Fundamentals of PC

Tools
Types of Software
Application Software
 It is a type of software application that helps in the
automation of the task based on the Users Input. It
can perform single or multiple tasks at the same
period of time.
 Types Of Application Software :
 The application Software is broadly divided into two
main parts:
 General Purpose Software
 Custom Made Software
General Purpose Software :
 The Software is developed to serve the
requirements of a large number of people on daily
basis. This software is eventually used on regular
basis by every user. These the reason why this
software is cheaper than any other software.
 Some of the examples are:
• MS Word
• Google Docs
• Google Drive
• Gmail
• Netflix
Custom Made Software :
 The Software which is developed to serve the
requirement of the particular user is defined as
custom-made software. Most software companies
work on the basis of the requirement of the user to
build custom software.
 Some of the examples are:
• Desktop Software Application
• Mobile Application
• Web Application
• Database Software
Advantages of Application
Software :
 Application Software packages are written by
software architect and the content are of great
quality.
 Theyhave large availability and generally
cheaper when compared to the other packages.
 The application software meets the exact needs
of the user, because they are designed
specifically for the single intention of the user,
the user knows that he has to use one specific
software to accomplish his task.
Disadvantages of Application
Software

:
Some software that is designed specifically
for a certain business, may not be compatible
with other general software because each
software serves a different purpose.
 Thedevelopment of software is time-
consuming because it needs constant
communication between the developer and
the customer. This delays the entire
development process, which can lead to more
spending on utilities.
System Software
 System software refers to the low-level software
that manages and controls a computer’s hardware
and provides basic services to higher-level software.
Examples of system software include:
 Operating systems (OS): Windows, Linux, macOS,
etc.
 Device drivers: software that enables the
communication between hardware and OS.
 Firmware: pre-installed low-level software that
controls a device’s basic functions.
 Utility software: tools for system maintenance
and optimization.
 Boot loaders: software that initializes the OS
Why use System Software ?
 Hardware Communication: System software serves
as an interface between the hardware and software
components of a computer, enabling them to
communicate and work together.
 Resource Management: System software manages
computer resources such as memory, CPU usage,
and storage, optimizing their utilization and
ensuring that the system operates efficiently.
 Security: System software provides security
measures such as firewalls, antivirus software, and
encryption, protecting the system and its data from
malware, viruses, and other security threats.
Why use System Software ?
 Application Support: System software supports the
installation and running of applications and software on
the system.
 User Interface: System software provides a user interface
that allows users to interact with the computer or
computing device and perform various tasks.
 Customization: System software allows for customization
of the system settings and configuration, giving users
greater control over their computing environment.
 The most important features of system software
include :
1. Closeness to the system
2. Fast speed
3. Difficult to manipulate
4. Written in a low-level language
Operating System
 An operating system (OS) is a type of system
software that manages a computer’s
hardware and software resources. It provides
common services for computer programs. An
OS acts as a link between the software and
the hardware. It controls and keeps a record
of the execution of all other programs that
are present in the computer, including
application programs and other system
software.
The most important tasks performed by
the operating system are
 Memory Management: The OS keeps track of the
primary memory and allocates the memory when a
process requests it.
 Processor Management: Allocates the main memory
(RAM) to a process and de-allocates it when it is no
longer required.
 File Management: Allocates and de-allocates the
resources and decides who gets the resources.
 Security: Prevents unauthorized access to programs and
data using passwords.
 Error-detecting Aids: Production of dumps, traces,
error messages, and other debugging and error-detecting
 Compiler: A compiler is a software that translates the code
written in one language to some other language without
changing the meaning of the program. The compiler is also
said to make the target code efficient and optimized in terms
of time and space. Examples of compilers may include gcc(C
compiler), g++ (C++ Compiler ), javac (Java Compiler), etc.
 Interpreter: An interpreter is a computer program that
directly executes, i.e. it performs instructions written in a
programming or scripting language. Interpreters do not
require the program to be previously compiled into a machine
language program. An interpreter translates high-level
instructions into an intermediate form, which is then
executed. Examples may include Ruby, Python, PHP, etc.
