Chapter 2
Software: Examples and types
Collected & Edited by:
Dr: Rabie F. EID
What is the Software?
Software is a set of instructions, data or programs used to operate
computers and execute specific tasks. It is the opposite of hardware,
which describes the physical aspects of a computer.
or
Software is a generic term used to refer to applications, scripts and
programs that run on a device. It can be thought of as the variable part
of a computer, while hardware is the invariable(fixed) part.
How does software work?
All software provides the directions and data computers need to work
and meet users' needs. However, the two different types -- application
software and system software -- work in distinctly different ways.
Software licensing and patents
A software license is a legally binding document that restricts the use
and distribution of software. And provide users with the right to one or
more copies of the software without violating copyright. The license
outlines the responsibilities of the parties that enter into the agreement
and may place restrictions on how the software can be used
Software Categories
The two main categories of software are:
(1) system software is designed to run a computer's
hardware and provides a platform for applications to run
on top of.
(2) application software:is a set of programs, that allows
the computer to perform a specific data processing for the
user. Or An application is software that fulfills a specific
need or performs tasks.
Other types of software include programming software,
which provides the programming tools software
developers need; middleware, which sits between system
software and applications; and driver software, which
operates computer devices and peripherals.
Examples and types of software
Among the various categories of software, the most common 5 types include
the following
1. System software: These software programs are designed to run a computer's
application programs and hardware. System software coordinates the activities and
functions of the hardware and software. In addition, it controls the operations of the
computer hardware and provides an environment or platform for all the other types of
software to work in. The OS is the best example of system software; it manages all
the other computer programs. Other examples of system software include
the firmware, computer language translators and system utilities.
2. Application software: The most common type of software, application
software is a computer software package that performs a specific function for a user,
or in some cases, for another application. An application can be self-contained, or it
can be a group of programs that run the application for the user. Examples of modern
applications include office suites, graphics software, databases and database
management programs, web browsers, word processors, software development
tools, image editors and communication platforms.
[Link] software. Also known as device drivers, this software is often
considered a type of system software. Device drivers control the devices and
peripherals connected to a computer, enabling them to perform their specific
tasks. Every device that is connected to a computer needs at least one device
driver to function. Examples include software that comes with any nonstandard
hardware, including special game controllers, as well as the software that enables
standard hardware, such as USB storage devices, keyboards, headphones and
printers.
4. Middleware. The term middleware describes software that mediates between
application and system software or between two different kinds of application
software. For example, middleware enables Microsoft Windows to talk to Excel
and Word. It is also used to send a remote work request from an application in a
computer that has one kind of OS, to an application in a computer with a different
OS. It also enables newer applications to work with legacy ones.
5. Programming software. Computer programmers use programming software
to write code. Programming software and programming tools enable developers
to develop, write, test and debug (correcte )other software programs. Examples
of programming software include assemblers, compilers, debuggers and
interpreters. So, a Program is a set of instruction written to carry out a particular
task.
History of software
The term software was not used until the late 1950s. During this time, although
different types of programming software were being created, they were typically not
commercially available. Consequently, users -- mostly scientists and large
enterprises -- often had to write their own software. Alan Turing - the father of computer
science and artificial intelligence as well as his life full of tragedies. The following is a brief timeline
of the history of software:
Year Action
June 21, 1948. Tom Kilburn, a computer scientist, writes the world's first piece of software for the
Manchester Baby computer at the University of Manchester in England.
Early 1950s. General Motors creates the first OS, for the IBM 701 Electronic Data Processing
Machine. It is called General Motors Operating System, or GM OS.
1958. Statistician John Tukey coins the word software in an article about computer
programming.
Late 1960s. Floppy disks are introduced and are used in the 1980s and 1990s to distribute
software.
Nov. 3, 1971. AT&T releases the first edition of the Unix OS.
1977. Apple releases the Apple II and consumer software takes off.
1979. VisiCorp releases VisiCalc for the Apple II, the first spreadsheet software for personal
computers.
Continue History of software
Year Action
1981. Microsoft releases MS-DOS, the OS on which many of the early IBM computers ran. IBM
begins selling software, and commercial software becomes available to the average
consumer.
1980s. Hard drives become standard on PCs, and manufacturers start bundling software in
computers.
