GAYAZA HIGH SCHOOL - COMPUTER SOFTWARE 21 Mar, 2020

Computer software (Computer programs) Computer software classification

Computer software is broadly categorized

Computer software (software) are the set according to:
of digital instructions that control the  Functional (purpose); this includes,
actions of a computer. i)System software, and
The preparation of such instructions is ii)Application software,
called programming/coding, and is done  Mode of acquisition; this includes:
by programmers.
i)off-shelf(standard) software,
ii)custom made (user developed/in-house)
software.
,

iii)Freeware Software
iv)Open source System Application
v)Shareware and software software
iv)Public Domain software. Operating Device
Firmware Utilities Programming
system drivers languages

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System software Firmware (stored logic)

The System software are programmes that Firmware are the small programs
start up a computer and manage the recorded by the computer manufacturers
general functioning of the system devices. at the factory on electronic chips
The types of system software include mounted on the computer’s motherboard
i) Firmware, or any other device to control the
devices.
ii) Operating system,

iii) Utilities/Utility programs

iv) Programming languages,

v) Device drivers.

Device drivers

 Some of the devices containing A device driver is a program that

firmware are remote controls, controls a particular type of device that is
calculators, cell phones, digital cameras, attached to a computer.
and computer ROM chips. Any hardware device requires its
drivers so that the operating system can
recognize it to enable the user to use the
device.

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The Operating system (OS) software

 The drivers are written by the device The Operating system software is the
manufacturers. These programs can be program that governs the working
updated time and again to improve the (operation) of a computer system.
performance of the devices. it serving as a bridge between the
computer hardware and the application
software with which the computer user
works.
Examples of operating systems include:
Windows OS, Mac OS, UNIX and DOS,
Linux, Ubuntu

Kernel

The kernel is a computer program that is a

major part of an Operating system that
manages the rest of the operating system and
the input/output (system hardware) requests
from application software and translates them
into data processing instructions for the central
processing unit and other electronic
components of a computer.
It is also responsible for memory management,
process and task management, and disk
management.

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Name the common Operating Systems

The General functions of the operating
system
 It provides an interface between the user
and the computer.
 It manages the flow of information in the
computer.
 It manages computer hardware.

 It does File management. this includes

keeping record of the saved files, their
names, sizes, location etc.

 It does Memory management. i.e. By

 It manages the shutting down of the
constantly assigning memory locations
computer.
to the data and program instructions.
 It controls the running of other programs, i.e.
 It does Error handling. identifying and
loads and enables the other programs to
reporting errors such as memory error,
operate.
device failure, etc.

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 It completes the booting process of the It does Spooling of print jobs. placing a
computer system. The OS checks the task (print job) into a queue for
reliability of the system, and loads drivers extended or later processing.
for installed devices such as mouse and CD- SPOOL (simultaneous peripheral
ROM. operations on-line) It is a type of
buffering. The most common spooling
application is print spooling.

Classification of OS according to
Types of operating system
human–computer interface
Operating systems are categorized based on: The user interface is the aggregate of
1. The types of computers they control and means by which the user interacts with
the sort of applications they support. the computer system. A user interface
2. According to the number of users that can
provides:
be logged in at a time. 1. Input, allowing the users to

3. The number of tasks an operating system

manipulate a system
can perform concurrently. 2. Output, allowing the system to

4. The human computer interface (HCI) used.

indicate the effects of the users'
manipulation

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Graphical user interface (GUI)

operating systems
A graphical user interface (GUI) is a type  The acronym WIMP is used to refer to
that allows users to interact with Windows, Icons, Menus and Pointing
programs by manipulating graphical device in respect to GUI.
features like icons and menus, using  The most common GUI operating
pointing devices such as a mouse. systems are Microsoft Windows, Mac
OS X, and X Window System interfaces
 Examples of graphics used on GUIs

include wizards, menu, buttons, tool

bars, check boxes, etc.

Wizards Icons

A wizard is a tool to guide you through  An icon in computing is a small pictogram

the steps of a process or task by asking a representing either a file, folder,
series of questions or presenting options application or device on a computer
for the user to proceed through a task. system.

