TYPES OF SOFTWARE
A computer system consists of hardware and software for its proper functioning.
HARDWARE – It represents the physical and tangible components of the computer i.e. the components that can be seen and touched. Input devices, output devices, CPU, floppy disk, hard disk etc. are examples of computer hardware.
SOFTWARE – it represents the set of programs that governs the operation of a computer system and make the hardware run
Following sections discuss system software and application software.
SYSTEM SOFTWARE - A computer is mere a machine that knows nothing of itself. Rather it requies instructions for each and everything it performs. These instructions are provided to it
through software. The software that controls internal computer operations ( viz reading data from input devices, transmitting processed information to the output devices, checking system components, converting data/instructions to computer understandable form etc.) is called as system software.
The system software can further be classified into two categories :
Operating system
Language system
Let us discuss each one of these individually.
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1.1(a) OPERATING SYSTEM – hardware is nothing but finely designed machinery. A machine is ultimately a machine only, which is always made to work. In case of computers, it is either us if we do that or ‘some other’ is nothing but our very own ‘operating system’.
Operating system is just like our secretory. As the boss gives orders to his secretory and the secretory does all the work for his boss. The secretory himself decides : how to do ? what to do ? etc. etc. same way, we pass our orders/requests to operating system and the ‘Operating System’does it for us. Operating system itself decides : how to do ? what to do? ; when to do ? The primary goal of an operating system is thus to make the computer hardware in an efficient manner.
An operating system is an important component of a computer system which controls all other components of the computer system.
Where hardware provides the basic computing resources, the application program routines define the ways in which these resources are used to solve the computing problems of the users and the operating system controls and coordinates the use of the hardware among the various application programs for the various users.
1.1(b) LANGUAGE PROCESSOR – As programmers prefers to write their programs in one of the High Level Languages because it is much easier to code in such languages. However, the computer does not understand any language other than its own machine language (binary language) therefore, it becomes necessary to process a HLL programs so as to make it understandable to the computer. The system programs which performs this very job are language processors.
The language processor are given below :
(i) ASSEMBLER - This language processor converts the program written in assembly language into machine language.
(ii) INTERPRETER - This language processor converts a HLL programs into machine language by converting and executing it line by line. If there is any error in any line, it reports it at the same time and program execution cannot resume until the error is rectified. Interpreter must always be present in the memoryevery time the preogram is executed as every time thge program is run, it is first intepreted and then executed.
(iii) COMPILER It also converts the HLL program into machine lanuage but the conversion ,manner is different. It converts the entire HLL program in one go, and reports all the errors of the program along with the line numbers. Afetr all the errors are removed, the program is recompiled and after that the compiler is not needed in the memory as the object program is available.
APPLICATION SOFTWARE - This type of software pertains to one specific application. For instance, a software that can perform railway reservation functions cannot prepare result for a school.
There are the programs written by programmers to enable computer to perform a specific function such as processing words, inventory control, handling calculations and figures, medical accounting, financial accounting, result preparation, railway reservation, billing etc.
1.1(a) PACKAGES - Only system software do not suffice for efficient use of computers because the system software exists mostly for the benefits of the computer. Other programs i.e. the application software are required to make the computer useful for people.
As applications may be numerous , it is not feasible to design software for each one of them. Rather some general softwares are designed that may be used by individual users in the manner it suits their needs and requirements. Such general application softwares are known as packages.
However, some major and most common categories are :
1.Word Processing Software
2. Spreadsheets
3. Database Management Systems
4. Desktop Publishing Software
5. Graphics, multimedia, and presentation application.
1.1(b) UTILITIES : These are those helpful programs that ensure the smooth functioning of the computer. Utilities are meant to assist your computer. Some utilities help you backup data, some help remove outdated files or recover data that has been accidentally erased. Some make it easier to find and arrange the information you need. In other words, the utility programs performs housekeeping functions.
It is an established truth that everthing comes with certain pros and cons. software also are not an exeception to it. Utilities bridge the gaps by helping to solve the problems and maximize your computer's potential.
Some important utilities are :
1. Text editor
2. Backup utility
3. Compression Utility
4. Disk defragmenter
5. Antivirus Software
1.1(c) - CUSTOMISED SOFTWARE - This type of software is tailor-made software according to a user's requirements. this type of software is developed to meet all the requiremnets specified by the user. For instance, a company wants to computerize its'accounts' department and gets a software developed according to its needs. Such a software is customized software - customized according to the users' needs. However such softwares cannot be directly installed at any other users' workplace as the requirements of the second user may differ from the first and the software mey not fit in the requirement of the new user.
