Computer Fundamental Unit-3 (computer software)PDF., Summaries of Computer Fundamentals

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N O T E S ON:

CO MP UTER F U N DA MENTAL A N D

A P P L I C AT I ON

BCA 1st^ Semester

UNIT- 3 COMPUTER SOFTWARE

o Introduction to Software, program o Types of software( System and Application) o Operating System (Function and Types) o Utility software, Virus and Antivirus software o Programming Language and types of language Translator

Key Features of Computer Software:  Intangible: Computer software cannot be seen or physically touched like hardware; it exists in digital form.  Provides User Interface: Computer software provides a user interface that allows users to interact with the computer system easily.  Enhances Efficiency: Well-designed software ensures optimal use of system resources such as memory, processing power, and storage.  Portability: Computer software can run on different hardware platforms or operating systems with minimal modification.  Documentation: Comprehensive documentation is provided to guide users on installation, usage, and maintenance of the software.

 A program is a set of instruction which perform only a specific type of task.  A program consists of a set of instruction which are coded in a programming language like C, C++, PHP, Java etc.  Set of instruction for finding whether a given number is odd or even, to find factorial of a number, to find greatest of a given numbers are few example of program.  Program is usually small in scope and focuses on one particular function. In contrast, software is a broader concept that consists of one or more programs along with related data, documentation, and configuration files working together to perform multiple tasks or provide a complete solution.  In simple terms, a program is a part of software, whereas software is a complete package made up of many programs.  For example, a calculator program performs one task, while Microsoft Office is software that includes multiple programs like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.^5 P R O G R A M V S. S O F T WA R E

1. S Y ST E M S O F T WA RE o System software is a type of software that directly operates and controls computer hardware and provides basic functionality to users as well as to other software so that they can function smoothly. o It is responsible for managing the internal operations of a computer system and controlling hardware devices such as monitors, printers, keyboards, and storage devices. o System software acts as an interface between computer hardware and user applications. o It enables communication between them because hardware understands only machine language (binary form: 0s and 1s), whereas application software and users work in human-readable languages such as English. o Without system software, application software cannot run, and hardware resources cannot be used effectively. 42

43 T Y P ES O F S Y ST E M S O F T WAR E

o Application Software is a type of computer software

designed to help users perform specific tasks or functions.

o These tasks can include word processing, creating

spreadsheets, editing photos or videos, managing

databases, browsing the internet, playing games, or

handling financial transactions.

o Unlike system software, which manages and controls the

computer hardware, application software focuses on the

needs of the user and provides tools to accomplish

particular activities.

o It operates on top of the system software and cannot run

without it.

o Examples of application software include Microsoft Word,

Excel, PowerPoint, Photoshop, web browsers like Chrome

and Firefox, and media players.

1. A PPLICATION S OF TWARE

T Y P ES O F A P PLICATION S O F TWAR E 46

O P E RATING S Y ST EM

o An Operating System (OS) is a vital system software that acts as an

interface between computer hardware and application software,

enabling users to interact with the computer effectively.

o It manages and controls all hardware resources, including the CPU,

memory, storage devices, and input/output peripherals like printers,

keyboards, and scanners, ensuring that they work efficiently.

o The OS performs essential functions such as file management, process

scheduling, memory allocation, device management, and security

enforcement.

o It provides a user interface, either graphical (GUI) or command-line

(CLI), which allows users to execute commands, run applications, and

manage system resources without needing to understand the

underlying machine language.

O P E R AT I NG S YS T E M

o In a multitasking environment, it allows multiple applications to

run simultaneously, allocating CPU time and memory to each

process appropriately.

o Additionally, the OS manages system files, provides backup and

recovery options, monitors and handles errors, and safeguards

the system through authentication and access control.

o Popular operating systems for computers include Windows,

Linux, and Unix, while mobile devices commonly use Android

and iOS.

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History of Operating System (OS) 1940s–1950s: Early Beginnings  Computers operated without any operating system.  Programs were manually loaded and executed one at a time.  The first operating system, GM-NAA I/O (1956), was a batch processing system that automated job handling. 1960s: Multiprogramming and Time-Sharing  Multiprogramming was introduced to improve CPU utilization.  Time-sharing systems allowed multiple users to work on the same system simultaneously.  Examples include CTSS (1961) and Multics (1969). 1970s: Unix and Personal Computers  Unix (1971) revolutionized OS design with features like portability, simplicity, and multitasking.  The rise of personal computers led to simpler operating systems such as CP/M (1974) and PC-DOS (1981). 50

History of Operating System (OS) 1980s: GUI and Networking  Graphical User Interfaces (GUI) became popular with systems like Apple Macintosh (1984) and Microsoft Windows (1985).  Networking features, especially TCP/IP, became essential in operating systems. 1990s: Linux and Advanced GUIs  Linux (1991) introduced the concept of open-source operating systems.  Windows and Mac OS further improved GUIs and became widely used. 2000s–Present: Mobility and Cloud  Mobile operating systems like iOS (2007) and Android (2008) became dominant.  Cloud computing and virtualization reshaped computing, with Windows Server and Linux playing key roles. AI Integration (Ongoing)  Operating systems now integrate Artificial Intelligence features.  Examples include Siri, Google Assistant, and Alexa.  AI enables features like voice commands, predictive text, and personalized recommendations, making OSs more intelligent and efficient. 50

TYPES OF OPERATING SYSTEM

1. Batch Operating System A Batch Operating System is designed to process a large number of similar jobs efficiently. Users do not interact directly with the computer during execution. Instead, jobs are collected, grouped into batches by an operator, and executed sequentially without user intervention. Advantages  Minimal Idle Time: Jobs are processed continuously, reducing human intervention.  Handling Repetitive Tasks: Suitable for repetitive tasks such as payroll processing and billing systems.  Improved Throughput: Can handle a large volume of jobs, increasing overall system efficiency. Disadvantages  Inefficient CPU Utilization: The CPU remains idle during I/O operations.  Increased Response Time: Output is delayed since jobs are processed sequentially.  Lack of Real-Time Interaction: Not suitable for tasks requiring user interaction or immediate feedback. Examples: IBM OS/360, Early mainframe operating systems 57

TYPES OF OPERATING SYSTEM

1. Multi-Processing Operating System A Multi-Processing Operating System is a type of Operating System in which more than one CPU is used for the execution of resources. It betters the throughput of the System. Multiprocessing operating system uses two or more CPUs simultaneously to increase speed and reliability. Advantages  Faster Processing: Multiple CPUs work simultaneously, increasing overall system speed.  High Reliability: If one processor fails, others can continue working (fault tolerance).  Supports Heavy Tasks: Ideal for computation-intensive applications like scientific or industrial tasks. Disadvantages  High Cost: Multiple processors and complex hardware increase system cost.  Complex Design: Requires advanced OS support for communication and task distribution.  Not Always Efficient: Poor task distribution can lead to idle processors and wasted resources. Example: UNIX, Linux (Ubuntu, Red Hat, Debian), macOS 57