Computer Software

These instructions are known as software or

computer programs.

Software consists of a series of related

instructions given to the computer to solve user
problems and to control different operations of
the computer.

The software is developed using programming

languages.
Computer users interact with a program after
installation through its user interface.

The user interface controls how users enter data

and instructions and how information is
displayed on the screen.

The two major types of software are application

software and system software.
Obtaining Software

 Retail software
 Custom software
 A web app
 Shareware
 Freeware
 Public-domain software
 Open source software
 System Software
System software consists of the programs that
control or maintain the operations of the
computer and its devices.
Systems software can be grouped into three
major functional categories:
 

System control programs are programs that

control the use of hardware, software, and data
resources of a computer system.
Example operating system
System support programs support the
operations, management, and users of a
computer system by providing a variety of
services.

Examples utility programs, device drivers,

performance monitors, and security monitors

System development programs help users

develop information processing programs and
procedures and prepare user applications.

Major development programs are language

compilers, interpreters, and translators.
Operating System

An operating system (OS) is a set of programs

that coordinate all the activities among
computer hardware or mobile device hardware
resources.
Functions of Operating System
• Running applications
• Providing user interface
• Resource management
 Features of Operating Systems
 Icons – graphic representations for a program, file, or function.
 Pointer – a graphical image on the computer monitor or other
display device.
 Windows ­– rectangular areas for displaying information and
running programs. Window is a visual area containing some kind of
user interface.
 Menu – provides a list of options or commands that can be
selected.
 Tabs – divide menus into major activity areas.
 Dialog boxes – provide information or request input.
 Help – provides online assistance for operating system functions
and procedures.
 Gesture control – ability to control operations with finger
movements, such as swiping, sliding, and pinching.
 Categories of Operating Systems
Embedded or Mobile operating systems control
thousands of consumer electronic devices
including tablets, smartwatches, smartphones,
and video game systems.

Android, iOS, and Windows Phone.

Stand-alone operating systems, also called
desktop operating systems, control a single
desktop or notebook computer.

Desktop operating system, sometimes called a

stand-alone operating system works on
desktops, laptops, and some tablets.

The most widely used desktop operating systems are

Windows, Mac OS, UNIX, and Linux.
• Linux is open source software, which means its code is
provided for use, modification, and redistribution.
Network operating systems (NOS), also called
server operating systems, are used to control
and coordinate computers that are networked
or linked together.

Popular network operating systems include

Linux, Windows Server, and UNIX.

Linux often is used on web servers and on supercomputers.

UNIX is widely used by servers on the web, mainframe

computers, and very powerful personal computers
Utility Software
Utility software is a kind of system software
designed to allow a user to perform
maintenance-type tasks usually related to
managing a computer, its devices, or its
programs

Device Driver
A driver or device driver, is a small program that
allow particular input or output devices to
communicate with the rest of the computer
system.
Language Translators
Language translators convert programming
instructions written by programmers into a
language that computers can understand and
process.

Examples are: Compiler (BASIC, COBOL,

FORTRAN, C/C++)
Application Software
Application software is a set of programs used to
solve particular problems of user.

It is designed to make users more productive

and/or assist them with personal tasks.

Application software might be described as end

user software.

It is also known as application package.

Application software has a variety of uses:

1. To make business activities more efficient

2. To assist with graphics and multimedia projects
3. To support home, personal, and educational tasks
4. To facilitate communications
Common Features of Application Software
• User interface - graphical user interface (GUI)
• Icons represent objects and commands.
• Pointer
• Window 
• Dialog box
• Buttons
• Toolbars
Traditionally, most software programs use a system of
menus, toolbars, dialog boxes, and buttons.
Menus present commands that are typically displayed in
a menu bar at the top of the screen.
Many applications, and Microsoft applications
(Microsoft Office 2007, 2010, 2013, & 2016) in
particular, use an interface known as the Ribbon GUI
(menuless).

GUI uses a system of ribbons, tabs, and galleries.

Ribbons replace menus and toolbars by organizing

commonly used commands into a set of tabs.

These tabs display command buttons that are the most

relevant to the tasks being performed by the user.
 Categories of Application Software
Application software can be divided into
general-purpose, specialized, and mobile apps
categories.

Other writers categorize application software by

their general use including Productivity;
Graphics and Media; Personal Interest;
Communications; Security; and File, Disk, and
System Management.
General-Purpose Applications

General-purpose applications are widely

used in nearly every profession, and include
word processors, spreadsheets, presentation
graphics, database management systems,
and communication applications.

Word processors are mainly used to create

text-based document
• Developing a document

Edit a
• Enter text and document • Change appearance
numbers • Font
• Make changes to
• Insert images • Font size
existing content
• Perform other tasks
• Inserting, deleting,
cutting, copying,
Create a and pasting Format a
document document
Spreadsheet software allows users to organize data
in rows and columns and perform calculations
• A database is a collection of data organized in a manner
that allows access, retrieval, and use of that data
– Database software allows users to create, access, and manage
a database
Presentation software allows users to create
visual aids for presentations to communicate
ideas, messages, and other information to a
group
Communications Applications

Communication applications allow computer

users to communicate and share information
with others.
These applications facilitate browsing, Internet
Messaging, Mobile Messaging, Chat Email, and
Videoconference among others.
 Application Software for Communications

Web Browser E-Mail Instant Messaging Chat Room

Text, Picture, Video Newsgroup/Message

Blogging FTP
Messaging Board

VoIP Video Conferencing

Specialized Applications

Specialized applications are widely used within

specific professions.

They include graphics and media programs, and

web authoring programs.
Graphics and Media Applications
• Desktop Publishing Software
Examples: Adobe InDesign, Microsoft Publisher,
and QuarkXPress.
• Image Editors
Examples: Adobe Photoshop, Corel Paint Shop
Pro
• Video and Audio Editors
Examples: Windows Live Movie Maker, Apple
iMovie, and YouTube Video Editor.
Web Authoring Programs

Creating a web site is called Web authoring.

Almost all websites consist of interrelated web
pages.
Some web authoring programs are WYSIWYG,
Adobe Dreamweaver and Microsoft Expression
Web.
Mobile Applications (Apps)

Mobile apps or mobile applications are add-on

programs for a variety of mobile devices
including smartphones and tablets.

Two of the best-known app stores are Apple’s

App Store and Google Play.
Software Suites

A software suite is a collection of individual

programs available together as a unit.

Popular software suites include Microsoft

Office, Apple iWork, Corel WordPerfect Office,
and Google Docs.
Integrated Packages

An integrated package is a single program that

provides the functionality of individual
programs such as a word processor,
spreadsheet, database management, and
more.
The most widely used integrated packages are
Microsoft Works and AppleWorks.
Graphics Suites

Some companies have combined or bundled

their separate graphics programs in groups
called graphics suites.
Two popular suites are CorelDraw Graphics
Suite and Adobe Creative Suite.
END