Software and its Types

Software is a collection of instructions, data, or computer programs that are used to run
machines and carry out particular activities. It is the antithesis of hardware, which refers to
a computer’s external components. A device’s running programs, scripts, and applications
are collectively referred to as “software” in this context.

What is a Software?

In a computer system, the software is basically a set of instructions or commands that tell a
computer what to do. In other words, the software is a computer program that provides a
set of instructions to execute a user’s commands and tell the computer what to do. For
example like MS-Word, MS-Excel, PowerPoint, etc.

Types of Software

It is a collection of data that is given to the computer to complete a particular task. The
chart below describes the types of software:

1. System Software

o Operating System

o Language Processor

o Device Driver

2. Application Software

o General Purpose Software

o Customize Software

o Utility Software

System Software

System software is software that directly operates the computer hardware and provides the
basic functionality to the users as well as to the other software to operate smoothly. Or in
other words, system software basically controls a computer’s internal functioning and also
controls hardware devices such as monitors, printers, and storage devices, etc. It is like an
interface between hardware and user applications, it helps them to communicate with each
other because hardware understands machine language(i.e. 1 or 0) whereas user
applications are work in human-readable languages like English, Hindi, German, etc. so
system software converts the human-readable language into machine language and vice
versa.
Types of System Software
It has two subtypes which are:

1. Operating System: It is the main program of a computer system. When the

computer system ON it is the first software that loads into the computer’s
memory. Basically, it manages all the resources such as computer memory, CPU,
printer, hard disk, etc., and provides an interface to the user, which helps the user
to interact with the computer system. It also provides various services to other
computer software. Examples of operating systems are Linux, Apple macOS,
Microsoft Windows, etc.

2. Language Processor: As we know that system software converts the human-

readable language into a machine language and vice versa. So, the conversion is
done by the language processor. It converts programs written in high-level
programming languages like Java, C, C++, Python, etc(known as source code), into
sets of instructions that are easily readable by machines(known as object code or
machine code).

3. Device Driver: A device driver is a program or software that controls a device and
helps that device to perform its functions. Every device like a printer, mouse,
modem, etc. needs a driver to connect with the computer system eternally. So,
when you connect a new device with your computer system, first you need to
install the driver of that device so that your operating system knows how to
control or manage that device.

Features of System Software

Let us discuss some of the features of System Software:

 System Software is closer to the computer system.

 System Software is written in a low-level language in general.

 System software is difficult to design and understand.

 System software is fast in speed(working speed).

 System software is less interactive for the users in comparison to application

software.
Application Software

Software that performs special functions or provides functions that are much more than the
basic operation of the computer is known as application software. Or in other words,
application software is designed to perform a specific task for end-users. It is a product or a
program that is designed only to fulfill end-users’ requirements. It includes word processors,
spreadsheets, database management, inventory, payroll programs, etc.

Types of Application Software

There are different types of application software and those are:

1. General Purpose Software: This type of application software is used for a variety
of tasks and it is not limited to performing a specific task only. For example, MS-
Word, MS-Excel, PowerPoint, etc.

2. Customized Software: This type of application software is used or designed to

perform specific tasks or functions or designed for specific organizations. For
example, railway reservation system, airline reservation system, invoice
management system, etc.

3. Utility Software: This type of application software is used to support the computer
infrastructure. It is designed to analyze, configure, optimize and maintains the
system, and take care of its requirements as well. For example, antivirus, disk
fragmenter, memory tester, disk repair, disk cleaners, registry cleaners, disk space
analyzer, etc.

Features of Application Software

Let us discuss some of the features of Application Software:

 An important feature of application software is it performs more specialized tasks

like word processing, spreadsheets, email, etc.

 Mostly, the size of the software is big, so it requires more storage space.

 Application software is more interactive for the users, so it is easy to use and design.

 The application software is easy to design and understand.

 Application software is written in a high-level language in general.