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Check boxes Menu Bar

This is a section on a program window

In computing, a check box (or tick box) is which contains a list of options of
a widget that permits the user to make available menus or application interface
multiple(several) selections from a where drop down menus or a lists of
number of options at the same time by available menus for a certain program
checking/clicking any that apply. are displayed.

Drop-down menus

A drop-down menu, also called a pull-

down menu, is a list of commands or
options that appears when the user
selects an item with a mouse or click on
the drop-down arrow at the right-hand
corner of the menu box.

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Text boxes

A text box, text field or text entry box

allows the user to input text information
to be used by the program.

Scrollbars Toolbars

A scrollbar is a graphical object in which

continuous text, pictures or anything else  A toolbar is a series of selectable icon
can be viewed even if it does not fit onto buttons in a GUI that gives the user an
the screen. easy way to select desktop, application
or Web browser functions.

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Status bar

 Toolbars are used to activate functions A status bar is found at the bottom of a
in the application. window in a graphical user interface,
divided into sections, each of which shows
 they are customizable, letting the user
different information.
add and delete buttons as required.
Its job is to display information about the
 Toolbars may be fixed in position or
current state of its window.
may float.

Advantages of a GUI operating System

 It is easy to learn and use. It is easy to

identify graphics to use.
 it provides users with immediate, visual
feedback about the effect of each action.
 It is easy to explore and find one’s way

around it.
 No need to learn complicated commands.

 It provides help facilities

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 GUIs allow multitasking by allowing  programs, files or folders are easy to

multiple programs and/or instances to identify because they are represented
be displayed simultaneously. in terms of graphical images or icons
 It is easy to import or export files

 It provides a WYSIWYG interface

 Easy to detect mistakes

Disadvantages of GUI

 GUI take up a lot of hard disk space to  It is slow to download into memory on
install. computers with low processing power
 GUI requires a lot RAM to operate. and low memory.
 Users can find it difficult to use it if it  The user choices are restricted to those

was not properly designed. on the menu.

 usually requires installation of
additional software, e.g., the "runtime
environment" in the case of java.

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Command-line user interface (CLI) OS

The CLI is one that is navigated by typing  CLIs are often used by programmers
text commands at a command prompt; for and system administrators, in
example, the root MS-DOS command line engineering and scientific
prompt is C:\>. environments, and by technically
CLI can only be navigated by using a advanced personal computer users.
keyboard and entering commands; it does  Commands must be typed correctly and

not use a mouse. in the right order.

The output is returned to the user in the
form of text lines on the CLI.

Advantages of CLI

 It does not require a lot of memory

resources to run because it is light.
 It is less prone to virus attack.
 Users have much more control of the file
 It is fast and precise. because command
system and operating system. For example,
users can easily copy a specific file from line users only need to use their
one location to another with a one-line keyboards to navigate a command line
command. interface and only need to type a few
lines to perform a task.
 It is precise because the user states exactly
what he or she wants to do.

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CLI GUI
Disadvantages of CLI The user has to know the commands or look
them up
The commands are much more intuitive

The commands usually have to be entered in Command shortcuts are possible such as <Ctrl>
full C to copy
 It is Difficult to use by new users. because of
The user has to learn the commands and more Less learning and training by the user is
the need to memorize and familiarize with training is needed required

many commands. The interface is not appealing, more difficult to The GUI is more user-friendly
use and the user is more likely to make
mistakes
 CLIs cannot show images.
There are no graphics Graphics are used to represent tasks, files etc.
 It is difficult to view multiple processes on
There are no menus Menus are used for making choices and
the screen at the same time. selections
The user has complete control The user choices are restricted to those on the
 Commands have to be entered accurately
menus
with the correct spellings and syntax (rules) Commands have to be entered accurately with Spelling and typing errors are avoided
the correct spellings and syntax (rules)
 Many feature are hidden from the user. If
No pointing device is used A pointing device is used to select items and
you don’t know the command you cant use make choices
them.

