Software Concepts

Software
refers to instructional information
that directs the activities of the
computer hardware or helps the user
control the hardware components of
the computer.
Word processors, databases,
spreadsheets, e-mail programs, web
browsers, and everything else the
computer runs and executes are all
kinds of software. Sometimes,
software is also called a computer

Systems and Applications

System Software helps run the
computer system. It controls and
manages individual hardware
components. Without it, your
computer will not run properly.
Typically, it is associated with
operating systems.

Operating System (OS) is the

system software responsible for all
basic system operations of the
computer. It makes sure that all
other software can access different
hardware components, like memory
and input and output devices.

System software that can be

embedded into the hardware
systems is called firmware.
An example of this is the Basic
Input-Output System (BIOS).

Basic Input-Output System (BIOS)

It locates and loads
the operating system
into the memory
each time you switch
on your computer.
It also manages data
flow between the
computer's operating
systemand attached
devices such as the
hard disk,video
adapter,keyboard,
mouseandprinter.

Device driver helps the OS

communicate with hardware
components. It tells the OS how to
use a printer, for instance. Other
hardware components ( like the
video card, sound card, mouse,
keyboard, monitor, scanner, and
digital camera) likewise require
drivers.
OS, firmware, and device drivers are
generally known as platform

Application Software helps a

computer user perform specific
tasks. It directly applies the various
capabilities and resources of the
computer to solve problems.
Office
suites
-

Computer
Games

Medi
a
Play
er

Application Software can be packaged

or user-written. Packaged or
generic software refers to those
produced and sold by software
companies for general usage.
User-written/bespoke/customized
software refers to those made by
computer programmers for
individuals or companies with specific
needs.

Office suite
Sometimes called the productivity
suite it is a bundle of separate but
interrelated and compatible software.
It normally consists of a word
processor for typing documents, a
spreadsheet for tabulation,
presentation programs, management
databases, software for e-mailing,
and communication and graphics
tools.

Other types of application software

make use of different media to
deliver information in text, audio,
graphic, and video forms.
Multimedia software includes media
players and graphics programs.

Analytical Software are

designed specifically to solve
complex mathematical problems.
Collaborative Software, known
as groupware integrates the
work done on a common project
by many different users in
different locations.

How Software
Works with
Hardware

To work with hardware, software has to be

readable and executable. Being
readable means that it is laid down in a
digital format. Being executable means
that the data can be activated and run; if
not, then it will be no different from static
data or noise, as they are sometimes
referred to.
If either one of these characteristics is
missing, software becomes useless. In fact,
it might not even be called software at all.

Requirements for Readable

Software
The data must be recorded in a
medium such as a hard disk, floppy
disk, compact disc, or any other
storage medium that can be read by
computers.
The data must be written in a format
that can be read by the computer or
the OS running on the computer.

Requirements for Executable

Software
It must be possible for the data to
run in the computer hardware using
a set of commands or procedure.
The ability of the data to run must
extend beyond the starting phase
and must allow the practical
application or functional use of the
software content.

Software can be free. Such software can be

classified as freeware, freely
redistributable software (FRS), shareware
or opensource.
Open Source Software comes with the
executable file and source code which makes it
open to modification.
Shareware is usually free for a period of time.
Commercial Software must be purchased
directly from the software distributors or over
the Internet by using a credit card.

Uses Of Software
There is an endless array of specialized
application software that focuses on
a particular industry, branch of
learning, or field of interest. Below
are some
of the uses of software.
Publishi
ng

Desi
gn
Resea
rch

Product
Integration
Business
Solution

Research
Equally important is the role of
software in research.
Sophisticated software programs
are continuously being developed
by scientists and programmers to
better understand existing
theories, as well as to solve
complex problems.

Product Integration
In this age of Information
Technology (IT) many inventions
and products have emerged that
contain computer hardware.
Programs are now commonly written
for exclusive use in what are called IT
products that make use of
convergence.

Publishing
Basically, to publish means to place
information in a public realm and
make it available to people, even if it
is not on paper. Software publishing
is now a major source of information,
education, and entertainment for
many people. This is because there
software programs available that
complement their printed
counterparts such as maps,

Design
Design software helps users create
models and other graphic designs in
a more accurate and exact manner.
This helps cut down the costs for
actual physical models, like
architecture and vehicle designs.

Business Solutions
Information and Communication
Technology (ICT) developed productivity
tools and environment in which to use
them. The result is the use of templates,
like those in word processors, as well as
rules set for production of materials used,
generally for the office and industries.
The business sector is one of the biggest
users of software. Special software
programs were developed for accounting,
financial analysis, market analysis, sales

Cloud
Computing

Cloud
Computing

Defined as sharing information

technology resources over the
Internet.

Cloud Computing can essentially be

classified into 3 service models:
Cloud Software as a Service
(SaaS) this is where software
applications in a remote locations are
accessed through the internet. These
applications can be accessed through
the use of the web browser.
examples: Google Apps, Facebook.
Gmail, Picasa

Cloud Platform as a Service (PaaS)

here the user can create software
systems and deploy them on a
remote serve. However, the user
cannot modify any other aspects of
the remote server other than the
system he created.
Example : HipChat, force.com,
apprenda

Cloud Infrastructure as a
Service ( IaaS) here the user
has control over the software
components of the remote server
such as the operating system
and other applications.
Example : At&t, Amazon
webservice

Answer self check

on page 27