UNIT -4

Computer Software
LH: 4 Hrs
Contents:
Introduction

Types of Software

- System Software
- Application Software

Software Acquisition

Operating System

- Objectives of operating system

- Types of OS
- Functions of OS
• Process Management
• Memory Management
• File Management
• Device Management
• Protection and Security
• User Interface
- Examples of Operating System

New Trends in Software

Foundation of IT 2022 By: Lecturer of IT, Mohan Singh Ayer (Msc.IT)

Computer Software
Introduction
Software is a set of instructions, data or programs used to operate
computers and execute specific tasks. It is the opposite of
hardware, which describes the physical aspects of a computer.

OR

• The software comprises a set of instructions which on

execution deliver the desired outcome.
• Some examples of software include operating systems like
Ubuntu or windows 7/10, word processing tool like liber
office or Microsoft word, video player like VLC player etc.

Types of Software

Software can be classified in three categories:

1. System Software
2. Application Software
3. Utility Software

Foundation of IT 2022 By: Lecturer of IT, Mohan Singh Ayer (Msc.IT)

 1. System Software
System software is a type of computer program that is designed to
run a computer's hardware and application programs. If we think
of the computer system as a layered model, the system software is
the interface between the hardware and user applications. The
operating system is the best-known example of system software.
The OS manages all the other programs in a computer.

2. Application Software
An application software or app in short is a computer program
designed and developed to perform a group of coordinated
functions or activities for the benefit of user. It is the software
developed to solve a specific user oriented problems. Application
Software may be a single program or a set of programs. It allows
you to perform specific tasks on your computer, such as writing a
letter, preparing an invoice, viewing a web page, listening to a
music file, checking the inventory of a particular product, playing
a game, preparing financial statements etc.

The examples of some application software are:

1. MS-Word
2. Spread Sheet/ MS-Excel
3. Database Package: MS Access/Oracle/MySQL etc.

Foundation of IT 2022 By: Lecturer of IT, Mohan Singh Ayer (Msc.IT)

 4. Engineering Package: CAD/CAM

There are two types of application software:

1. Customized or Tailored Software

Customized or tailored software is the software designed to meet

the specific requirements of an organization or individuals.
Tailored software is developed on the demand of customer by a
software contractor. It is written using a high level programing
language such as C, C++, Java, .net and python etc. The example
of customized software are SMS, air traffic control, billing and
accounting etc.

2. Packaged Software

Packaged software is that software which is generalized set of

programs designed and developed for general purpose. These are
the which are produced by development organization and sold on
the open market to any customer who is able to buy them. It is also
called universal software as it can be used by users and
organizations all over the world. The example of packaged
software are MS-WORD, EXCEL, and Database etc….

Foundation of IT 2022 By: Lecturer of IT, Mohan Singh Ayer (Msc.IT)

 3. Utility Software

Utility programs is also called system support software or

service program, which provide useful services to the user of
the computer. Utility programs are programs- that enhance
or extend the operating system’s capabilities or which simply
offer new feature not provided by operating system itself.
Like hardware, software in computer also needs
maintenance. Utility Software are programs that are used to
maintain, support, enhance and secure existing program.
Some important functions of Utility Software as follows:

• File Compression
• Backup Utility [Hard Disk to CD ROM]
• Disk Partition
• Antivirus Utility
• Disk cleaning and defragmenter.

• Device Driver
Device drivers are set of computer program that controls the
operation and functionality of different devices. Each device in the
computer system has a device driver associated with it for proper
functioning. Driver acts as a translator between the hardware and
the software that uses the devices.

Foundation of IT 2022 By: Lecturer of IT, Mohan Singh Ayer (Msc.IT)

In other words, it intermediates between the device and the
software, in order to use the device. For proper working of a
device, its corresponding device driver must be installed on the
computer.

