Computing Skills
Fundamentals
Lecture 9: Software
Outline
Types of Software
System vs Application
Application Software
Generic
Bespoke
Custom
Integrated
System Software
Operating systems
Utilities
Translators
Networking Operating System
Types of Software
Application Software
Programs designed to perform specific real world tasks for users
E.g. support multimedia projects, home, personal, and
educational activities
System Software
Control the operations and activities of a computer and its
devices
Provides a platform/base for running application programs
operating system, networking software, translators, and
software utilities.
Computer System
Hardware
OS
Applications
Application Software Types
Generic/Packaged
General purpose software that is not written for any
particular purpose such as word processors
Specific/Custom
Software written for a specific purpose such as accounting
Bespoke
Software customised for specific individual or company that performs a
specific task
Integrated
collection of application software that has a common set of features
e.g. word processors, spreadsheets graphics ,databases
Relatively cheaper than customized software
Integrated Software Packages
Combines several software applications that share a similar
interface and common features into a single package
Software Suites; Microsoft Office ; Corel WordPerfect Office
System Software Types
Operating systems
Utilities
Translators
System Software: Operating Systems
Manages h/w resources on behalf of applications
Assigns the needed hardware e.g. cpu to programs to run
Allocates the memory required for each program to run
Manages and provides access to data and program files stored in secondary
storage
Examples
MS-DOS
Mac OS X
UNIX
Linux
Windows 7
Operating System Interface
OS provide two types of interfaces
Used to interact with the computer to perform various tasks
Controls how user enters data and commands and how information displays on the screen
1. Graphical User Interface
use of menus and visual images such as icons, buttons, to issue commands
e.g. Windows 7
2. Command Line Interface
Enter data and commands by typing and pressing special keys
Common OS Features
Multiprogramming
Single vs Multiple user
Multitasking
Multiprocessing
Network
Multiprogramming OS
Enables a computer to run several programs at the same
time
Single vs Multi-tasking OS
Single-User OS
Allows one user to run one program/task at a time
Multitasking
allows a single user to work on two or more applications at a time
Multi-processing OS
Supports two or more CPUs being used simultaneously
Single vs Multi-user OS
Designed for use by multiple users
enables two or more users to run a program simultaneously -
originally used in mainframe computers
E.g. access a printing service
Single-user
allow only one user to make use of a computer at any given time
Network OS
Supports a network
i.e. it is aware of network resources
allow access to shared resources by a number of users
concurrently e.g. Novell Netware, Windows Server 2012
System Software: Utilities
Utility programs are designed to do specific task such as
anti virus checking and backing up data
Some utilities form part of the operating system
Examples
Backup
File Manager
Uninstaller
Disk Error Checking
Antivirus Software
File Compression
System Software: Program Translators
Computer program that translates a program written in human
understandable language (source code) to a computer understandable
language(machine code)
Source Machine
E.g. C++, Java
A Java Program
Software and Copyright
Freeware is software that is available for copying at no monetary cost.
Adobe Reader, Avast Free Antivirus
Shareware is copyrighted software that can be used without a license for
a specified time
Trial versions can be copied for evaluation
When the evaluation period ends, a registration fee is paid for continued use
of the software e.g. Winzip, Adobe Photoshop
Commercial software is copyrighted. It must be must be purchased and
not copied Organizations usually use site license for commercial software
which is to be only used on their computers
Microsoft Office 2021 , Windows 2019
Can also be subscription service e.g. Microsoft Office 365
Summary: Software
Application: perform specific real world tasks for users
System : control the activities of a computer and its devices
APPLICATION TYPES
Generic/Packaged: general purpose not written for any particular purpose e.g. word processors
Specific/Custom- written for a specific purpose such as accounting
Bespoke -software customised for specific individual or company and specific task
Integrated - collection of software that has a common set of features (word
processors ,spreadsheets graphics ,databases packaged as one)
OS TYPES
operating system, networking software, translators, and software utilities.
OS features: Multiprogramming, Single user, Multitasking ,Multiprocessing, Network
Software Utilities : Backup, File Manager, Uninstaller, Antivirus Software, File
Compression, Disk Error Checking
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