KAMPALA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF MATHEMATICS & COMPUTING

UCC 1100
Computer Fundamentals

MODULE 3:
COMPUTER SOFTWARE
 Computer Software

• Software is a set of instructions that drive a computer

to perform specific tasks.
• These instructions tell the machine’s physical
components what to do.
• A set of instructions is often called a program.
• When a computer is using a particular program, it is
• said to be running or executing the program.
• The two most common types of programs are system
software and application software.
• A Computer hardware is useless without software.

2/4/2025 Computer Fundamentals LT 2

 CATEGORIES OF SOFTWARE
1. Copyrighted software. These are software programs attached with restrictions
regarding use, modification, and redistribution. Using or Copying copyrighted
software without paying for it is clearly unethical and illegal.
2. Shareware. Shareware is copyrighted software that is distributed at no cost for a
trial period. To use a shareware program beyond that period, you send payment to
the program developer.
3. Freeware. Freeware is copyrighted software provided at no cost by an individual
or a company that retains all rights to the software. Therefore, other programmers
cannot include freeware in applications they intend to sell.
4. Open-source. Open source software is software provided for use, modification,
and redistribution. This software has no restrictions from the copyright holder.
Open source software usually can be downloaded from the Web at no cost.
5. Public-domain software. Public-domain software has been donated for public
use and has no copyright restrictions. Anyone can copy or distribute publicdomain
software to others at no cost.
6. Web-based software. Web-based software refers to programs hosted by a Web
site. Users access and interact with Web-based software from any computer or
device that is connected to the Internet.
2/4/2025 Computer Fundamentals LT 3
 Types of Computer Software

• System software: helps the computer to carry out its

basic operating tasks.
• Application software: helps the user carry out a
variety of tasks.

2/4/2025 Computer Fundamentals LT 4

 Types of software

Computer
software

Application System
software software

General Application System System

Purpose Specific Management Development
Programs Programs Programs Programs

2/4/2025 Computer Fundamentals LT 5

 System Software

• System Software: computer software designed to operate

the computer hardware, to provide basic functionality, and
to provide a platform for running application software.
• It functionality is to bridge computer system hardware and
application software.
• Examples
• Device drivers
• Utility programs
• Operating systems
• Compiler
• Firmware
• Networking software
2/4/2025 Computer Fundamentals LT 6
 OPERATING SYSTEM (OS)
 It is a software that controls
the system’s hardware and
interacts with the user and
application software.

 The operating system acts as

an intermediary between
application programs and
the computer hardware.

2/4/2025 Computer Fundamentals LT 7

 Operating System (OS)

 Mediates between the application and computer, and

control peripheral devices.
2/4/2025 Computer Fundamentals LT 8
 How OS works?
• When a computer is powered on, it loads the OS, normally
from the disk drive into RAM.
• Kernel: portion of OS code that interact with the computer
hardware.
• Shell: portion that interfaces with the applications and user
using either the command line interface (CLI) or graphical
user interface (GUI).
• CLI, user interacts directly with the system in text-based
environment by entering commands on the keyboard at
command prompt.
• GUI users interact with the system in an environment that
uses graphical images, multimedia, and text. Its user friendly
and requires less knowledge.

2/4/2025 Computer Fundamentals LT 9

 Functions of an OS
 Resource management: allocate computer resource
such as CPU time, main memory, secondary storage, i/o
devices for use.
 Data management: govern the input & output of data
and their location storage and retrieval.
 Task management: monitors, control, schedules and
prepares jobs for execution.
 Memory management: The OS allocates and deallocates
memory to running programs, optimizing its use and
preventing conflicts
 Enforces protection policies: The OS safeguards system
resources and data from unauthorized access, ensuring
security and privacy e.g User accounts with passwords

2/4/2025 Computer Fundamentals LT 10

 Functions of an OS

 File management : The OS creates, deletes, and modifies

files and directories, providing mechanisms for searching,
copying, and moving
 Booting the computer: by loading the kernel from
secondary memory to main memory as the computer is
being powered on.
 Provides user interface : The OS offers a way for users to
interact with the computer, whether through a graphical
user interface (GUI) or command-line interface (CLI)
 Provides a variety of support services: The OS offers
additional services like input/output handling, error
handling, network communication, and system monitoring
2/4/2025 Computer Fundamentals LT 11
 Types of an operating system
Operating systems can be categorized according to
availability, number of users, type of interface design and
manufacturer:

According to manufacturer
 Microsoft window: XP, Vista, 2003 Server, windows7,8

 UNIX-Based

 Linux (Ubuntu)