1983. The free software movement is launched with Richard Stallman's GNU (GNU is not Unix)
Linux project to create a Unix-like OS with source code that can be freely copied, modified
and distributed.
1984. Mac OS is released to run Apple's Macintosh line
Mid-1980s. Key software applications, including AutoDesk AutoCAD, Microsoft Word and Microsoft
Excel, are released.
1985 Microsoft Windows 1.0 is released.
1989. CD-ROMs become standard and hold much more data than floppy disks. Large
1991. The Linux kernel, the basis for the open source Linux OS, is released.
Continue History of software
Year Action
1997. DVDs are introduced and able to hold more data than CDs, making it possible to put
bundles of programs, such as the Microsoft Office Suite, onto one disk.
1999. [Link] uses cloud computing to pioneer software delivery over the internet.
2000. The term software as a service (SaaS) comes into vogue.
2007. IPhone is launched and mobile applications begin to take hold.
2010 DVDs are becoming obsolete as users buy and download software from the internet and
the cloud. Vendors move to subscription-based models and SaaS has become common.
2014 Windows 10 was first released as a preview on October 1, 2014, and the final version was
released to the public on July 29, 2015.
2021, October. Microsoft officially released Windows 11 on as an opt-in, in-place upgrade through either
the Windows 11 Installation Assistant application (which can perform the upgrade, or
generate an ISO image or USB install media), or via Windows Update in a phased rollout;
Microsoft anticipated ...
How to maintain software quality
Software quality measures if the software meets both its
functional and nonfunctional requirements:
• Functional requirements identify what the software should do.
They include technical details, data manipulation and
processing, calculations or any other specific function that
specifies what an application aims to accomplish.
• Nonfunctional requirements -- also known as quality attributes --
determine how the system should work. Nonfunctional
requirements include portability, disaster recovery, security,
privacy and usability.
• Software testing detects and solves technical issues in the
software source code and assesses the overall usability,
performance, security and compatibility of the product to ensure
it meets its requirements.
When it comes to performing maintenance, there are four types of
changes developers can make, including:
To maintain software quality once it is deployed, developers must constantly adapt it to meet
new customer requirements and handle problems customers identify. This includes
improving functionality, fixing bugs and adjusting software code to prevent issues. How long
a product lasts on the market depends on developers' ability to keep up with these
maintenance requirements.
[Link]. Users often identify and report bugs that developers
must fix, including coding errors and other problems that keep the
software from meeting its requirements.
[Link]. Developers must regularly make changes to their
software to ensure it is compatible with changing hardware and
software environments, such as when a new version of the OS
comes out.
[Link]. These are changes that improve system functionality,
such as improving the user interface or adjusting software code to
enhance performance.
[Link]. These changes are done to keep software from failing
and include tasks such as restructuring and optimizing code.
The dimensions of software quality include the following characteristics:
NO characteristic Describe
1 Accessibility The degree to which a diverse group of people, including individuals who require
adaptive technologies such as voice recognition and screen magnifiers, can
comfortably use the software.
2 Compatibility The suitability of the software for use in a variety of environments, such as with
different OSes, devices and browsers.
3 Efficiency The ability of the software to perform well without wasting energy, resources,
effort, time or money.
4 Functionality Software's ability to carry out its specified functions.
5 Installability The ability of the software to be installed in a specified environment.
6 Localization. he various languages, time zones and other such features a software can function
in.
7 Maintainability How easily the software can be modified to add and improve features, fix bugs,
etc.
Continue; The dimensions of software quality include
the following characteristics:
NO characteristic Describe
8 Performance How fast the software performs under a specific load
9 Portability he ability of the software to be easily transferred from one location to another
10 Reliability The software's ability to perform a required function under specific conditions
for a defined period of time without any errors
11 Scalability The measure of the software's ability to increase or decrease performance in
response to changes in its processing demands
12 Security The software's ability to protect against unauthorized access, invasion of
privacy, theft, data loss, malicious software, etc.
13 Testability How easy it is to test the software.
14 Usability How easy it is to use the software.
Popular operating system
There are several Operating Systems developed by various Companies and Individuals.
They are being used widely for Micro and Mainframe computers. Some of the popular
Operating Systems in the world are as follows:
(1) Microsoft windows
Microsoft’s Windows is by far the most popular operating system for PCs. Most of the
desktop applications are developed to run under windows as compared to any other OS.