Menu driven interface Advantages of menu driven interface

 This is the interface that lets the user to  It is easy to use. The user does not have
interact with the computer using a to memorise any commands since it is
series of menus and screens. Eg. Mobile astep by step process.
phones, MP3 players, household  They are user friendly. Because they
devices and ATMs Operating systems are intuitive/instinctive.
 E.g. of a mobile phone menu interface:  Good for the physically impaired
MTN Menu because the menu options can be
1. Mobile Money spoken instead of visual options.
2. MTN Servuces
3. MTN BackUp  Good if there are limited number of

4. Contact Xchange options and screens.

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Disadvantages of Menu driven

interface
 They are easy to program in more than  They can be irritating if there are many
one language. levels to maneuver to get to the
 They don’t require a lot of memory desired screen.
resources.  It is limited by screen space and the

 Easy to learn number of options available.

Advantages of touch sensitive

Touch sensitive interface interface
 All the options can be seen by the user.
Touch sensitive interface are graphical  It is intuitive to use.
user interfaces using a touchscreen
 Do not require skills like typing to use/it
display as a combined input and output
is easy to use
device. Used in many types of point of
 Can be adopted for many uses. Eg.
sale, industrial processes and machines,
self-service machines, tablet computers, Cash point machines, ticket sales, etc.
smartphone etc.

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Disadvantages of touch sensitive

interface Voice user interfaces
 Limited options. Not many options can
be displayed on the screen Voice user interfaces accept input and
provide output by generating voice prompts.
 Not good in case of bright daylight
The user input is made by pressing keys or
 Cannot be used if the screen gets
buttons, or responding verbally to the
damaged. interface.
 Difficult to use by the visually impaired.

 It is an inconvenience on small screens

 It consumes a lot of battery on wide

screens.

Factors to consider when choosing

File management
an operating system
 This is the process of classifying, sorting,
 The Human–computer interface it organising and storing information in
provides. electronic and non-electronic formats in
 The Applications intended for the files and folders.
computer.  A file management system is Software
 The Cost of the operating system. used to manage files on a disk. It
 Its availability on the market. provides functions to delete, copy,
 Reliability of the operating system. move, rename, search, view, print files
 The basic design of the computer.
as well as create and manage
directories/folders.
 the Hardware provisions of the computer.

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File Management operations using

Windows
A computer file is the basic unit of data or
information in digitized form as a document stored
on a computer storage device under a particular  By default the computer allocates a
file name.
name to a file which you can change.
Any document is stored as a file by the computer.
Each file is given a file name for identification  The computer file name can carry any

purposes. number of characters but the file

Each computer file name consists of two parts; the extension must have at least three
name and secondly, the file extension. characters.
These two parts are separated with a dot (period)
for example; [Link]
Classlist is the name and
.doc is the file extension

File extensions
Some common file extensions
A file extension is the second part of a file name .BAT BATch files containing a series of DOS
that is separated from the file name by a period. commands.
The file extension is based on the program used .COM Executable COMmands.
to create the file. .EXE EXEcutable commands
.SYS Various types of SYStem files- usually drivers to
 The extension helps to identify the file type. control devices.
 It indicates the application that was used to .DOC DOCument files created by eg. Microsoft word.
create the file.
 It identifies the program to associate the file

with and how to properly open it using the

correct program.
 It helps to easily locate files.

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.AVI Microsoft Windows Movie file. .TXT TeXT files- associated with the note pad
.BAK Backup file used for important windows files usually program.
used with the [Link] and the [Link]. .XLS A spreadsheet file created by a MS
.BMP Graphical Bit Mapped File used in Windows Paintbrush. excel spreadsheet program.
.DOCX New Microsoft Word open standard introduced with
Microsoft Word 2007.
.JPG or .JPEG a graphics file commonly
.HTML Web page files containing HTML or other information used for photos and illustrations.
found on the Internet. .BMP Bitmapped graphics, such as photos
and illustrations.
.GIF Graphics Interchange Format. A digital image file format. .PDF Portable Document Format- a file type
that displays finished text and graphics in
application such as Acrobat.

