COMPUTER SOFTWARE

BY
JUSTINE WINOD
 What is computer software?

• Software is the series of instructions

that tells the hardware how to work
CATEGORIES OF COMPUTER SOFTWARE

• SYSTEMS SOFTWARE
• APPLICATION SOFTWARE
1. SYSTEMS SOFTWARE
• System software consists of programs
that control the operations of a
computer and its devices.
• System software also serves as
the interface between the user,
the application software and
hardware.
Device Driver
 THREE CATEGORIES OF SYSTEM SOFTWARE

• Operating system
• Programming languages
• Utility programs.
THE OPERATING SYSTEM
• An operating system (OS) is a set of
programs containing instructions that co-
ordinate all the activities among computer
hardware devices.
• The operating system so much
relies on the device driver to
communicate with each
hardware device.
Device Driver
• NB: A device driver is a
program that tells the OS how
to communicate with the
device
 FUNCTIONS OF OPERATING
SYSTEMS.
• It provides basic working
environment/user interface on a
computer.
CLI GUI
• It helps to control the use of
peripherals.
•It helps to control the
loading and running of
application programs.
• It helps to organize the use of
memory/Memory management
•It helps in the booting
process of a computer.
•It helps in file
management
•It helps in protecting
hardware and software.
• It helps in the process of
connecting devices to work
with a computer (configuring
devices)
•It helps in the processor
management e.g.
multitasking and time
sharing.
 TYPES OF OPERATING
SYSTEM SOFTWARE
• Real-time Operating System
• Distributed Operating System
• Embedded System
• Single-user, single task
• Single-user, multi-tasking
• Multi-user operating system
• Multitasking operating
system
• Multiprocessing operating
system
1. REAL-TIME OPERATING SYSTEM

• It is an operating system that

executes real-time applications.
2. DISTRIBUTED OPERATING SYSTEM
• This is an operating system
that manages a group of
independent computers and
makes them appear to be a
single computer.
3. EMBEDDED SYSTEM

• This is an operating systems

designed to be used in
embedded computer systems.
4. SINGLE-USER, SINGLE TASK

• This is an operating system designed to

manage a computer so that only one user
can effectively do one thing at a time.
• The Palm OS for Palm handheld
computers is a good example of
a modern single-user, single-
task operating system.
5. SINGLE-USER, MULTI-TASKING

• This is an operating system that lets a

single user have several programs in
operation at the same time.
• Most people use this OS on their desktop
and laptop computers today.
• Windows OS and Mac OS
platforms are both examples of
this operating system.
 6. MULTI-USER OPERATING SYSTEM

• Enables two or more users to run a

program simultaneously.
 7. MULTITASKING OPERATING SYSTEM

• Allows a single user to work on two or

more applications that reside in memory at
the same time.
• A very good example of multitasking
operating system is most operating
systems that use a GUI.
 8. Multiprocessing operating system

• This can support two or more CPUs

running programs at the same time.
POPULAR OPERATING
SYSTEMS FOR
MICROCOMPUTERS
1. WINDOWS O/S
• Windows NT Server
• Windows 2000 Server
• Windows.NET Server
• Windows 95
• Windows NT Workstation
• Windows 98
• Windows 2000 Professional
• Windows ME
• Windows XP Home
• Windows XP Professional
• Windows Vista Inspirat
• Windows 7
• Windows 8
• Windows 10
• 2. DOS
• 3. Mac OS
• 4. OS/2 Wrap
• 5. NetWare
• 6. OS/2 Wrap Server for E-
Business
• 7. UNIX
• 8. Linux
• 9. Solaris
• 10. Palm OS
• 11. Pocket PC 2002
USER INTERFACES

• This is the environment given by the OS

to control how a user enters data and
instructions and how information is
displayed
 TWO TYPES OF USER INTERFACES

• Command line interface (CLI)

• Graphical user interface
CLI GUI
 1) COMMAND LINE INTERFACE (CLI)

• This is the type of an interface in which

users enter data and instructions by typing
key words or pressing special keys
ADVANTAGES OF A CLI
• Takes little memory space
• Does not require very fast processors.
• Operations are fast since command are
entered using the keyboard.
• Many commands can be sent together
as a batch file for repetitive tasks.
DISADVANTAGES A CLI

• Commands have to be learnt and

memorized.
• It is not user friendly
• The interface may vary from one
application to the other.
2) GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE.

