Electronic data (Software Computer)

Software & Hardware?

Computer Instructions or data, anything that

can be stored electronically is Software.
Hardware is one that is tangible. The storage
devices (Hard disk, CDs etc.,), mouse,
keyboard CPU and display devices (Monitor)
are Hardware.

Key Concepts
Software licensing
Protection by software vendors to prevent
unauthorized use

Software upgrades
A revised version of software that usually includes
fixes of known problems, plus enhancements to
existing capabilities

Global software support

Software that is distributed around the globe may
require unique support mechanisms due to local
political and economic conditions

Computer software
Software consists of programs and enables a
computer to perform specific tasks, as opposed to
its physical components (hardware) which can only
do the tasks they are mechanically designed for.

It is loaded into a computer's storage (such as

a hard drive, a memory, or RAM). Once the
software is loaded, the computer is able to
execute the software in the Central Processing
Unit (CPU).

Computer software
This involves passing instructions from the
application software, through the system
software, to the hardware which ultimately
receives the instruction as a machine
code. Each instruction causes the computer to
carry out an operation to move data, carry
out a computation, or alter the control flow of
instructions.

Computer software

Data is typically moved from one place in the

memory to another. Sometimes it involves
moving data between memory and registers
which enables high-speed data access in the
CPU.
Instructions may be performed sequentially,
conditionally, or iteratively.

Sequential instructions

Sequential instructions are those operations

that are performed one after another.

Conditional instructions
They

are performed in such a way that

different sets of instructions are
executed depending on the value(s) of
some data. In some languages this is
known as an if statement.

Iterative instructions

They are performed repetitively and may

depend on some data value. This is sometimes
called a loop. Often, one instruction may
call another set of instructions that are
defined in some other program or module.
When more than one computer processor is
used, instructions may be executed

simultaneously.

Types of Software
System Software
Programming software
Application Software
Open source software (OSS)
Proprietary software

System Software:
It includes the Operating System and all the
utilities that enable the computer to function.
It refers to any computer software which manages
and controls the hardware so that application
software can perform a task.
Example: Operating Systems, Compiler, Loader,
Linker, Interpreter.

Operating System:

Operating System is a software, which makes a

computer to actually work.

It is the software that enables all the programs

we use.

The OS organizes and controls the hardware.

OS acts as an interface between the application

programs and the machine hardware.

Examples: Windows, Linux, Unix and Mac OS,

etc.,

Compiler:
It is a program that reads a program in one
language the source language and translates into
an equivalent program in another language the
target language.
Source Languages

Target Languages

C language

C language

Pascal language

Machine language

Java language
C++ language

ADA language

Loader:
It is the part of an operating system that is
responsible for loading programs into memory,
preparing them for execution and then
executing them.
The loader is usually a part of the operating
system's kernel and usually is loaded at system
boot time and stays in memory until the system
is rebooted, shut down, or powered off.

In Unix, the loader is the handler for the

system call execve().

Linker:
A linker or link editor is a program that takes
one or more objects generated by compilers
and assembles them into a single executable
program.
Linkers can take objects from a collection
called a library. The objects are program
modules containing machine code and
information for the linker.

The linker takes care of arranging the

objects in a program's address space.

Interpreter:
It is a computer program that translates and
executes instructions written in a computer
programming language line-by-line, unit by
unit etc.,
An interpreter needs to be able to analyze
instructions written in the source language.
Example: Lisp systems, etc.,

Application Software:
Application Software includes programs that
do real work for a user.

Example:
Payroll systems, Inventory Control, Manage
student database, Word Processor,
Spreadsheet and Database Management
System etc.,

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

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.

Graphic Presentations:
The presentation programs can make giving
presentations easier. Other uses include:
- Slide Shows
- Repeating Computer Presentations on a
computer monitor
- Using Sound and animation in slide shows
The most recognized graphic presentation
programs are Microsoft PowerPoint and Harvard
Graphics.

Database Management System(DBMS):

A DBMS is a software tool that allows multiple
users to store, access, and process data into
useful information.
Database programs are designed for these
types of applications:
- Membership lists
- Student lists
- Grade reports
- Instructor schedules
All of these have to be maintained so you can
find what you need quickly and accurately.

Example:Microsoft Access, dBASE, Oracle.

Open Source Software:

Open source software (OSS) is computer

software whose source code is available under
a license that permits users to use, change, and
improve the software, and to redistribute it in
modified or unmodified form.
It is often developed in a public, collaborative
manner.
Well-known OSS products are Linux,
Netscape/Firefox, Apache , etc.,

Proprietary Software:

Proprietary software (also called non-free

software) is software with restrictions on
using, copying and modifying as enforced by the
proprietor. Restriction on use, modification and
copying is achieved by either legal or technical
means and sometimes both.
Proponents of proprietary software are
Microsoft.
Examples: AutoCAD, Norton Antivirus etc.,

Note the use of

as opposed to
Software consists of programs and enables a
computer to perform specific tasks, as opposed to
its physical components (hardware) which can only
do the tasks they are mechanically designed for.

Unlike

Unlike software, computer hardware

encompasses the physical
interconnections and devices required to
store and execute (or run) the software.

Once

Once the software is loaded, the computer

is able to execute the software in the
Central Processing Unit (CPU).

That is why

That is why this is sometimes avoided

by using pointers to data instead.

in such a way that

Conditional instructions are performed

in such a way that different sets of
instructions are executed depending on
the value(s) of some data.

Consequently

Consequently, large areas of activities

(such as playing grand master level
chess) formerly assumed to be
incapable of software simulation are
now routinely programmed.

Internet Homework Assignment

Contribution of application software in Business
- find an example and explain -