Computer Software and

Applications
Concept
Computer: The term computer is derived from the
word compute which means to calculate.
A computer is an electronic device that performs
different operations with the help of instructions to
process the data in order to achieve desired result.
A computer is a device that accepts information (in
the form of digitalized data) and manipulates it for
some result based on a program or sequence of
instructions on how the data is to be processed. 
Computer can also be defined as a machine capable of
solving problems and manipulating data. It accepts
data, processes the data by doing some mathematical
and logical operations and gives us the desired output.
Therefore, we may define computer as a device that
transforms data into information.
Advantages of Computer
 Increases speed of computing and processing information in any other way.
 People can use sophisticated statistical and mathematical tools for decision making
and further purposes without learning in details the algorithms used for computing.
This way people can use much more sophisticated analytical tools that would have
been possible with only manual information processing.
 Computers can store large volumes of information without occupying too much
space, as is in the case of information stored in form of books and paper
documents.
 Computer processing eliminates the human errors of computing and information
processing.
 Information once entered in computer system can be easily accessed by the same
person or other persons at different times for different persons. This reduces the
work load of capturing same information multiple times for different purposes. It
also makes it possible for different person to work with same information, avoiding
the possibility of different persons using different versions of the same information.
The work of entering and editing information is made
much more easy and simple by software that offer many
powerful user friendly features for performing these tasks.
Computer now offer sophisticated and powerful software
for representing information in rich formats with visual
and video facilities.
Computers combined with communication technology
offer very fast speed and rich communication facility at low
cost.
Computers, with all these features are now used for
automating all kinds of equipment and processes.
 Software
 Software, in its most general sense, is a set of
instructions or programs instructing a computer to do
specific tasks. Software is a generic term used to
describe computer programs. Scripts, applications,
programs and a set of instructions are the terms often
used to describe software
The programs that allow performing the various tasks.
Software is that part of computer that cannot be seen
or touched but can only be felt.
It includes OS, word processors, databases etc.
Types of Software
System Software
Operating System
Utility Software
Device Driver
Language Translator
Application Software
Tailored Software
Packaged Software
Operating System
It is a program that controls the execution of application
programs and acts as an interface between the user of a
computer and the hardware.
It has three major functions
Convenience: It makes computer more convenient to use
Efficiency: Allows the usage of resources in an efficient
manner
Ability to Evolve: It should be constructed in such a way so
that it allows the development and testing of new system
function without interfering the service
Features: Refer book
Utility Software
It is a collection of those programs that helps the programmer
in performing some specific tasks. It also provides service to
user for performing common task like data and file recovery,
disk management, disk cleaner anti-virus etc.
Utility software is system software designed to help analyze,
configure, optimize or maintain a computer. It is a type of
system software, used to support the computer infrastructure;
by contrast with application software, which is aimed at
directly performing tasks that benefit ordinary users.
It is also known as House Keeping Utilities or Service Programs
Utility Software
Examples of Utility Software
Editors: Used for entering source programs into
computers
Sort: Program designed to arrange records in pre-
determined order
Copy: Also known as media conversion. It’s a program
that copies data from one storage to another.
File Maintenance: A program that helps to carry out
insertion, deletion and updating of records in any files
Dump: A program that copies the contents of main
storage on to an output device.
Utility Software
Anti-Virus: Antivirus or anti-virus software,
sometimes known as anti-malware software, is
computer software used to prevent, detect and remove
malicious software
Types like logic bombs, Trojan and other malicious
programs.
Device Driver
A device driver is a program that controls a particular
type of device that is attached to your computer.
There are device drivers for printers, displays, CD-
ROM readers, diskette drives, and so on. When you
buy an operating system, many device drivers are
built into the product
Operating system provides the programs to support
and work various devices. Some devices like printers
and others need a special program for running, such
programs are called device drivers.
Language Translator
System Software that translates the program written on
user’s language into machine code is called the language
translator.
Computer’s inability to understand the source code or
high level code also called the program code need to be
converted into machine code and for such purpose the
language translators are used which are basically of three
types:
Assemblers
Compilers and
Interpreters
Assembler
An assembler is a program that takes basic
computer instructions and converts them into a
pattern of bits that the computer's processor can use
to perform its basic operations. Some call these
instructions assembler language and others use the
term assembly language
In simple terms, it’s a software program that translates
assembly language into machine level code.
Compiler or Interpreter
A compiler is a computer program (or a set of
programs) that transforms source code written in
a programming language (the source language) into
another computer language (the target language), with
the latter often having a binary form known as object
code. The most common reason for converting source
code is to create an executable program
Compiler or Interpreter is itself a computer program
that accepts a program written in high level language
and generates corresponding machine level code.
Difference between the language
translators
Assembler Compiler Interpreter
One of the language One of the language One of the language
processors and part of processors and part of processors and part of
system software the system software system software

