COMPUTER SOFTWARE

COMP101 / COMP-111

Ch. Muhammad Ashraf Kamboh

 Chapter 5

Computer Software
Q.1 What is Computer Software?
A Software is a set of instructions given to the computer to solve a particular problem or to
perform a specific task. It is also called a computer program. A computer cannot do anything
without software. Software tells the computer what to do and how to do. Hardware operates
under the control of a given set of instructions. Therefore, a computer performs different
operations according to the given instructions. Software is developed in a particular computer
programming language.
There are two Types of computer software
 Application Software
 System Software

System Software
Q. 2 What is System Software?
System Software is set of programs to control and manage the actual operations of computer
hardware. It controls the usage and allocation of different hardware components. It also enable
application programs to execute properly. It controls and coordinates different operations of a
computer system or mobile device. System software is an essential part of the computer
system. It controls the basic operations such as saving data on disk, making computer to work
for us, printing a document etc.
There are Four Categories of System Software as follows
 Operating system
 Device driver
 Utility software
 Language processors

Q.3 Write a note on categories of System software.

Operating System: An operating system is a set of programs that manages all computer
components and operations. It is the most important software that runs on a computer. A
computer cannot do anything without an operating system. Operating system must be
installed on every computer. The operating system acts an interface between the computer
user and the hardware. The users interact with the computer through operating system.
Examples of operating system are Microsoft windows, linux, unix, Mac OS etc.
Device driver: A device driver is a type of system software. It is also known as driver. An
operating system uses a device driver to communicate with device. Many device drivers are
automatically installed
with Microsoft Windows. All devices attached to computer need the device drivers such as
printers, modem, sound cards etc. A device cannot work properly if its required device
driver is not installed properly.
Utility software: A utility program is a type of system software that is used for effective
management of computer system. The user can use utility program to perform maintenance
tasks related to different devices and programs. The utility programs keep the computer system
runny smoothly. Most operating systems includes different built-in utility programs. Examples of
utility programs are Windows Explorer, Disk cleanup, disk defragmentation, windows picture
and Add or Remove programs.
Language processors: Language processor is also a type of system software. Language
processor translated a source code into machine code. Every computer language has its own
translator. Computer understands only machine language. A program written in high level
language is called source code. A program written in machine language is called machine code
or object code. Source code cannot be run on a computer directly. It must be converted into
machine code using a language processor before execution.
Q.4 Write a note on operating system and its functions.
Operating system: An operating system is a set of programs that manages all computer
components and operations. A computer cannot do anything without an operating system.
Operating system must be installed on every computer. User interact with computer through
operating system. When computer is turned on, the operating system runs and checks that all
part of computer are functioning properly. It manages all operations on the computer after
loading into memory. Operating system acts as an interface between user and computer.

The operating system's job:

Your computer's operating system (OS)
manages all of the software and hardware on
the computer.
Most of the time, there are several different
computer programs running at the same time,
and they all need to access your computer's
central processing unit (CPU), memory, and
storage. The operating system coordinates all of
this to make sure each program gets what it
needs.
Operating system performs the following
functions.
Booting: It is a process of starting and restarting
computer. It can be initiated by hardware such
as a button press, or by a software command. In
the Booting process, System will check all the hardware's and Software's those are installed
or attached with the system and all the Files those are required for running a system, also loads
into memory.
Memory Management: It is most important function of operating system. Different programs,
data and processes are executed in memory. So memory management cannot be done without
operating system. Without operating, a system will not work properly as there are chances of
programs to mix with each other.
Loading and execution: Before execution every program is loaded into memory.
Operating system provides facility to load programs into memory for execution.
Data security: Data is important part of computer system. The operating system protects
the data stored on computer from illegal use, modifications or deletion.
Providing interface: User interface is used to interact with the computer. User interface
controls how you enter data and instructions and how information is displayed on the screen.
Operating system provides two kinds of interface.

1. Graphical User Interface: In this interface user communicate with the computer
through visual environment provided by operating system. It uses icons, windows, menus
and other graphical objects to issue commands.
2. Command-line interface: In this interface user type different commands to
communicate with computer.
Process management: CPU can perform one task at a time. If there are multiple tasks
at a time, operating system decides which task should get CPU first.
Disk management: Operating system provide facility of disk management. It has ability to
manage stored files and folders in a proper way.
Device controlling: Operating system controls the devices attached to it. It controls with
the help of installed software called device drivers.
Printing controlling: Printer is attached to computer. Operating system controls printing
function. If user issues multiple printing commands, operating system does not mix up data of
these multiple files and print them separately.