• This is a type of interface in which users

use menus and visual images to enter
command into the computer.
ADVANTAGES OF A GUI

• It is user friendly
• No need to type or memorize any
command language
• The interface is similar for any application.
DISADVANTAGES OF A GUI
• Requires more memory
• Requires very fast processors.
• It is difficult to automate functions for
expert users.
• Occupies more disk space to hold the
files for all the different applications
UTILITY PROGRAMS
• Utility programs are system
software designed to configure,
analyze, optimize and maintain
a computer in its working
operations.
FUNCTIONS OF THE UTILITY PROGRAMS

• Scan and fix computer viruses.

• Help in file back up.
• Compress files of disks.
• Partition disks into individual logical
drives.
• Perform tasks on files (move
files, delete files, merge files,
etc)
• Diagnose computer problems.
EXAMPLES OF UTILITY
PROGRAMS
• Anti-virus utilities: scan for
computer viruses and remove
them.
• Backup utilities: can make a
copy of all information stored on
a disk, and restore either the
entire disk
• Disk checkers: scans the content
of a hard disk to find files or
areas that are
• Disk cleaners: finds files that are
unnecessary to computer and can
decide to delete.
• Disk checkers: scans the content
of a hard disk to find files or
areas that are
• Disk cleaners: finds files that are
unnecessary to computer and can
decide to delete.
• Data compression utilities:
output a smaller file when
provided with a stream of file.
• Disk compression utilities:
transparently
compress/uncompress the
contents of a disk, increasing
the capacity of the disk.
• Disk compression utilities:
transparently
compress/uncompress the
contents of a disk, increasing
the capacity of the disk.
• Disk defragmenters: increase
efficiency by moving data to
one side of the disk.
• Disk partitions: divides an
individual drive into multiple
logical drives
• Disk space analyzers: to get
the size for each folder/ sub
folders & files in folder or
drive. Showing the distribution
of the used space.
• Disk storage utilities: ensures
that data is stored and files
arranged in order of ascending.
It also helps the computer to
re-arrange data files.
• Archive utilities: output a
stream or a single file when
provided with a directory or a
set of files. Archive utilities,
unlike archive suites, usually
do not include compression or
encryption capabilities.
• File managers: provide a
convenient method of
performing routine data
management tasks, such as
deleting, renaming, cataloging,
un cataloging, moving,
copying, merging etc.
• Cryptographic utilities: encrypt
and decrypt streams of files.
• Text editors: directly modify the
text or data of a file.
• Memory testers: check for
memory failures.
• Network utilities: analyzes the
computer's network connectivity,
configure network settings, check
data transfer or log events.
• Registry cleaners: clean and
optimize the Windows registry by
removing old registry keys that are
no longer in use.
• Screensavers: were desired to
prevent phosphor burn-in on CRT
and plasma computer monitors.
Modern screensavers are used
primarily for entertainment or
security.
• System monitors: for monitoring
resources and performance in a
computer system.
• System profilers: provide
detailed information about the
software installed and hardware
attached to the computer.
• Sorting utility: for organizing
files in any choose order
• Merging and combining utility:
Merges or combines different files
in one.
• Diagnostic utility: compiles
technical information about a
computer's hardware and certain
system software programs and then
prepares a report outlining any
identified problems.
• Debuggers: helps the computer
to find out the error and fixes
it.
• Data recovery: enables the
user to get back all the data
that might have been deleted or
lost by virus from a computer.
• System recovery: it enables the
user to get back to the last best
known configuration settings of
a computer.
• Uninstall utility: it enables the
user to remove an application
program and its associated
attributes from the system.
PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES.
• Programming LANGUAGES are coded
languages that software developers (also
known as programmers, coders or
software engineers) use to create, debug,
maintain (i.e. improve or fix).
• Programming TOOLS are software
that software developers (also
known as programmers, coders or
software engineers) use to create,
debug, maintain (i.e. improve or
fix).
THE TWO CATEGORIES OF
PROGRAMMING
LANGUAGES
• High level languages. These are
languages understood by
computers alone. It is always in
electronic form (binary form).
• Low level languages. These
resemble human languages and
can be understood by human
beings.
 LANGUAGE PROCESSORS
(TRANSLATORS)
• These are programs used to
translate high level programming
languages to low level
programming languages that the
processor understands.
1. COMPILERS

• These are LANGUAGE PROCESSORS

that translate a program written in a high
level language into machine code AT
ONCE.
2. ASSEMBLERS

• These are LANGUAGE PROCESSORS

that translate a low level language
(assembly language) into machine code.
3. INTERPRETERS

• These are LANGUAGE PROCESSORS

that translate source program, line by line
while the program is running.
4. LINKERS

