COMPUTER
SOFTWARE
SOFTWARE BASICS
DONE BY :
TASNEEM KAUSER
2ND BSc. (N.D)
SOFTWARE
As you are aware, computer cannot do
anything on its own. It is the user who instructs
computer; what to do, how to do and when to
do. In order to perform any task, you have to
give a set of instructions in a particular
sequence to the computer. These sets of
instructions are called Programs. Software
refers to a set of programs that makes the
hardware perform a particular set of tasks in
particular order. Software can be classified
mainly into following categories and sub-
categories are shown in figure
SYSTEM SOFTWARE
When you switch on the computer the programs
stored in ROM are executed which activates
different units of your computer and makes it
ready for you to work on it. This set of programs
can be called system software.
System software's are sets of programs,
responsible for running the computer,
controlling various operations of computer
systems and management of computer
An operating system is a system software that
provides an interface for a user to communicate
with the computer, manages hardware devices
(disk drives, keyboard, monitor, etc), manages
and maintains disk file systems and supports
application programs. Some popular Operating
systems are UNIX, Windows and Linux.
Although operating system provides all the
features users need to use and maintain their
systems, inevitably, they still do not meet
everyones expectations. This has led to another
type of system software called "Utilities".
These are programs that bridge the gap
between the functionality of an OS and the
needs of users. Utility programs are a broad
category of software such as compress (zip)/
uncompress
Application (unzip) files software,
Software anti virus
: Application
software,
software issplit and
a set of join files software,
programs, [Link]
which are
to perform specific tasks, for example: An
application package for managing library known
as library information system is used to manage
information of library such as: keeping book
details, account holder details, book issue
details, book return details etc. Another
application package for managing student
details is called students information system,
manages students roll no, name, parents name,
address, class, section, processing of
examination results etc. Application software
can be broadly classified into two types:
(a) Generalized Packages
These are user friendly software's written to
cater to users very general needs such as preparing
documents, drawing pictures, database to manage
data/information, preparing presentations, play
games etc.
It is a group of programs that provide general
purpose tools to solve specific problems. Some of
the generalized packages are listed below:
Word Processing Software(for preparing
documents): Word Perfect, MS-Word,
[Link] Write
Spreadsheets (Data Analysis): Lotus Smart
suites, MS Excel, [Link] Calc, Apple
Numbers
Presentations : Presentation Graphics, MS-
PowerPoint, [Link] Impress
Database Management System: MS-Access,
[Link] Base, MS-SQL Server, ORACLE
Graphics Tools: Paint shop pro, Adobe
Photoshop
(b) Customized
Packages
These are the applications that are
customized (or developed) to meet the specific
requirements of an organization/institution. For
Example: Student information details, Payroll
packages, inventory control etc. These packages are
developed using high-level computer language