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.

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.