 Macintosh OS

2/4/2025 Computer Fundamentals LT 12

 User Interface
• User interface
• A function of the operating system that allows
individuals to access and command the computer
• The two most common types of user interfaces are
graphical and command line.
1. Command-based user interface (CLI)
• A particular user interface that requires text commands
be given to the computer to perform basic activities
E.g., unix, DOS

2/4/2025 Computer Fundamentals LT 13

 Graphical user Interfaces (GUI)
• Graphical user interface (GUI)
• A user interface that uses pictures (icons) and menus
displayed on the screen to send commands to the computer
system E.g. Windows, MAC OS
 Most common interface used in versions of;
Windows, MAC OS, in some versions of LINUX and UNIX.
 Uses a mouse to work with graphical objects such as
windows, menus, icons, buttons and other tools.
 Can use Shortcuts to open programs or documents.
 It enables task switching.
 Advantage: It frees a computer user from memorizing and
typing text commands.

2/4/2025 Computer Fundamentals LT 14

 Types of an operating system
Single-User/Single-Tasking Operating Systems:
 Allows a single user to perform just one task at a time
 Take up little space on disk
 Run on inexpensive computers
 Examples include; MS-DOS and Palm OS for palm
handheld computers.
Single-User/Multi-Tasking Operating Systems:
 Allows a single user to perform two or more functions at
once.
 Commonly used on personal computers.
 Examples include; Microsoft Windows and MAC
OS.
2/4/2025 Computer Fundamentals LT 15
 Types of an operating system
4) Multi-User/Multitasking
Operating Systems:
 Allows multiple users to
use programs that are
simultaneously running
on a single network
server.
 Here, each user is given a
user session on the server.
 UNIX, Linux are
examples.
 Maintenance can be easy.
 Requires a powerful
computer.
2/4/2025 Computer Fundamentals LT 16
 Types of an operating system
Real-Time operating Systems:
- - Very first, relatively small OS.
- - Also referred to as embedded OSs
- - Built into a circuitry of a device, not loaded from a disk
drive
- - RTOS is needed to run real-time applications.
- - A real time application is an application that responds to
certain inputs extremely quickly.
- - As the name suggests, there is a deadline associated with
tasks and a RTOS adheres to this deadline as missing a
deadline can cause affects ranging from undesired to
catastrophic.

2/4/2025 Computer Fundamentals LT 17

 UTILITY PROGRAM
• A utility program: is a program used to enhance
performance of the system. Utilities are used to manage
disks, troubleshoot hardware problems….

• Some independent software developers offer utilities for

sale separately. E.g. Norton Utilities by Symantec.
For example
• Symantec antivirus
• Partition Magic
• Disk defragmentation
• Screen saver
• Backup, etc…

2/4/2025 Computer Fundamentals LT 18

 System Software (Device driver)
• Device driver: A computer program that can establish
communication because it contains information about
the characteristics of your computer and of the device.

• Each peripheral device requires a device driver.

• Helps the computer communicate with that particular

device.

• When we add a device to an existing computer, part of

its installation includes adding its device driver to the
configuration.

2/4/2025 Computer Fundamentals LT 19

 System software
Firmware : is a software that is embedded directly
into hardware .its essentially the software that tells
the hard ware how to operate for example switches
Networking software : it’s a software used for
network management , communication and resource
sharing .

2/4/2025 Computer Fundamentals LT 20

 Programming Languages
• A programming language is a set of commands
used to write computer software.
• They are translators that take words and symbols
and convert them to binary codes that the CPU can
understand.
• There are three types / categories of programming
languages that is:
i. Low level languages
ii. Assembly Languages
iii. High level Languages

2/4/2025 Computer Fundamentals LT 21

 IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS
Compilers-these translate a program written in a
high level programming language into a machine
code or into an assembly code program.
• The entire program is translated into machine code
at compilation time.
Interpreters- translates the source program line by
line while the program is running. This is done each
time the program is executed.
• As a result, a program running under an interpreter
runs very slowly as compared to a compiled
program.
2/4/2025 Computer Fundamentals LT 22
 Application Software
Application Software: Tells the computer how to
accomplish specific tasks, such as word
processing or drawing, for the user.

Most applications are purchased on diskette or

CD-ROM.

They are installed by copying the programs from

the diskettes/CD-ROM to the hard disk.

Payroll systems, Inventory Control, Manage

student database

2/4/2025 Computer Fundamentals LT 23

 Categories of Applications Software
• Word processing software for creating text-based
documents
• Spreadsheets for creating numeric-based documents
such as budgets.
• Presentation programs for creating and presenting
electronic slide shows.
• Graphics programs for designing illustrations or
manipulating photographs, movies etc.
• Database management software for building and
manipulating large sets of data such as names, addresses
etc.

