OVERVIEW

OF
SOFTWARE
WHAT IS A SOFTWARE?

Computer software, or just software, is the collection of

computer programs and related data that provide the instructions
telling a computer what to do.
Program software performs the function of the program
it implements, either by directly providing instructions to the
computer hardware or by serving as input to another piece of
software.

Source: wikipedia.org
Software is often divided into two categories:
• Systems Software: Includes the operating system and all the
utilities program that enable the computer to function.

• Applications Software: Includes programs that do real work

for users. For example, word processors, spreadsheets, and
database management systems fall under the category of
applications software.
SYSTEM SOFTWARE
Control the basic operation of the computer
system. Controlling the operations of computer
hardware is one of the most critical functions of
system software. The system software also supports
the application program’s problem solving
capabilities.
The most basic types of system software are:
• The computer BIOS and device firmware, which provide basic
functionality to operate and control the hardware.

• The operating system (ex Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X and Linux),

which allows the parts of a computer to work together by
performing tasks like transferring data between memory and
disks or rendering output onto a display device. It also provides a
platform to run high-level system software and application
software.

• Utility software, which helps to analyze, configure, optimize and

maintain the computer. Ex Compression ,Encryption ,Defragmenter
Operating Systems
An operating system (OS) is a set of
computer programs that control the computer
hardware and act an interface with application
programs. It can control one computer or
multiple computer or they can allow multiple
users to interact with one computer.
Various combinations of OS’s and users include the
following:

• Single computer with single user. This system is commonly used in a

personal computer or a handheld computer that allows one or more
user at a time.

• Single computer with multiple users. This system is typical of larger,

mainframe computers that can accommodate hundreds or thousands of
people, all using the computer at the same time.

• Multiple computer. This system is typical of a network of computer,

such as a home network with several computer attached or a large
computer network with hundreds of computer attached around the
world.

• Special-purpose computers. This system is typical of a number of

special-purpose, such as those that control sophisticated military
aircraft, the space shuttle and some home appliances.
OS functions:

•Performing common computer hardware functions

•Providing user interface

•Providing a degree of hardware independence

•Managing system memory

•Managing processing task

•Providing networking capability

•Controlling access to system resources

•Managing files
OS Components:

 SHELL
- it a portion of an OS that relates to the user and to Application
- It works as the command line interface
- an interface between users and operating system.

 KERNEL
- the core of the Operating System
- Control the computer hardware and perform the basic or
low level services being offered by the OS
- responsible for memory management, process and task
management, and disk management.
Operation of Shell & Kernel
Operation of Operating System
3

CPU
2

MAIN
MEMORY
4
1
CACHE
MEMORY

HARD DISK
Microsoft Operating system - From a small company called Microsoft
developed PC-DOS and MS-DOS to support the IBM personal computer
introduced in the 1980 “Bill Gates”

• MS-DOS
• Windows 1
• Windows 2.0
• Windows 3.0
• Windows 3.11
• Windows NT 3.1
• Windows 95
• Windows NT 4.0
• Windows 98
• Windows ME
• Windows 2000
• Windows XP
• Windows Vista
• Windows 7
• Windows 8
• Windows 10
• Windows 11
 APPLE Computer Operating Systems – Developed by STEVE JOBS
APPLE computer traditionally used non-Intel microprocessor designed by
Apple, IBM and Motorola.
They are popular especially in the fields of publishing, education, graphics
arts, graphics editing, music editing, movie editing and multi media related
applications.

Mac OS X Server macOS

Mac OS X Developer Preview 10.12 "Sierra"
Mac OS X Public Beta "Kodiak macOS
" (2000) 10.13 "High Sierra"
Mac OS X 10.0 "Cheetah" macOS
Mac OS X 10.1 "Puma" 10.14 "Mojave"
Mac OS X 10.2 "Jaguar" macOS
Mac OS X 10.3 "Panther" 10.15 "Catalina"
Mac OS X 10.4 "Tiger" macOS 11 "Big Sur"
Mac OS X 10.5 "Leopard" macOS
Mac OS X 10.6 "Snow Leopard 12 "Monterey"
"
Mac OS X 10.7 "Lion"
Mac OS X 10.8 "Mountain Lio
n"
OS X 10.9 "Mavericks"
OS X 10.10 "Yosemite"
OS X 10.11 "El Capitan"
LISA OS 1 (January 1983)
MAC OS 1 System 1.0 (January 1984)
MAC OS 5 System Software 5 (October 1987)
MAC OS 6 System Software 6 (September 1988)
MAC OS 7 System 7 (May 1991)
MAC OS 8 (July 1997)
MAC OS 9 (October 1999)
OSX 10.0 Cheetah OSX 10.1 PUMA OSX 10.2 JAGUAR OSX 10.3 PANTHER

