RESUME ABOUT COMPUTER SOFTWARE
Software is the general term for various kinds of programs used to operate and manipulate computers and their peripheral devices.
Computer software consist of two major types of programs :
1. Application software : directs the performance of a particular use, or application of computers to meet the information processing needs of user.
Including : – General purpose program : programs that perform common information processing jobs for end user (ex : word processing, spreadsheet)
-Application specific program : accomplish information processing task that support specific business functions or processes, scientific or engineering applications and other computer application in society
Example : office
2. System Software: control and supports the operations of a computer system as it perfoms various information processing task.
Including : – System management programs: the programs that manage hardware, software, network, and data resources of coputer systems during the exection of the various information jobs of users (ex: Operating System and Network Management Programs)
– System development programs: Programs that helps users develop information systems programs and procedures and prepare users programs for computer processing (ex : programming language translators and editors)
Example : OS, BIOS
3. Operating System : an intergrated system of programs that manages the operations of the CPU, controls the input/output and storage resources and activites of the computer system, and provides various support services as the computer executes the application programs of users.
3.1 Operating system functions :
a. The User Interface : the part of the operating system that allows you to communicate with it so you can load programs, access files, and accomplish other task.
b. Resource management : Managing the use of hardware resources
c. Task management : Managing the accomplishment of task
d. File management : Managing data and program files
e. Support services : Providing a variety of support services
4. Programming Languages : a major category of system software.
4.1 Functions of programming languages :
They require the use of a variety of programming packages to help programmers develop computer programs and language translator programs to convert programming language instructions into machine language instruction codes.
4.2 The five major levels of programming languages :
a. machine languages
b. assembler languages
c. high-level languages
d. fourth generation languages
e. object oriented languages
