UNIT 2 Lesson 7

Computer Software

Learning Objective: After reading this chapter you will be able to understand The basic concept software. Relationship Between software between and hardware. The categories of software . Software Terminology.
7.1 INTRODUCTION

A computer system consists of hardware, the electronic devices capable of computing and manipulating information, and software (a set of instructions) that carries out predefined tasks to complete a given job. A computer cannot think or perform on its own. It performs operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication and division only when the user instructs it to do so. The user issues instructions and the CPU acts in accordance with these instructions. The sets of instructions, which control the sequence of operations, are known as programs, and these programs are collectively called software. The combination of physical equipment (hardware) and logical instructions (software) gives power and versatility to the modern computing systems. This chapter focuses on the logical or intangible part of the computer system, that is, the software.

7.2

SOFTWARE

Software is a generic term for an organized collection of computer data and instructions. It is responsible for controlling, integrating and managing the hardware components of a computer system and for accomplishing specific tasks. In other words, software instructs the computer what to do and how to do it. For example, software instructs the hardware what to be displayed on the users screen, what kind of input to be taken from the user and what kind of output to be generated. Thus, software communicates with the hardware by organizing the control sequences, and the hardware carries out the instructions defined by the software. Software is an intangible commodity, that is, the part of a computer system that users cannot touch. As discussed earlier, a computer needs to be instructed to perform any task. These instructions are given in the form of computer programs, which are written in computer programming languages. A program controls the activity of the processor and the processor performs exactly what a program instructs. The moment the hardware (e.g. processor and memory) acts as per the instructions of a program, the program is said to be in the running or in the executing state. A set of programs, which are specifically written to provide the user a precise functionality like solving a specific problem is termed as a software package. For example, a word -processing software package provides functionality to the computer so that it can be used to create text documents like letters and mailing lists. Similarly, an imageprocessing software package assists a user in drawing and manipulating graphics.

7.3

TYPES OF SOFTWARE

Software can be divided into two major categories: system software that provides the basic non-task-specific functions of the computer and application software that is utilized by the users to accomplish specific tasks. System software is essential for a computer to function. However, application software is the additional software that the users choose according to their needs (Figure 7.1).

Figure 7.1 Software Categories

7.3.1

System Software

System software consists of several programs, which are directly responsible for controlling, integrating and managing the individual hardware components of a computer system. A new computer system is always accompanied with some software either stored in a CD or DVD, which is supplied by the manufacturer. This software manages and supports the computer system and its information-processing activities. System software is transparent and less noticed by the users as it usually interacts with the hardware or the applications.

Figure 7.2 System Software The system software provides a programming environment in which programmers can create applications to accommodate their needs. This environment provides functions that are not available at the hardware level and performs the tasks related to the execution of an application program. Hence, system software acts as an interface between the hardware of the computer and the software applications (Figure 7.2). Depending upon the functionality, the system software can be further divided into two major categories: system management programs and system development programs.

7.3.1.1 System Management Programs System management programs, as the name implies, are
responsible for the management and accurate functioning of the computer system. It includes an integrated system of programs, which manages the operations of the processor, controls the input/output, manages storage resources and provides various support services as the computer executes application programs. Some common examples of system management programs include the operating system, device drivers and system utilities (Figure 7.3).