OSX 10.4 TIGER OSX 10.5 LEOPARD OSX 10.6 SNOW LEOPARD
MAC OS X 10.0 “CHEETAH”
MAC OS X 10.1 “PUMA”
MAC OS X 10.2 “JAGUAR”
MAC OS X 10.3 “PANTHER”
MAC OS X 10.4 “TIGER”
MAC OS X 10.5 “LEOPARD”
MAC OS X 10.6 “SNOW LEOPARD”
LINUX – OS developed by Linus Torvalds in 1991 as a student in Finland.
OS is under the GNU General Public License and its source code is
freely available to everyone.

Linux is actually only the kernel of an OS the part that controls

hardware manage files, separates processes and so forth.
Workgroup operating systems - rapid increase in communication
and data processing capabilities pushes the boundaries of computer
science and physics therefore the development of sophisticates OS
are needed to run the servers that meet these business needs for
workgroup.

• Windows Server
• UNIX
• NETWARE
• REDHAT LINUX
• MAC OS X SERVER
Windows Server – Microsoft designed windows server to perform a
host task that are vital for the Web sites and corporate web application.
Microsoft windows advance server was the first 64bit version of the
windows server family.

Windows NT -4 Server
Windows 2000 Server
Windows 2003 Server
Windows 2008 Server
Windows 2012 Server
Windows 2016 Server
Windows 2019 Server
Windows 2022 Server
Microsoft Windows Server System
UNIX – is a powerful NOS originally developed by AT&T for
minicomputer. UNIX is designed for multiple platform from personal
computer to mainframe systems. Variants of Unix include

• HP/UX Hewlett Packard

• AIX from IBM
• Unix system from Unix system labs
• Solaris from Sun Microsystems
• SCO from Santa Cruz operation
• LINUX
• MAC OSX Server
NETWARE – is a network OS sold by NOVELL that can support
on Windows, Macintosh and UNIX platform, it provides
directory software to track computer programs and people on a
network helping large company to manage complex networks.
REDHAT LINUX -Offers Linux network OS that taps into the talents of tens and
thousands of volunteer programmer who generate s steady stream of improvements
for the LINUX OS.

The film Lord of the Rings use Linux servers to deliver many of the special effect
shown in the finished film, aside Linux environment typically have fewer virus and
security problem that other OS.

Sample: SUSE, REDHAT, CALDERA

are proven stable and efficient
MAC OS X SERVER – is the first modern server OS from the Apple
computer. It provides UNIX style process management. Protected memory
puts each service in its own guarded chunk of dynamically allocated memory
preventing a single process from going awry and bringing down the system or
the other services.
APPLICATION
SOFTWARE
Primary function of application software is to
apply the power of a computer to give individuals
workgroup and the entire enterprise the ability to solve
problems and perform specific tasks.
Types and Function of Application Software

Proprietary software – in house development where a

company developed one of a kind program for a specific
application.

Off-the-Shelf software – ready to serve program run upon

purchase application software, can be also modified but
limited on some of off-the-shelf giving blend to a
customized approach
Software Suites and Integrated Software Packages

A software is a collection of single application programs

packaged in a bundle. Software suites an include word
processor, spreadsheets, database management system, graphics
program, communication tools, organizer and more.
Office leading Developer Software Suites
Personal Microsoft Lotus Corel Sun
Productivit Office Smart Suite WordPerfec Microsyste
y Function Millennium t Office ms
Edition Open Office
Word MS Word WordPro WordPerfect Writer
Processing
Spreadshee MS Excel Lotus 1-2-3 Quattro pro Calc
ts
Presentatio MS Freelance Presentation Impress
n Graphics Powerpoint Graphics s
Database MS Access Lotus Paradox Base
Approach
Workgroup Application Software

Workgroup application software is designed to support

teamwork whether people are in the same location or
dispersed around the world. This support can be accomplished
with software known as groupware that help group of people
work together effectively.
Ex Microsoft Exchange, IBM Lotus Notes
Enterprise Application Software

Software that benefits an entire organization can also be developed

or purchased. Some software vendors, such as SAP, specialize in developing
software for enterprise, a fast food chain might develop a material ordering
and distribution program to make sure that each of its franchises gets the
necessary raw material and supplies during the week.

Developers
Major organizations in the enterprise software field include
IBM, BMC Software, HP, Redwood Software,UC4 Software, JBoss (Red Hat), SAP,
Microsoft, Adobe Systems, Oracle Corporation, Computer Associates, and ASG
Software Solutions