It translates a It translates a It translates source

program from program from high program step by step
assembly language to level to machine level
machine code at a time so that the
computer can
understand
It does not execute a It executes the
program program
It’s difficult to design Easy to design
Less execution time More execution time
Application Software
 Application software, or simply applications, are
often called productivity programs or end-user
programs because they enable the user to complete
tasks, such as creating documents, spreadsheets,
databases and publications, doing online research,
sending email, designing graphics, running
businesses, and even playing games! Application
software is specific to the task it is designed for and
can be as simple as a calculator application or as
complex as a word processing application
Tailored Application
It is that software that is specially designed and
developed to solve a specific job or task.
Packaged Software
It is that software that is generalized set of programs
designed and developed for the general purpose.
Hardware
Computer hardware is the physical parts or
components of a computer..
Hardware is directed by the software to execute any
command or instruction. A combination of hardware
and software forms a usable computing system.
Operating System
An operating system (OS) is system software that
manages computer hardware and software resources
and provides common services for computer programs
An operating system (OS) is a collection of software
that manages computer hardware resources and
provides common services for computer programs.
The operating system is a vital component of the
system software in a computer system. Application
programs usually require an operating system to
function
Basic concepts of Information Technology
Data
Database
Data processing
Information
Information system

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Data
It is a raw fact, unorganized, scatter which are find
here and there in the universe simply called as data.
It is also known as source of information.
It is a basic thing.
It can be in any form such as text, numbers,
figures, symbols, or any other combination, etc.
It can be organized either in file oriented or
database oriented.

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Database
It is a collection of organized data.
It is a space where we can store it.
It is stored in tabular form.
It is like a store room and library.
Data can be stored and used whenever needed.
The design of database is known as database
schema and design is varied.

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Data Processing
It is a series of action or operation.
It converts raw data into meaning things.
Manipulation of data in computer is known as data
processing.
It is raw data to machine-readable form, flow of data
through the CPU and memory to output devices.
The processing of data required to run organizations and
businesses.
It involves recording, analyzing, sorting, summarizing,
calculating, disseminating and storing data.
It is conversion of one form of data to another form.

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Information
It is a organized data which makes some meaning
and helps in any purpose.
It is outcomes after processing.
It needs to be acquired that is knowledge.
It is valuable, can affect behavior, a decision, or
an outcome.
It is always conveyed as the content of a message.