Software Acquisition

In general, the way in which different software are made available

to user is software acquisition.
It is the act or process of acquiring software in different ways like
purchasing, downloading free from internet or getting it bundled
along with hardware, etc is called software acquisition.
Different kinds of software are made available for users in
different ways and in different formats. The different ways in
which software are made available to users are:
▪ Demo software: Demo software is a trial version of software
program designed to demonstrate what purchased version of the
software is capable of doing. In demo software there is a
restricted set of features like limited interface, not accessible
some features, etc. The user must buy the software for full
features.
▪ Shareware: Shareware software can be used on a trial basis. It
is provided as demos for trial but for a limited time. Once trial

Foundation of IT 2022 By: Lecturer of IT, Mohan Singh Ayer (Msc.IT)

 period expires, the user must buy or pay for the software in order
to continue using it.
▪ Freeware: This software is free for personal use.
▪ Retail software: It is of-the-shelf software sold in retail stores.
The users need to buy it before using it. Examples: Microsoft
Windows Operating System, Microsoft Office, etc.
▪ Open-Source software: It is the software whose source code is
available and can be customized and altered within the specified
guidelines laid by the creator. Examples: Linux, Apache, Open
office, etc.

Operating System
An Operating System (OS) is a collection of software that manages
computer hardware resources and provides common services for computer
programs.

Objective of Operating System

• Convenient to use: One of the objectives is to make the computer
system more convenient to use in an efficient manner.
• User Friendly: To make the computer system more interactive with a
more convenient interface for the users.
• Easy Access: To provide easy access to users for using resources by
acting as an intermediary between the hardware and its users.
• Management of Resources: For managing the resources of a
computer in a better and faster way.

Foundation of IT 2022 By: Lecturer of IT, Mohan Singh Ayer (Msc.IT)

• Controls and Monitoring: By keeping track of who is using which
resource, granting resource requests, and mediating conflicting requests
from different programs and users.
• Fair Sharing of Resources: Providing efficient and fair sharing of
resources between the users and programs.

Types of Operating System

Operating System are classified into different types depending on

their capability of processing:

1. Single user OS
2. Multi user OS
3. Multitasking OS
4. Multiprocessing OS
5. Real time OS
6. Embedded OS

1. Single user and Single Task OS: These operating systems

allow only one user to operate at a time. It is also called
standalone operating system because it is used by single user.
The main example of single user operating system is DOS.
DOS is stands for Disk Operating System. In this operating
system we cannot work parallel.

2. Multi User OS: These are the operating system where more
than two people can work together parallel at a time. It is
Foundation of IT 2022 By: Lecturer of IT, Mohan Singh Ayer (Msc.IT)
 connected with network to sharing resources. The time
sharing concept is used with in this operating system. The
example of multi user OS is Restaurant Server, where
multiple order can be ordered at a time.

3. Multitasking OS: The multitasking OS refers to a logical

extension of the multiprogramming operating system, which
allows users to run many programs simultaneously. It
enables a user to complete multiple computer tasks at the
same time.
Multiple tasks are also known as processes that share similar
processing resources like a CPU. The operating system
keeps track of where you are in each of these jobs and allows
you to transition between them without losing data.
4. Multiprocessing OS: These types of operating system are
built with the help of multiple CPUs. It means multiple CPUs
are used in this operating system. In this operating system the
main task is divided into multiple task to execute very fast.
These types of operating systems are applicable in Super
Computer.
5. Real Time OS: These types of OSs serve real-time systems.
The time interval required to process and respond to inputs
is very small. This time interval is called response time.

Foundation of IT 2022 By: Lecturer of IT, Mohan Singh Ayer (Msc.IT)

 Real-time systems are used when there are time
requirements that are very strict like missile systems, air
traffic control systems, robots, etc.
Two types of Real-Time Operating System which are as
follows:
Hard Real-Time Systems: These OSs are meant for applications
where time constraints are very strict and even the shortest
possible delay is not acceptable. These systems are built for
saving life like automatic parachutes or airbags which are
required to be readily available in case of any accident.
Virtual memory is rarely found in these systems.
Soft Real-Time Systems: These OSs are for applications
where for time-constraint is less strict.
6. Embedded OS: An embedded operating system is a
computer operating system designed for use in embedded
computer systems. It has limited features. The main goal of
designing an embedded operating system is to perform
specified tasks for non-computer devices. These are used in
Lift, petrol pump, ATM Machin, and smart watches etc.

