SOFTWARE : TYPE OF SOFTWARE

Software is a program which consists of a set of instructions that tells the computer how to perform a specific  operation.

A computer is just a machine with no special benefits without software.

CATEGORIES OF SOFTWARE

Software can be divided into two categories, which are:

System Software

Software that is used to control and manage computer devices and operations.

Application Software

Software that is used to help a user perform a task and solve a problem.

SYSTEM SOFTWARE

System software refers to all programs that help the computer to function properly. The most important type of system software is the computer’s operating system, which enables the computer to start, such as Microsoft Windows, MS-DOS and Mac OS.

Other types of system software include system utilities such as file compression (zip program) and antivirus programs.

APPLICATION SOFTWARE

Application software are all programs that perform specific tasks for users, which include word processing, spreadsheet, database, presentation, e-Mail and Web browser software. Examples of application software are Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Outlook Express and Internet Explorer.

SYSTEM SOFTWARE VS APPLICATION SOFTWARE

The differences between system software and application software.

WHAT IS SYSTEM SOFTWARE

A system software is a program that controls or maintains the operations of a computer and its devices. A system software also serves as the interface between the user, the application software and the computer’s hardware.

There are two types of system software:

1. operating system
2. utility program

 

OPERATING SYSTEM

An operating system is a set of programs that coordinates all the activities among the computer hardware devices. In most cases, the operating system is installed and resides on the computer’s hard disk.

However, on handheld computers and many mobile devices such as PDAs and smart phones, the operating system may reside on a ROM chip.

The operating system that a computer uses sometimes is called the platform.

UTILITY PROGRAM

A utility program which is also called a utility is a type of system software that allows a user to perform maintenance-type tasks usually related to managing a computer, its devices or its programs.

ANTIVIRUS

Antivirus is a program that protects a computer against viruses by identifying and removing any computer viruses found in a memory or storage media or in incoming files.

DIAGNOSTIC UTILITY

Diagnostic utility is a utility program that compiles technical information about a computer’s hardware and certain system software programs and then prepares a report outlining any identified problems.

FILE MANAGER

File manager is a utility program that performs functions related to files and disk management.

SCREEN SAVER

Screen saver is a utility program that enables a display device’s screen to show a moving image or blank screen if no mouse activity occurs for a specified time.

THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN OPERATING SYSTEMS AND UTILITY PROGRAM

HARDWARE : INPUT DEVICES

INPUT

Input is any data or instruction that you enter into the memory of a computer.

There are four types of input: which are text, graphic, audio and video.

Input devices are any electronic device connected to a computer and produces input signals.

Input Devices For Text

You can enter data such as text and commands into a computer by pressing the keys on the keyboard.

You can press the keys of a virtual keyboard on the screen.

An optical reader is a device that uses a light source to read characters, marks and codes and then converts them into digital data that a computer can process.

Input Devices For Graphic

A scanner is a device that captures images from photographic  prints, posters, magazine pages and similar sources for computer editing and display.

A digital camera allows you to take pictures and store the photographed images digitally.

Input Devices For Audio

Audio input is the speech, music and sound effects entered into the computer. This can be done using input devices such as a microphone and digital musical instruments like the Musical Instrument  Digital Interface (MIDI) keyboard.

Input Devices For Video

Video input is input of motion images captured into the computer by special input devices.

A Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) video camera is a type of digital video camera that enables a home or small business user to capture video and still images.

A webcam is any video camera that displays its output on a web page.

A digital video camera allows you to record full motion  and store the captured motion digitally.

Pointing Devices

A pointing device is another form of input device. Pointing devices such as a mouse, trackball, graphics tablet and touch screen are used to input 

spatial data into the computer.

Spatial data refers to data that is continuous and  multi-dimensional.