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

System Software

System Software:-

 System software are software that we need to operate a computer. These software directly control the computer hardware. These software also help different hardware components to communicate with each other as well as with system. Following are the types of system software.

1. Operating System (Windows, Mac, Linux, Unix, etc.)
2. Device Driver Software

Some time device driver software are also considered as a part of operating System but I will define both separately.

Operating System:-

It is most likely a set of software, tools, utilities and some application software used to operate a computer system. The Operating system provides an environment in which a user can easily operates (controls) a computer. Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Linux, Unix, Mac OS are examples of Operating systems.

Device Drivers Software:-

The Device Driver software contains information about any device attached to a computer. It helps the computer (operating system) to recognize the devices attached with computer. Some devices automatically install their software when attached to computer. These are called plug and play devices. Other devices do need to install their drivers through control panel in computer.

Definition of Computer Software

Definition of Computer 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 Word, MS Excel, Basic & COBOL etc. Computer does nothing unless it is given instruction to perform.

These programs are divided into many types according to the purpose of their use. Basically their are following types of Software.

1. System Software
2. Application Software
3. Utilities
4. Programming Languages

Basic Computer Software hierarchy