Software

SoftwareSoftware Software is a set of instruction to Software is a set of instruction to

perform specific task. Software is the perform specific task. Software is the intangible part of computer system.intangible part of computer system.

Software Categorized asSoftware Categorized as

1.1. System SoftwareSystem Software

2.2. Application SoftwareApplication Software

System SoftwareSystem Software System Software is the set of programs System Software is the set of programs

designed to coordinate the activities and designed to coordinate the activities and functions of the Hardware and various functions of the Hardware and various programs throughout the Computer Systemprograms throughout the Computer System

The two main categories are:The two main categories are:

1.1. Operating SystemsOperating Systems

2.2. Utility SoftwareUtility Software

Operating SystemsOperating Systems Operating Systems is the most important system Operating Systems is the most important system

software package of any computersoftware package of any computer.. An Operating System is a set of computer An Operating System is a set of computer

programs that controls the computer hardware programs that controls the computer hardware and acts as an interface with application and acts as an interface with application programs.programs.

The primary purpose of an operating system is to The primary purpose of an operating system is to maximize the productivity of a computer system maximize the productivity of a computer system by operating it in the most efficient manner. by operating it in the most efficient manner.

It minimizes the amount of human intervention It minimizes the amount of human intervention required during processing.required during processing.

Classification of operating Systems.Classification of operating Systems.

Single user and Single tasking (MS-DOS)Single user and Single tasking (MS-DOS) Single user and Multi tasking (Single user and Multi tasking (MS-Windows, Windows MS-Windows, Windows

NT)NT)

Multi user and Multi tasking (Unix,OS/400)Multi user and Multi tasking (Unix,OS/400) Network Operating System (NOVELL Network Operating System (NOVELL

Netware)Netware) Special purpose computers.Special purpose computers.

Single user and Single tasking (MS-DOS)Single user and Single tasking (MS-DOS)

An operating system that allows a single user An operating system that allows a single user to perform just one task at a time is a Single to perform just one task at a time is a Single user and Single tasking (MS-DOS) operating user and Single tasking (MS-DOS) operating system.system.

They take up very little space on disk or in They take up very little space on disk or in memory when they are running and do not memory when they are running and do not require a powerful and expensive computerrequire a powerful and expensive computer

Single user and Multi taskingSingle user and Multi tasking

A Single user and Multi tasking operating A Single user and Multi tasking operating system is one that allows a single user to system is one that allows a single user to perform two or more functions at once.perform two or more functions at once.

A disadvantage of a Single user and Multi A disadvantage of a Single user and Multi tasking operating is the increased size and tasking operating is the increased size and complexity.complexity.

Multi user and Multi tasking Multi user and Multi tasking (Unix,OS/400)(Unix,OS/400) Multi user multi tasking O/S is an operating Multi user multi tasking O/S is an operating

system that allows multiple users to use system that allows multiple users to use programs that are simultaneously running on a programs that are simultaneously running on a single network server, called terminal server.single network server, called terminal server.

The role of an operating system.The role of an operating system. Performing common computer hardware Performing common computer hardware

functions.functions. Providing a user interface and input/output Providing a user interface and input/output

management.management. Providing a degree of hardware Providing a degree of hardware

independence.independence. Managing system memory.Managing system memory. Managing processing tasks.Managing processing tasks. Providing networking capability.Providing networking capability. Controlling access to system resourcesControlling access to system resources Managing Files.Managing Files.

Common Hardware FunctionsAll Application programs perform certain tasks. Example:• Get input from the keyboard or some other input device• Retrieve data from disks• Store data on disks• Display information on a monitor or printerIn order to perform these basic instructions, detailed instructions need to be given to thehardware. The operating system translates the basic instructions into detailedinstructions.The basic instructions are translated to detailed instructions by the operating system.Operating SystemSimple, basic instruction Set of detailed instructions

One of the important functions of a operating system is providing a user interface.

The user interface is the part of the operating system that allows the user to communicate with the computer. There are three main types of user interfaces. They are command driven, menu driven, and graphical user interface (GUI). The trend in user interfaces is moving on from brief end user commands, or selection of choices from menu of options to easy to use GUI. The GUI uses icons, bars, buttons, boxes and other images. GUI relies heavily on pointing devices such as the mouse and touch pad to select things.Apart from the provision of user interface OSs manage all aspect of input and output.Input management involves controlling the keyboard, mouse and other input devices.Output management include controlling activities associated with output devices.

Memory ManagementThe primary purpose of memory management is to control how memory is accessed and determine how to maximize available memory and storage. Newer operating systems typically manage memory better than older operating systems. With the help of memory management many operating systems allow the computer to execute program instructions effectively and speed up processing. Upgrade to a newer OS and increasingthe amount of memory is one of the ways of increasing performance.

