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❖ What is computer software? Describe its types.

Software
Software is a set of instructions that tell a computer what to do. Software is the set of instructions given to
computer to perform a task or to control operations of computer. Software cannot be touched. The hardware
cannot perform any task without software.

Types of Software

The main types of software are system software and application software.

1. System Software

System software is a set of programs used to implement certain functions in a system. System software controls
the overall operations and components of a computer system.
We can say that system software is the base on which application programs are executed. System software
provides an interface between user and computer. Users use this interface to interact with the computer and
perform different jobs on computer. Operating systems like Windows, Linux and Unix are the main example of
system software. Similarly device drivers are also examples of system software.

Examples of system software are as follows:

• Operating System

Operating system is software to control overall operations and components of a computer system. e.g.,
Windows, UNIX, Linux and Dos etc.

• Utility Programs

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Utility program is used to solve a particular problem of software or hardware, for example, Antivirus program,
disk scanner and File Viewer etc.

• Device Drivers

Device driver is software that permits a computer system to communicate with a device. e.g., device driver
software for a printer comes with it on CD. We have to install device driver before using a device.

• Language Processor

Language processor is software that converts a source program into object program. For example C- compiler
converts a program written in C language into object (machine code). Other examples are assembler, compiler
etc.

2. Application Software

Application software is a program needed to perform various applications on the computer by the user. It helps
a computer user to solve specific problems like to prepare letters and other documents, to create pictures and
advertisements, to perform large calculations quickly etc.The application software runs on top of the operating
system software. Examples of application software are Word Processing, Spreadsheets, Database etc. There are
two types of application software. They are:
1. Packaged software is a collection of programs that perform similar functions or have similar
features. For example, Microsoft Office includes multiple applications such as Excel, Word,
and PowerPoint. Video and audio editing software may also be available as packaged software, used
for editing music and video files used in a movie.
2. Tailored/Customized software is made for an individual or business that performs tasks specific to
their needs is called customized software. For example, software used for result processing in
school, college etc.

❖ What is operating system? Write the functions of operating system.

An operating system is a software which acts as an interface between the end user and computer hardware.
Every computer must have at least one OS to run other programs. An application like Chrome, MS Word,
Games, etc needs some environment in which it will run and perform its task. It is a powerful, and usually large,
program that controls and manages the hardware and other software on a computer.
The OS helps you to communicate with the computer without knowing how to speak the computer's language.
It is not possible for the user to use any computer or mobile device without having an operating system.
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Function of an Operating System

In an operating system software performs each of the function:
1. Process management:- Process management helps OS to create and delete processes. It also provides
mechanisms for synchronization and communication among processes.
2. Memory management:- Memory management module performs the task of allocation and de-allocation of
memory space to programs in need of this resources.
3. File management:- It manages all the file-related activities such as organization storage, retrieval, naming,
sharing, and protection of files.
4. Device Management: Device management keeps tracks of all devices. This module also responsible for this
task is known as the I/O controller. It also performs the task of allocation and de-allocation of the devices.
5. I/O System Management: One of the main objects of any OS is to hide the peculiarities of that hardware
devices from the user.
6. Secondary-Storage Management: Systems have several levels of storage which includes primary storage,
secondary storage, and cache storage. Instructions and data must be stored in primary storage or cache so that a
running program can reference it.
7. Security:- Security module protects the data and information of a computer system against malware threat
and authorized access.
8. Command interpretation: This module is interpreting commands given by the and acting system resources
to process that commands.
9. Networking: A distributed system is a group of processors which do not share memory, hardware devices, or
a clock. The processors communicate with one another through the network.
10. Job accounting: Keeping track of time & resource used by various job and users.
11. Communication management: Coordination and assignment of compilers, interpreters, and another
software resource of the various users of the computer systems.
Types of operating system
An Operating System (OS) is a software that acts as an interface between computer hardware components and
the user. Every computer system must have at least one operating system to run other programs. Applications
like Browsers, MS Office, Notepad Games, etc., need some environment to run and perform its tasks.
❖ On the basis of user interface
• CUI (Character User Interface)
The CUI operating system is a text-based operating system, which is used for interacting with
the software or files by typing commands to perform specific tasks. The command-line operating
system uses only the keyboard to enter commands. For example: MS-DOS, PC-DOS
• GUI (Graphical User Interface)
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A graphics-based operating system interface that uses icons, menus and a mouse (to click on
the icon or pull down the menus) to manage interaction with the system. Developed by Xerox,
the GUI was popularized by the Apple Macintosh in the 1980s. For example: Windows OS,
Andriod etc.

❖ On the basis of mode of use

• Single user OS
An operating system that allows a single user to perform only one task at a time is called a
Single-User Single-Tasking Operating System. Functions like printing a document, downloading
images, etc., can be performed only one at a time. Examples include MS-DOS, Palm OS, etc.
• Multi user OS
A Multi-user operating system is a computer operating system which allows multiple users to
access the single system with one operating system on it. It is generally used on large mainframe
computers.
Example: Linux, Unix, Windows 2000, Ubuntu, Mac OS etc.,
In the multi-user operating system, different users connected at different terminals and we can
access, these users through the network.