Folders/directories and
subfolders/subdirectories
 A folder is a location/storage space
where multiple files are kept to group
and organize them. A folder can also
contain other folders to create a file
hierarchy/file system
 A file system is a way of storing of

data on a storage device such as a

hard disk, organized in files within
folders

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File hierarchy
The root directory/root folder

 This is the first/highest/topmost folder A file hierarchy is the Directory structure

in a file hierarchy. It contains all other and its contents, including the root
directory and other directories (also
folders in the drive .e.g. C:\ on the hard called folders), and files.
disk. The top-most directory in any file system
is called the root directory.
A directory that is below another
directory is called a subdirectory.
A directory above a subdirectory is
called the parent directory.

File path

 One way to keep similar files together A file path is the general form of a
so that they are easily identified and filename or of a directory name,
accessed is to store them in a specifying a unique location of a
directory/folder. particular file in a file system.
A file path enables easy identification of
the location of file on a storage device.
For example,
C:\Users\Samuel\MyDocuments\Assignme
nts\English\English [Link]

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Utilities (Utility Programmes)

Utility programs are system software

programs that are designed to configure,
analyse, optimise, and maintain a computer in
a normal working state by providing useful
services, such as performing common tasks
and ‘housekeeping’ routines.
.

Examples of utility programs and

their use:
 Backup: This utility allows you to make Disk repair utility: A disk repair utility
a duplicate copy of every file on your scans a disk for bad sectors (defective
hard disk, which can be stored on CDs areas) and either makes repairs to these
or diskettes. sectors, or marks the defective area so
 Disk defragmentation: A defragmenter that the operating system does not store
utility finds fragmented files on a disk any data in that location.
and organises them back in a
contiguous manner.

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 Virus protection utility: Antivirus  Check Disk: a utility that checks the hard
software programs scan for computer drive for problems, such as directory
viruses and removes them. structure errors, file errors, etc.
 Scandisk: This is a utility used to scan
 Computer language translators:
Computer language translators computer disks to see if there are any
(assemblers, compilers and potential problems on the disk, such as bad
interpreters) translate a program disk areas, and possibly repairs them.
written by a programmer into machine
language.

Disk cleaners
These are utilities used to find and remove Disk compression utilities: used to compress
files that are unnecessary to the computer’s or decompress the contents of a disk,
operation and taking up disk space. increasing free space on the disk. The
Disk partitioning software compressed file must be decompressed in
order to use it.
These are used to divide/partition an
individual drive into multiple logical drives, File managers: A file manager provides a
each with its own file system, which can be user interface to work with file systems. The
mounted by the operating system and most common file management operations
treated as individual/separate drives. used include create, open, edit, view, print,
play, rename, move, copy, delete, attributes,
properties, search/find, and permissions.

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Cryptographic utilities: used to encrypt Registry cleaners

and decrypt data. Registry cleaners clean and optimize the
Cryptography is the art of hiding Windows registry by removing old
information by transforming it registry keys that are no longer in use.
(encrypting it) into an unreadable format,
called cipher text. Only those who
possess a secret key can decrypt the
message into plain text.

Network utilities: tools that analyse the Screensaver: a computer program that
computer’s network connectivity, blanks the screen or fills it with moving
configure network settings, check data images or patterns when the computer is
transfer or log events. not in use.

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Programming Languages

The screensaver file can be programmed A programming language is a set of

in several different ways to run instructions used to build and design
whenever the computer is left on but idle other computer programs.
for a certain period of time A programming language has a unique
set of keywords (words that it
understands) and a special syntax for
expressing and organising program
instructions.
Syntax refers to the spelling and
grammar of a programming language.

Levels of programming languages

 Low-level programming languages are

1. 1. The machine language. This is a low level
language, which is the lowest possible level of machine dependent. Thus each language is
language in which it is possible to write a unique to the CPU on which it is
computer program. implemented and is, therefore, not usable
2. High level programming languages. These on a computer with a different CPU.
enable programmers to write programs that
are more or less independent of a particular  Writing a low level language is time
type of computer. consuming.
3. because they are closer to human languages  It is easy to make mistakes.
and further from machine languages.

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Machine language – First Generation

Language (1GL)
 There are two categories of low-level  This is the lowest possible level in which
programming languages: programing can be done because It is
i) Machine Language machine code, consisting of strings of ones
ii) Assembly Language. and zeroes and stored as binary numbers.