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Database Management System (DBMS)
It is a collection of software programs that allow user
to define the data types, structures, and constraints for
the data; construct permanent storage for the data;
and manipulate data by query and update operations.
In case of relational database, the database
management software is known as RDBMS
Advantage of DBMS
Redundancy can be reduced
Inconsistency can be avoided
Data can be shared
Standards can be enforced
Security restrictions can be applied
Integrity can be maintained
Conflicting requirements can be balanced
Providing multiple user interfaces
Representing complex relationships among data
Providing backup and recovery
Disadvantage
Complexity
Size
Performance
Higher Impact of failure
Cost of DBMS
Additional Hardware Cost
Cost of conversion
Types of Databases
Continuing developments in information
technology and its business applications have
resulted in the evolution of several major types of
databases.
It is categorized on the basis of their application
and uses, they are:
 Operational databases
 Distributed databases
 External databases
 Hypermedia databases
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Operational databases
It stores detailed data needed to support the
business processes and operations of a company or
organization.
They are also called subject area databases
(SADB), transaction databases ,and production
databases.
Examples are a customer database, human
resource database, inventory database, and other
databases containing data generated by business
operations.
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Distributed databases
Many organizations replicate and distribute copies
or parts of databases to network servers at a variety
of sites.
Distributed databases can reside on network servers
on the World Wide Web, on corporate intranets or
extranets, or on other company networks.
It may be copies of operational or analytical
databases, hypermedia or discussion databases, or
any other type of database.
Major challenges in consistently and concurrently
updating of data.
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External databases
The wealthy information can be access free or cost from
the outside world (WWW) other than own.
Internets provides endless information, only knowledge
is needed to choose exact one.
Data are available in the form of statistics on economic
and demographic activity from statistical databanks, or
you can view or download abstracts or complete copies
of hundreds of newspapers, magazines, newsletters,
research papers, and other published material and
periodicals from bibliographic and full-text databases.
Using search engine like Google, mama, yahoo, etc
means external database.
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Hypermedia databases
The rapid growth of Web sites on the Internet and
corporate intranets and extranets has dramatically
increased the use of databases of hypertext and
hypermedia documents.
The set of interconnected multimedia pages on a
Web site is a database of interrelated hypermedia
page elements, rather than interrelated data
records.
Database of text, graphic and photographic
images, video clips, audio segments, and so on.

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Data Security
Data security means protecting digital data, such as
those in a database, from destructive forces and from
the unwanted actions of unauthorized users,such as
a cyber attack or a data breach
Technologies -Software versus hardware-based

