SOFTWARE

APPLICATIONS
 Lesson objectives
1. Understand & define software and
describe its role in computing systems.
2. Identify the different categories of
software (software types).
3. Differentiate between systems and
applications software.
4. Identify various types of application
software
 What is software?
These are instructions or programs/applications
that help the computer hardware to run.
These are categorized into;
1. Applications Software and
2. Systems software

Note: Computer software is generally designed

for a specific purpose.
What is the difference between software
applications Software and systems software?

Refer to the story about “The

Software Detectives” and write your
answer.
 Applications software

These are programs that allow the user to

do specific tasks and examples include;
Applications software
These are programs that allow the user to do specific tasks
and examples include;
1. Word processors
2. Spreadsheets
3. Video editing software
4. Databases
5. Photo editing software
6. Graphics manipulation software
7. Navigation software
8. Control and measuring software
9. Communication software
10. Web browsing software
Read and research about about
application software and how user
utilize them to carry out specific
tasks.

List examples of such software

Word processors
This software is used to manipulate text
documents, such as reports. The software
provides the tools for copying, deleting and other
text formatting. Examples include;
1. .
2. .
3. .
4. .
5. .
Spreadsheets
This software is used to organise and manipulate
numerical data. The software is has the ability to
use formulas and carry out calculations and also
produce graphs. It can also be use for modelling.
Examples include;
1. .
2. .
3. .
4. .
Data bases
This software is used to organise, manipulate and
analyse data. The databases are made up of tables
which contain fields and records. Databases have the
ability to filter out summarised data from a table and
produce a report.
Examples include;
1. .
2. .
3. .
4. .
Photo editing software
This software is used to manipulate digital
photographs stored on a computer of any other
storage medium. The software allows the user to
enhance the image and/or remove unwanted items on
the image to make it as perfect as possible.
Examples include;
1. .
2. .
3. .
4. .
Video editing software
This software is used to manipulate videos taken.
It allows the user to add titles, colour correction,
add sound create footage, remove sections of
video and audio clips.
Examples include;
1. .
2. .
3. .
Graphics manipulation software
This software is used to manipulate bitmap and
vector images. It manipulates the lines, curves
and text within an image in order to create an
alteration.
Examples include;
1. .
2. .
3. .
4. .
Communication Apps
This software is used to communication and
collaboration.
Examples include;
1. .
2. .
3. .
4. .
 Web Browsing software
This software is used to view contented on put on web
pages over the internet.
Examples include;
1. .
2. .
3. .
4. .
5. .
6. .
7. .
Apps on portable devices
Apps is a short form for applications. It generally refers to
the type of software that runs on mobile phones or tablets.
They range from games to others software tools that can be
used to deliver a service (for example banking service) to
the user. These apps are downloaded for the app/play store.
Examples include;
1. .
2. .
3. .
4. .
5. .
Control and measuring software
This software is designed to allow the computer
microprocessor to interface with sensors to measure and
control physical quantities recorded by sensors like heat,
light, gases, weight, moisture, PH levels, pulse rate, e.t.c
Control and measuring applications are used in places
like;
1. The green house,
2. Weather stations,
3. Intensive care units in hospital
4. Factories to level of pollution
5. Security systems e.g. alarm systems
SYSTEMS SOFTWARE
What is systems
software?
These are programs that allow the hardware
to run properly and allow the user to
communicate with the computer. Like
Windows, Linux, Macintosh(Mac)
Examples of systems
software
1. Operating systems
2. Utilities
3. Device drivers
4. Compilers
5. Linkers
Operating systems
This is a systems software that enables
users to communicate with computer
systems have been developed.
The general tasks for a typical operating
system include:
1. Controlling the operation of the input,
output and backing storage devices.
2. Supervising the loading, running and
storage of applications programs.
 Operating systems
3. Dealing with errors that occur in applications
programs.
4. Maintaining security of the whole computer
system.
5. Maintaining a computer log (which contains
details of computer usage).
6. Allowing communication between user and
the computer system (user interface).
 Types of operating
systems
There are two main types of user interfaces;
1. Command line interfaces (CLIs) and
2. Graphical user interfaces (GUIs).
Others include;
• Menu driven interface
 Graphical user interfaces (GUIs).
GUIs allow the user to interact with a computer using
pictures or symbols (icons) rather than having to type in a
number of commands.
GUIs also use various technologies and devices to provide
the user interface.
One of the most common is; windows, icons, menu and
pointing device (WIMP) which was developed for use on
personal computers (PCs).
GUI uses a mouse to control a cursor, which then selects
icons to open/run windows.
Advantages of using GUI

1. Spelling and typing errors are avoided

2. The commands are much more spontaneous
3. Less learning and training by the user is required.
The GUI is more user-friendly
4. Graphics are used to represent tasks, files etc
making it quite easy even with limited skills.
 Command line interfaces (CLIs)

CLIs require a user to type in instructions in order to

choose options from menus, open software etc.

When using the CLI the user has to learn a number of

commands just to carry out basic operations.
Advantages of using CLI

1. When using CLI the user is in direct communication

with the computer
2. The user is not restricted to a number of pre-
determined options. i.e. can type in as many
commands as possible.
3. CLI does not take up a lot of computer memory
4. It is fast
Disadvantages of using CLI

1. The user has to learn the commands and more training

is needed
2. The interface can be difficult to use and the user is
more likely to make mistakes
3. Commands have to be entered accurately with the
correct spellings and syntax (rules)
4. No pointing device is used make it quite hard to use