Windows comes in different versions and was initially designed to run with Intel or
Intel-compatible processors. Windows 10 is the latest release from Microsoft, which
has a modern user interface and supports the tablet computing as well.
(2) Apple mac intosh (mac)
Apple Macintosh, commonly known as MAC OS, is actually the first Operating
System to provide the GUI. It is designed to run with Apple computers. It is not as
widely used as the Windows OS; thus fewer applications have been developed to run
on MAC OS. It is a powerful, easy-touse operating system that is popular with
professional graphic designers, desktop publishers, and many home users.
(3) LINUX
Another famous name in the operating systems category is Linux. The specialty
of Linux is that it’s an Open-Source OS, which means it is freely distributable. It
can be customized and used with different types of computers, tablets or
smartphones.
(4) ANDROID
Android is one of the Linux based operating systems developed by Google and the
Open Handset Alliance (OHA), a coalition of more than 30 hardware, software
and telecom companies. It is designed primarily for mobile and touch screen
devices such as Smartphones and Tablets. Android’s User Interface is mainly
based on touch gestures that correspond to real world actions, such as swiping,
tapping and pinching along with a Virtual keyboard for text input.
Android is now the most popular mobile OS providing lots of exciting features.
Its open nature has encouraged a large community of developers to develop
android based applications (or apps). Thus, Google Play Store has over a billion of
android apps.
Get started with windows 10 operating system
We have got a basic understanding of an operating system and information
about the different operating systems available in the market.
Microsoft's Windows 10 operating system is preceded by Windows 8 and succeeded
by Windows 11, currently the most recent version of Windows available.
It introduces an updated Start Menu, new login methods, a better taskbar, a notification center,
support for virtual desktops, the Edge browser, and a host of other usability updates. Cortana,
Microsoft's mobile personal assistant, is part of Windows 10, even on desktop computers.
Windows 10 Editions
you can no longer purchase Windows 10 directly from Microsoft, but it is still available through retailers
like Amazon. Two versions are available: Windows 10 Pro and Windows 10 Home.
Windows 10 Features
• Rather than continuing with the Windows 8-style "tiles" menu, which
wasn't well-received, Microsoft has reverted to a Windows 7-style menu
in Windows 10. It does include tiles, but they're smaller and more
contained.
• Another new feature is the ability to pin an app to all your virtual
desktops. This technique is useful for apps you know you want easy access
to in each one.
• Windows 10 also makes it simple to quickly see your calendar tasks by just
clicking or tapping on the time and date on the taskbar. It's directly
integrated with the main Calendar app in Windows 10.
• There's also a central notification center, similar to those common on
mobile devices and other operating systems like macOS and Ubuntu
Windows 10 System Requirements
The minimum hardware required to run Windows 10 is similar to
what was required for other recent versions of Windows:
• CPU: 1 GHz with NX, PAE, and SSE2 support
(CMPXCHG16b, PrefetchW, and LAHF/SAHF support for
64-bit versions)
• RAM: 1 GB (2 GB for 64-bit versions)
• Hard Drive: 16 GB free space (20 GB free for 64-bit
versions)
• Graphics: A GPU that supports at least DirectX 9 with a
WDDM driver
Microsoft's Windows 11 operating system
• Windows 11 is a major version of the Microsoft Windows operating system. It was
released on October 5, 2021, and follows Windows 10, the previous version of Windows,
released in 2015.
• The Windows 11 user interface is similar to Windows 10 but includes several minor
changes. For example, the task bar, left-aligned since Windows 95, is centered by
default. Windows have slightly rounded corners (like macOS and a subtle blurred
translucent effect. "Snap Layouts" make it easy to organize multiple windows in a preset
grid.
• Widgets in Windows 11 provide a quick way to view frequently-accessed information,
such as weather, calendar events, and to-do lists. Chat from Microsoft Teams is
integrated into the OS, making it easy to connect with other users. The Microsoft Store
provides a simple way to find and download applications.
• Windows 11 is a desktop operating system, meaning it is designed to run
on desktop and laptop computers. While it is not a mobile OS, Windows 11
supports touchscreen input, available on many Windows machines. It also supports
several "touch gestures" for scrolling, zooming, and hiding and showing windows.
