INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

TOPIC: COMPUTER SOFTWARE

- SYSTEM

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 OBJECTIVES OF THE LESSON
At the end of the lesson, student should be able to:
Distinguish between the two categories of software
Define ‘system software’
Give examples of different types of system software
State the different user interfaces provided by system
software.

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 SYSTEM SOFTWARE

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 SYSTEM SOFTWARE
System software is the name given to the software that controls
hardware and how all other software works.
Examples of system software include operating systems, utility
software and program language translators.
Computers need system software (Operating system) to allow it to boot
up.
Booting : This is the process of starting a computer.
⚫ The first thing a computer does when you turn on the power
button is to check that it is working properly by
following certain instructions held on a ROM chip
known as the BIOS.
⚫ It will then look for an operating system to tell it what to do next.
⚫ The operating system is loaded from disk to the computer's
random-access memory (RAM). 4
 OPERATING SYSTEM
❑ An operating system (OS) is a set of programs that
manages the computer hardware resources and provide
common services for application software.
Operating system examples include:
▪ Windows
⚫ UNIX
⚫ LINUX
⚫ DOS
⚫ MAC OS

Popular mobile operating systems include Apple iOS and

Google Android.
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 OPERATING SYSTEMS

❑ The roles of the operating system are:

▪ Process Management
▪ Memory Management
▪ Input/Output Management
▪ Security Management
▪ File Management
▪ Provides a User Interface

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 ROLES/FUNCTIONS OF THE O.S.
Process management
A program that is running can be considered as a process and a pro
gram can have many sub-programs. Therefore, many
processes would occur in a computer system when a program is
being executed.
This process involves allocating adequate time and resources
of the CPU to each process.
File management
All the files created in secondary storage media, such as the hard
disk, are stored within its various files.

The OS is responsible for creating, deleting, renaming of files and

folders and also making back-up copies of files.

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 ROLES/FUNCTIONS OF THE O.S.(CONTD)

Memory management
Main memory or RAM stores programs and
data that are presently being used by the CPU.
The OS allocates areas of memory to different programs so
that each program can function effectively.

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 ROLES/FUNCTIONS OF THE O.S.(CONTD)

Input/output device management

There are many peripheral devices such as keyboards, mouse and

monitors that can be connected to the system
unit.

The OS makes the communication possible between the peripheral

devices and the system unit.

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 ROLES/FUNCTIONS OF THE O.S.(CONTD)
Provide security
Modern computer systems require the entry of
a password in order to access the system.
The operating system provides the user with
password protection to prevent unauthorized
access.
It also provides back up and recovery routines in
case of system failure.

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 ROLES/FUNCTIONS OF THE O.S.(CONTD)
Provide a friendly user interface
The method by which a user interacts with a
computer system is called its user Interface.

The operating system provides the user with a friendly

interface that will help the user to interact with the
computer system.

For example, if your computer has a

Windows operating system you will see a
desktop from which you can interact with
the computer system.
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 SOME FEATURES OF O.S: MULTITASKING, MULTIPROGRAMMING AND
MULTIPROCESSING

Depending on the type of operating system, it can also

perform the following:

Multitasking: When the operating system allows

the user to perform several tasks at the same time,
switch between them and share information.
For example,
In windows operating system a document can be edited
while another document is being printed

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 SOME FEATURES OF O.S (CONTD)
Multiprogramming and Multiprocessing
Multiprogramming: When users can run two
or more programs at the same time using
a single processor.
Multiprocessing: When users can run two or more
programs using multiple processors.

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 List and explain the types of Operating systems,
giving examples of each.
List and explain the different types of booting as
it relates to computers
Explain CMOS, BIOS and POST.

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 UTILITY PROGRAMS
Utility programs are specialized programs
that assists in maintaining and improving
the efficiency of a computer system.

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 FUNCTIONS OF UTILITY PROGRAMS
Utility Program Utility Function

Backup Creates a spare copy of data and program

files to protect them in case of accidental
loss/deletion/damage or file corruption.
Disk Defragmenter Organized files on the disk drives so that
the computer can access files faster.
Disk error checker Examine files, folders and the platter
surfaces of the specifies hard disk drive and
repairs any faults found.
Disk cleanup Clears a disk of unnecessary files.

Antivirus Checks for and removes viruses infecting

the system and also prevents viral
infections.
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TRANSLATORS OR LANGUAGE PROCESSORS
( TYPE OF SYSTEM SOFTWARE)
Computers understand only binary language.

All other programming instructions have to be

converted into binary language or machine
language.
Translators are systems software that convert
other programming language instructions to
machine language. Three main types of
translators are assemblers, interpreters and
compilers.
 PROCESSING MODES
Types of processing

Processing as we know, involves accepting data

and converting it into output, or information.

