Chapter 5
Computer Software – System
Software & Application Software
Dr. Khalid S. Rabayah
1
Outline
Introduction
The System Software
Application Software
2
Objectives
Study the different kind of computer software
Explain the different functions of an operating system
Be familiar with the most widely used operating systems
3
System, application and programming software
System software helps run the computer hardware and computer
system. It includes operating systems, device drivers, diagnostic
tools, servers, windowing systems, utilities and more.
Application software allows a user to accomplish one or more
specific tasks. Typical applications include office suites, business
software, educational software, databases and computer games.
Programming software usually provides some useful tools to help
programmer to write computer programs and software using
different programming language in a more convenient way. The
tools include text editor, compiler, interpreter, linker, debugger,
and so on.
4
Software classification
5
Application Software
Application software makes computer popular and easy to
use
Common application software:
Microsoft Word, WordPerfect
PowerPoint
Netscape, Internet Explorer
Photoshop, Photo-Paint
Quick Time
Dreamweaver
…
6
System software: Operating System
Users Application programs
Operating
system
hardw
are
Definition : An operating system is a collection of
programs that manages the activities of the computer
system.
7
Computer Software Relationships
User Interface Application Programs
User Interface Operating System
User Basic Input and Output Services (BIOS)
Interface • needed for a computer to boot up
Computer Hardware
8
Differences Among Operating Systems
Command line interfaces/
graphical user interfaces
Personal/network
operating systems
Multiple
processors/shared CPU to
speed up processing
9
Common Operating Systems for Desktop PCs and Servers-2
Windows: a series of graphical interface operating systems
developed, marketed, and sold by Microsoft.
Mac OS : is an icon-oriented operating system, and used with
Apple Macintosh computers.
Unix: PC and server operating system,
• Not built around any one particular family of
microprocessors,
• Variety of computers-from mainframes to PCs.
• Command-line operating system, newer versions use a GUI.
Linux: Linux is a version of Unix originally created in 1991.
• Open-source software
• Traditionally a command-line operating system, some
versions now use a GUI.
10
Windows Family Tree
11
Windows Family Tree
12
Functions of the operating systems
Boot up (start up) the computer and configure devices
Oversee operation of computer
Schedule programs for execution
Coordinate the execution of programs
Interface with users
Manage system resources and jobs
Monitor activities such as terminating programs that perform
illegal operations
Keeping track of free disk space and memory
Manage files
Perform several computer security procedures
13
Evolution of Shared Computing
Batch processing
Interactive processing
• Requires real-time processing
Time-sharing/Multitasking
• Implemented by Multiprogramming
Multiprocessor machines
14
Processing Techniques for Increased Efficiency
Multitasking, the computer can
work on several programs or
tasks concurrently.
[edit one document while another program is
running]
Multiprocessing: use of two or
more CPUs, linked together, to
perform work on different
programs at one time
parallel processing where multiple
CPUs work on one job at the same
time
Time-sharing : active programs in
the system that need processing,
giving each one a small slice of
time on each cycle.
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Batch processing
16
Interactive processing
17
Operating System Components
Shell: Communicates with users
◦ Text based
◦ Graphical user interface (GUI)
Kernel: Performs basic required functions
◦ File manager
◦ Device drivers
◦ Memory manager
◦ Scheduler and dispatcher
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The shell as an interface between
users and the operating system
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File Manager
Directory (or Folder): A
user-created bundle of
files and other directories
(subdirectories)
Directory Path: A
sequence of directories
within directories
20
Memory Manager
Allocates space in main memory
May create the illusion that the machine has
more memory than it actually does (virtual
memory) by playing a “shell game” in which
blocks of data (pages) are shifted back and
forth between main memory and mass storage
21
Getting it Started (Bootstrapping)
Bootstrap:Program in ROM (example
of firmware)
◦ Run by the CPU when power is
turned on
◦ Transfers operating system from
mass storage to main memory
◦ Executes jump to operating system
22
The booting process
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