2/4/2025 Computer Fundamentals LT 24

 Word Processors:
It is a tool that helps user in creating, editing, and
printing documents. Word processors will normally have
the following capabilities built into them:
- Spell checking
- Standard layouts for normal documents
- Some characters appearing in bold print, italics, or
underlined
- Center lines, make text line up on the left side of the
paper, or the right side of the paper
- Save the document so it can be used again
- Print the document.
Examples: WordPerfect and Microsoft Word
2/4/2025 Computer Fundamentals LT 25
 Spreadsheets:
The spreadsheet packages are designed to use
numbers and formulas to do calculations with
ease. Examples of spreadsheets include:
• Budgets
• Payrolls
• Grade Calculations
• Address Lists
The most commonly used spreadsheet programs
are Microsoft Excel and Lotus 123.

2/4/2025 Computer Fundamentals LT 26

 Security Software

• Security software: designed to protect computers

from various forms of destructive software and
unauthorized intrusions

• The terms malicious software and malware refer to

any computer program designed to secretly enter a
computer, gain unauthorized access to data, or
disrupt normal processing operations

Chapter2/4/2025
3: Computer Software Computer Fundamentals LT 27 27
 Utility software
• Utility software refers to system software designed to analyze, optimize and
maintain a computer in good working conditions.
• Utility software usually focuses on how the computer system operates.
• Although operating systems typically include some built-in utilities, many stand-
alone utility programs are available
• Examples include
 Antivirus utility,
 Screen Saver utility,
 File compression utility,
 Back Up Utility
 Sorting Utility
 Defragmenter
 Debugger Utility
 Diagnostic Utility
2/4/2025 Computer Fundamentals LT 28
 Antivirus utility
• Antivirus utilities are programs that scan for
computer viruses, remove, disinfect and repair
damaged files.
• Common Antivirus Programs
AVG Antivirus, Avast Antivirus, Avira Antivirus, Kaspersky
Antivirus, McAfee Antivirus, Escan Antivirus, Panda Antivirus,
Dr. Solomon‘s tool kit, Norton Antivirus, F-Secure Antivirus,
Netqin Antivirus, PC Tools Internet Security, Bit Defender
Antivirus, ESET NOD32 Antivirus 6, Symantec Norton Antivirus
& Norton 360, Trend Micro Internet Security, Webroot
Antivirus.

2/4/2025 Computer Fundamentals LT 29

 What is computer virus?
• Computer virus refers to a program which
damages computer systems and/or destroys or
erases data files
• Once it’s running, it spreads by inserting copies of
itself into other executable code or documents

Chapter2/4/2025
3: Computer Software Computer Fundamentals LT 30 30
 Types of computer viruses
• Macro viruses
• Master boot record viruses
• Boot sector viruses
• File infecting viruses/File viruses
• Polymorphic viruses
• Stealth viruses
• Multi-partite viruses
a) Macro Virus: - These type of virus infects word, excel, PowerPoint, access and
other data files. Once infected repairing ofthese files is very much difficult.
b) Master boot record files: - MBR viruses are memory-resident viruses and copy
itself to the first sector of a storage device which is used for partition tables or OS
loading programs .A MBR virus will infect this particular area of Storage device
instead of normal files. The easiest way to remove a MBR virus is to clean the MBR
area.

2/4/2025 Computer Fundamentals LT 31

 Continuation …..
c) Boot Sector Viruses. Boot sector virus infects the boot sector of a HDD or FDD. These
are also memory resident in nature.
As soon as the computer starts it gets infected from the boot sector. Cleaning this type of
virus is very difficult.
d) File infecting viruses. This type of virus normally infects program files such as .exe,
.com, .bat. Once this virus stays in memory it tries to infect all programs that load on to
memory.
e) Polymorphic viruses . It is a virus that can encrypt its code in different ways so that it
appears differently in each infection. These viruses are more difficult to detect.
f) Stealth viruses. These types of viruses use different kind of techniques to avoid
detection. They either redirect the disk head to read another sector instead of the one in
which they reside or they may alter the reading of the infected file‘s size shown in the
directory listing.
g) Multi-partite viruses. Multi-partite viruses are those that infect both boot sectors and
executable files. It‘s a hybrid of Boot and Program/file viruses. They are the worst viruses
of all because they can combine some or all of the stealth techniques, alongwith
polymorphism to prevent detection.

2/4/2025 Computer Fundamentals LT 32

 Other Types of Computer
Virus
• Computer Worm : is a self replicating malicious program that spreads rapidly across a
network

• Trojan Horse: is a malicious program disguised as legitimate software

• Spyware : is a types of software that secretly gathers information about the users activities
on a computer without their knowledge or consent

• Time Bomb: virus that is programmed to activate at a specific time or date. It always
remains dormant until the predetermined time when it can execute harmful actions

• Logical Bomb: is a virus that is triggered by a specific conditions or events

• Micros Virus: virus that infects the microprocessor or the core components of a computer

• Script Virus: virus written in scripting language mostly targets browsers

Chapter2/4/2025
3: Computer Software Computer Fundamentals LT 33
 What does malware/virus do?

