COMPUTER SOFTWARE

Chapter 10

What Is Hardware And

Software
Hardware
All physical contents of computer are hardware.
This form is given to all electrical and mechanical
devices attached to the computer for the purpose
of input, process, and storage and output
operations

Software
Software is a general term used for computer
Programs. A computer program is a planned, step
by step set of instructions that directs the
computer what to do and how to do

Types Of Software

System Software

The programs directly related to the computer

hardware and perform tasks associated with
controlling and utilizing computer hardware.
System software includes operating systems
& utilities.

Application Software
An application is a job or task a user wants to
accomplish through a computer.
Application software are programs that help
a user perform a specific job.

How it is

How it is

Types of System Software

Computers require various types of software to make them useful. These can
be classified as follows:

1. Operating System
2. Utility software

Operating System

1. Operating system
2. Utility software
3. Applications software

The operating system(OS) is the piece of software required by the computer to make
sure that it works correctly and efficiently.
It manages the computer and allows the user to communicate with the hardware.

Modern operating systems are typically stored on Hard disk and loaded into RAM
when the computer is switched on.
Storing the OS on disk means that it can be easily updated. Windows Vista
and XP are updated on a daily basis.

The bootstrap loader

The bootstrap loader is a small but very important
part of the OS which is permanently stored in
ROM.

1. Operating system
2. Utility software
3. Applications software

When the computer is first switched on the bootstrap loader starts to run.

It checks the RAM and input/output devices to make sure that they are working
and then locates the OS on backing storage, usually on Hard disk but could be
on CD or even a memory stick.

It then loads the OS into RAM and the OS takes over control.

The main part of the operating system in RAM

manages the computer and allows the user to
communicate with the hardware

1. Operating system
2. Utility software
3. Applications software

It has 6 main functions:

Interpreting User Commands

File Management

Memory Management

Input/Output Management

Managing Processes

Resource Allocation

 Interpreting User Commands

This part of the operating system accepts
commands (from a keyboard, mouse, etc) and
passes them to the appropriate parts of the
operating system.

Interpreting User Commands

File Management
Memory Management
Input/Output Management
Managing Processes
Resource Allocation

If the syntax of the command is not correct then an error message should be
displayed for the user or the command should be ignored.
e.g. clicking the left mouse button on a blank area of the
desktop.

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 File Management 1
This part of the OS manages file operations and
backing storage allocation.

Interpreting User Commands

File Management
Memory Management
Input/Output Management
Managing Processes
Resource Allocation

It allocates blocks of data to particular areas on the backing storage medium. It

maintains an index of where all the user's applications and data are stored so that
they can be found when requested.

If you give a command to load a file from disk, the Command Interpreter will pass
this instruction to File Management.

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 File Management 2
File Management uses its index to work out
exactly where on the disk the file is stored. e.g.
Track 10, Sector 4.

Interpreting User Commands

File Management
Memory Management
Input/Output Management
Resource Allocation
Managing Processes

File Management also maintains the security of the files. Included with
the file information are the access rights for users. e.g. read only.

When a file is to be loaded, File Management will pass the information about
the physical location (e.g. Track 10, Sector 4) to Input/Output Management.

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 Memory Management 1
Memory Management decides where
programs and data are to be placed in RAM.

Interpreting User Commands

File Management
Memory Management
Input/Output Management
Resource Allocation
Managing Processes

It checks to make sure that there is enough free space to store the new program
and data.
It allocates an area of RAM to store the program.
It allocates an area of RAM to store the data which the program is processing.
e.g. when you work with Word then you will have a Word
document which also requires RAM space

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 Memory Management 2
It makes sure that programs do not access
RAM space allocated to other programs

Interpreting User Commands

File Management
Memory Management
Input/Output Management
Resource Allocation
Managing Processes

It frees RAM space when programs are exited.

It works with Input/Output Management to organise a Hard Disk for virtual

memory use.

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 Input/Output Management 1
It is the task of Input/Output Management to do all
the actual data transfers and issue the appropriate
control signals to the peripheral devices.

Interpreting User Commands

File Management
Memory Management
Input/Output Management
Managing Processes
Resource Allocation

When a file is to be loaded, File Management will pass the information about
the physical location (e.g. Track 10, Sector 4) to Input/Output Management.

Input/Output Management has to send the correct signals to the Hard Disk to tell
it to access Track 10, sector 4, read the data and send it to RAM.

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 Input/Output Management 2
Different types of peripheral devices work in
different ways.