Windows 11 Editions
Windows 11 is available in two main editions;
(1) The Home edition, which is intended for consumer users.
Which restricted by default to verified software obtained from
Microsoft Store ("S Mode"). Windows 11 Home requires an internet
connection and a Microsoft account in order to complete first-time
setup.
(2) The Pro edition, which contains additional networking and
security features (such as BitLocker), as well as the ability to join
a domain. In February 2022, it was announced that this restriction
(an internet connection and a Microsoft account in order to complete
first-time setup) will also apply to Windows 11 Pro in the future.
Windows 11 Features
Windows 11 System Requirements
[Link]: 1 GHz or faster 64-bit processor (such as an Intel or AMD x86 CPU)
[Link]: Graphics card or integrated processor compatible with DirectX 12 or
later
[Link]: 4 GB or more
[Link]: 64 GB storage device or larger
[Link] hardware: Trusted Platform Module (TPM) chip, Secure Boot
capable firmware
[Link] requirements: Internet connectivity, Microsoft account to
complete device setup on first use. Windows 11 Pro requires an internet
connection and a Microsoft account when set up for personal use.
Introduction to windows 11
Main functions of operating system( OS) windows 11:
Operating System is like a backbone of a computer system. It controls and manages the entire
operations of a computer. It performs a variety of tasks to manage and facilitate its operations. Some of
the common functions of an Operating System are as follows:
• Manage Resources: (OS) coordinates all the resource (or devices) of a computer system such as;
Memory, Processor, Storage devices, Monitors, Printers, etc. It also monitors system performance,
scheduled jobs, provides security and starts up the computer .
• Provide User Interface: Almost all newer operating systems use a Graphical User Interface
(GUI), which involves the use of a pointing device to point and select from the on-screen graphical
elements such as icons, buttons, menus, dialog boxes, windows, etc. GUI makes it easier to work on
a computer, even for a novice user.
• Run Applications: The Operating System loads and runs applications (or apps), such as Microsoft
Edge or MS Word. Most Operating systems support multitasking, which allows to run multiple apps
simultaneously and switching between them.
Exploring the windows 11 pc screen
The following parts will take you through the
Windows 11 Operating System.
Signing into windows 11 : To interact with Windows
11, you need to first pass through a security gate – the
Sign-In screen or Welcome Screen. You need to have
a user account, which can be a local account that
exists only on your computer or an online Microsoft
account.
1. When you start your computer, the Lock screen will be showing. This
is linked to the sign-in screen.
2. Click on the Lock screen or press any key to move to the sign-in
screen. Enter your sign-in details and press Enter on your keyboard.
[Link] the sign-in screen, click on this button to select Accessibility
options.
[Link] the sign-in screen, click on this button to select Power off options
including Shut down, Sleep and Restart.
[Link] there are other users with an account on the same computer, their
names will be displayed here.
[Link] on another user to access their own sign-in screen
Using a PIN to sign in
Using a PIN to sign in to your Windows 11 computer can be a more
convenient option than remembering a long password each time (although
a password still has to be used when an account is created). To use a PIN to
sign in:
1. Access the Sign-in options section of the Settings app, as shown on page
19, and click on the PIN (Windows Hello) option.
2. Click on the Change PIN button to change an existing PIN (or Add to
create a new one)
[Link] the new PIN and enter it again to confirm it.
Click on the OK button to finish setting up the PIN
Cotinue: Exploring the windows 11 pc screen
Once you Sign In, you land on the Windows 11 PC Screen. It is the place where you interact with
Windows 11. It hosts the tools you use most often while working with your PC. Basically, the Windows
11 PC Screen has:
2
1
3
(2) The Desktop: The major part of the Windows 11 interface screen is the Desktop.
As the name suggests, it is like your home or work desk, where you organize your
stuff. Similarly, on Windows 11 Desktop, you can organize your files, folders or apps
in the form of Icons. You can personalize your Windows 11 desktop to suite your
preferences, as you personalize your home or work desk. Thus, you can auto arrange
Icons on the Desktop, change the Desktop Wallpaper, etc.