 Assembler: An assembler is a program that converts the
assembly language into machine code. It takes the basic
commands and operations and converts them into binary
Issues in System Software :
 Compatibility Issues: System software may not be
compatible with certain hardware components,
which can cause errors or crashes.
 Security Issues: System software may contain
vulnerabilities that can be exploited by hackers or
malware to gain unauthorized access to the system
or steal sensitive data.
 Performance Issues: System software may not be
optimized for the hardware or may be resource-
intensive, which can cause the system to slow down
or freeze.
Issues in System Software :
 Update Issues: System software updates
may contain bugs or compatibility issues
that can cause problems with the system or
other software components.
 Licensing Issues: Some system software may
require licensing or activation, which can
cause problems if the license expires or if
there are licensing errors.
 UserInterface Issues: The user interface of
system software may not be intuitive or may
be difficult to use, which can affect the user
experience.
ADVANTAGES OF SYSTEM
SOFTWARE:
 Resource management: System software manages
and allocates resources such as memory, CPU, and
input/output devices to different programs.
 Improved performance: System software optimizes
the performance of the computer and reduces the
workload on the user.
 Security: System software provides security features
such as firewalls, anti-virus protection, and access
controls to protect the computer from malicious
attacks.
 Compatibility: System software ensures compatibility
between different hardware and software components,
making it easier for users to work with a wide range of
ADVANTAGES OF SYSTEM
SOFTWARE:
 Ease of use: System software provides a
user-friendly interface and graphical
environment, making it easier for users to
interact with and control the computer.
 Reliability: System software helps ensure
the stability and reliability of the computer,
reducing the risk of crashes and
malfunctions.
 Increased functionality: System software
provides a range of tools and utilities for
performing various tasks, increasing the
functionality and versatility of the computer.
DISADVANTAGES OF SYSTEM SOFTWARE:
 Complexity: System software can be
complex and difficult to understand,
especially for non-technical users.
 Cost:Some system software, such as
operating systems and security software,
can be expensive.
 System Overhead: The use of system
software can result in increased system
overhead, which can slow down the
performance of the computer and reduce its
efficiency.
 Vulnerability:System software, especially
the operating system, can be vulnerable to
DISADVANTAGES OF SYSTEM SOFTWARE:
 Upgrades: Upgrading to a newer version of
system software can be time-consuming and
may cause compatibility issues with existing
software and hardware.
 Limited Customizability: Some system
software may have limited options for
customization, making it difficult for users to
personalize their computing experience.
 Dependency: Other software programs and
devices may depend on the system
software, making it difficult to replace or
upgrade without disrupting other systems.
Utility Software
 Utility software is a type of software that is designed to help
users manage, maintain, and optimize their computer
systems. Utility software includes a wide range of tools and
applications that perform specific tasks to improve the
performance, security, and functionality of a computer
system. These software may come along with OS like windows
defender, windows disk cleanup tool.
Antivirus, backup software, file manager, disk compression
tool all are utility software.
Antivirus:
 It is used to protect a computer from the virus. It detects a
virus and notify the user and take action to secure the
computer. The virus are kept in different location called vault
where it has different file system due to which virus effect it.
User can itself instruct antivirus to delete malicious program,
put it in vault or even ignore it. These days most come in GUI
form.
The first antivirus program appeared in 1987 with the
introduction of an antivirus program from G Data Software for
the Atari ST. Later in the same year, VirusScan was introduced
by John McAfee, which later became the McAfee antivirus
program.
Examples: Windows Defender, AVG, AVAST, MCAFEE, etc.
File Management Tool:
 The software is used to manage files stored in a file system. It
can be used to create, group file. Like Windows File Explorer is
a file management tool.
File system (like FAT32, NTFS) should not be confused with File
management tool former is a data structure used to store file
in an OS while later is used to perform task on file stored in
the file System.
 Some examples of File management Tool are:
File Manager in Windows.
macOS Finder.
Directory Opus.
Dolphin in KDE.
Compression Tool:
 These tool are used to reduce the size of a file based on the
selected algorithm.
Most operating systems include tools for compressing and
uncompressing files.Linux has tools for both .tar.gz and .zip.
Other compressed files, like .7z and .rar, require a third-party
compression utility to be installed.
