Types of Software

Mah-Rukh Fida
Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University, Peshawar, Pakistan

Software
Detailed instructions to control computer operation Program: set of instructions to the computer

Languages

4 Generation High-level (C,C++,Java) Assembly Machine

Stored: program must be in primary storage

Software Types
System Software Application Software

System Software
Manages Computer Resources

Operating System

Windows Vista/ XP/7/8 Window95/98/2000 Mac OS Unix and DOS

Utility Programs Language Processors

Assembler Interpreter Compiler

Operating System

Nucleus of all software activity

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Basic tasks of operating system recognizing input from the keyboard sending output to the display screen keeping track of files and directories on the disk controlling peripheral devices such as disk drives and printers.

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It is the first program loaded into memory when the computer is turned on and, in a sense, brings life to the computer hardware. Without it, you cannot use your word processing software, spreadsheet software, or any other applications.

Without an operating system, you cannot communicate with your computer. When you give the computer a command, the operating system relays the instructions to the 'brain' of the computer, called the microprocessor or CPU. You cannot speak directly to the CPU because it only understands machine language. When you are working in an application software program, such as Microsoft Word, commands that you give the application are sent through the operating system to the CPU.

Utility Programs

A program that performs a specific task related to the management of computer functions, resources, or files, as password protection, memory management, virus protection, and file compression.

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Anti-Virus: Scans computer for viruses File archiver: It combines a number of files together into one archive file, or a series of archive files, for easier transportation or storage. Backup: can make copies of all information stored on a disk and restore either the entire disk (e.g. in an event of disk failures)or selected files (e.g. in an event of accidental deletion).

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Clipboard managers It helps OS to cut, copy, paste items and store their record for efficient future use. Cryptographic utilities encrypt and decrypt streams and files. Data compression utilities output a shorter stream or a smaller file when provided with a stream or file.

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Disk cleaners can find files that are unnecessary to computer operation, or take up considerable amounts of space. Disk cleaner helps the user to decide what to delete when their hard disk is full. Disk compression: transparently compress/uncompress the contents of a disk, increasing the capacity of the disk.

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Disk defragmenters can detect computer files whose contents are broken across several locations on the hard disk, and move the fragments to one location to increase efficiency. Disk partitions can divide an individual drive into multiple logical drives, each with its own file system which can be mounted by the operating system and treated as an individual drive.

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Memory testers check for memory failures. Network utilities analyze the computer's network connectivity, configure network settings, check data transfer or log events. Screensavers were desired to prevent phosphor burn-in on CRT and plasma computer monitors by blanking the screen or filling it with moving images or patterns when the computer is not in use. Contemporary screensavers are used primarily for entertainment or security. System monitors for monitoring resources and performance in a computer system.

Language Processors
Processes a program written in Programming language (source code)

A translator: Translates source code into machine, assembly or any other language

Assembler: Translates assembly language into machine language. Compiler: Translates high level language into machine language. Interpreter: Explicitly execute stored precompiled code made by a compiler which is part of the interpreter system

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Application Software
Specific Business Application

System software serves application software which in turn serves the user.

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Enterprise Software: Used in organizations

Online shopping Online payment process Interactive product catalogue Automated billing system

Accounting Software: Records and processes accounting transactions

Accounts payable Accounts receivable Payroll balance

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Office Suits: For knowledge workers

Word processor Spreadsheet Presentation program Database

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Graphics, animation software:

IrfanView, Paint, Flash

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Media Player: For playing multimedia files

VLC Player, Storm Codec Player etc

References

www.en.wikipedia.org