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Software Software is a set of instructions written in a programming language that performs one or more tasks. 2 different types of softwares:
- System software
- Application software System software: System software provides the services that the computer requires, including operating system and utility software These are programs that allow the hardware to run properly and allow the user to communicate with the computer Features of system software:
- Set of programs to control and manage the operation of hardware
- Provides a platform for other softwares to run on
- provides human computer interface (HCI)
- Required to allow software and hardware to run without any problems
- System software enables computer to work System software is made up of 2 elements: **- Operating system
- Utility system**
Examples of system software:
- Operating system (O/S): Its a software that's running on the back of a computer It manages basic functions Without OS computers would be user-unfriendly and it would be hard to work with computers
- Device Driver Its a software that enables hardware devices to communicate with the computer's operating system Without device driver, hardware devices would be unable to work with computer All hardware devices connected to computers have associated drivers The operating system looks for appropriate driver as a hardware is connected If the driver cant be found an error message will be produced EXAMPLES: printers, memory sticks, mouse, CD drivers.
- Compilers Are computer programs that translate a program written in high level language into machine code so that it can be directly used by computer to perform a required task Original program (source code) Compilation After program (object code) HIGH LEVEL LANGUAGES: Java, python, visual basics, C++
Application Software: Application software provides the services that the user requires These are programs that allow the user to do specific task Features of application software :
- Used to perform various application on a computer
- Allow user to perform specific tasks using computers resources
- May be a single program or a suite of programs
- User can execute the software as and when they require Examples:
- Word processing software
- Spreadsheet software
- Presentation software
- Photo editing software
- Databases
- Video editing software
- Apps
Operating systems: Are softwares that provide an environment in which applications can run (function properly) and also provide an interface between computer and human. Operating system examples: Microsoft Windows, Apple Mac OS, Google Android, Apple IOS The operating systems are stored on a hard disk drive (HDD) or solid state drive (SSD)
- Why? Because they tend to be very large programs Functions
- managing files
- handling interrupts
- providing an Human computer interface
- managing peripherals and drivers
- managing memory
- managing multitasking
- providing a platform for running applications
- providing system security
- managing user accounts Purpose : It performs the basic functions of a computer It manages the hardware It provides a platform to run software It provides a user interface
Command Line Interface (CLI) โ Is an interface which allows communication with the computer by typing in commands using a keyboard. โ CLI allows users to run programs, manage files and interact with the computer through text commands โ User would need to learn these commands โ CLI is used by programmers, analyst or technicians (someone that needs direct communication with a computer to develop new software, locate errors, initiate memory dumps) Advantage of CLI
- User is in direct communication with computer
- User isn't restricted to number of predetermined option
- Possible to alter computer configuration settings
- Uses small amounts of computer memory Disadvantage CLI
- User needs to learn a number of commands to carry out basic operation
- All commands need to be typed-in which takes time and more prone to errors
- Each command must be typed in using correct format, spelling and so on.
Graphical User Interface (GUI) โ Is an interface that uses icons to represent apps and tasks which the user can select or launch by clicking a mouse or using a touchscreen โ GUI allows the user to interact with a computer using pictures or icons rather than having to type in a number of commands Advantage of GUI
- User does not need to learn any commands
- More user friendly
- Does Not require typing of commands
- A pointing device is used to click on an icon to launch the application Disadvantage of GUI
- Uses more computer memory than CUI
- User is limited to icons provided on screen
- Needs operating system such as windows to operate which uses up memory
Hardware Peripheral management The part of an operating system that controls all input and output peripheral devices. โ Communicates with all input and output devices using device drivers โ Uses device driver to take data from a file and translates it into a format that the input/output device can understand Multitasking Multitasking allows the computer to carry out more than 1 task at a time โ Each of the processes will share the hardware resources under the control of the operating system software. โ Operating system also ensures that the multitasking operates correctly, by constantly monitoring the status of each of the processes User Account Management โ Computer can have more than one user to log into the account โ Therefore itโs important that users data is stored in separate parts of the memory for security reasons โ Administrator can create, delete and restrict user account activity
