SoftwareSoftware
SoftwareSoftware consists of the instructions issued to consists of the instructions issued to the computer to perform specific tasks.the computer to perform specific tasks.– The software on a computer system refers to the The software on a computer system refers to the
programs that make the computer run.programs that make the computer run.
Types of SoftwareTypes of Software
Although there are literally thousands of Although there are literally thousands of software programs you can buy, there are really software programs you can buy, there are really only two types of software: application and only two types of software: application and systems.systems.– Application softwareApplication software computer software computer software
created to allow the user to perform specific job created to allow the user to perform specific job or task.or task.
– Systems softwareSystems software computer software computer software responsible for the general operation of a responsible for the general operation of a computer system, including the operation of computer system, including the operation of hardware, running application software and file hardware, running application software and file management.management.
Application SoftwareApplication Software
Application software is also called productivity software.Application software is also called productivity software.It allows an end user to perform some task.It allows an end user to perform some task.The most commonly used categories of application The most commonly used categories of application software aresoftware are– Word-processing programsWord-processing programs– Spreadsheet softwareSpreadsheet software– Database softwareDatabase software– Presentation softwarePresentation software– Desktop publishing programsDesktop publishing programs– GamesGames
Systems SoftwareSystems Software
Systems software consists of programs that Systems software consists of programs that coordinate and control the resources and coordinate and control the resources and operations of the computer itself.operations of the computer itself.
The three categories of systems software areThe three categories of systems software are– Operating systemsOperating systems– Utility programsUtility programs– Language translatorsLanguage translators
Systems Software – Operating Systems Software – Operating SystemsSystems
Operating systemsOperating systems is system software that acts is system software that acts as a “go-between”, allowing computer hardware as a “go-between”, allowing computer hardware and other software to communicate with each and other software to communicate with each other.other.There are many brands and versions of operating There are many brands and versions of operating systems.systems.An operating system is designed to work with a An operating system is designed to work with a specific processor chip.specific processor chip.– For example, Windows operating systems are For example, Windows operating systems are
designed to work with an Intel processor (or clone) designed to work with an Intel processor (or clone) and will not usually work on a Macintosh computer.and will not usually work on a Macintosh computer.
Illustration of an Operating Illustration of an Operating SystemSystem
This figure shows how an operating system acts as an interface between the user, the application programs, and the computer.
Systems Software - UtilitiesSystems Software - Utilities
Utility programsUtility programs are designed to help are designed to help perform housekeeping chores for the perform housekeeping chores for the computer.computer.
They can be designed toThey can be designed to– Manage the computer’s resources.Manage the computer’s resources.– Do file management.Do file management.– Format disks.Format disks.– Copy files from one disk to another.Copy files from one disk to another.– Back up data to disk or tape.Back up data to disk or tape.
Common Utility ProgramsCommon Utility Programs
Disk FormattingDisk Formatting prepares disk to have prepares disk to have files stored on it.files stored on it.
File ManagementFile Management allows a user to allows a user to perform tasks such as copying, moving, perform tasks such as copying, moving, and deleting files.and deleting files.
File RecoveryFile Recovery attempts to recover a file attempts to recover a file that has been erased.that has been erased.
Common Utility ProgramsCommon Utility Programs
UninstallUninstall removes an application program removes an application program no longer needed.no longer needed.
Diagnostic Diagnostic provides detailed information provides detailed information about the computer system and attempts about the computer system and attempts to locate problems.to locate problems.
File ConversionFile Conversion converts a file from one converts a file from one format to another.format to another.
Common Utility ProgramsCommon Utility Programs
Disk CompressionDisk Compression frees up storage space on a frees up storage space on a disk by compressing existing files.disk by compressing existing files.
BackupBackup makes a duplicate copy of the contents makes a duplicate copy of the contents of a secondary storage device.of a secondary storage device.
AntivirusAntivirus protects the computer system from protects the computer system from viruses.viruses.