- Functions of OS
• Process Management: The operating system assigns
processors to the different tasks that must be performed by
the computer system. In this operating system, there is
used schedule algorithm.

Foundation of IT 2022 By: Lecturer of IT, Mohan Singh Ayer (Msc.IT)

 • Memory Management: Memory Management module
performs the task of allocation and de-allocation of
memory space to programs in need of this resources.
• File Management: Operating System manages all the file
related activities such as organization storage, retrieval,
naming, sharing, and protection of files.
• Device Management: Operating system performs the
task of allocation and de-allocation of the devices.
• Protection and Security: Security management function
of an operating system helps in implementing mechanisms
that secure and protect the computer system internally as
well as externally.
• User Interface: Operating system provides an interface
between the computer user and the computer hardware.
The user interface is as set of commands or a graphical
user interface via which the user interacts with the
applications and the hardware.
- Examples of Operating System
• MS- DOS: MS-DOS was the first widely installed CUI
operating system for Pcs in 1980. It is a command line user
interface operating system. It is a command line user
interface operating system. This means that the user has to
type single line commands through the command interface.
• Windows Family of OS

Foundation of IT 2022 By: Lecturer of IT, Mohan Singh Ayer (Msc.IT)

 • Mac OS: Mac OS is the proprietary operating system for Mac
computers made by apple corporation. It is based on the
UNIX operating system and originally set the standard for
graphical user interfaces. Many of today’s operating systems
follow the trend that Mac OS started and, in fact, use GUIs
that highly resemble the one used with Mac OS.
• Unix: UNIX was originally developed in the late 1960 at AT
& T Bell Laboratories as an operating system for midrange
servers. UNIX is a multiuser, multitasking operating system.
• Linux: Linux was developed by Linus Torvalds in 1992.
Linux is copy right under the GNU public License. LINUX
is open source operating system, it means it is free. Linux is
a secure and free available software. Basically it is used for
server.

New Trends in Software

A technology that is prominent today may quickly become

obsolete. If we look at the current software, many significant
trends are changing how we develop, deploy, and manage software
and the platforms to develop for.

Foundation of IT 2022 By: Lecturer of IT, Mohan Singh Ayer (Msc.IT)

Big Data Security: Big data security is the collective term for all
the measures and tools used to guard both the data and analytics
processes from attacks, theft, or other malicious activities that
could harm or negatively affect them.

Much like other forms of cyber-security, the big data variant is

concerned with attacks that originate either from the online or
offline spheres.

Artificial Intelligence: Artificial intelligence is the simulation of

human intelligence processes by machines, especially computer
systems. Specific applications of AI include expert systems,
natural language processing, speech recognition and machine
vision.

Augmented Reality(AR): Augmented reality (AR) is an

enhanced version of the real physical world that is achieved
through the use of digital visual elements, sound, or other sensory
stimuli and delivered via technology. It is a growing trend among
companies involved in mobile computing and business
applications in particular.

Progressive Web App: With the continuous growth of mobile and

web-based applications, developing and maintaining separate
applications for both platforms may become an unnecessary
burden.

Cloud Computing: Cloud computing is the delivery of different

services through the Internet. These resources include tools and
Foundation of IT 2022 By: Lecturer of IT, Mohan Singh Ayer (Msc.IT)
applications like data storage, servers, databases, networking, and
software.

Rather than keeping files on a proprietary hard drive or local

storage device, cloud-based storage makes it possible to save them
to a remote database. As long as an electronic device has access
to the web, it has access to the data and the software programs to
run it.

Cloud computing is a popular option for people and businesses for

a number of reasons including cost savings, increased
productivity, speed and efficiency, performance, and security.

Q&A
Session

Foundation of IT 2022 By: Lecturer of IT, Mohan Singh Ayer (Msc.IT)

 THANK
YOU

Foundation of IT 2022 By: Lecturer of IT, Mohan Singh Ayer (Msc.IT)