Difference Between System Software and Application Software

Now, let us discuss some difference between system software and application software:

System Software Application Software

It is designed to manage the resources of the

It is designed to fulfill the requirements
computer system, like memory and process
of the user for performing specific tasks.
management, etc.

Written in a low-level language. Written in a high-level language.

Less interactive for the users. More interactive for the users.

Application software is not so important

System software plays vital role for the
for the functioning of the system, as it is
effective functioning of a system.
task specific.

It is independent of the application software

It needs system software to run.
to run.

What is FlowChart?
A flowchart is a type of diagram that represents a workflow or process. A flowchart
can also be defined as a diagrammatic representation of an algorithm, a step-by-
step approach to solving a task.

 Flowcharts are nothing but the graphical representation of the data or the
algorithm for a better understanding of the code visually.
 It displays step-by-step solutions to a problem, algorithm, or process. It is a
pictorial way of representing steps that are preferred by most beginner-level
programmers to understand algorithms of computer science, thus it
contributes to troubleshooting the issues in the algorithm.
 A flowchart is a picture of boxes that indicates the process flow sequentially.
Since a flowchart is a pictorial representation of a process or algorithm, it’s
easy to interpret and understand the process.
 To draw a flowchart, certain rules need to be followed which are followed by
all professionals to draw a flowchart and are widely accepted all over the
countries.

Flow Chart Symbols

FlowChart:
Another Flow chart
Question Draw a flowchart to print the first 5 multiples of 3.

Flow Chart:
What Is an Algorithm?
 The word Algorithm means “a process or set of rules to be followed in
calculations or other problem-solving operations”. Therefore Algorithm refers to
a set of rules/instructions that step-by-step define how a work is to be executed
in order to get the expected results

 An algorithm is a set of instructions for solving a problem or accomplishing a task.

One common example of an algorithm is a recipe, which consists of specific
instructions for preparing a dish or meal.

 Every computerized device uses algorithms to perform its functions which cut the
time required to do things manually in the form of hardware- or software-based
routines.

Question . Write an algorithm to print the first 5 multiples of 3.

Algorithm:
1. Start
2. Now initialise c = 1
3. Now check the condition if c < 6, then goto step 4. Otherwise goto step 6
4. Print 3 * c
5. c += 1. Then goto step 3.
6. Stop
 Uses of Flowcharts in Computer Programming/Algorithms

The following are the uses of a flowchart:

 It is a pictorial representation of an algorithm that increases the

readability of the program.

 Complex programs can be drawn in a simple way using a flowchart.

 It helps team members get an insight into the process and use this
knowledge to collect data, detect problems, develop software, etc.

 A flowchart is a basic step for designing a new process or adding extra

features.

 Communication with other people becomes easy by drawing flowcharts

and sharing them.
Introduction to Digital Systems
Digital systems are designed to store, process, and communicate
information in digital form. They are found in a wide range of
applications, including process control, communication systems,
digital instruments, and consumer products. The digital computer,
more commonly called the computer, is an example of a typical
digital system.

A computer manipulates information in digital, or more precisely,

binary form. A binary number has only two discrete values — zero
or one. Each of these discrete values is represented by the OFF
and ON status of an electronic switch called a transistor. All
computers, therefore, only understand binary numbers. Any decimal
number (base 10, with ten digits from 0 to 9) can be represented by
a binary number (base 2, with digits 0 and 1).
The basic blocks of a computer are the central processing unit
(CPU), the memory, and the input/output (I/O). The CPU of the
computer is basically the same as the brain of a human. Computer
memory is conceptually similar to human memory. A question
asked to a human is analogous to entering a program into the
computer using an input device such as the keyboard, and
answering the question by the human is similar in concept to
outputting the result required by the program to a computer output
device such as the printer. The main difference is that human
beings can think independently, whereas computers can only
answer questions that they are programmed for. Computer
hardware refers ...