• These programs combine compiled

programs and determine where the
program will be located in memory.
THE COMMON EXAMPLES
OF PROGRAMMING
LANGUAGES
• COBOL (Common Basic Oriented
Language): It was used to produce
business applications like payroll,
accounting and stock control.
• BASIC (Beginners All Purpose
Symbolic Instruction Code): It was
common used in school to teach
students how to use a computer.
• FORTRAN (Formula
TRANslation): It was mostly
use to develop application used
in engineering since it has
mathematical functions.
• PASCAL: It was used to
develop business and scientific
applications.
• ADA: It was named after Ada
Augusta Lovelance of the USA
defense department .It was
developed to improve software
reliability.
• LISP (List Processing): It was
developed for artificial
intelligence.
• LOGO: It was developed for
educational use.

• ALGOL (Algorithmic
Language) for scientific and
engineering computations.
• C, C++, C#: High level
language for desktop
applications.
• JAVA: For desktop
applications and web design.
• HTML (Hyper Text Mark up
Language) For web designing.
• PHP
APPLICATION SOFTWARE
• Application software is
programs that perform
specific tasks for users.

• They are programs designed

to enable a computer user to
do a specific job.
TYPES OF APPLICATION SOFTWARE
• Off –shelf software (already
made/general purpose software)

• Customized software (tailor

made /special purpose software)
1. OFF-SHELF SOFTWARE
• Off-the-shelf software is
software that is ready-made,
available to lots of people, and a
user usually pay a license fee to
use it. For example, Microsoft
Office.
ADVANTAGES OF OFF-THE-SHELF
SOFTWARE
• The software is relatively cheap as the
cost of development can be spread over a
large number of users.
• The software can be very advanced
(e.g. Excel or Word) as the revenues
from a very large numbers of users’
means that a lot of resources can be
applied to its development.
• It is easy to get support, literature and
training is usually widely available as
there are many other users using
exactly the same software.
• It is easy to share files produced by
the software with others as chances
are they also have the software
available to open the file.
• You don't have to dedicate any of
your time to the development
process (e.g. helping with
specifications, testing etc.).
• It is faster to get set up, as the
development work has already
been done.
• If it is a commonly used
package, users and I.T. staff
may already be familiar with it,
saving on learning time and
training costs.
• It often has more functionality than
bespoke software, because the
developers try to satisfy more use-
cases.
• The application is more reliable
when compared to custom built
software because its reliability is
proven through the use by other
organizations.
• It is more maintainable because
the systems documentation is
provided with the application.
• The application is higher quality
because competition improves
the product quality.
DISADVANTAGES OF OFF-THE-SHELF
SOFTWARE
• The software can be highly
complex and will usually include
large sections that you will never
use (the average Word user is
reputed to only use about 10% of
the available facilities).
• It tends to be a compromise.
By its nature it is designed for
many different types of users,
each of whom will have
different requirements.
• As the software tends to be
large and complicated it may
take a long time to learn
properly (some of the most
asked for additions to later
versions of Word were ones
that already existed in the
previous version!).
• You may have to adjust the way
that you work in order to fit in
with the way that the software
has been designed.
• There will probably be
operations that you require that
you simply cannot do with the
software.
• As one small voice amongst
many others your requests will
not carry much weight.
• As the same system can be
bought by your competitors it is
very difficult to gain any
competitive advantage from its
use.
• If you have problems you are
usually at the mercy of a large
and faceless organisation who
may not be quite as concerned as
you are if you have a major
problem that absolutely MUST
be fixed before tomorrow
morning!
• You may have to compromise on
your requirements – it is unlikely
you will find ready-made software
that does everything you would like
it to.
• As your requirements change, the
software may not be able to change
to keep up – this can lead to a costly
switch to a new package.
• Lack of customization can be an
issue if the software does not
perform an action or process that
your business requires.
• Business processes can be an issue
as you may need to change your
business to fit the off-the-shelf
software rather than having your
software fit the business.
• Off-the-shelf software may not
provide a single solution for your
requirements as a result you may
have to use multiple off-the-shelf
packages to achieve a final result.
• On-going licensing costs can add
to the overall cost of an off-the
shelf software solution
2 CUSTOMISED SOFTWARE
• Refers to application software
that has been developed to
meet special users’ specific
needs.
THE ADVANTAGES OF
CUSTOMIZED SOFTWARE

