SOFTWARE
DEFINE SOFTWARE ?
What is Software?
A series of instructions that tells the hardware components
of the computer system what tasks are to be performed.
Categories of software
• Application Software
• System Software
APPLICATION SOFTWARE
Application Software
Application software is software that performs a useful function
and lets you use the computer to do things.
It consists of programs that perform specific tasks for users.
Application software falls into the following categories:
❑ General Purpose Software
❑ Custom Written Software
❑ Customization of General Purpose Software
❑ Specialized Software
❑ Integrated Software
WHAT IS A GENERAL
PURPOSE SOFTWARE ?
General-purpose software
General-purpose software is used by anyone for many different reasons. There are five types
of general-purpose software:
• Word processing software
• Spreadsheet software
• Database Management software
• Communication software – enables your computer to connect to a network in order to
exchange information, download music, movies, etc. E.g. Microsoft Outlook
• Presentation/Graphics – used to create documents called slides that add visual appeal to
presentations. E.g. Microsoft PowerPoint
WHAT IS A CUSTOM
WRITTEN SOFTWARE ?
Custom-written Software
A Custom-written software is a software that has been
designed or created by a programmer to meet the specific
need of a user or organization.
For example; Hi-Lo supermarkets hire a programmer to
build them a software used only by their cashiers to cash the
items they sell.
WHAT IS A CUSTOMIZED
SOFTWARE ?
Customization of General –Purpose Software
This type of software is similar to general-purpose software
except, it has been modified by a programmer to meet the
specific need of its user.
For example, a phone company who would need to store all
the names, addresses and telephone numbers of all its
customers; would hire a programmer to modify Microsoft
Access to meet this requirement.
WHAT IS A SPECIALIZED
SOFTWARE ?
Specialized Software
Specialized software packages are written for a specific discipline
or profession. An example of such a software would be an expert
system; these computer software make decisions or solve problems
in particular profession; such as banking, architecture, medicine,
etc.
For example, a doctor’s office would employ an expert system
software to ask a patient questions and then make a diagnosis as to
what sickness the patient may have.
Examples of Specialized software include:
QuickBook used by accountants and AutoCAD used by
architects
WHAT IS A INTEGRATED
SOFTWARE ?
Integrated Software
A software package that combines several
General-purpose application software to produce one
integrated package. Examples of integrated software
package are: Corel Suite 8, Microsoft Office 2010 or
20016, Microsoft Works or iWorks (Apple Mac).
WHAT IS AN OFF THE SHELF
SOFTWARE SOFTWARE ?
OFF THE SHELF SOFTWARE
Off the Shelf Software, also called commercial software, is any kind of
software solution that has been developed for the mass market. It is a
ready-made product that you can purchase.
Advantages
Quick to implement
Can access reviews and advice from existing users
There are pre-existing solutions
Updates usually included
SYSTEM SOFTWARE
System Software
System software are programs that do not solve end-user problems.
These programs manage the resources of a computer system, and
make it easier for users to use all the programs on the computer.
The three (3) types of systems software are:
❑ Operating Systems
❑ Utility Software
❑ Translators
WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT
OPERATING SYSTEMS?
OPERATING SYSTEM
An operating system is software that communicates with the hardware and
allows other programs to run.
Or
An Operating System (OS) is an interface between a computer user
and computer hardware.
Function of the Operating System
• It facilitates communication between
computer system and its user.
• It Manages the sharing of internal memory
• It decides on the order in which task are to
be performed
• It performs files management tasks
• It executes programs and terminates those
that are not working properly.
Operating System software - Examples
• Ms Dos
• Window 95
• Windows 98
• Windows ME
• Windows 2000
• Windows XP
• Windows Vista
• Linux
• Unix
• Apple McIntosh
• Windows 7
• Mac X
● Android
Utility Software
These are usually software/programs that repair and maintain other
software on the computer system. For example:
❑ Disk cleaner
❑ Firewall software
❑ Anti-Spyware and Antivirus software such Norton, AVG, or McAfee.
Translator Software
These are software that converts high-level languages to low-level machine
codes.
SOFTWARE USER
INTERFACE
The User Interface
An interface is that part of a program that interacts with the user. The more
user-friendly an interface is, the easier it is for you to use.
One of the functions of an Operating System (OS) is to provide a user
interface. The type of user interface an operating system has will affect its user
friendliness. Most OS uses a combination of the various types of interface.
The three types of User Interface
❑ Command Driven User Interface
❑ Menu Driven User Interface
❑ Graphical User Interface
Command Driven User Interface
This is the oldest type of user interface and maybe the least user-friendly. It involves the use
of commands that are typed in by the user to instruct the computer as to what tasks to perform.
The commands are typed in at a command prompt. Two types of operating systems which use
this type of user interface are DOS and MS-DOS.
Example of Command Driven User Interface command prompt
Advantages of a Command Driven User Interface
• User can quickly enter commands if they are familiar with them
• Commands are executed faster by the processor
Disadvantages of the Command Driven User Interface
• Requires knowing the commands to work quickly and efficiently
• Not suitable for novice users
• Limited choice in input devices. Usually a keyboard
Command Driven User Interface
Menu Driven User Interface
Menu driven user interface allows the user to perform tasks by the use of menus which
contains a list of options. Menus are either Pull-down or Pop-up menus, e.g. Menu bar in
MS Word, Excel or the Start menu on the desktop.
Advantages of a Menu Driven User Interface
• Commands can be entered from a variety of input devices. E.g. light pen, keyboard,
mouse, etc.
• User does not need to remember commands as they are selected from a list of options.
Disadvantages of a Menu Driven User Interface
• To execute a command the user maybe required to go through many steps
• Though commands do not have to be memorized users must know the menu under
which the desired command is located in order to move quickly and efficiently
Menu Driven User Interface
Graphical User Interface (GUI)
GUI is a HCI that uses graphical display with a combination of menus, buttons,
icons, and other graphical images to give commands. A GUI is the most
user-friendly user interface.
Example of a Graphical User Interface
Advantages of using a GUI
• The use of icons results in less errors in the entering of commands
• Best suited for novice users
• Reduce typing
Disadvantages of using a GUI
• They need significantly more memory (RAM) to run than
other interface types
• They use more processing power than other types of interface
Graphical User Interface (GUI)
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N T U S R A R I I B V S Q
N E G L R N R E R A
I C W W Y O S D T N
I T U T R I L S T Y
L I E D S P A I Z L E C
S I O N
I N R A R C F T E E
QUESTIONS ???
❑ Differentiate between the following types
of application software giving an example
each
Application and system software (3 ❑ Which operating system do you use in the labs at
marks) school. (1 mark)
General-Purpose and custom Written
software (3 marks) ❑ What are the main differences between a ‘command
Integrated Software and Specialized line interface’ and a ‘graphical user interface’? (2
software (3 marks) marks)
❑ Explain the importance of the operating ❑ Choose the most suitable application software to be
system to the computer? (2 marks) used for the following, stating the reason for your
choice: (2 marks)
• List 2 examples of an operating systems a. Architect
used on mobile devices. (2 marks) b. A Student
❑ Explain why hardware cannot work
without software. (2 marks)
