Introduction to Software

Introduction to Software

Sets of programs that are used to communicate with computer are called software.  Or the programs that we make in the computer are called software (that we can see but not touch). Languages and Packages like MS Words, MS Excel, Basic & COBOL etc. Computer does nothing unless it is given instruction to perform.

Software has two types:

1)     System Software

2)     Application Software

1.System Software

System Software consists of the programs that control over all operations of the computer system.

 System Software has following types:

Ø  Operating System

Ø  Translators

Ø  System Utilities

Operating System:

A Software that controls the hardware ‘OR’ A Software that provides such an environment to user in which he operates computer easily. It is responsible for the flow of data between different components of computers

Translators:

To execute programs from high level language to computer code (The binary pattern ‘0’ and ‘1’), some system programs are used called translators.

These are of following types:

                                                                    i.                        Interpreters

                                                                 ii.                        Compilers

                                                               iii.                        Assemblers

System Utilities:

Utilities are system software’s. They provide useful services by performing common tasks such as sorting, merging and copying.

2. Application Software

Software designed to do a specific task is called application software.

It has two categories:

1)     General Software

2)     Standard Software

General Software:

It consists of different languages.

Language:

All the computers programs and instructions are written in computer language. It is such software in which the programmer makes the programming.

Types of language:

v   Low level language

v   High level language

v   Middle level language

Standard Software:
Package:

Package is such a software in which programming is already made. User just operates this software. In other words we can say that package is a pre-made program.

It has following categories:

1)     Word Processing

2)     Spread Sheet

3)     Database

4)     Graphics

Device Driver Software

PC has different devices attached to it like as input, output, storage and some other components. Each device has a specific software which is installed to drive or operate it is called device driver software.

Classification of Computers

Classification of Computers:-

Computers are classified according to their size, Technology and Working Principle into following different categories. 

Depending upon their Size

Super Computer

Mainframe Computer

Mini Computers

Microcomputers

Depending upon their Working Principle

Analogue Computers

Digital Computers

Hybrid Computer

Depending Upon their Technology (Generations of Computer)

First Generation of Computer (1945-1959)

Second Generation of Computer (1959-1965)

Third Generation of Computer (1965-1971)

Forth Generation of Computer (1971-Present)

Fifth Generation of Computer (Future)

Programming Languages

Programming Languages:-

 Programming languages are the software used to give instructions to a machine. We know that computer is a machine that only understand 0 and 1. all programs are written in programming languages that translate the codes into machine language and tell the computer what to do. There are two types of programming languages.
Low level Programming Language:-
High Level Programming Language:-

Low level Programming Language:-

A low level programming language generally machine code. only a computer (machine) can understand it. It is very difficult for human to understand it

High Level Programming Language:-

A high level programming language is specifically written in a language that is easily understood by human. In order to make it understandable for a machine special software are used these software are as followed.

Assembler:  An assembler is a software that translate the assembly language program into a machine code.

Compiler: A compiler is more powerful then an assembler because it translate a High level language's program into machine code. it also checks for errors in a program. 

Interpreter:An interpreter is a program that translates the each statement of a program into machine code one by one. As it translates only one statement of the program at a time it works very slow.

 

Linker:  High level languages include some built in header files or libraries. These libraries contains some predefined functions, these basic functions which are essential for executing the program. These functions are linked to the libraries by a software called Linker.

Loader: Loader is a program that loads machine codes of a program into the system memory. Most often these programs are part of an operating system. Operating system is responsible for starting a program.

System Utilities (Utilities software)

Utilities (System Utilities):-

System utilities are software that add or provide extra features to computer users, cut, copy, paste, delete, undo, and redo are examples of system utilities. Some utilities help users to analyze, maintain and optimize their computer for example antivirus software. Following are some types of Utilities software.

• Anti-virus utilities
• Archivers
• Backup software
• Clipboard managers
• Cryptographic utilities
• Data compression utilities
• Data synchronization utilities
• File synchronization utilities
• Revision control utilities
• Disk checkers
• Disk cleaners
• Disk compression utilities
• Disk defragmenters
• Disk partitions
• Disk space analyzers
• Disk storage utilities
• File managers
• Hex editors
• Memory testers
• Network utilities
• Registry cleaner
• Screensavers
• System monitors
• System profilers

Application Software

Application Software:-

Application Software are designed to carryout specific tasks on a computer These software are designed to used by users. These software consist of stand alone software as well as bundle (package) software. These software are further categorized in following types

• Word Processing Software
• Database Software
• Spreadsheet Software
• Presentation Software
• Enterprise Software
• Information Worker Software
• Educational Software
• Simulation Software
• Content Access Software
• Application Suites