish this task. Data input is done using a keyboard or other input
devices and then displayed on the monitor. The prepared data is then sent to the printer.

In order for the word processor, keyboard, and printer to accomplish this task, they must work
with the OS, which controls input and output functions, memory management, and printer
spooling.

Today, the user interacts with the operating system through the graphical user interface (GUI) on
a monitor or touchscreen interface. The desktop in modern OSs is a graphical workspace, which
contains menus, icons, and apps that are manipulated by the user through a mouse-driven cursor
or the touch of a finger. The disk operating system (DOS) was a popular interface used in the
1980s.

Types of Operating Systems

 Real-Time OS: Is installed in special purpose embedded systems like robots, cars, and
modems.
 Single-user and single-task OS: Are installed on single-user devices like phones.
 Single-user and multitask OS: Are installed on contemporary personal computers.
 Multi-user OS: Is installed in network environments where many users have to share
resources. Server OSs are examples of multi-user operating systems.
 Network OS: Is used to share resources such as files, printers in a network setup.
 Internet/Web OS: Is designed to run on the browser that is online.
 Mobile OS: Is designed to run on mobile phones, tablets and other mobile devices.

Functions of Operating System

What is Operating System?

An operating system is a program on which application programs are executed and acts as a
communication bridge (interface) between the user and the computer hardware.

The main task an operating system carries out is the allocation of resources and services, such as
allocation of: memory, devices, processors and information. The operating system also includes
programs to manage these resources, such as a traffic controller, a scheduler, memory
management module, I/O programs, and a file system.

Important functions of an operating System:

1. Security –
The operating system uses password protection to protect user data and similar other
techniques. It also prevents unauthorized access to programs and user data.
2. Control over system performance –
Monitors overall system health to help improve performance. Records the response time
between service requests and system response to have a complete view of the system
health. This can help improve performance by providing important information needed to
troubleshoot problems.
3. Job accounting –
Operating system Keeps track of time and resources used by various tasks and users, this
information can be used to track resource usage for a particular user or group of user.
4. Error detecting aids –
Operating system constantly monitors the system to detect errors and avoid the
malfunctioning of computer system.
5. Coordination between other software and users –
Operating systems also coordinate and assign interpreters, compilers, assemblers and
other software to the various users of the computer systems.
6. Memory Management –
The operating system manages the Primary Memory or Main Memory. Main memory is
made up of a large array of bytes or words where each byte or word is assigned a certain
address. Main memory is a fast storage and it can be accessed directly by the CPU. For a
program to be executed, it should be first loaded in the main memory. An Operating
System performs the following activities for memory management: It keeps tracks of
primary memory, i.e., which bytes of memory are used by which user program. The
memory addresses that have already been allocated and the memory addresses of the
memory that has not yet been used. In multi programming, the OS decides the order in
which process are granted access to memory, and for how long. It allocates the memory
to a process when the process requests it and de-allocates the memory when the process
has terminated or is performing an I/O operation.
7. Processor Management –
In a multi programming environment, the OS decides the order in which processes have
access to the processor, and how much processing time each process has. This function of
OS is called process scheduling. An Operating System performs the following activities
for processor management. Keeps tracks of the status of processes. The program which
performs this task is known as traffic controller. Allocates the CPU that is processor to a
process. De-allocates processor when a process is no more required.
8. Device Management –
An OS manages device communication via their respective drivers. It performs the
following activities for device management. Keeps tracks of all devices connected to
system. designates a program responsible for every device known as the Input/output
controller. Decides which process gets access to a certain device and for how long.
Allocates devices in an effective and efficient way. De-allocates devices when they are
no longer required.
9. File Management –
A file system is organized into directories for efficient or easy navigation and usage.
These directories may contain other directories and other files. An Operating System
carries out the following file management activities. It keeps track of where information
is stored, user access settings and status of every file and more… These facilities are
collectively known as the file system.
Moreover, Operating System also provides certain services to the computer system in one form
or the other.

Examples of Operating Systems

Popular OSs for computers are:

 Windows 10
 Mac OS X
 Ubuntu

Popular network/server OSs are:

 Ubuntu Server
 Windows Server
 Red Hat Enterprise

2. Device Drivers

Driver software is a type of system software which brings computer devices and peripherals to
life. Drivers make it possible for all connected components and external add-ons perform their
intended tasks and as directed by the OS. Without drivers, the OS would not assign any duties.

Examples of devices which require drivers:

 Mouse
 Keyboard
 Soundcard
 Display card
 Network card
 Printer

Usually, the operating system ships with drivers for most devices already in the market. By
default, input devices such as the mouse and keyboard will have their drivers installed. They may
never require third-party installations.

If a device is newer than the operating system, the user may have to download drivers from
manufacturer websites or alternative sources.

3. Firmware

Firmware is the operational software embedded within a flash, ROM, or EPROM memory chip
for the OS to identify it. It directly manages and controls all activities of any single hardware.
Traditionally, firmware used to mean fixed software as denoted by the word firm. It was installed
on non-volatile chips and could be upgraded only by swapping them with new, preprogrammed
chips.