Characteristics of 1GL

 Fastest to execute because it is already in  Time-consuming and tedious to write

the language that the computer can  Machine dependent
understand  Programing becomes more difficult as
 Difficult to interpret (requires the aid of a the complexity of the program
reference manual to make out the meaning increases
of each code)
 Easy to make mistakes in the sequence of 1s

and 0s; replacing a 1 for a 0 can result in the

wrong command/instruction being executed

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Assembly language – Second

Characteristics of 2GL
Generation Language (2GL)
Assembly language is a low level  Easier to write than machine language
programming language that is near to
 It is machine dependent
machine code and must be translated into
machine language by language translators
known as assemblers.

High-level programming languages

(3rd generation)
 Examples of high level languages include:
high-level language are closer to human Ada, Algol, BASIC, COBOL, C, C++, FORTRAN,
languages and far from machine LISP, Pascal, and Prolog.
languages. It enables a programmer to
 Programs written in a high-level language
write programs that are independent of a must be translated into machine language by
particular type of computer. a compiler or interpreter.
 i.e. There are two ways to run programs
written in a high-level language.
 The most common is to compile the program;
the other method is to pass the program
through an interpreter.

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Compiler Interpreters

 A compiler is a program that translates a  An interpreter translates high-level

source code into machine code. The instructions directly/immediately into
compiler derives its name from the way it machine language without compiling
works, looking at the entire piece of source the entire program.
code and collecting and reorganizing the
instructions (compiling or putting together).
 A source code is the Program instructions in
their original form, as written (coded) by
the programmer in a particular
programming language.

Characteristics of high-level languages

 They are machine independent hence  They have to be translated into

portable machine code before execution
 They are user friendly and easy to learn
 One instruction translates into several
 High-level language programs are easy to machine code instructions
debug
 They are more flexible hence they enhance

the creativity of the programmer, increasing

productivity
 They are executed much slower than low-
level programming languages

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 The words and grammar of high-level  A high-level language is governed by a

languages are English-like and this strict syntax (set of grammatical rules).
makes the programs more readable  high-level languages are machine
and easy to write. independent.
 High-level languages are easier to read,
write, and maintain than low level
language.
 They also permit faster development of

large programs.

Advantages of High level languages

 High level language is easily understood by
 programs written in a high-level programmers because it is closer to human
language must be translated into language.
machine language by a compiler or
 High-level programming languages are
interpreter.
problem oriented, therefore they enable the
programmer concentrate on solving the
problem.
 Since high-level languages reflect the logic

and procedures used in a human algorithm,

the programmer is able to concentrate on
developing task algorithms.

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 The words and grammar of high-level  A high-level languages are machine

languages are English-like and this independent Since the syntaxes of high-
makes the programs more readable level languages are standardized so that
and easy to write. they can be used on different computer
systems.
 they are easier to read, write, and

maintain.
 They also permit faster development of
large programs.

Application
software/Productivity software
 High-level languages have evolved Application software is software that
over the years and can be grouped into allows end users to accomplish one or
five categories: more specific tasks.
 Third Generation Languages (3GL),

 Fourth Generation Languages (4GL),

 Object Oriented Programming

Languages (OOP),
 Fifth Generation Languages (5GL) and

 Scripting Languages.

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Category Application software

Entertainment Applications for games

Example: Solitaire
Applications for media, and DVD and CD burners
Example: Rhapsody, Pandora, Roxio Toast
 application software include industrial Business Applications for accounting, customer relationship management, database
management, spreadsheets, word processing and presentation software
automation software, business software, video Photo management Applications for photo organising, photo editing and photo sharing
Example: Adobe Photoshop
games software packages, quantum chemistry Collaborative Applications for blogging, instant messaging and e-mail communication
Example: Microsoft Outlook, Windows Live Messenger, AIM
and solid state physics software, Graphically Applications used to design graphics, such as desktop publishing software

telecommunications software (i.e., the Internet Oriented

Educational
and everything that flows on it), database Content access software has the content and/or features adapted for use by educators and
students. For example, it may deliver evaluations (tests), track progress through material, or
software, educational software, medical include collaborative capabilities.
Content access Used primarily to access content without editing, but may include software that allows for
software, military software, molecular modelling content editing. Such software addresses the needs of individuals and groups to consume
digital entertainment and published digital content. (Examples include media players, Web
software, image editing, spreadsheets, Industry
browsers, help browsers, and games.)
Production and manufacturing, computer numerical control (CNC), computer-aided design (CAD), and
computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), building information modelling, computer-aided engineering
simulation software, word processing, decision- (CAE), geotechnical engineering, electronic design automation (EDA), electronic circuit simulators, film
production, screenwriting, robotics
making software, etc.

