Computer Software: College of Information Technology
Computer Software: College of Information Technology
Computer Software
What is software?
Software refers to the intangible components of a computer system, particularly the programs, or list of instructions, that the computer needs to perform a specific task. It is the key to a computers versatility. Sometimes the term software refers to a single program, but often the term refers to a collection of programs and data that are packaged together. The software you use determines what type of computer you can use and what you can do with the computer.
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Types of Software
Systems Software
Includes the operating system and all the utilities that enable the computer to function.
Applications Software
Includes programs that do real work for users, such as, word processors, spreadsheets, and database management systems.
Operating System
An Operating System (OS) is a set of programs containing instructions that coordinate all the activities among computer hardware resources. In most cases, the operating system resides on the computers hard disk. On smaller handheld computers, the operating system may reside on a ROM chip.
Start up the computer Administer security Control a network Provide user interface Manage programs Manage memory Schedule hobs and configure devices Access the web Monitor performance and provide housekeeping services
Most operating systems support multitasking, or the ability to switch between different applications stored in memory
Note:
Embedded operating systems are used for handheld computers and smaller devices like PDAs. The entire operating system is stored within or embedded in the device Example : Windows CE and Windows XP Embedded Network Operating systems (NOS) are used to control and coordinate computers that are networked or linked together. These are typically located on one of the connected computers hard disk Example: Windows NT Server, Windows XP Server, and UNIX Stand-alone operating systems, also called desktop operating systems, control a single desktop or notebook computer. These operating systems are located on the computers hard disk Examples: Windows XP, Windows NT, SuSE, Red Hat, Ubuntu
Utility Software
Utility Software - A program that performs a very
specific task, usually related to managing system resources.
Example:
Anti-virus Disk compression Disk clean-up File compression
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Applications Software
Word processing Spreadsheets Presentations Database management Electronic Mail Web browsers
Word Processing
Word processor enables creation of documents such
as letters, reports, manuals, and certificates.
Example:
Word (Microsoft) WordPerfect (Corel)
Spreadsheets
Spreadsheet program is used to perform calculations
such as grading sheets, income taxes, accounting, etc.
Example:
Excel (Microsoft) Lotus 1-2-3
Presentations
Presentation software is used to create professionallooking presentations that can handle text, drawing, pictures, sounds, video, etc.
Example:
PowerPoint (Microsoft) Corel Presentations (Corel)
Database Management
Database management software is used in keeping and
organizing large amounts of information or records in banks, schools, and in most companies.
Example:
Access (Microsoft) Paradox (Corel)
Electronic Mail
Electronic mail program is used to send and receive
mails in electronic format.
Example:
Outlook (Microsoft) Eudora (Qualcomm)
Web Browsers
Web browser is a program that allows you to browse
web pages on the Internet.
Example:
Internet Explorer (Microsoft) Netscape Navigator (Netscape)
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