• It is specifically designed for a

particular requirement and can be
tailored to fit in exactly with the
way the business or organization
wishes to operate.
• It can be customized to work
with other software that operate
with the potential to provide a
fully integrated IT infrastructure
across the whole organization
• Users usually find it easier and
more interesting to use as it
does not contain unnecessary
or redundant facilities.
• It is much more flexible than
packaged software and can be
modified and changed over time
requirements and business
practices change
• The user receives much better
support and can in many cases talk
directly to the developers
concerned.
• If you are lucky and find a
good developer then they can
significantly add value to your
company by suggesting
alternatives, improvements and
by acting as a source of IT
advice and information
• The use of professionally
developed bespoke software
applications can give you a
significant business advantage
over your competition
• The software more closely meets
your requirements, as it is
developed especially for you.
• It can be more easily integrated with
existing software/other systems you
have, reducing data duplication.
• Custom software is able to perform
tasks that your competitors cannot.
Possibility to licence the software to
other companies to get back some/all
of the investment.
 THE DISADVANTAGES OF
CUSTOMIZED SOFTWARE
• If you do not have the source code
you are dangerously exposed and
are wholly dependent upon the
developer's continuing existence and
good will. To avoid this problem
make sure you choose a developer
who provides you with the source
code.
• If you pick the wrong
developer you could end up
with an application that is
unstable, unreliable and full of
bugs.
• The investment required will
usually be much higher than
with packaged software.
• An unacceptable proportion of
developers are either
incompetent, unprofessional or
are 'cowboys' and it can be
difficult to sort out the good
guys from the bad.
• The development process for
bespoke software can take a
long time, from brief to
development to testing. Go live
can take considerable time and
input from a business.
• Support for bespoke software can
become an issue if sufficient
documentation is not produced or if
there is limited/ no on-going
support from the Developers.
• You need to adjust your workflow
and processes to match the
software.
• Custom software usually does
not have all the functionality
you might need. If you really
know your business it is highly
probable that you have ideas
that the software doesn't
implement.
• Software targets only the
platform that the vendor picks.
FORMS OF COMPUTER
SOFTWARE
• Packaged software
• Software suite
• Integrated software
• Computer aided design
software (CAD)
• Project management software
• Web page authoring software
• Paint and image editing
software
• Video and audio editing
software
• Communication software
• Multimedia authoring
software
1. PACKAGED SOFTWARE

• Is commercial software, which is

copyrighted and designed to meet the
needs of a wide variety of users.
2. SOFTWARE SUITE

• A software suite is a collection of

individual application software packages
sold as a single entity.
• A Microsoft Software suite
usually includes application
software: a word processor,
spreadsheet software, database
software, and presentation
software.
 ADVANTAGES OF SOFTWARE
SUITES
• A software suite normally costs
significantly less than purchasing
each of the application packages
separately.
• Ease of use because applications
within a suite usually use a similar
interface and share common
features.
EXAMPLES OF SOFTWARE
SUITES
• Documents To Go (Android and
others)
• Microsoft Works
• Office suites for Android,
BlackBerry, iPhone, Symbian,
Windows Mobile and others.
• IWork — Apple Inc.'s Mac-
only office suite. Includes
Pages, for word-processing,
Numbers for spreadsheets, and
Keynote, for presentations.
iWork replaces the now-
discontinued AppleWorks suite
• Mobile office suites
• Ability Office
• Adobe premium
• Microsoft Office
• Google Docs — an AJAX-based
online office suite from Google.
The suite includes a word processor, a
spreadsheet program, and a
presentation editor. Available free and
as an enterprise service.
3.INTEGRATED SOFTWARE

• Combines application programs

such as word processing,
spreadsheet and database into a
single, easy-to-use package.
• Like a software suite, the
applications within the
integrated software use a
similar interface and share
some common features.
• Unlike a software suite, the
applications within the
integrated software cannot be
purchased individually.
• The most popular integrated
software is Microsoft Works.
ADVANTAGES OF INTEGRATED SOFTWARE

• Integrated software normally

costs significantly less than a
software suite or purchasing each
of the application packages
separately.
• Ease of use because applications
within a suite usually use a
similar interface and share
common features
DISADVANTAGES OF INTEGRATED
SOFTWARE

• The applications within the

integrated software normally
do not have all the capabilities
of stand-alone application
software of the same kind.
FORMS OF INTEGRATED SOFTWARE
A. Freeware
Is copyrighted software provided at no
cost to users.
B. Shareware
Is copyrighted software that is distributed
free for a trial period, and payment is
required for using the software beyond
that trial period.
C. Public-domain software
Is free software donated for
public use and has no copyright
restrictions.
4.COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN
SOFTWARE (CAD)

• This is software which is mainly

used for creating engineering,
architectural and scientific
drawings.
• It can be plans for buildings.
 EXAMPLES OF CAD

• AutoCAD
• Autodesk
• Microsoft Visio
5. PROJECT MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE

• It is a kind of software used to plan,

schedule, and track and analyze the
events, resources and costs of a project.
• It helps people such as a
publisher or general
contractors to complete
projects on time and within
budget.
• An examples of this software
is Microsoft project.
6. WEB PAGE AUTHORING SOFTWARE

• This is specially designed

software for creating web pages
that contain text and multimedia
elements.
EXAMPLES

• Macromedia Dreamweaver
• Microsoft front page
• Adobe Golive
• Adobe page mill
7. PAINT AND IMAGE EDITING SOFTWARE.