 Some Examples are:
WinAce
WinZip
WinRAR
7-Zip
PKZIP
DISK MANAGEMENT TOOL:
 Disk Management is utility first introduced in Window XP as a
replacement of the fdisk command.It enables us to view or
manage the disk drives installed in their computer and the
partition associated with those drives.
Disk Management is used to manage the drives installed in a
computer- like hard disk drives, and flash drives. It can be
used to partition drives, assign drive letters, and much more.
Some Disk Management tools are:-
• Mini Tool Partition Wizard
• Paragon Partition Manager
• EaseUS Partition Master
• SMART Monitoring Tools
• AOMEI Partition Assistant
DISK CLEANUP TOOL :
 It is computer utility maintenance which is included in Microsoft
Windows. It allows user to remove files that are no longer
needed or that can be safely deleted. Removing unnecessary
files, including temporary files, can help to improve the
functioning and increase the free space of the computer.
Running Disk Cleanup at least once a month is an excellent
maintenance task.
Disk Cleanup tool can delete temporary internet files, old check
disk files, compress old files and offline webpages. Disk Cleanup
also allows you to empty the Recycle Bin, delete temporary
files, and delete Thumbnails.
Some Disk Cleanup software are:-
• Iolo System mechanic
• IObit Advanced systemCare
• Piriform CCleaner
• Razer Cortex
DISK DEFRAGMENTER:
 It is a utility in Microsoft Windows designed to increase access
speed by rearranging file stored on a disk to occupy
contiguous storage locations, a technique is called
Defragmentation.
Defragmenting a disk minimizes head travel, which reduces
the time it takes to read files from and write files to the disk.
The defragmenter will search your hard drive partition and
move data from one location to other location, so that the files
stored there are one contiguous piece, instead of being
throughout multiple locations on the hard drive’s partition.
Some Disk Defragmenter are:-
• Auslogics Disk Defrag
• MyDefrag
• Perfect disk
• Defraggler
Why need utility software ?
 System maintenance: Utility software provides a range of tools
and applications that help users manage and maintain their
computer systems. By regularly using these tools, users can
optimize their system performance, remove unnecessary files
and programs, and keep their system running smoothly.
 Security: Utility software includes tools such as antivirus and
encryption software that help users protect their computer
systems from security threats such as viruses, malware, and
unauthorized access.
 Efficiency: Utility software can help users optimize their
system performance and reduce the time and effort required
to perform routine tasks such as disk cleanup, file
compression, and data backup.
 Data recovery: Utility software includes backup and recovery
tools that can help users recover lost or deleted data in the
event of a system failure or data loss.
 User experience: Utility software can help users customize
their system settings and preferences to enhance their overall
Advantages of utility software
 Improved system performance: Utility software can optimize a
computer’s performance by removing unnecessary files and
programs, managing system resources, and optimizing system
settings.
 Enhanced security: Utility software includes tools such as
antivirus and encryption software that help users protect their
computer systems from security threats such as viruses,
malware, and unauthorized access.
 Data backup and recovery: Utility software includes backup and
recovery tools that can help users recover lost or deleted data in
the event of a system failure or data loss.
 Time-saving: Utility software can help users automate routine
tasks such as disk cleanup, file compression, and data backup,
saving time and effort.
 Customization: Utility software can help users customize their
system settings and preferences to enhance their overall user
experience.
 Cost-effective: Many utility software applications are available for
free or at a low cost, making them a cost-effective solution for
 Dis-advantages of utility
software
System instability: Some utility software may make changes to a
computer’s system settings that can cause system instability or
compatibility issues with other software applications.
 False positives: Antivirus software can sometimes generate false
positives, identifying legitimate software applications as security
threats and causing unnecessary disruption.
 Resource consumption: Utility software can consume system
resources such as CPU and memory, potentially impacting system
performance and user experience.
 Compatibility issues: Some utility software may not be compatible
with certain operating systems or hardware configurations, leading
to compatibility issues.
 Cost: While many utility software applications are available for free
or at a low cost, some specialized utility software can be
expensive, adding to the overall cost of managing and maintaining
a computer system.
 User error: Improper use or configuration of utility software can
result in data loss, system instability, or other negative