A computer system consists of hardware and software for its proper functioning.
HARDWARE – It represents the physical and tangible components of the computer i.e. the components that can be seen and touched. Input devices, output devices, CPU, floppy disk, hard disk etc. are examples of computer hardware.
SOFTWARE – it represents the set of programs that governs the operation of a computer system and make the hardware run
SYSTEM SOFTWARE - A computer is mere a machine that knows nothing of itself. Rather it requies instructions for each and everything it performs. These instructions are provided to it
through software. The software that controls internal computer operations ( viz reading data from input devices, transmitting processed information to the output devices, checking system components, converting data/instructions to computer understandable form etc.) is called as system software.
The system software can further be classified into two categories :
Operating system
Language system
Let us discuss each one of these individually.
'
1.1(a) OPERATING SYSTEM – hardware is nothing but finely designed machinery. A machine is ultimately a machine only, which is always made to work. In case of computers, it is either us if we do that or ‘some other’ is nothing but our very own ‘operating system’.
Operating system is just like our secretory. As the boss gives orders to his secretory and the secretory does all the work for his boss. The secretory himself decides : how to do ? what to do ? etc. etc. same way, we pass our orders/requests to operating system and the ‘Operating System’does it for us. Operating system itself decides : how to do ? what to do? ; when to do ? The primary goal of an operating system is thus to make the computer hardware in an efficient manner.
An operating system is an important component of a computer system which controls all other components of the computer system.
Where hardware provides the basic computing resources, the application program routines define the ways in which these resources are used to solve the computing problems of the users and the operating system controls and coordinates the use of the hardware among the various application programs for the various users.
1.1(b) LANGUAGE PROCESSOR – As programmers prefers to write their programs in one of the High Level Languages because it is much easier to code in such languages. However, the computer does not understand any language other than its own machine language (binary language) therefore, it becomes necessary to process a HLL programs so as to make it understandable to the computer. The system programs which performs this very job are language processors.
The language processor are given below :
(i) ASSEMBLER - This language processor converts the program written in assembly language into machine language.
(ii) INTERPRETER - This language processor converts a HLL programs into machine language by converting and executing it line by line. If there is any error in any line, it reports it at the same time and program execution cannot resume until the error is rectified. Interpreter must always be present in the memoryevery time the preogram is executed as every time thge program is run, it is first intepreted and then executed.
(iii) COMPILER It also converts the HLL program into machine lanuage but the conversion ,manner is different. It converts the entire HLL program in one go, and reports all the errors of the program along with the line numbers. Afetr all the errors are removed, the program is recompiled and after that the compiler is not needed in the memory as the object program is available.
APPLICATION SOFTWARE - This type of software pertains to one specific application. For instance, a software that can perform railway reservation functions cannot prepare result for a school.
There are the programs written by programmers to enable computer to perform a specific function such as processing words, inventory control, handling calculations and figures, medical accounting, financial accounting, result preparation, railway reservation, billing etc.
1.1(a) PACKAGES - Only system software do not suffice for efficient use of computers because the system software exists mostly for the benefits of the computer. Other programs i.e. the application software are required to make the computer useful for people.
As applications may be numerous , it is not feasible to design software for each one of them. Rather some general softwares are designed that may be used by individual users in the manner it suits their needs and requirements. Such general application softwares are known as packages.
However, some major and most common categories are :
1.Word Processing Software
2. Spreadsheets
3. Database Management Systems
4. Desktop Publishing Software
5. Graphics, multimedia, and presentation application.
1.1(b) UTILITIES : These are those helpful programs that ensure the smooth functioning of the computer. Utilities are meant to assist your computer. Some utilities help you backup data, some help remove outdated files or recover data that has been accidentally erased. Some make it easier to find and arrange the information you need. In other words, the utility programs performs housekeeping functions.
It is an established truth that everthing comes with certain pros and cons. software also are not an exeception to it. Utilities bridge the gaps by helping to solve the problems and maximize your computer's potential.
Some important utilities are :
1. Text editor
2. Backup utility
3. Compression Utility
4. Disk defragmenter
5. Antivirus Software
1.1(c) - CUSTOMISED SOFTWARE - This type of software is tailor-made software according to a user's requirements. this type of software is developed to meet all the requiremnets specified by the user. For instance, a company wants to computerize its'accounts' department and gets a software developed according to its needs. Such a software is customized software - customized according to the users' needs. However such softwares cannot be directly installed at any other users' workplace as the requirements of the second user may differ from the first and the software mey not fit in the requirement of the new user.
