Software Concepts

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Software Concepts

Introduction:-

Software is a generic term for organized collections of computer data and instructions often categorized into two groups: system software that provides the basic non-task-specific functions of the computer and application software which is used by users to accomplish specific task.

Types of Software:-

A computer system consists of Hardware and Software for its proper functioning.

Software represents the set a programs that govern the operation of a computer system and make hardware run. Broadly there are of two types of Software’s:

• System Software
• Application Software

System Software:-

System Software is specially designed software that controls the Hardware and helps application software to run properly.

The System Software is a broad term and includes following types of Software:

• Operating System
• Utility Software
• Language Processor
• Device Drivers

• Booting UP:-

Loading the operating system files into main memory is called Booting Up.

• Types of Booting:-

There are two types of booting processes:

• Cold Booting – The booting process that takes place when we first turn on computer.
• Warm Booting – The booting that takes place when we reset the computer by pressing Reset button.
• Types of OSs:-

There are different types of OSs which require different types of hardware to run upon. The operating systems are of mainly following types:

• Single User OS
• Multiprogramming OS
• Time Sharing OS
• Real Time OS
• Multiprocessing OS
• Distributed OS
• Interactive OS
• Languages processors:-

A Language processor is a special type of computer software that can translate the source code into an object code or machine code.

There are mainly three types of Languages processors:

• Assembler
• Compiler
• Interpreter
• Utility Software:-

Utility software’s are those helpful programs that ensure the smooth functioning of the computer. Utilities are those application programs that assist the computer by performing housekeeping functions like backing up disk or scanning/cleaning viruses or arranging information etc.

• Antivirus Software:-

This utility program ensures virus free work environment.

Antivirus software scans your disk for viruses and removes them if any virus is found.

• Types of Virus:-

• Boot Viruses
• Program Viruses
• Macro Viruses
• Companion Viruses
• Worms
• Trojan horse
• Adware
• Spyware

• Device Drivers:-

Device Drivers are the programs written for operating system as to work with different hardware devices. Like audio device, video device, scanner, camera, modem etc. are some hardware components that require drivers.

Application Software:-

An Application Software is the set of programs necessary to carry out operations for a specified application. These programs are written by programmers to perform special task such as processing words, inventory control, handling calculations and figures, medical accounting, financial accounting, result preparation, railway reservation, billing etc.

• Office Tools:-

The application software belonging to these categories are used in office for documentation and recording purposes.

Some commonly used software’s are:

• Word Processing Software – Word Processing Package is a package that processes textual matter and creates organized and flawless documents.
• Electronic Spreadsheets – An Electronic Spreadsheet is a program that accepts data in a tabular form (in rows and columns) and allows users to manipulate/calculate/analyze data in the desired manner.
• Database Management Systems – A Database Management System is a package that can handle and manage bulk of stored data.
• Graphics, Multimedia and Presentation Applications – The application software that manipulates images is known as Graphics Software and the software that incorporates images, text, sound, computer animation, and video sequences is known as multimedia software.
• Domain Specific Application software:-

This type of application software caters to a specific domain or a specific clientele.

Some domain specific application software’s are:

• School Management Software
• Inventory Management Software
• Payroll System
• Financial Accounting System
• Hotel Management Software
• Reservation System
• Weather Forecasting System

Open Source Concepts:-

The term open source software is used to refer to those categories of software/programs whose licenses do not impose much condition.

There are many categories of software that may be referred to as open source software:

• Free Software
• Open Source Software
• Proprietary Software
• Freeware
• Shareware

-Thank you