(2) Icons: The Desktop has several Icons. An Icon is a small graphical picture that is
linked to a file, a folder, or an application. Double clicking an Icon opens the object it
is linked with. If you want to place an Icon on your Desktop, you can drag it from its
location to the Desktop. By default, the Windows 11 desktop has a Recycle bin icon.
The Recycle Bin is like a system folder on your computer. When you delete a file or
folder on your PC, it is usually shifted to the Recycle bin. You can double click on the
Recycle bin icon to open and manage its contents. The items you see in the Recycle
bin cannot be directly opened or used, but they can be Restored to their original
locations.
(3) The Taskbar: At the bottom of the Desktop, a wide horizontal bar, which has a
Windows Start button to the left and time and date to the right is the Taskbar. The
name Taskbar explains itself; it is the place where you keep track of all your running
tasks.
Exploring the taskbar
• When you start a task in Windows 11, its icon appears on the Taskbar with an underline. For easy access, you can
permanently pin an Icon to the Taskbar by right clicking on it. The icons without underline on the taskbar are the ones
pinned but are not currently running. Moving mouse pointer over an underlined Taskbar Icon shows a Snap of the current
contents of the task window.
A B C D E F G H I J K L MN O P
The contents of the Taskbar from the left are:
Letter order Describe
A Weather icon: The ICON (Icosahedral Nonhydrostatic) is a suit of models created by the German
national weather service or DWD (Deutscher Wetterdienst). There are three ICON models: ICON7
for Europe, ICON-D2 for Central Europe, and ICON13 for the world.
B Start Button: It allows you to open the Start Menu.
C Search icon: People usually recognize that a magnifying-glass icon indicates a search tool
D Task View button: It opens the Task View display, which shows all the running tasks/ apps in small
windows. It allows you to easily switch amongst the running tasks/apps. You can close an app
directly in the task view as well
E Chat icon by Microsoft team
Letter order • Letter order
Describe
• Describe
F Microsoft store: is an online marketplace for consumers to buy and download a variety of items.
G Microsoft Edge: Microsoft Edge is the default browser for all Windows 10 devices
H Active folder
I Active user App
J Hide icons
K Touch keyboard
L Active Language icon: It shows the currently active language. Clicking on it allows you to switch
between available languages or to configure Language preferences.
M Network icon: It indicates the status of your network connection. Clicking it shows more information
about your network connection and the Network settings option.
N Sound icon: It allows you to change sound level of your PC. You can click right on it to access different
Sound settings.
O Battery icon status
P Time & Date display: It shows the current Time and Date. Clicking on it displays the Calendar pane. To
Adjust date/time of your computer, you can click right on the Time & Date icon. This will open the Date
and Time settings.
The basic start menu
• The basic Start Menu has the classic features so that you can have easy access to the basic operations such as
opening the computer settings, lock, sign out, or shut down the computer. By default, the basic Start
• Menu has:
B
• A- User Account Icon
E
• B- File Explorer Icon
• C- Settings Icon
• D- Power Button C
• E- All apps
A D
Power Button
As the name suggests, the Power Button allows you to Shut Down, Restart or put your computer to Sleep State.
Clicking the Power Button gives you the following options:
A- Sleep: This allows you to put your computer to Sleep Mode. Sleep Mode keeps your work, files, apps active
in its state, turns off the monitor and puts the computer in a Power Saving State. When you wake the computer
up, the monitor turns on and Lock Screen appears. By signing in you can resume your work from the same
state.
B- Shut Down: This closes all open apps, files, processes, signs out all the users in an orderly manner and then
turns off the computer.
C- Restart: This shuts down the computer and starts it again. Restarting is sometimes necessary after installing
Windows updates.
Settings Icon
The Settings Icon allows you to open the Windows Settings App. Windows 10 has a new approach to configure
various settings of your computer. Windows Settings App provides an easy way to set your computer according
to your preferences. It has Settings Categories such as Personalization, Accounts, etc.
All Apps
The apps list
• The All-Apps List provides access to all the apps available on your PC. This include the apps installed as part
of Windows 11 and the apps you have installed. ordered from A to Z
keyboard shortcuts in Windows 11 and apps
keys Function
Esc Stop or leave an ongoing task (use varies by app).
Ctrl + Esc Open the Start menu.
F2 Rename the selected file or folder.
