Software

Software

It means computer instructions or data. Anything that can be stored electronically is software.

Difference of a Software Engineer from a Programmer

While a programmer creates the codes that make a program run, a software engineer creates the designs the programmer implements. 

Categories of Software

Software is often divided into two categories :

Operating System Application Software

Operating System

The Operating System is the most important program that runs on a computer. Every general-purpose computer must have an operating system to run other programs.

Operating System

Without a computer operating system, a computer and software programs would be useless.

Operating System

Operating System Types

GUI –Graphical User Interface Multi-user Multiprocessing Multitasking Multithreading

Graphical User Interface

A GUI Operating System contains graphics and icons and is commonly navigated by using a computer mouse. Example : System7.x,Windows98,

Windows CE

Multi-user

A multi-user operating system allows for multiple users to use the same computer at the same time and different times. Example : Linux, Windows 2000,

Unix

Multiprocessing

An operating system capable of supporting and utilizing more than one computer processor. Example : Linux, Windows 2000,

Unix

Multitasking

An operating system that is capable of allowing multiple software processes to run at the same time.Example : Unix, Windows 2000

Multithreading

Operating systems that allow different parts of a software program to run concurrently. Example : Linux, Windows 2000,

Unix

Operating System

Basic Tasks of an Operating System

Recognizing input from the keyboardSending output to the display screenKeeping track of files and directories on the diskControlling peripheral devices such as disk drives and printers.

Applications Software

It is also called end-user programs.It includes programs that do real work for users. It is the general designation of computer programs for performing user tasks.

Applications Software

Figuratively speaking, applications software sits on top of systems software because it is unable to run without the operating system and system utilities.

A layer structure showing where the operating system software and application software are situated while running on a typical desktop computer

Operating System and Application Software

Programs of an Applications Software

Database ProgramsGamesWeb Browsers Word ProcessingSpreadsheets

Categories of an Application Software

Vertical Application-designed for a particular type of organization.

Horizontal Application- are the most popular and widespread in departments or companies.

Conclusion

The operating system itself can be considered application software when performing simple calculating, measuring, rendering, and word processing tasks that not used to control hardware via command-line interface or graphical user interface. This does not include application software bundled within operating systems such as a software calculator or text editor.

Questions

1. It means computer instructions or data. Anything that can be stored electronically is called _______.a. Software b. Hardware c. Peopleware

2. Who creates the codes that make a program run? a. Software Engineer b. Programmer c. Hardware Engineer3. These are software applications except ,

a. Web Browser b. Mac c. Word Processing

4. Is the most important program that runs on a computer.a. Operating System b. Application Software c. Computer

5. It contains graphics and icons and is commonly navigated by using a computer mouse.a. Graphical User Interface (GUI ) Operating Systemb. Multiprocessingc. Horizontal Application