Computer Software

Sherry Mae L. Malabago BSMA-3
CS A1 MWF 4:00 – 5:00 P.M.

Computer Software

Software means computer instructions or data. Anything that can be stored
electronically is software, in contrast to storage devices and display devices which are
called hardware. It is a set of programs, which is designed to perform a well defined
function. A program is a sequence of instruction written to solve a particular problem.

The Difference Between Software and Hardware

The terms software and hardware are used as both nouns and adjectives. For
example, you can say: "The problem lies in the software," meaning that there is a
problem with the program or data, not with the computer itself. You can also say: "It's a
software problem."The distinction between software and hardware is sometimes
confusing because they are so integrally linked. Clearly, when you purchase a
program, you are buying software. But to buy the software, you need to buy the disk
(hardware) on which the software is recorded.

Categories of Computer Software

Software is often divided into 2 categories : System Software and Application Software

SYSTEM SOFTWARE includes the operating system and all the utilities that enable the
computer to function. It is collection of programs designed to operate , control and
extend the processing capabilities of the computer itself. System software are generally
prepared by computer manufactures. ( Features: close to system, fast in speed, difficult
to manipulate, smaller in size, difficult to design, difficult to understand, generally written
in low level language)

Types Of System Software

1. System control programs -They control the execution of programs .exp-
Operating system. Examples : Device drivers -Device drivers are system
programs, which are responsible for proper functioning of device. Exp - device
like printer, a user must load the device driver of that particular printer.

2. System support programs -They provide routine service function to other
computer programs and users. Examples: UTILITY PROGRAMS | Text editors- used
to create and edit files. (ex. Notepad) | Backup utilities- help us to backup of our
important data. By using these programs files are backed up to floppies, CD and
DVD. | Data recovery software - sometimes an illegal operation may result in an


accidental loss of data which was still to be needed then we used data
recovery software (ex. Recycle Bin). Compression utilities - used to compress
large sized files so that they can be stored in storage of low capacity. (ex. Win-
zip) | Anti virus utility - Any program that effect the normal working of the other
programs or effect the boot sector of the disk is a virus. The anti virus software
detects the virus, identify and prevent it from spreading. (ex. Norton’s anti virus,
MC afee etc.)

3. System Development Programs- They assists in the creation of computer
programs. Examples : programming language, language translations.

APPLICATION SOFTWARE includes programs that do real work for users. These are
designed to satisfy particular needs of a particular environment. Examples : student
record software, railway reservation software, income tax software, word processors,
spreadsheets, and database management systems. (Features: close to user, slow in
speed, easy to understand, easy to manipulate, generally, written in high level
language, easy to design.

Types Of Application Software

1. General purpose application software - designed to satisfy common needs
of various business.
Examples:
 Word Processor -word processor is the software used to word processing. There
are many word processors available in the market. (Ex. Word Star, MS-WORD)
 Electronic Spreadsheet -A spreadsheet contains greed of cells arranged in
columns and rows. Data is entered into the cells to represent information. (Ex.
Lotus 1, 2, 3 and Excel )
 Presentation Software -presentation software are the software which are used to
present information to a large number of people. (Ex. Microsoft PowerPoint )
 Desktop Publishing Software- desktop publishing software are used for type
setting and designing purposes. (Ex. Page Marker and Coral Draw)
 Web Browser Software-with an internet connection, this type of software enables
a user to visit from one site to another by following, to search locations and view
web documents (Ex Netscape Communicator, Microsoft Internet Explorer 6)

2. Special Purpose Application Software -application software are created to
satisfy specific needs of an organization. (Ex. payroll software, railway
reservation software etc.


Sources:
http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/S/software.html
http://sahilcool43.hubpages.com/hub/COMPUTER-SOFTWARE-DEFINITION