Introduction to Computer Software S. Sabraz Nawaz Lecturer in Management & IT

Introduction to Computer

SoftwareS. Sabraz Nawaz

Lecturer in Management & IT

Introduction to Computer Software 2

In this lesson • After completing this lesson, you

should have clear understanding ono What is computer softwareo System software

• Operating system and its functions• Utility programs• Language Translators

o Application Softwareo Software Licencing


Computer Software•A set of programs that are specifically written to provide the user a precise functionality like solving a specific problem is termed as a software package

•Tells the computer what to do and how to do it.• instructs to display on the user’s screen• what kinds of input to take from the user• what kinds of output to generate.


Categories of Software•System software •Application software


System Software • Consists of several programs directly responsible

for controlling, integrating, and managing the individual hardware componentso Operating Systemo Utility Programso Language Translators


Operating System•A set of system programs that controls and coordinates the activities of the computer’s hardware and application. •The platform on which the application software operates

• DOS (Disk Operating System), Windows 3.x, Windows 95, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Mac OS, and LINUX & other variations of Unix


Functions of an Operating System

• Memory Management



• Spooling Print Jobs



• Configuring Devices



• Monitoring System Performance



• Administering Security



• Managing Storage Media and Files



• User Interfaceo Command Driveno Menu Driveno Graphical User Interface (GUI)


Functions of an Operating System:

User Interface • Command-driven:

o you enter commands. You type keywords or special keys on the keyboard to enter data and instructions. Example: MS DOS.


Functions of an Operating System:

User Interface • Menu-driven:

o you select command choices from various menus displayed on the screen. Example: Windows and Mac OS.


Functions of an Operating System:User Interface

• Graphical (GUI): o use menus and visual images such as icons and buttons

to issue commands


Utility Programs•system software used to perform maintenance-type tasks such as managing a computer, its devices and its programs

•Most utility programs are included in the operating system


Utility Programs• System Diagnostics


Utility Programs• Backup Utility


Utility Programs• Data Recovery Utility


Utility Programs• Disk Defragmenter


Utility Programs• Installer/Uninstaller


Utility Programs• Disk Scanner


Utility Programs• File Compression Utility


Utility Programs• Antivirus Programs


Language Translators• A language translator is a type of system

software that translates a program in assembly or higher level language into machine languageo Assemblers: is system software that translates the assembly

language program into machine language

o Compiler: a language translator that converts the entire program of a higher level language (source code) into machine language

o Interpreter: a language translator that converts each high level language statement into machine language and executes it immediately statement by statement


Application Software


Application Software• Application software is the type of programs you

use once the operating system has been loadedo Word-processing programso Spreadsheets o Databaseso Graphics programs, etc.


Word processing• allows you to produce letters, memos, etc.,

easilyo MS Word 2010, Lotus Word Pro, Corel WordPerfect , etc.


Some features in word processors

•Text Editing •Word Wrap •Alignment •Headers, Footers & Page Numbering •Spelling & Grammar•Thesaurus•Find & Replace•AutoCorrect


Spreadsheet• allows you to calculations with data arranged in rows and

columns• often used for budgeting, forecasting and other financial

tasks• document produced using a spreadsheet program is known

as a workbooko MS Excel 2010o Lotus 1-2-3o Corel Quattro Pro


Some features in spreadsheet apps

•Formulas & Functions•Charts•What-if analysis•Simple Database


Database Management Systems• allows you to compile information and then to search this

information to extract just the information you requireo Microsoft Access 2010o Lotus Approach


Presentation• allows you to create documents called presentations • used to create visual aids for presentations to communicate

ideas, messages or other information to a group of peopleo MS PowerPoint 2010o Lotus Freelance


Project Management• used to keep track of projects, to plan, schedule, track, and

analyze the events, resources and costs of a project• helps users track, control and manage project variables, allowing

them to complete a project on time and within budget o MS Project 2010


Accounts / Payroll• in large organisations the accounts are maintained by a

computerised system• due to the repetitive nature of accounts, a computer

system is ideally suited to this task and accuracy is guaranteed

• QuickBooks• Peachtree Accounting• Tally


Web browsing• used to view and interact with the World Wide Web (WWW)

o Google Chromeo Microsoft IEo Mozilla Firefox


Graphics and Multimedia Software• used by engineers, architects, desktop publishers

and graphic artistso Computer-Aided Design (CAD)o Desktop Publishing, Paint/Image Editingo Video and Audio Editingo Webpage Authoring


Customized software• Kind of application specially designed to fulfil a

company’s particular requirements such as Book Cataloguing System, Hotel Reservation System, Billing System, Leave Management System, etc.

• written using programming languages


PoS System’s Screen


Software License Categories



FREEWARE• copyrighted software given away free by its

author• is available for free but the author retains the

copyright• freeware usually carries licence that permits

redistribution but may have other restrictions, such as limitations on its commercial use.



• SHAREWAREsoftware that comes with permission for people to redistribute copies for a limited period



• OPEN SOURCEsoftware created by generous programmers and released for public use


What we have covered• What is computer software• System software

o Operating systemo Utility programso Language Translators

• Application Software• Software Licensing


Doubt?

Documents

Introduction to Computer Software S. Sabraz Nawaz Lecturer in Management & IT