F4 Display the address bar list in File Explorer.
Ctrl + A Select all text or items in a document, page, or window.
Ctrl + C Ctrl + Insert = Copy the selected item or text.
Ctrl + D Delete the selected text or item(s).
Ctrl + F Open search (in some apps).
Ctrl + M Enter Mark mode (allows you to select text with mouse).
Ctrl + N Open a new window with the same the current window.
Ctrl + p Open printer windows setting.
Ctrl + V Shift + Insert Paste copied or cut content from the clipboard.
Ctrl + X Cut selected or highlighted item.
Ctrl + Y Redo an undone action.
Ctrl + Z Undo your last action.(Undo previous action.)
Ctrl + F4 lose the open document or tab in apps that allow you to open multiple documents or tabs at once, such as web
browsers.
Continue: keyboard shortcuts in Windows 11 and apps
keys Function
Windows key + A Open the Quick Settings panel. This lets you turn Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, airplane mode, and more features on or
off. You can also adjust the brightness of your screen and computer volume in this panel
Windows key + C Open Chat with Microsoft Teams. This new feature in Windows 11 gives you a quick panel to see your recent
messages and contacts in Microsoft Teams, plus you can start meetings and calls directly.
Windows key + D Show or hide the desktop. Showing the desktop means all your apps are no longer visible, and hiding it
= Windows key + , restores all your apps in their correct place
Windows key + E Open File Explorer.
Windows key + F Open the Feedback Hub and immediately take a screenshot. This lets you more easily send feedback to
Microsoft about a problem you may have encountered
Windows key + G Open the Xbox Game Bar. This lets you record videos, take screenshots, and access various features while
playing a game
Windows key + H Launch voice typing. This allows you to dictate text rather than write it by hand.
Windows key + I Open the Settings app.
Windows key + K Open the Cast panel. This lets you connect to wireless displays that support Miracast.
Windows key + L Lock your PC. This keeps all your apps open, but requires you to unlock your PC before using them again.
Windows key + M Minimize all your windows.
Windows key + N Show the notification center and calendar. This is a new keyboard shortcut in Windows 11.
Continue: keyboard shortcuts in Windows 11 and apps
keys Function
Windows key + O Lock screen orientation.
Windows key + P Open presentation or projection sidebar.
Windows key + R Open the Run window.
Windows key + U Open Ease of Access center
Windows key + W pen the Windows Ink Workspace for scribbling on tablets or touchscreen laptops.
Windows key + X Open the secret Start menu.
Windows key + Esc Close the Magnifier (Exit magnifier).
Windows key + - (minus) Zoom out with the Magnifier.
Windows key + + (plus) Turn on the Magnifier and zoom into the screen
Windows key + Shift + M Restore your minimized windows. This only works if you're still on the desktop.
Windows key + Alt + K Mute your microphone in apps that support Call Mute (includes Teams for work and school,
Unigram, and others).
Windows key + Alt + R Start recording a video of your app or game using the Xbox Game Bar.
Windows key + Alt + B Turn HDR on or off. This requires an HDR-compatible monitor and a recent version of the Xbox
Game Bar app
Shift + Alt Change written language from Arabic to English
Continue: keyboard shortcuts in Windows 11 and apps
keys Function
Shift + Delete Delete selected item permanently (skip the Recycle Bin).
PrtScn take a screenshot of your entire screen and save it to your clipboard
Windows key + PrtScn take a screenshot of your entire desktop and save it to a folder on your computer
Windows key + Shift + S Open Snipping Tool menu to take a screenshot of only a section of your screen
Alt + Tab Switch between open apps or windows.
Alt + F4 Close the current app or window.
Windows key + Ctrl + F4 Close current virtual desktop.
Windows key + Ctrl + F Search for PCs on a network.
Alt + F8 Show login password on the start screen
Shift + Up or Down Move cursor up or down one line and select text.
Ctrl + Shift + Up or Down Move cursor up or down select text.
Shift + Left or Right Move cursor left or right one character and select text.
Ctrl + Shift + Left or Right Move cursor left or right one word and select text.
Shift + Home or End Move cursor to beginning or end of current line and select text.
Ctrl + Shift + Home/End Move cursor to beginning or end of screen buffer and select text and beginning or end of
Command Prompt's output.