 Application software can also be

categorised as follows: general-
purpose, specialised, integrated,
customized, and custom-written
software packages.

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General-purpose software Specialised software

This is software that is not written for any Specialised software is written for a
specific business or organisation but which specific task rather than for a broad
can be used or adapted to suit a wide application area. For example, a payroll
selection of users’ specific needs. For program, expert systems, accounting
example, Microsoft office packages. programs and theatre or airline booking
programs.

Software suites (application suites or

Integrated software
productivity suites)
An integrated software package is a single Several applications supplied as a single
application which combines most commonly package that work well together
used functions and commands and interface of because they have related functions,
many productivity software programs. features and user interfaces, and are
For example, most word processors have the able to interact with each other.
capability of mailing, creating web pages,
drawing, charting, and others in addition to
word processing.

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Advantages of integrated software and

software suites
 Business applications often come in i)It is easy to transfer data from one
suites, e.g. Microsoft Office, component of the application to another.
[Link], and iWork, which ii) An integrated software takes up less disk
bundle together a word processor space than individual packages.
application, a spreadsheet application,
iii) The user can move much faster from one
presentation graphics, database and e-
application to the next.
mail applications, etc.
iv) It is easy to learn the applications in a
software suite because the user interfaces
are similar for all applications.

v) A software suite is more versatile than viii) Software suites are cheaper to buy
individual applications. than purchasing the packages
vi) It is less likely to crash and contains individually.
fewer errors (bugs), since it has been
widely tried and tested.
vii) The producers of software suites often
offer after-sales services (e.g. online help
facilities).

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Categorization of software according

Disadvantages
to acquisition/procurement
 Not all the features of a single 1) Off-the-shelf software (OTS) or standard
application are included. software
 Some integrated packages do not This is copyrighted commercial software
contain all the applications that may be packages that are released to the market
required to complete a task. for sale, lease, or license to any user.

Examples of off-shelf software

Advantages of off-the-shelf software
packages
 MS office suite i) relatively cheap. The cost of development
 Computer games packages
can be spread over a large number of users.
 Education software packages
ii) offer a wide range of capabilities,
performs several functions.
 Etc.
iii)They are Easily available from most
computer vendors
iv) It is thoroughly tested so there are no
serious problems or bugs.

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The Disadvantages of off-the-shelf

software
v) a lot of user support is available; i) It is complex because It includes large
books, user guides, online help and sections that a user may never use.
discussion forums on the Internet. ii) does not address needs of specific
vi) easy to learn and use (user friendly) users.
vii) can be customized to the user’s iii) iii) it takes a long time to learn
needs. properly. This is because this software
viii) easy to install. tends to be large and complicated.

Custom made (Tailor-made, in-house/

custom-written/ customised or user-
made) software
Custom-made software copyrighted
iv) It is time consuming to learn and software that is uniquely designed and
adopt because it requires the user to tailored (tailor-made) software, based on a
adapt to the system it self to do work. particular user’s request to perform
v) May not address some of the particular the user’s specific needs.
individual needs of the user.  The individual user hires programmers to

design such a program which does not

target the general market and therefore is
not available for sale to the general
public.

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Advantages of Custom-made
Examples of custom made software
software
 Locally made school management  A custom-made application directly
information systems(SMIS) addresses the user’s needs.
 Inventory management systems

 Payroll management systems

 Library management systems

Disadvantages of custom made

 The software developer delivers and  High costs of developing the software,
installs the software and trains the end on-site installation, support and
users in the use of the new software. training.
 The software also performs tasks that the  It takes time to acquire because of the
general purpose software cannot need to get information necessary and
perform. to write the code of the new software.
 This kind of software can be quickly  There is high possibility of undetected

changed when the needs of the errors/bugs in the software.

organisation change, since the source
code belongs to the company.