Q5 Write a note on Categories/Types of Operating system.

There are three categories of operating system.
1. Stand-alone operating system.
2. Server Operating system.
3. Mobile Operating system.
Stand-alone operating system:
A standalone operating system is complete and works on a notebook or desktop computer.
Some standalone operating systems includes network capabilities to setup small network for
home or small business whereas some standalone operating systems works with network
operating systems and are called as client operating system. A client operating system can
work with or without a network. Some examples of standalone operating systems are DOS,
Windows, Linux, Unix, Mac OS and Chrome OS etc
Server Operating system:
A server operating system (OS) is a type of operating system that is designed to be installed
and used on a server computer. It is an advanced version of an operating system, having
features and capabilities required within a client-server architecture or similar enterprise
computing environment. A server operating system usually resides on a server. The client
computers on the network depends on the network resources. Many standalone operating
systems work as clients and interact with server operating system. Server operating system are
specially designed to support all sizes of networks from medium to large businesses and web
servers. Some examples of server operating system are as follows:
 Windows Server Operating system
 OS X server
 Unix Server
 Linux Server
 Solaris Server
 NetWare Server
Mobile Operating system:
A mobile operating system, also called a mobile OS, is an operating system that is
specifically designed to run on mobile devices such as mobile phones, smartphones, PDAs,
tablet computers and other handheld devices. It provides graphical user interface (GUI) and
different features such as touch screen support, navigation system, wireless connectivity,
speech recognition, email support and web browsing etc. Some examples of mobile operating
systems are Android, IOS, Windows phone, Blackberry, Firefox OS etc.

Application Software
Q.6 What is Application Software?
A program or set of programs that are specially designed to perform a specific task or to solve
a specific problem is called application software. Today, various application software are
available for different purposes. Some application software are developed for a particular
organization or customer such as software developed to maintain the records of students of a
particular college. Similarly, some application software are developed by software development
organizations (or any programmer) to solve some common problem of many people or users
such as word processing software

Categories of Application Software are:

 Packaged software
 Custom software
 Shareware
 Freeware
 Public domain software
 Open software
Q.7 Write a note on categories of Application Software.
Packaged software: Packaged software is a copyrighted available software for different type
of users. It is not developed for some specific user or organization. Examples of word
processing, spreadsheet software etc.
Custom software: It is designed for a particular customer or an organization. It is developed
to meet exact requirements of a particular or organization. The cost of custom software is
more than packaged software.
Shareware: Shareware is a copyrighted software that is available free of cost for limited time
period. The user can use shareware for a certain time period. The user has to purchase it if
he wants to use it further. It has to be uninstalled from the computer if the user don’t want to
use it further.
Freeware: It is a copyrighted software that is available free of cost for unlimited time
period. Many software programs are produced for educational purpose.
Public domain software: It is also a free software. It is basically doted for public use. It has no
copyright. Any person can use or distribute public domain software.
Open software: Open source software is provided for use, modification and redistribution.
Anyone can modify the instructions of software and redistribute it. Open source software are
usually downloaded from internet.

Q.8 Write a note on productivity software.

Productivity Software: Software which is used for creating documents, worksheets,
presentations, and graphs, etc. is called productivity software. It is used to solve some
common problems of many people or users. Examples of productivity software are Word
Processing Software, Spreadsheet Software, Presentation Software, Database Management
Software and Software Suite etc.
 Word Processing Software: This software is used for creating and editing
documents such as letters, memos, reports, essays, etc. Example: Microsoft Word
 Spreadsheet Software: Spreadsheet software is used to organize data into an
electronic sheet in the form of rows and columns and to perform calculations on the
data. Columns and rows collectively are called a worksheet. Spreadsheet software also
provides the facility to create various types of charts for displaying data graphically.
Example: MS Excel
 Presentation Software: Presentation software is used to create slides for making
presentations to communicate ideas, messages, and other information to a group.
Example: Microsoft PowerPoint
 Database Management Software: A database is a collection of related data or records
on any subject such as records of the books in a library, and information about the
students of the college. Data in a database can be accessed very easily. Database
management software is used to create, access, and manage databases. Examples:
Microsoft Access, Oracle, and MySQL
  Software Suite: A software suite is a collection of individual-related applications
available as a single package. It is also called an application suite or productivity
suite. Example: Microsoft Office

Q.9 Write a note on graphic and media software.

