Lecture: 22-24

Computer Fundamentals

Software and Its Types

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 Contents
• Computer Instruction
• Program
• Software
• Types of Software
• System Software
• System Management
• System Support
• System Development
• Application Software
• General Purpose
• Application Specific
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 Computer Instruction

• Instruction is any command given to the computer.

• For example:
1) Add two variables A and B
DO THIS!
2) Display result
3) Read file

• Each of these is the individual instruction to the computer.

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Program

NOW DO THIS!
NOW DO
THIS! NOW
DO THIS!
NOW DO THIS!
NOW DO
THIS! 4
Program
• Program is a set (collection) of instruction to do a meaningful
task.

• A sequence of instructions that are interpreted and executed by a

computer. It can be made of a single or hundred of instructions.

• For example: In order to teach the computer on how to calculate

average of three numbers? We need to give multiple
instructions to the computer to do the task.
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Program
Instruction 1: Get first number from the user and store it in A variable
Instruction 2: Get second number from the user and store it in B variable
Instruction 3: Get third number from the user and store it in C variable
Instruction 4: Add A, B, C and store the result in SUM variable
Instruction 5: Divide SUM by 3 and store result in AVG variable
Instruction 6: Display AVG variable

• Instructions 1-6 are used to solve a single task. This collection of instruction
is known as a program.

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 Software

• Software is a set of programs, which is designed to perform a

well-defined function. A program is a sequence of instructions
written to solve a particular problem.

• Software is a collection of instructions that enables the user to

interact with a computer or have it perform specific tasks for
them.

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Types of Software

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 System Software
• The system software is collection of programs designed to operate, control,
and extend the processing capabilities of the computer itself.
• System software are generally prepared by computer manufactures.
• System software is a program that manages and supports the computer
resources and operations of a computer system.
• Systems software functions as a bridge between computer system hardware
and the application software.
• Some examples of system software are:
• Operating System
• Compilers
• Interpreter
• Assemblers 9
Importance of System Software

It's comprised of operating systems, system and network

management, and information management. The
operating system controls the basic functions of a computer or
network. It's a software program that enables hardware to
communicate and operate with the computer software

System software is the first layer of software to be loaded into memory every time a computer
is powered up.

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Types of System Software
 System Management Software
• These are programs that manage the application software, computer
hardware, and data resources of the computer system.

• These programs include operating systems, operating environment

programs, database management programs, and telecommunications
monitor programs.

• Among these, the most important system management programs are

operating systems.

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 System Support Software
• These are the programs that help the operations and management of
a computer system.

• They provide a variety of support services to let the computer hardware and
other system programs run efficiently.

• The major system support programs are:

• System utility programs (Check Disk, Disk Defragmentation, Backup)
• System performance monitor programs
• System security monitor programs (Antiviruses)
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 System Development Software
• These are programs that help users develop information system programs
and prepare user programs for computer processing.

• These programs may analyze and design systems and program itself.

• The main system development programs are:

• Programming language translators
• Programming environment programs
• Computer-aided software engineering packages

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 Types of System Software
1. Operating system: Harnesses communication between hardware,
system programs, and other applications.
2. Device driver: Enables device communication with the OS and
other programs.
3. Firmware: Enables device control and identification.(permanent
software programmed into a read-only memory).
4. Translator: Translates high-level languages to low-level machine
codes.
5. Utility: Ensures optimum functionality of devices and applications.
(Utility program is a system software that allows a
user to analyze, configure and Maintain the
computer. 15
1- Operating System
• 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.
2- Device Drivers
• A Device Driver is a computer program that operates or controls a particular type of
device that is attached to a computer.
• 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
• permanent software programmed into a read-only memory.
• 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.
• 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).
• Though firmware and drivers 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.
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.
• 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
• Utility program is a system software that allows a user to
analyze, configure and Maintain the computer.
• It performs a specific task related to the
management of computer.
• 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.
Examples and features of utility software include

• Antivirus and security software for the security of files and applications, e.g.,
Malwarebytes, 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 get back lost data. Examples include iCare Data Recovery, Recuva,
and EaseUs Data Recovery Wizard.
• Firewall for protection against external threats, e.g., Windows Firewall.
Application Software and
Its Types
 Application Software
• Application software products are designed to satisfy a particular need of a
particular environment.
• Application software may consist of a single program, such as a Microsoft's
notepad for writing and editing simple text. It may also consist of a
collection of programs, often called a software package, which work together
to accomplish a task, such as a MS Office.
• Examples of Application software are:
• MS Word
• MS Excel
• Google Chrome Browser
• Internet Download Manager
• Windows Media Player
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• VLC Media Player
• For example, Microsoft Word is a word processing application that
allows users to create and write documents. A browser, such as the
one you are using to view this page, is an application.
 General Purpose Application Software
• These are the programs that fulfill particular needs of a general
users/environments.
• These programs are designed to be used by different environments.
• For example:
• MS Word
• MS Excel
• MS PowerPoint
• Internet Download Manager
• Google Chrome Browser
• These are the programs designed to be used in different offices,
academics, library, transport system etc. (Means they are not limited).
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 Application Specific Application Software

• These are the programs that fulfill particular needs of a particular

user/environment.
• These programs are designed to be used by an specific environment.
• For example:
• MUET Examination Management System
• MUET Website
• MUET Library Management System
• Payroll Management System

• These are the programs designed to be used by MUET only. Also the examination
management system can be used in library and library management can not be used in 28
• 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
given away free, but the source code used to make the program is
also, allowing anyone to modify the program or view how it was
created.
Apps vs. programs

• When Apple introduced the iPhone, they popularized the term "app,"
but an app (application) and program are the same thing. Today, most
people think of an "app" as an application on an Apple computer,
smartphone, or tablet. A program is thought of as something that
runs on a computer (e.g., a Windows computer).
What is the purpose of a program?
• Without application software (programs), your computer would be
able to operate with the operating system (system software), but
would not be capable of doing anything else. A program gives the
computer and user the ability to perform specific tasks. For example,
to browse the Internet, you would install a browser on the computer.
A browser is a program that instructs the computer how to visit,
display, and navigate a web page. Without a browser program, the
computer would not be able to browse the Internet.
What are the basic functions of a program?

• The functions of a program vary depending on the type of program.

For example, the function of a browser program is to browse the
Internet. The function of a word processor is to create, view, and edit
documents. A program is usually designed to perform a specific task
(function), and only that task. In other words, a word processor
program may be able to create a document, but it cannot be used to
browse the Internet.