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COMPUTER SOFTWARE

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10 views

COMPUTER SOFTWARE

Uploaded by

aasthanegi02
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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COMPUTER SOFTWARE

Computer software, or simply software, is a collection of data or computer instructions


that tell the computer how to work. Software and programs are interchangeable. A software
plays a key role of a mediator between the user and the computer hardware. In the absence of
software, a user essentially can not perform any task on a computer. Generally, there are two
main types of software which are System software and Application software.

1. System Software –
In case of a system software, it helps the user as well as the hardware to function and
even interact with each other easily. It is an interface between hardware and user
application. System software also controls such peripherals as monitors, printers, and
storage devices. The two main types of system software are the operating system and
the software installed with the operating system, often called utility software. In some
cases, the operating system and utility software depend on each other to function
properly.

a) Operating System: An operating is an interface between a computer user and


computer hardware. An operating system is a software which performs all the
basic tasks like file management, memory management, process management,
handling input and output and controlling peripheral devices such as disk drives
and printers. It is not possible for the user to use any computer or mobile device
without having an operating system. Operating system were first developed in
the late 1950’s to manage tape storage. Dos was the first operating system
developed by Microsoft. The commonly found important features of an operating
system:
• Protected and supervisor mode
• Allows disk access
• Program execution
• Memory management
• Handling I/O operations
• Manipulation of the file system
• Error detection and handling
• Information and resource management

Advantages of Operating System


➢ Allows you to hide details of hardware by creating an abstraction
➢ Easy to use with GUI
➢ Provides computer system resources with easy to use format
➢ Acts as an intermediator between all hardware and software of the
system

Disadvantages of Operating System


➢ If any issue occurs in OS, you may lose all the contents which have
been stored in your system.
➢ It is never entirely secure as a treat can occur at any time

Some well-known examples of operating systems are:


• Unix
• Linux
• Microsoft Windows
• iOS
• Android

b) Utility Software: Utility Software is system software designed to help analyze,


configure, optimize or maintain a computer. It usually focuses on how to the
computer infrastructure (including the computer hardware, operating system,
software and data storage) operates. The best utility software includes functions
like data compression, data recovery, files management, system diagnosis and
more. It helps users perform multiple tasks efficiently. Almost every
functionality of a computer uses a utility software, be it backing up our data,
antivirus software or data security. There are majorly four types of utility
software available in the market:

I. System utilities
II. File management utilities
III. Storage device management
IV. Miscellaneous utilities

Advantages of Software Utilities

➢ Virus scanners also known as anti-virus software helps protect


useful and important files on the computer by detecting virus.
➢ Firewalls block malicious software gaining access to the
computer and getting control of important files.
➢ Disk cleaners detect unwanted files and delete them to free user’s
space such as cookies and web history.
Disadvantages of Software Utilities
➢ Too many utility programs eat up the memory and the RAM and
will slow your PC down significantly.
➢ Software utilities are not free and are costly.
➢ A hacker might want to access services without paying for them
or snoop around and investigate client files.

2. Application Software –
Application software is commonly defined as any program or number of programs
designed for end-users. Every program that we use on our computers is a piece of
application software. It performs a specific personal, educational and business function.
Each program is designed to assist the user with a particular process, which may be
related to productivity, creativity, and/or communication.

Application software program are created to facilitate a variety of functions:

• Managing Information
• Manipulating Data
• Constructing Visuals
• Coordinating Resources
• Calculating Figures

Some examples of Application Software which are used by people in their day to day
life are:
• Microsoft products (Word, Excel, Office etc.)
• Internet browsers like Firefox, Chrome etc.
• Skype

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