• This is software used to create

and modify graphics and photos.
The paint software is used to
draw pictures and shapes.
EXAMPLES
• Adobe photoshop
• Adobe illustrator
• Paint shop pro
• Corel draw
• Micro media freehand
• Microsoft photo draw
8. VIDEO AND AUDIO EDITING SOFTWARE

• Video and audio editing software are used

to modify audio and video clips, merging
a series of clips and adding some effects.
EXAMPLES
• Adobe premier
• Windows media maker
• Ulead video studio
• Ulead medio studio pro
• Adobe audition
 9.COMMUNICATION SOFTWARE

• This consists of features that help to

establish connection to another computer
or network.
• It helps in transmission of instruction and
information between computers and other
devices.
FEATURES OF COMMUNICATION
SOFTWARE

• Dialing features
• File transfer features
• Terminal emulation features
• Internet access features
 EXAMPLES OF COMMUNICATION
SOFTWARE

• E-mail software e.g Microsoft outlook

• Web browser
• Chat room software
• News reader
• Instant messenger
• Video conferencing software
10. MULTIMEDIA AUTHORING SOFWARE.

• These combine text, graphics, animations,

audio and video into one application.
EXAMPLES

• Adobe premier pro

• Micro media authorware
• Micro media director
• Micro media flash
APPLICATION OF MULTIMEDIA
• Video games
• Magazines
• Electronic books
• Electronic news papers
• Simulation
• Virtual reality
11. PERSONAL INFORMATION MANAGERS

• Helps to organize personal

information such as
appointments and to do lists.
For example, InfoPath.
12. ACCOUNTING SOFTWARE

• Is used by companies to record and report

their financial transactions. For example,
Tally, Quick Books, Sage.
13. PERSONAL FINANCE SOFTWARE
• Is often a simplified accounting
program that helps a user to pay
bills, balance the checkbook,
track personal income and
expenses, track investments, and
evaluate financial plans.
14. EDUCATIONAL SOFTWARE

• Is designed to teach a particular skill about

any subject. For example Encarta.
15. REFERENCE SOFTWARE
• Provides valuable and thorough
information for reference
purposes. For example, Rachael
encyclopedia.
• e.g., encyclopedias, dictionaries,
health and medical guides
16. ENTERTAINMENT SOFTWARE
• Software includes interactive
games, videos, and other
programs designed to support a
hobby or provide amusement and
enjoyment. For example
Windows Media Player.
 OTHER TERMS USED IN
RELATION TO SOFTWARE
 1. A SOFTWARE UPDATE
Provides bug fixes and minor
software improvements and is made
available by free download. Software
updates sometimes include new
drivers to support the latest hardware
such as printers, CD drives and DVD
drives.
• A software update is sometimes
called a software patch because it
is applied over software that you
already have installed. A software
update does not provide a full
software package installation.
2. A SOFTWARE UPGRADE

Is a purchase of a newer version of software

you currently use of a more fully-featured
version of your current software.
3. SOFTWARE VERSION

Is a software upgrade with enhanced and

modified functionalities.
COMMON CATEGORIES OF
APPLICATION SOFTWARE
WORD PROCESSING SOFTWARE
• Also known as a word
processor is used to create,
edit, format, save, and print
documents that contain text
and graphics. For example, Ms.
Word
SPREADSHEET SOFTWARE
• Is used to organize data in
rows and columns, and
perform calculations on the
data. For example, Ms. Excel.
DATABASE SOFTWARE

• This is a software used to store data in

large volumes to allow use of objects like
queries, forms, report and modules to
manipulate it well.
PRESENTATION SOFTWARE

This is software used to create

presentations, which can communicate
ideas and other information to a group of
audience. For example, Ms. PowerPoint.
DESKTOP PUBLISHING SOFTWARE

• This is software used to design and

produce complicated documents that
contain text, graphics, and brilliant colors.
For example, Ms. Publisher.
GOOD LUCK