Chapter2/4/2025
3: Computer Software Computer Fundamentals LT 34
 Symptoms of computer virus
• Computer runs slower than usual
• Display unusual error messages
• New icons appear on desktop
• Programs disappear from the computer
• Reformat the hard disk
• Duplicate of files
• Computer restarts all the time

Chapter2/4/2025
3: Computer Software Computer Fundamentals LT 35 35
 Typical things that some current
Personal Computer (PC) viruses do
• Display a message
• Erase files
• Scramble data on a hard disk
• Cause erratic screen behavior
• Halt the PC
• Many viruses do nothing obvious at all except
spread!

2/4/2025 Computer Fundamentals LT 36

 Sources of computer virus
• Fake games
• Infected software
• Opening infected files
• Contact with infected systems or devices
• Free or shareware software

Chapter2/4/2025
3: Computer Software Computer Fundamentals LT 37
 Actions to prevent virus infection
• Be sure to install an anti-virus software program in your computer.
• Forget opening unexpected e-mail attachments, even if they're from friends
• Get trained on your computer's anti-virus software and use it.
• Have multiple backups of important files. This lowers the chance that all are
infected.
• Install security updates for your operating system and programs as soon as
possible.
• Download files only from reputable Internet sites, and be wary when exchanging
diskettes
• Scan all disks and files for possible virus infection before opening them.
• Back up important files regularly
• Even with these precautions, new viruses may find ways to enter your computer
system.
• Never start up computer with a floppy disk in the floppy drive / Flash disk
inserted in.

2/4/2025 Computer Fundamentals LT 38

 Actions to prevent virus infection

• Always update your anti-virus software at least weekly.

• Back up your important files and ensure that they can
be restored.
• Change the computer's boot sequence to always start
the PC from its hard drive
• Don't share Drive C: without a password and without
read-only restrictions.
• Empty floppy drives of diskettes before turning on
computers, especially laptops.

2/4/2025 Computer Fundamentals LT 39

 Software configuration and
installation
System installation
This refers to the act of making a program ready for execution.
Requirements to perform an installation of an operating system (windows)
• A computer
• CD/DVD with the operating system.
• Knowledge about installation
• Stable power source.
System configuration
• This is the process of setting up of hardware or software and assigning them
resources so that they work together without problems.
System Specifications
• This is a structured collection of information that brings together the
requirements of a system

2/4/2025 Computer Fundamentals LT 40

 Checking computer’s
specifications
• Go to the start menu, find the icon for ―my computer‖,
• Right click on the ―my computer‖ icon, and choose properties
• Click the ―general‖ tab
• The system displays the operating system installed on the computer at the
top.
• At the computer section: it displays the computer name, speed, computer
memory,
• To see the hard drive capacity, go to start button and double click on
―my computer‖ icon

OR
• Press click start button + run and type dxdiag (directxdiagnostic) then ok

2/4/2025 Computer Fundamentals LT 41

Steps for installing an operating system (windows)
1. Decide whether you are going to install a new operating system onto the
computer or upgrade to a newer version.
2. Back up your data.
3. Completely wipe all information from the hard disk.
4. Boot up. Restart the computer while the disk having the operating system is
connected or put inside the [Link] the boot menu, and select the drive the
contains the setup disk.
5. Start the installation. It‘s normal the installation can take a few minutes. While
loaded, follow the onscreen instructions.
6. Enter the product ID. Every customer operating system like windows comes
with the product ID.
7. Reboot. Restart the computer and finalize the installation. Log in and at this
point install drivers, insert other devices that come with the computer.
8. Allow updates and install other software.
9. Use the computer.

2/4/2025 Computer Fundamentals LT 42

 Steps followed to uninstall a program
1. Go to the windows start button
2. Open the control panel
3. Click on the word uninstall program under programs.
4. When all the installed programs display,
5. Click on the program you want to remove then click on
uninstall at the top.
Or Right click on the program to remove and click uninstall
6. The computer will take some few minutes while
uninstalling.
7. When its done, restart your computer

2/4/2025 Computer Fundamentals LT 43

 Practical activity
1. Go through all the processes and check your
computers systems specification and list them
down
2. Get required items and install any windows
operating system of your choice on your
computer
3. Identify practical ways you can use to secure your
computer from computer viruses

2/4/2025 Computer Fundamentals LT 44