Graphics and Media Software: Graphics software is used to create, manipulate, and print
graphics. Graphics can be any drawing, sketch, picture, or photograph. Mostly engineers,
architects, desktop publishers, and graphics artists use graphics and media software.
Types are:
 Computer-Aided Design (CAD): CAD software is a type of 3-D graphics application. It
is mostly used by engineers, architects, and scientists for creating engineering,
architectural, scientific designs and models. Engineers use CAD software to create
designs of vehicles, electronic devices, roadways, bridges, and designs of security
systems, etc. Similarly, architects use CAD software to design the structures of
buildings. Scientists use them to create designs of molecular structures. Examples
AutoCAD and Chief Architect
 Desktop Publishing Software: Desktop Publishing (DTP) software is used to design
high-quality commercial documents that contain text and graphics and different
combinations of colors. DTP software is ideal for designing or producing high-quality
textbooks, brochures, newsletters, marketing literature, advertisements, postcards,
greeting cards, letterheads, business cards, banners, calendars, logos, product
catalogs, and annual reports. Examples are Adobe InDesign, Adobe PageMaker,
Microsoft Publisher, and QuarkXPress
 Paint Software: Paint software is used to create and modify graphics. Paint software is
also called Illustration software. This software allows users to draw pictures, shapes,
and many other graphical images. Examples are MS Paint.
 Image Editing Software: Image editing software also provides the same
capabilities as Paint software but it has additional capabilities that are used for
editing or modifying the existing images. Examples are Coral Draw and Macromedia
Free-hand
 Photo Editing Software: Photo editing software is a type of image editing software. It
is used to edit and customize digital photos. This software provides features to improve
the quality of photos by modifying contrast & brightness and adding special effects such
as shadows and glows. Examples Adobe Photoshop and Microsoft Office Picture
Manager.
 Video & Audio Editing Software: Video consists of full-motion images played at
various speeds. Video Editing software is used to modify a section or part of a video,
called a clip. For example, it can be used to change (reduce) the length of a video clip,
reorder a series of clips, or add special effects to clips such as words that move
horizontally across the screen. Examples are Adobe Premiere PRO.
 Web Page Authoring Software: Web page authoring software is used to create web
pages that include graphical images, videos, audios, animations, and other special
effects. This software
 also allows users to organize, manage, and maintain their websites. Examples are
WordPress, Dreamweaver, and Microsoft FrontPage.

Q.10 Write a note on software for communication.

Software for communication is used by the people for exchanging information electronically
among each other. Computer files can also be transferred from one computer to another
through communication software. Many communication applications/software are available
 Email Software: Email stands for electronic mail. Email software is used to exchange
messages and files through a computer network (such as the Internet). Examples are
Microsoft Outlook
 Browsing Software: Browsing software is used to access and view web pages on the
Internet. Browsing software is called the web browser or simply browser. Examples are
Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Internet Explorer
 Chat Software: A chat is a real-time online typed conversation with one or more online
users. Chat client software is used to chat with others who are online at the same time.
Chat client programs are built-in in some operating systems, websites, and most
browsers. These programs are also available for free on the web. Examples are ICQ.
 Video Conferencing Software: Video conferencing software is used for conducting
live conferences between two or more participants at different sites through a
computer network. Examples are Zoom, CU-SeeMe, GoToMeeting, iMeet, and
WebRTC

Q.11 Differentiate b/w System Software & Application Software.

System Software Application Software

It is general purpose software It is specific purpose software.

It is used to manage computer resources It is used to solve a particular problem.

It executes all the time in computer It executes as and when required.

The number of system software is less The number of application software is

than application software. much more than system software.

System software is essential for a Application software is not essential

computer to work. for a computer to work.

System software interact with Application software interact with

hardware directly. hardware indirectly via system software.