Processing TasksManaging all processing activities accomplished by the task-management features of today’s operating systems. The task management programs of an operating system manage the accomplishment of the computing tasks of end users. They give each task a slice of a CPU’s time and interrupt the CPU operations to substitute other tasks. Task management may involve a multitasking capability where several computing tasks canoccur at the same time.Multitasking may take the form of timesharing, where the computing tasks of several users can be processed at the same time. The efficiency of multitasking operations depends on the processing power of a CPU and the virtual memory and multitasking capabilities of the operating system it uses.

Network CapabilityThe operating system helps the users in connecting to a computer network. For example, Apple computer users have built-in network access through the AppleShare Feature and the Microsoft Windows operating systems come with the capability to link users to other devices and the Internet.

Access to System ResourcesComputers often handle sensitive data that can be accessed over networks. The operating system needs to provide a high level of security against unauthorized access to the users’ data & programs. Normally, the operating system provides a logon facility which allows users to enter an identification code and a matching password. The operating system needs to change the password frequently.

An operating system contains file management tasks that control the creation, deletion, and access of files of data and programs. File management also involves keeping track of the physical location of the files on magnetic disks and other secondary storage devices. SO operating systems maintain directories of information about the location and characteristics of files stored on a computer systems secondary storage devices

File Management

Common Operating systems.Common Operating systems. DOSDOS Windows 9XWindows 9X Windows 2000 professionalWindows 2000 professional Windows XPWindows XP UNIX UNIX LINUXLINUX The Macintosh operating systemThe Macintosh operating system Network operating systems.Network operating systems. Windows NT serverWindows NT server Windows 2000 serverWindows 2000 server Windows server 2003Windows server 2003

Utility SoftwareUtility Software

Backup utilitiesBackup utilities AntivirusAntivirus FirewallFirewall Screen serversScreen servers File compression utilitiesFile compression utilities Spam and pop up Blocker utilitiesSpam and pop up Blocker utilities Hardware utilitiesHardware utilities

Application softwareApplication software

Computer LanguageComputer Language Machine LanguagesMachine Languages Assembly LanguagesAssembly Languages High Level Languages.High Level Languages.

Computer PackagesComputer Packages MS OfficeMS Office PhotoshopPhotoshop

Application softwareApplication software

Types of Application softwareTypes of Application software

Personal Application softwarePersonal Application software Workgroup Application softwareWorkgroup Application software Enterprise Application softwareEnterprise Application software Application software for Decision Support Application software for Decision Support

and specialized Purposesand specialized Purposes

Personal Application softwarePersonal Application software There are thousand of computer There are thousand of computer

applications which help to the individuals at applications which help to the individuals at schools ,home and work.schools ,home and work.

This type of software user software or This type of software user software or personal productivity softwarepersonal productivity software

Word ProcessingWord Processing Spreadsheet AnalysisSpreadsheet Analysis Database ApplicationsDatabase Applications Graphics ProgramGraphics Program Personal Information ManagersPersonal Information Managers Online information ServicesOnline information Services

Workgroup Application softwareWorkgroup Application software

This category of software is designed to This category of software is designed to support group work.support group work.

Whether the group members are within the Whether the group members are within the same location or spread around the world.same location or spread around the world.

Lotus Notes, MS Exchange, Novell Lotus Notes, MS Exchange, Novell Groupware support collaboration through Groupware support collaboration through electronic mail, Discussion groups and electronic mail, Discussion groups and databases, scheduling, task management databases, scheduling, task management and so on.and so on.

Enterprise Application softwareEnterprise Application software

Enterprise Application Programs aim to Enterprise Application Programs aim to benefit an entire organization by improving benefit an entire organization by improving cooperation and interaction between all cooperation and interaction between all departments such as product planning, departments such as product planning, purchasing, manufacturing, sales and purchasing, manufacturing, sales and customer service.customer service.

Integrated Software to support Supply Chain Management

Organization

product planningproduct planning Sales

manufacturingmanufacturing

purchasingpurchasing

customer servicecustomer service

Specialized application software for Specialized application software for information , decision support and other information , decision support and other purposes is available in every industry.purposes is available in every industry.

Application of Specialized purposes include Application of Specialized purposes include expert systems as well as artificial expert systems as well as artificial intelligence applications.intelligence applications.

Application software for Decision Application software for Decision Support and specialized PurposesSupport and specialized Purposes

LIVEWARELIVEWARE

People who are working with the People who are working with the computer.computer.