4. What is software?
software
Software is a set of instructions that make the computer
perform task. In other words , software tells the computer
what to do .(the term program refers to any piece of
software) . Some program exist primarily for the computer’s
use to help it perform task and manage its own resources .
Other types of programs exist for the user , enabling him or
her to reform task such as creating documents . Thousand of
different software program are available for use an personal
computers
5. Software brings the machine to life :
The ingredient that enable a computer to perform a specific task is software, which
consists of instruction .
A set of instruction that drive a computer to perform specific task is c/d
program .
This instruction tell the machine ‘s physical components what to do: without the
instruction . a computer could not do any thing at all . When a computer uses a
particular program , it is said to be running or executing that program.
although the array of available programs is vast and varied , most software fall
into two categories :
1.System software and
2.Application software
6. 1. System software :
System software is any program that control that computer’s hardware or that can be used to maintain the computer in
some way so that is run more efficiently . There are three basic types of system software :
1) An operating system tells the computer how to use its own components.
Example of operating systems include windows . The macintosh operating system and linux. An operating an
operating system is essential for any computer, because it acts as an interpreter b/w the hardware, application
program, and user.
When a program want the hardware, to do something it communicates through the operating system .
Similarly when you want the hardware to do something(such as copying or printing a file),your request is
handled by the operating system.
2) A network operating system allows computers to communicate and share data across a network while
controlling network operation and overseeing the network’s security .
3) A utility is a program that makes the computer system easier to use or performs that makes highly
specialized functions. Utilities are use to manage the disks , troubleshoot used hardware problems, and
perform other tasks that the operating system itself may not be ale to do .
7. Applicationsoftware:
Application software tells the computers how to accomplish specific tasks , such as word processing or drawing , for the user .
Thousand of applications are available for many purposes and for people of all ages . some of the major categories of these
applications include:
Word processing software for creating text-based document such as newsletters or brochures.
Spreadsheets for creating numeric- based documents such as budgets or balance sheets.
Database management software for building and manipulating large sets of data , such as the names , addresses, and phone
numbers in a telephone directory.
Presenting programs for creating and presenting electronic slide .
Graphic programs for designing illustration or manipulating photographs, movies, an animation .
Multimedia authoring applications for building digital movies that incorporate sound , video , animation , and interactive
features .
Entertainment and education software , many of which are interactive multimedia events .
Web designing tools and web browsers , and other internet applications such as newsreaders an e-mail programs .
Games such of which are for a single player and many of which can be played y several people over a network or the internet .