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Open source software (OSS)

OSS is copyrighted software for which A software licence (copyright) is a legal

the software plus the source code are instrument governing the usage or
freely distributed. redistribution of software to protect the
permits users to use, change, and interests of the program designer.
improve the software, and to redistribute
it in modified or unmodified forms.
It is developed in a public, collaborative
manner.

 for example, software licence may  In addition to granting rights and

grant an end-user permission to use imposing restrictions on the use of
one or more copies of software in software, a software licence contains
ways where such a use does not provisions which allocate liability and
constitute copyright infringement of the responsibility between the parties
software owner’s exclusive rights entering into the licence agreement.
under copyright law.

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Proprietary software(closed source

Freeware
software)
Freeware is copyrighted software that is Proprietary software is copyrighted
offered at no cost but whose source code software obtained at a cost where the
is not provided. software publisher grants a licence to
Software that is not freeware is referred use one or more copies of the software,
to as commercial software or payware but the ownership of those copies
or commercial software. remains with the software publisher such
that all rights regarding the software are
reserved by the software publisher.

Shareware

 Shareware developers offer the trial

Shareware is copyrighted software that is version of their program with a built-in
distributed free on a trial basis (as a trial expiration date, say 15, 30 or 60 days, as
version) with the understanding that the user an enticement to buy the complete
may need or want to pay for it later. version of the program. Once the trial
period has passed, the program may
stop running until a licence is
purchased.

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Public domain software

 Shareware is often offered as a Public domain software is the software

download from an Internet website or which is not copyrighted because it has
as a compact disc included with a been formally released to the public
newspaper or magazine. The rationale domain such that there is no copyright
behind shareware is to give buyers the restriction on it.
opportunity to use the program and Works are in the public domain if they are
judge its usefulness before purchasing not covered by intellectual property rights
a licence for the full version of the at all, due to expiry of the intellectual
software. property rights, and/or if the intellectual
property rights are forfeited/surrendered.

Installing and uninstalling

Copylefted software
application and utility software
 This is free software whose distribution Program installation is the process of
terms ensure that all copies of setting up of a program on a computer to
all/modified versions of the copylefted be able to use it.
software to carry the same distribution Once the program has been installed, it
terms like the original version. can be executed any time without the
need to reinstall until this program is
uninstalled.

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Reasons for installation of a

program
 In case of a new application package that
 When the program previously installed
must be installed in order to run on a
is corrupted and you need to reinstall it
computer.
to be able to use it.
 in case of a plug-in. a plug-in is a set of

software components that adds specific

capabilities to a larger software application
 Installation of a device driver In case a new

device is attached to the computer.

 if there is need to update an old version of
a program by installing an update of it

Program installer

A program installer is a specialised program  Many programs are supplied with a

which automates most of the work required dedicated installer that must be run in
for a program installation, some installers order to set up the program because
are specifically made to install the files they the installation process requirements
contain; other installers are general-purpose vary for each application.
and work by reading the contents of the
software package to be installed.

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Software package/ Software suit

 Installation may include unpacking of files

 A collection of program files supplied
supplied in a compressed form, copying
by the software developer to be used
them to suitable locations, tailoring the
on computers as either a system or
software to suit the hardware and the
application program.
user's preferences.
 The installer also tests for system suitability

and available mass storage space, such

tests are necessary to determine the
compatibility of the computer in relation to
the program being installed.

Software update Software upgrade

 The changes made to a software  This involves issuing an entirely new

package overtime usually to clear software package to replace an earlier
software bugs identified version of the same package. A new
 It benefits all those who have acquired licence is issued by the developer for
a software licence for that particular which the user must pay.
package
 No payment needed to acquire the

updates

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Reasons for software update and

Software version
upgrade
 A software package released for use at  New features of the program are
a particular time usually under a given introduced for better performance.
name.  To correct Bugs in earlier versions.

 To obtain a version that can work well

with the new hardware.

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