Softwares

Step

by step set of instructions required to turn data into information that makes a computer useful can be categorized as:

Softwares

Application Software System Software

 May

be either:

Custom

Software: Large organizations pay computer programmers who design, write, test & implement software that is specially designed to the organizations needs Packaged or Commercial Software: To deal with software for personal computers are called packaged softwares. Packaged in some sort of folder & is sold in stores or through websites

 Sometimes

its free

Such software is called freeware if its author

chooses to provide it free to all Freeware is copyrighted: Author retains legal ownership & may place restrictions on its use Softwares that are not copyrighted are called public domain software; may be used or altered without restriction. For e.g. developed by universities & research institutions using government grants

 Open-source

Software:

Variation of freeware A freeware program is normally distributed in a

machine readable format that is unreadable by humans. You can use it but even if you know how to write programs you cant make changes to it The developers of open-source software, however, make the source code available Bugs are found quickly & improvements made Linux OS

 Shareware:

Like freeware, it is freely distributed but only for a

trial period If you like to continue using it, you will pay a nominal fee to register it with the author Many authors add incentives such as free documentation, support or updates to encourage people to register Software manufacturers often complain of software piracy, the making of illegal copies of commercial software

 Electronic

Software Distribution:

You

can get freeware, shareware, & even commercial software from the internet

Application

Service Provider:

It is a company that sets up & maintains

application software on its own systems & makes the softwares available to its customers over the internet

 Word-processing/Desktop Publishing: Word processing is the most widely used personal

computer & business software Desktop publishings are usually better than word processings at meeting high level publishing needs specially when it comes color reproduction
Electronic

Spreadsheets Database Management Graphics Communication

 Personal

Information Managers:

PIMs are programs that provide the functions

necessary for you to keep track of all the activities typically include an appointment calendar, address book, task manager, notepad & calculator
Office

Suites

 Vertical Market Software: Software that is written specially for a particular

type of business is called a vertical market software User-oriented software usually presents options with a series of easy-to-follow screens that minimize the training Vendor includes the software as part of a complete package that also includes hardware, installation, training & support An auto-repair shop is an example

 Groupware

Software:

If you work on a project with a group of people share

information together, it is likely that you use software especially made for that scenario Groupware also called Collaborative Software The data being used must be in a central place that can be accessed & changed by anyone working on the project Database on a disk Popular groupware package called Notes combines email, networking, scheduling & database

 Software

for a Small Business Ethics & Application Software

Computers & People

Departments

called MIS, CIS or IT People like Data Entry Operators, Computer Operators, System Analysts, Computer Programmers, Systems Analysts, Network Manager

 Hidden

Software

The hardware needs software to make it work Application software cannot communicate directly

with the hardware An Operating System is a set of programs that lies between application software & the hardware It is the fundamental software that controls access to all other hardware & software resources The term systems software is often used interchangeably with operating system

 Hidden

Software

Systems Software means all programs related to

coordinating computer operations It includes the operating system but also includes other elements such as programming language translators & a variety of utility programs

 Kernel

OS is a set of programs & the most important

program in the OS is the kernel which manages OS It is referred to as resident because it remains in memory. It loads into memory other OS programs called nonresident from disk storage as needed When the computer is turned on, the kernel is loaded from the hardware into the computers memory. The process is called bootstrapping or simply booting

 Kernel

When the computer is turned on, a small program

stored in a ROM chip performs some internal hardware component tests then loads the kernel from the hard disk OS has three main functions:
Managing the computer resources such as CPU, memory, disk drives & printers Establishing a user interface Executing & providing services for applications software

 User

Interface

Many of OS functions are hidden from view, you will

have to communicate directly with the OS The communication occurs through the user interface which determines how the user interacts with the OS. CLI & GUI

 MS

DOS

It was introduced in early 1980s It employs a CLI The C:\ refers to the disk drive; the > is a prompt

 Microsoft

Windows

Another layer added to separate the OS from the

user & make it easier to use The layer is called a Shell because it consists of icons & menus GUI, menus, plug & play OLE (Object Linking & Embedding)