❖ On the basis of processing

• Batch Operating System
• Multitasking/Time Sharing OS
• Multiprocessing OS
• Real Time OS
• Distributed OS
• Network OS
• Mobile OS
Batch Operating System

Some computer processes are very lengthy and time-consuming. To speed the same process, a job with a similar
type of needs are batched together and run as a group.

The user of a batch operating system never directly interacts with the computer. In this type of OS, every user
prepares his or her job on an offline device like a punch card and submits it to the computer operator.

Payroll System, Bank Statements, etc.

Multi-Tasking/Time-sharing Operating systems

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Time-sharing operating system enables people located at a different terminal (shell) to use a single computer
system at the same time. The processor time (CPU) which is shared among multiple users is termed as time
sharing.

Multics, Unix, etc.

Multiprocessing operating system

A computer's capability to process more than one task simultaneously is called multiprocessing.
A multiprocessing operating system is capable of running many programs simultaneously, and most modern
network operating systems (NOSs) support multiprocessing. These operating systems include Windows NT,
2000, XP, and Unix.

Real time OS

A real time operating system time interval to process and respond to inputs is very small. Examples: Military
Software Systems, Space Software Systems.

Distributed Operating System

Distributed systems use many processors located in different machines to provide very fast computation to its
users.

LOCUS

Network Operating System

Network Operating System runs on a server. It provides the capability to serve to manage data, user, groups,
security, application, and other networking functions.

Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Microsoft Windows Server 2008, UNIX, Linux, Mac OS X, Novell
NetWare, and BSD, etc.

Mobile OS

Mobile operating systems are those OS which is especially that are designed to power smartphones, tablets, and
wearable devices.

Some most famous mobile operating systems are Android and iOS, but others include BlackBerry, Web, and
watchOS.

❖ Explain the block diagram( Architecture) of Computer system.

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Block diagram of a computer gives you the pictorial representation of a computer that how it works
inside. Or you can say that, in computer's block diagram, we will see how computer works from feeding
the data to getting the result.

Here is the block diagram of a computer system:

In the above diagram, both control (control unit or CU) and arithmetic & logic unit (ALU) combinely
called as Central Processing Unit (CPU).

The Processor Unit (CPU)

It is the brain of a computer system.

All major calculation and comparisons are made inside the CPU and it is also responsible for activation
and controlling the operation of other unit.

This unit consists of two major components, that are arithmetic logic unit (ALU) and control unit (CU).

Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)

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Here arithmetic logic unit performs all arithmetic operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication
and division. It also uses logic operation for comparison.

Control Unit (CU)

And the control unit of a CPU controls the entire operation of a computer. It also controls all devices
such as memory, input/output devices connected to the CPU.

CU fetches instructions from memory, decodes the instruction, interprets the instruction to know what
the task are to be performed and sends suitable control signals to the other components to perform for
the necessary steps to executes the instruction.

Input/Output Unit
The input/output unit consists of devices used to transmit information between the external world and
computer memory.

The information fed through the input unit is stored in computer's memory for processing and the final
result stored in memory can be recorded or display on the output medium.

Memory Unit
Memory unit is an essential component of a digital computer. It is where all data intermediate and final
results are stored.

The data read from the main storage or an input unit are transferred to the computer's memory where
they are available for processing.

This memory unit is used to hold the instructions to be executed and data to be processed.

Disk Storage Unit

Data and instruction enters into a computer system through input device have to stored inside the
computer before actual processing start.

Two types of storage unit are primary and secondary storage unit.

Primary Storage Unit

Primary memory has direct link with input unit and output unit. It stores the input data, calculation
result.

Secondary Storage Unit

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The primary storage is not able to store data permanently for future use. So some other types of storage
technology is required to store the data permanently for long time, it is called secondary or auxiliary
storage.

❖ Explain the characteristics of computer system.

OR
❖ Why is computer system used in offices(banking sectors)?

The characteristics of the computer system are as follows −

Characteristics of Computer
Speed
A computer works with much higher speed and accuracy compared to humans while performing
mathematical calculations. Computers can process millions (1,000,000) of instructions per second. The
time taken by computers for their operations is microseconds and nanoseconds.

Accuracy
Computers perform calculations with 100% accuracy. Errors may occur due to data inconsistency or
inaccuracy.

Diligence
A computer can perform millions of tasks or calculations with the same consistency and accuracy. It
doesn’t feel any fatigue or lack of concentration. Its memory also makes it superior to that of human
beings.

Versatility
Versatility refers to the capability of a computer to perform different kinds of works with same accuracy
and efficiency.

Reliability
A computer is reliable as it gives consistent result for similar set of data i.e., if we give same set of input
any number of times, we will get the same result.

Automation

Computer performs all the tasks automatically i.e. it performs tasks without manual intervention.

Memory
A computer has built-in memory called primary memory where it stores data. Secondary storage are
removable devices such as CDs, pen drives, etc., which are also used to store data.
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