Types of Software

Introduction

• Software is programs or instructions that tell the computer what to do and how to do it

• Computers need software to do even a simple job, without software computers cannot function

Types of Software

• Two types: System software

• It is the background software that enables the application software to interact with each other

Application software• It is a group of programs designed to accomplish a

single task or a group of related tasks

System Software

• Also known as Operating System (OS) and Disk Operating System (DOS)

• OS allows applications software to communicate with the hardware

• DOS is a group of programs which manages the most basic operations of a computer system

• DOS is a link between the users and the computer system

• Example of OS are Window XP, Window 7,VISTA, Linux, Macintosh, etc

• DOS programs reside on a floppy disk or hard disk

Functions of OS

• Control the hardware, the memory and the application software

• Manages the information on the disk

• Runs computer programs

• Manages the startup process

Application Software

• It is a group of programs designed to accomplish a single task or a group of related tasks

• It divided into two categories: User-designed application software

• Software that is created or designed by big companies and government department

Ready-made application software• A collection of programs designed for general use

User Designed Application Software

• Also known as Bespoke Software or Tailor-Made Software

• These type of software are designed and developed specifically for the company or organization

Advantages

• The Company will get the exact software/system that they need

• The software will work exactly how they want it to work

• The software will only have the features that they specifically need in their business

Disadvantages

• Takes a long time to develop

• Cost a great deal of money to develop such system

• Company need to employ a team of people such as analysts, programmers

• There will be little in the way of user support and online help

Ready-Made Designed Application Software

• Also known as Package Software or Package

• It usually comes with manuals Manuals are instruction on how to run the

application software

• Example Word Processing, Power Point

• Package is generally written in one of the programming language by a team of computer specialists.

• These specialist is called programmers• A company or organization which writes

packages is called a software house• A package is specific to an operating

system

Advantage of using Ready-Made Packages

• User-friendly

• Cheap

• Easily Available

Disadvantages of using Ready-Made Packages

• Rigid

• Functions cannot be changed

• Some may not suit own specific requirement