Software-based security solutions encrypt the data to

protect it from theft. However, a malicious program or
a hacker could corrupt the data in order to make it
unrecoverable, making the system unusable. Hardware-
based security solutions can prevent read and write
access to data and hence offer very strong protection
against tampering and unauthorized access.
Hardware based security or assisted computer
security offers an alternative to software-only computer
security. Access is enabled only when the token is
connected and correct PIN is entered.
Backups and Data masking
Backups are used to ensure data which is lost can be
recovered from another source. It is considered
essential to keep a backup of any data in most
industries and the process is recommended for any
files of importance to a user
Data masking of structured data is the process of
obscuring (masking) specific data within a database
table or cell to ensure that data security is maintained
and sensitive information is not exposed to
unauthorized personnel
Data erasure
Data erasure is a method of software-based
overwriting that completely destroys all electronic data
residing on a hard drive or other digital media to
ensure that no sensitive data is leaked when an asset is
retired or reused
Window
A window is a separate viewing area on a computer display
screen in a system that allows multiple viewing areas as part of a
graphical user interface ( GUI ). Windows are managed by
a windows manager as part of a windowing system.
A window can usually be resized by the user. For example, it can
be stretched on any side, minimized, maximized, and closed.
On today's multitasking operating systems, you can have a
number of windows on your screen at the same time,
interacting with each whenever you choose.
The window first came into general use as part of the Apple
Macintosh. Later, Microsoft made the idea the foundation of its
Windows operating system
MS-DOS
Microsoft Disk Operating System, MS-DOS is a
non-graphical command line operating system.
MS-DOS allows the user to navigate, open, and
otherwise manipulate files on their computer from a
command line instead of a GUI
Most computer users are only familiar with how to
navigate Microsoft Windows using the mouse. Unlike
Windows, MS-DOS is a command-line and is
navigated by using MS-DOS commands.
For example, if you wanted to see all the files in a
folder in Windows you would double-click the folder
to open the folder in Windows Explorer. In MS-DOS,
to view that same folder you would navigate to the
folder using the cd command and then list the files in
that folder using the dir command.
DOS commands are the commands available in MS-
DOS that are used to interact with the operating
system and other command line based software
Commands
Cd:The cd command is the shorthand version of the
chdir command
The chkdsk command often referred to as check disk,
is used to identify and correct certain hard drive errors
The cls command clears the screen of all previously
entered commands and other text
Copy:The copy command does simply that - it copies
one or more files from one location to another.
Defrag: The defrag command is used to defragment a drive you
specify. The defrag command is the command line version of
Microsoft's Disk Defragmenter.
The del command is used to delete one or more files. The del
command is the same as the erase command.
Dir: The dir command is used to display a list of files and folders
contained inside the folder that you are currently working in
Edit: The edit command starts the MS-DOS Editor tool which is
used to create and modify text files.
Format: The format command is used to format a drive in the
file system that you specify.
MS-Word
Microsoft Word or MS-WORD (often called Word) is a
graphical word processing program that users can type with. It
is made by the computer company. Microsoft. Its purpose is to
allow users to type and save documents. Similar to
other word processors, it has helpful tools to make documents.
Microsoft Word is a widely used commercial word processor
designed by Microsoft. Microsoft Word is a component of the
Microsoft Office suite of productivity software, but can also be
purchased as a stand-alone product.
It was initially launched in 1983 and has since been revised
numerous times. Microsoft Word is available for both Windows
and Macintosh operating systems.
MS-Excel
Microsoft Excel is a spreadsheet program included in
theMicrosoft Office suite of applications. Spreadsheets present
tables of values arranged in rows and columns that can be
manipulated mathematically using both basic and complex
arithmetic operations and functions
Excel is a commercial spreadsheet application produced and
distributed by Microsoft for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS. It
features the ability to perform basic calculations, use graphing tools,
create pivot tables and and create macros.
Excel has the same basic features as all spreadsheet applications,
which use a collection of cells arranged into rows and columns to
organize and manipulate data. They can also display data as charts,
histograms and line graphs
E-mail
E-mail or electronic mail is the process of sending and
receiving messages over the internet.
Anatomy of e-mail
[email protected]
Username, @ ‘at’, domain name
Domain name consists of two parts email-server and
the top level domain separated by periods ‘.’
Top level domains
.com-commercial
.org-non-profit organization
.edu-education sector
.gov
.net
.net.np
Types of E-mail Account
Web based email
ISP e-mail accounts
Website e-mail accounts
E-mail account from company
Advantages of E-mail
The delivery of message is fast and in some cases
instantaneous.
Cost of emailing is almost free
Multiple copies of the mail can be sent to individuals
Multimedia files can also be sent through e-mail.
Helps to enhance the communication level of user.
Disadvantages of E-mail
Although e-mail is delivered on time but the receiver
may not read their mails on time.
Users need to be online to check and respond to
emails.
The system is totally based on the internet. Failure of
network may discontinue email services.
It is knowledge based application so all the user are
not able to use this system.
Sometimes some unnecessary mails called junk mails
may mislead the user.
IT Policy in Nepal
1971- Introduction to Computers IBM1401
1974-Estd. Electronic Data Processing Center
1985-Distribution of PC
1990-Liberalization on Imports
1992-Estd. CAN
1996-Ministry of Science and Technology
1998-Telecommunication Act
2000-IT Policy
2001-National Information Technology Center
2004-Telecommunication Policy
2006-Electronic Transaction Act
2010-IT Policy 2067
Indicators by WTU
ICT Readiness
Fixed telephone subscription /100
Mobile Subscription /100
International Internet Bandwidth per user
Household with computers
Household with internet
ICT intensity and usage
Percentage of individuals using internet
Fixed broadband service /100
Wireless broadband service /100
ICT Capability or skills
Adult Literacy Rate
Enrollment Ratio at Secondary Level
Enrollment Ratio at Tertiary Level
IT Policy 2067
Vision: To achieve smooth governance, poverty
alleviation and overall societal as well as economic
growth objectives of the nation through proper ICT
usage.
Mission: To achieve smooth governance, poverty
alleviation and overall societal as well as economic
growth objectives of the nation through proper ICT
usage
NRB IT Guidelines
IT GOVERNANCE
INFORMATION SECURITY
INFORMATION SECURITY EDUCATION
INFORMATION DISCLOSURE AND GRIEVANCE
HANDLING
OUTSOURCING MANAGEMENT
INFORMATION SYSTEMS ACQUISITION,
DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION
BUSINESS CONTINUITY AND DISASTER
RECOVERY PLANNING
IS AUDIT
FRAUD MANAGEMENT