Disk DefragmentationDisk Defragmentation attempts to place attempts to place segments of each file on the hard disk as close segments of each file on the hard disk as close to one another as possible.to one another as possible.
Systems Software – Language Systems Software – Language TranslatorsTranslators
Computers cannot read program statements in Computers cannot read program statements in programming language format, such as Visual programming language format, such as Visual Basic or Java program statements.Basic or Java program statements.Language translator programsLanguage translator programs convert convert English-like software programs into machine English-like software programs into machine code that can be understood by the computer.code that can be understood by the computer.Each converted English-like instruction may be Each converted English-like instruction may be translated into many machine code instructions.translated into many machine code instructions.Once converted to machine code, the program Once converted to machine code, the program can be run and executed by the computer.can be run and executed by the computer.
Microcomputer Operating Microcomputer Operating System InterfacesSystem Interfaces
The user interface of an operating system is The user interface of an operating system is what we are all familiar with.what we are all familiar with.The The User InterfaceUser Interface is the part of the is the part of the operating system that you interact with when operating system that you interact with when using your computer.using your computer.
Microcomputer Operating System Microcomputer Operating System InterfacesInterfaces
There are two commonly used types of There are two commonly used types of operating system interfaces:operating system interfaces:– Command-line interfaceCommand-line interface: With this interface, : With this interface,
you must type exact commands into the you must type exact commands into the computer from a command prompt.computer from a command prompt.
This is not a user-friendly interface, and you must This is not a user-friendly interface, and you must memorize many commands and keywords.memorize many commands and keywords.
– Graphical user interfaceGraphical user interface: Users manipulate : Users manipulate on-screen icons to perform functions, usually on-screen icons to perform functions, usually with a mouse or other pointing device.with a mouse or other pointing device.
User Interface ComparisonUser Interface Comparison
The figure on the left shows a command-line interface, where commands are typed in at the prompt. The figure on the right is a graphical user interface (GUI) where users perform actions by clicking and manipulating icons.
The The Windows Operating Windows Operating SystemSystem
Windows was Microsoft’s first GUI operating Windows was Microsoft’s first GUI operating system, released in 1987.system, released in 1987.
Applications installed on a Windows system Applications installed on a Windows system appeared as icons.appeared as icons.
MultitaskingMultitasking is the ability to run more than one is the ability to run more than one program at a time.program at a time.The first true multitasking version of Windows The first true multitasking version of Windows was Windows 95.was Windows 95.– This version also included support for This version also included support for
networking computersnetworking computers..
Windows VersionsWindows Versions
Windows 98 improved on Windows 95 and Windows 98 improved on Windows 95 and offered Internet integration and support for the offered Internet integration and support for the USB bus.USB bus.Windows 2000 was an update to Windows 98 Windows 2000 was an update to Windows 98 and Windows NT and included tools for Web site and Windows NT and included tools for Web site creation.creation.We use We use Windows XPWindows XP, which provides increased , which provides increased stability and device recognition over earlier stability and device recognition over earlier Windows versions.Windows versions.Windows 7 Windows 7 is the latest version of Windows is the latest version of Windows Operating System.Operating System.
Network Operating SystemsNetwork Operating Systems
A A network operating systemnetwork operating system (NOS) is designed (NOS) is designed to allow multiple computers to be connected and to allow multiple computers to be connected and talk to each other.talk to each other.LogonLogon the action of gaining access to a computer the action of gaining access to a computer or a network by entering a username and or a network by entering a username and password.password.NetworksNetworks can consist of anywhere from two to can consist of anywhere from two to many thousands of computers.many thousands of computers.While there are many network operating systems While there are many network operating systems available, the most popular areavailable, the most popular are– Microsoft Windows NT and Windows 2000Microsoft Windows NT and Windows 2000– Novell’s NetwareNovell’s Netware– IBM’s Warp ServerIBM’s Warp Server