Welcome to Section 5
Computer Software
By: Imran Afzal
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Software and Types of Software
Types of Software
• System software
• Application
• Freeware
• Shareware
• Open-source software
By: Imran Afzal
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System Software
• System software lets you communicate between the other software and the hardware
• Following are a few examples of system software
• Operating systems
• Windows, Linux, MacOS, Chrome, Solaris, AIX etc.
• Firmware
• Firmware is the operational software embedded within ROM chip on motherboard
• It has the set of instructions and sequence that are managed and executed before
operating systems starts
• BIOS is an example of firmware
By: Imran Afzal
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System Software
• Device drivers
• Driver software is a type of system software which brings computer devices and
peripherals to life. Drivers make it possible for all connected components and external
add-ons to perform their intended tasks and as directed by the OS
• Without device drivers the OS will not be able to communicate with the attached
devices
• All device drivers come with the device manufacturers
• Examples include keyboard, mouse, external hard drive, printers, display etc.
• Utility software
• Designed to manage the performance of your hardware and applications installed on your
computer
• Examples of Utility software
• System backup software
• Logger or log monitors
• Disk cleaner
• Security software.
By: Imran Afzal
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Application Software
• Application Software:
• Also known as end-user programs or productivity programs are software that helps the user in
completing tasks such as doing online research, jotting down notes, setting an alarm, designing
graphics, keeping an account log, doing calculations or even playing games
• Examples:
• Word processor
• Database
• Accounting or financial software
• Multimedia software
• Education and Reference Software
• Email applications (e.g. outlook, gmail etc.)
• Graphics Software
• Internet browsers
By: Imran Afzal
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Freeware and Shareware
• Freeware software is available without any cost. Any user can download it from the internet and use it
without paying any fee
• Examples of Freeware
• Skype
• Yahoo messenger
• Windows movie maker
• Google toolbar
• 7-zip.
• Shareware is a software that is freely distributed to users on a trial basis. It usually comes with a time limit
and when the time limit expires, the user is asked to pay for the continued services
• Examples of Shareware
• Adobe
• Turbotax
• Windows server (OS)
• MS SQL server.
By: Imran Afzal
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Open-source Software (Type of Software)
• Open-source software is a type of computer software in which source code is released under a license in
which the copyright holder grants users the rights to use, study, change, and distribute the software to
anyone and for any purpose
• This means that any person can access the code and modify it to create new extensions, patches, or
solutions. Linux, for example, is open source, and new programs can be created from its kernel
• They are similar to freeware
• Examples of open-source software Types of Software
• Linux operating system
• Android by Google
• System software
• MySQL • Application
• PostgreSQL • Freeware
• Open office
• Firefox browser
• Shareware
• VCL media player • Open-source software
By: Imran Afzal
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Accessing BIOS
• BIOS is the firmware of a computer
• When you first power-on a computer, it goes through a very quick POST (power on
self test). If you can hit the correct hotkey before the POST is completed (or hold it
down as you hit the power button), you will get into the BIOS menu
• The main use of BIOS is to act as a middleman between OSes and the hardware they
run on during the initial boot up phase
By: Imran Afzal
[Link]
Accessing BIOS
BIOS Keys by Manufacturer
Here's a list of common BIOS keys by brand. Depending on the age of your
model, the key may be different.
• ASUS: F2 for all PCs, F2 or DEL for Motherboards
• Acer: F2 or DEL
• Dell: F2 or F12
• HP: F10
• Lenovo (Consumer Laptops): F2 or Fn + F2
• Lenovo (Desktops): F1
• Lenovo (ThinkPads): Enter then F1.
• Microsoft Surface Tablets: Press and hold volume up button.
• Origin PC: F2
• Samsung: F2
• Toshiba: F2
• Zotac: DEL
By: Imran Afzal
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Programs and Service Management
• Programs or Applications are the main
reasons we use computers Package
(tar or zip)
Application
What is…
• Package?
Programs
• Application?
• Program? Service Service
• Service?
• Daemon? – (IE) Process Daemon Process Daemon
• Process? – (IE) Threads Threads Threads Threads Threads Threads
• Thread? – (Multiple IE).
By: Imran Afzal
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