Computer Software

What is software?

Types of software

Types of system utilities

Objectives

• Understand well the software names and classifications, functions and roles.

• Understand the reason why the operating system is necessary.

What is computer software?

• Set of programs aimed at efficient use and control of different types of resources.

• Helps users to make effective use of the hardware functions.

User

Application SoftwareWord processing, spreadsheet, database, graphics, etc

Device drivers System Software Utility programs

Hardware(computer plus peripheral devices)

Types of Software

1. Application software:

- perform useful work on general-purpose tasks (word, spreadsheet, adobe photo shop and etc…)

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Types of Software

2. System software

- enables the application software to interact with computer.

- Helps the computer manage its internal and external resources.

Operating System

• Acts as a bridge between the application software and the hardware is the operating system (OS).

OS

Control program

General-purpose language processors

Service programs

Purpose

1. Efficient use of the resources- Using resources without relying on

humans.2. Consecutive job processing- Eliminating as much as human

intervention as possible.3. Multi-programming-simultaneously processing multiple jobs

with the same processor NEXT

The operating time of a job processed in a computer can be divided into the

following:• Time during which the data to be

processed is entered.• Time during which calculations

and other processes are performed using the processor.

• Time during which process results are outputted.

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Purpose

4. Reduction of the response time- e.g. Online transaction

processing system5. Improve of reliability

What is a user interface?

The part of the operating system that enables the user to interact with it

Two types of user interfaces:

Command-line- Requires the user to type keywords or commands to enter data or give instructions

Graphical user interface (GUI)- Uses a graphics environment made up of objects, icons, buttons and menus; User is able to use a pointing device (mouse, joy stick, etc) or keyboard to enter data and issue commands

Types of User interfaces

Command-line

Graphical user interface

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What are system utilities? Programs that help the operating system manage the computer system’s resources

Types of utilities: File management

File finders

Backup utilities

Antivirus software

File compression

Disk scanning

File defragmentationBACK

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What are file management utilities?

Known as a file manager

Enables the user to perform various tasks with files, folders, and directories on storage devices

Tasks include: Creating folders

Saving, deleting, copying and moving files and folders

Examining the contents of files

Launching application programs

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What are file finders? A program that enables the user to find files on a storage device

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What are backup utilities?

A program that enables the user to copy data from the hard disk to another storage medium

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What is antivirus software?

A program that protects the computer from computer viruses

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What is a file compression utility?

A program that reduces the size of a file

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What is a disk scanning utility?

A program that detects and fixes physical and logical problems on storage devices

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What is a file defragmentation utility?

A program that moves data on a storage device to improve performance

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Research the following topics:

1.Types of Software. Name two functions of each.

2.Give five purpose of an operating system.

3.Give five types of system utilities?

CS/IT 110