Application Software
Application Software is a program that does real work for the user. It is mostly created to perform a
specific task for a user.
Application Software acts as a mediator between the end-user and System Software. It is also known as
an application package. This type of software is written using a high-level language like C, Java, VB. Net,
etc. It is a user-specific and is designed to meet the requirements of the user. Multiple Application
Software can be installed on a single System Software.
Features of Application Software are:
1 Perform more specialized tasks like word processing, spreadsheets, email, photo editing, etc.
2 It needs more storage space as it is bigger in size
3 Easy to design and more interactive for the user
4 Generally written in a high-level language
Types of Application Software
1 Word-processing software - It makes use of a computer for creating, modifying, viewing, storing,
retrieving, and printing documents.
2 Spreadsheet software - Spreadsheet software is a numeric data-analysis tool that allows you to
create a computerized ledger.
3 Database software - A database software is a collection of related data that is stored and retrieved
according to user demand.
4 Graphics software - It allows computer systems for creating, editing, drawings, graphs, etc.
5 Education software - Education software allows a computer to be used as a learning and teaching
tool.
6 Entertainment software - This type of app allows a computer to be used as an entertainment tool
Generic Software
Generic application software products are made for all types of business needs which has a positive
demand in the market over a duration of time. Software development companies develop generic
software on their own and handled it to a group of customers having a similar need.
Examples: MS Word
Bespoke Software
Customer software development is a mechanism by which a company develops the product for an
individual client. Individual client may be a company or group of persons. This product mostly has a
distinct need in the market only for a limited time and is for the specialized business needs. Software
development companies develop custom software at cost of customers.
Examples: Inventory Control System
Translators
A translator is a programming language processor that converts a computer program from one language
to another. It takes a program written in source code and converts it into machine code. It discovers
and identifies the error during translation.
Assembler
An assembler is a translator used to translate assembly language to machine language. An assembler
translates a low-level language, an assembly language to an even lower-level language, which is the
machine code. The machine code can be directly understood by the CPU.
1101 ADD 0101
Examples:
1 Fortran Assembly Program (FAP)
2 Macro Assembly Program (MAP)
3 Symbolic Optimal Assembly Program (SOAP)
Advantages Disadvantages
The symbolic programming is easier to
It is machine dependent, cannot be used in
understand thus timesaving for the
other architecture.
programmer.
It is easier to fix errors and alter program A small change in design can invalidate the
instructions. whole program.
Efficiency in execution just like machine level
It is difficult to maintain.
language.
Compiler
A compiler is a translator used to convert high-level programming language to low-level programming
language. It converts the whole program in one session and reports errors detected after the
conversion. Compiler takes time to do its work as it translates high-level code to lower-level code all at
once and then saves it to memory. A compiler is processor-dependent and platform-dependent.
Examples:
1 Microsoft Visual Studio
2 GNU Compiler Collection (GCC)
3 Common Business Oriented Language (COBOL)
Advantages Disadvantages
The whole program is validated so there are It is slow to execute as you must finish the
no system errors. whole program.
The executable file is enhanced by the It is not easy to debug as errors are shown at
compiler, so it runs faster. the end of the execution.
User do not have to run the program on the Hardware specific, it works on specific
same machine it was created. machine language and architecture.
Interpreter
A translator is used to convert high-level programming language to low-level programming language.
It converts the program one at a time and reports errors detected at once, while doing the conversion.
With this, it is easier to detect errors than in a compiler. An interpreter is faster than a compiler as it
immediately executes the code upon reading the code. It is often used as a debugging tool for
software development as it can execute a single line of code at a time.
Examples:
1 OCaml
2 List Processing (LISP)
3 Python
Advantages Disadvantages
You discover errors before you complete the There’s a possibility of syntax errors on
program, so you learn from your mistakes. unverified scripts.
Program can be run before it is completed so Program is not enhanced and may
you get partial results immediately. encounter data errors.
You can work on small parts of the program and It may be slow because of the interpretation
link them later into a whole program. in every execution.
Operating System
Operating system (OS) is a type of system software that manages computer’s hardware and software
resources. It provides common services for computer programs. An OS acts 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.
Key tasks performed by the operating system are
1 Memory Management - The OS keeps track of the primary memory and allocates the memory
when a process requests it.
2 Processor Management - Allocates the main memory (RAM) to a process and de-allocates it when
it is no longer required.
3 File Management - Allocates and de-allocates the resources and decides who gets the resources.
4 Security - Prevents unauthorized access to programs and data by means of passwords.
5 Error Detecting Aids - Production of dumps, traces, error messages, and other debugging and
error-detecting methods.
6 Scheduling - The OS schedules process through its scheduling algorithms.