This was done to differentiate them from high-level software, which could be updated without
having to swap components.

Today, firmware is stored in flash chips, which can be upgraded without swapping
semiconductor chips

BIOS and UEFI

The most important firmware in computers today is installed by the manufacturer on the
motherboard and can be accessed through the old BIOS (Basic Input/output System) or the new
UEFI (Unified Extended Firmware Interface) platforms.

It is the configuration interface which loads first when the computer is powered up and is going
through POST (Power On Self-Test).

The motherboard firmware starts by waking up all the hardware and ensures that components
like the processor, memory, and disk drives are operational. If all the crucial components are
fine, it will run the boot loader, which will load the operating system. If the random-access
memory is faulty, the BIOS will not allow the computer to boot up.

The user can change the BIOS and UEFI settings by pressing special keys (a function key,
delete, or the esc key) at boot-up to load the configuration page. The user can configure security,
boot order, time, and other options in the page that pops up.

Though they work differently, firmware compliments drivers in a few ways. Both give identity to
hardware devices, with the latter making the operating system see the device.

The major difference between the two is that firmware will always reside within devices while
drivers will install within the operating system.

Firmware upgrades come from the device manufacturer (not the OS manufacturer). They're
necessary if the user wants computer hardware to receive new hardware and software support.
Firmware will make it possible for devices to work better with old and new operating systems
and applications.

Almost all devices and peripherals are embedded with firmware. Network card, TV tuner, router,
scanner or monitor and examples of devices which have firmware installed on them.
4. Programming Language Translators

These are intermediate programs relied on by software programmers to translate high-level

language source code to machine language code. The former is a collection of programming
languages that are easy for humans to comprehend and code (i.e., Java, C++, Python, PHP,
BASIC). The latter is a complex code only understood by the processor.

Popular translator languages are compilers, assemblers, and interpreters. They're usually
designed by computer manufacturers. Translator programs may perform a complete translation
of program codes or translate every other instruction at a time.

Machine code is written in a number system of base-2, written out in 0 or 1. This is the lowest
level language possible. While seemingly meaningless to humans, the zeros and ones are actually
sequenced intelligently by the processor to refer to every conceivable human code and word.

Besides simplifying the work of software developers, translators help in various design tasks.
They;

 Identify syntax errors during translation, thus allowing changes to be made to the code.
 Provide diagnostic reports whenever the code rules are not followed.
 Allocate data storage for the program.
 List both source code and program details.

5. Utilities

Utilities are types of system software which sits between system and application software. These
are programs intended for diagnostic and maintenance tasks for the computer. They come in
handy to ensure the computer functions optimally. Their tasks vary from crucial data security to
disk drive defragmentation.

Most are third-party tools but they may come bundled with the operating system. Third-party
tools are available individually or bundled together such as with Hiren Boot CD, Ultimate Boot
CD, and Kaspersky Rescue Disk.

Examples and features of utility software include:

 Antivirus and security software for the security of files and applications, e.g., Malware
bytes, Microsoft Security Essentials, and AVG.
 Disk partition services such as Windows Disk Management, Easeus Partition Master, and
Partition Magic.
 Disk defragmentation to organize scattered files on the drive. Examples include Disk
Defragmenter, Perfect Disk, Disk Keeper, Comodo Free Firewall, and Little Snitch.
 File Compression to optimize disk space such as WinRAR, Winzip, and 7-Zip.
 Data backup for security reasons, e.g., Cobian, Clonezilla, and Comodo.
 Hardware diagnostic services like Hard Disk Sentinel, Memtest, and Performance
Monitor.
  Data recovery to help gets back lost data. Examples include iCare Data Recovery,
Recuva, and EaseUs Data Recovery Wizard.
 Firewall for protection against external threats, e.g., Windows Firewall

How do you get software?

Software can be purchased at a retail computer store or online and come in a box containing all
the disks (floppy diskette, CD, DVD or Blu-ray), manuals, warranty, and other documentation.

Software can also be downloaded to a computer over the Internet. Once downloaded, setup files
are run to start the installation process on your computer.

Free software

There are also a lot of free software programs available that are separated into different
categories.

 Shareware or trial software is software that gives you a few days to try the software
before you have to buy the program. After the trial time expires, you'll be asked to enter a
code or register the product before you can continue to use it.
 Freeware is completely free software that never requires payment, as long as it is not
modified.
 Open source software is similar to freeware. Not only is the program free, but the source
code is also available to everyone.

How do you use computer software?

Once the software is installed on the computer hard drive, the program can be used anytime by
finding the program on the computer. On a Windows computer, a program icon is added to the
Start menu or Start screen, depending on your version of Windows.

How to maintain software

After the software is installed on your computer, it may need to be updated to fix any found
errors. Updating a program can be done using software patches. Once updates are installed, any
problems that may have been experienced in the program will no longer occur.