The data will be collected and processed in

different ways, depending on what you want
to do. Some data needs to be processed
immediately; some can be processed on weekly
basis or some on monthly basis.

In most organizations, processing is completed

using any of the following methods
 BATCH PROCESSING
Batch processing is when the data collected is
grouped together and processed at a
certain point of time such as weekly or monthly.
Batch processing is often used in utility bill
preparation and salary preparation (payroll).
In billing applications, bills are sent to the users at
the end of the month or week; the daily data of their
usage of the utility is collected and run as a batch.
Similarly, salaries are calculated and paid to
employees at the end of the day, week or month.
Batch processing is also known as offline processing
 ONLINE PROCESSING
Online processing is when the data collected
is processed right away and is updated
immediately.
The user can interact directly with the
computer at any time through devices,
which are under the direct control of the
processor.
Examples, online games and flight reservation
systems.
 ONLINE PROCESSING….
ATM machines allow you to interact directly
with the system and all withdrawal
or deposit is processed almost instantaneously
(as soon as you receive and deposit cash, the
system will update your account balance).
 REAL-TIME PROCESSING
In real-time processing, there is a continual
input, processing and output of data. Data
has to be processed in a small, stipulated
time period (real time), otherwise it will
create problems for the system.

For example, in flight simulation, it is important

that the data reaches the end-user as quickly as
possible so that they know what is happening in
the air and can react accordingly. In online
processing there is still a slight delay for
processing but in real-time processing, the
updating of data will take place in real time.
 TIME-SHARING
Time-sharing is a processing mode where
the computer's time is allocated to multiple
tasks of multiple users.

Each user gets the feeling that their task is being

carried out continuously.

Time-sharing was commonly used in earlier

mainframe computers
1. What is software?
a) list the two main categories of software
b) Explain the purpose of both software in a) above.
2. Name one computer operating system and one
mobile operating system.
3. State the name of the term that matches the following
descriptions:
a) the process of starting a computer
b) a method used to split a program into manageable
blocks.
4. List 5 functions of the Operating systems.
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 USER INTERFACE

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 WHAT IS A USER INTERFACE
A user interface is the combination of hardware and
software that allows users and computers to
communicate with each other effectively.
There are two categories of user interface, they are:
Hardware Interface
Software Interface

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 HARDWARE INTERFACE
A hardware interface is those physical hardware
components (input and output devices) that allow the
user to manipulate the computer. Examples of hardware
interface are touchscreen, sensors, digital camera and
specialized keyboard.

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 EXAMPLES OF HARDWARE INTERFACE

Braille Keyboard( Specialized Keyboard)

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SENSORS

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VIRTUAL ASSISTANT SPEAKER

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 Cortana is a virtual digital assistant.
Name TWO other similar services that have a voice user
interface

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 SOFTWARE INTERFACE
A software interface is the programs that are used to
communicate with the computer via the hardware.
⚫ Software interfaces include online forms for data entry,
dialogue interfaces such as navigational systems in some
vehicles and Amazon’s Alexia on their talking Echo speaker
unit.
There are three(3) main types of software interface:
⚫ Command Line Interface
⚫ Menu-Driven Interface
⚫ Graphical User Interface (GUI)

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 TYPES OF SOFTWARE INTERFACE

Command Line Interface Menu-driven Interface

Graphical User Interface

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 COMMAND LINE INTERFACE
Command-line interfaces require you to type in commands
using a special language. This special language makes
command-line interfaces difficult to use, especially for new
computer users.

Example of command line interface:

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Though the average computer user may never have a
need for a command line, its still an essential tool for a
few technical professionals.
⚫ Name ANY TWO computer professional who use this
interface on a regular basis.

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 MENU-DRIVEN INTERFACE
A menu is a list of options from which you can choose
what you want to do.
Application programs use menus as an easy alternative to
learning program commands.
Menu-driven interfaces were developed to try to make
the interface friendlier and easier to learn.
You can control the computer by choosing commands
and available options from a menu, using the keys on a
keyboard or a mouse.

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EXAMPLE OF MENU-DRIVEN INTERFACE

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Suggest ONE industry that uses menu-driven interfaces
extensively as a part of its point-of-sale systems.

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 GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE
All computers are now supplied with a graphical user
interface (GUI) installed because it is presently regarded
as the type of user interface which is easier to use.
The main features of a GUI include its ease of use for
beginners, and ability to cut and paste or ‘drag and drop’
data and files among applications.
A GUI comprises Windows, Icons, Menus and Pointers
also called WIMP.

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EXAMPLE OF GUI

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