Create a list of different
jobs that are performed by
a computer.
Starter Activity Challenge: What is
Jobs performed by a responsible for ensuring
computer all of these tasks are
completed successfully?
For example:
Printing a document
Software:
Operating
Systems
Learning Habits:
Resilience Collaboration Reflection Cooperation
Enquiry Independence Risk Taking Communication
● Know the purpose of an operating
system
● Explain the different job roles
that an operating system
performs.
● Describe the roles the different
pieces of utility software
perform.
Lesson Objectives
What is Software?
Software refers to programs and applications that run on
computers or devices, enabling them to perform specific
tasks or functions by providing instructions for hardware to
process and execute.
Three Types of Software
System Software Utility Software Application
• Operating System Computer users are Software
provided with a number of
• Utility Software utility programs (often
• Used to perform
simply referred to as various
utilities) that are part applications
of the system software. (apps) on a
Utility programs are
computer.
often initiated by the
user, but some, notably • Allows a user to
virus checkers, perform specific
often just run in the tasks using the
background without the computer’s
need for any user input.
resources.
Application Software
Brand Type of Software Purpose…
Microsoft Word Word processor To produce documents
Microsoft PowerPoint Presentation Produces presentation uses
slides
Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet Analyse data
Microsoft Access Database Store data
Google Chrome, Safari, Web browser To access the www
Microsoft Edge
Spotify App Audio player Play audio files
Windows Media Player Multi-media player Plays different types of
medias files
Photoshop Graphical manipulation To create and edit graphics
software
System Software
System software is software essential for the
operation of the computer system.
Examples of system software include:
● The operating system
● Utility software
Without system software a user has no starting
point for giving a computer instructions,
system software gives users a platform to run
applications and carry out tasks.
Operating Systems
An operating system
controls the general
operation of a computer,
and provides an easy way
for us (the user) to
interact with computers
(hardware) and then run the
applications and our
commands.
Functions of an Operating System
● Providing a user interface
● Peripheral (hardware) management
● Memory management and multitasking
● Processor Management
● System Security and User Management
Task:
● For each of these functions, provide a list of key terms.
● Describe what the Operating System is specifically responsible
for in each function.
E.g. Computer memory must be managed to ensure that:
● more than one program can run at the same time
● more than one document can be opened at the same time