Interpreting User Commands

File Management
Memory Management
Input/Output Management
Managing Processes
Resource Allocation

Hard Disk Drives, CD Drives, DVD drives, solid state storage devices, inkjet
printers, laser printers, CRT monitors, LCD monitors are all very different.

Input/Output Management has to know how to communicate with each device to

allow data transfer to take place.
Device manufacturers provide drivers(small programs) which are installed and
become part of Input/Output Management. These allow communication to take
place.

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 Managing Processes 1
A process is defined as being an instance of
a sequence of code in execution

Interpreting User Commands

File Management
Memory Management
Input/Output Management
Managing Processes
Resource Allocation

A modern OS will typically have several processes on the go at the same time.
e.g. Operating system, Microsoft Word, printing, virus checker.

Processes have to share processor time.

The OS has to manage the processes so that they can be carried out efficiently
and effectively.

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 Managing Processes 2
At any give time, the OS has to decide:

Interpreting User Commands

File Management
Memory Management
Input/Output Management
Managing Processes
Resource Allocation

which process is to be allowed to use the processor.

how long it should be allowed to use the processor for.

The OS keeps a note of the state of each process and makes sure that each
processor is getting its fair share of processor time.

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 Resource Allocation
The competing processes require access
to resources.

Interpreting User Commands

File Management
Memory Management
Input/Output Management
Managing Processes
Resource Allocation

Resources include the processor, RAM and Input/Output devices.

If one process is in the middle of sending data to the hard disk then another
process cannot be allowed to start sending its data there too until the first process
has completed its task.

The OS has to manage the resources by controlling how and when the
processes are to be allowed to use them.

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Utility Software

1. Operating system
2. Utility software
3. Applications software

Utility software consists of programs which are designed to help with the maintenance
of the computer and to ensure sure that it works correctly and efficiently.

The distinction between utility software and functions of the operating system is
rather blurred as modern operating systems are often bundled with utility software.

e.g. disk defragmenter, anti-spyware tools, firewall.

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Utility Software

1. Operating system
2. Utility software
3. Applications software

There are many types of utility software with three examples to be looked at in the
Higher course.

Disk editor

Defragmenter

Virus checker

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 Disk Editor
A disk editor is a utility program that lets the user read,
edit, and write the low-level raw data on a disk.

Disk editor

Defragmenter

Virus checker

It can be used to repair/reconstruct damaged files and directories.

This type of utility gives a user complete power over the contents of every block on
the disk and so it requires considerable knowledge and care to use it effectively.

It would be very easy for an inexperienced user to cause serious damage to the
contents of a disk by altering bytes of data on the disk.

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 Defragmenter 1
Magnetic disks are organised so that they store data in
blocks of a fixed size. Depending on its size, a file will
typically occupy several blocks.

Disk editor

Defragmenter

Virus checker

Normally data is stored in consecutive blocks on the disk.

This makes sense as the Read/Write head moves to the required track and starts
to read the consecutive blocks.
After a time, the disk starts to fill up and files are edited and deleted. The
remaining free blocks are not necessarily next to each other.

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 Defragmenter 2
When new files are saved the blocks may be on different
parts of the disk. It then takes longer to access these
files.

Disk editor

Defragmenter

Virus checker

This is called file fragmentation.

A defragmenter program is a utility which reorganises the data on the
disk so that all blocks for a file are stored together to improve access
times.

This should be done regularly to maintain hard disk performance.

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 Virus Checker
A virus is a program or programming code that replicates
by being copied or initiating its copying to another
program, computer boot sector or document.

Disk editor

Defragmenter

Virus checker

A virus checker examines a computer system to find virus software.

It can be set to examine any type of backing storage media, check email attachments
and files downloaded from the internet.
A good virus checker will constantly work in the background checking for signs of
virus activity.

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Application software
Application software are the software that are
designed to satisfy a particular need of a
particular environment.
All software prepared by us in the computer lab.
Examples of application software are-student
record software, railway reservation software,
income tax software, word processors etc.
Examples include enterprise software, accounting
software, office suites, graphics software and
media players.

More to understand
about Application
software.

1. Word Processing
Software:
This software enables the users to
create and edit documents.
The most popular examples of this
type of software are
MS-Word,
WordPad,
Notepad and some other text editors

2.Database software:

Database is a structured collection of

data. A computer database relies on
database software to organize the data
and enable the database users to
achieve database operations.
Examples are Oracle, MSAccess, etc.

3.Spreadsheet software

They simulate paper worksheets by

displaying multiple cells that make up
a grid.
.

Spreadsheet software allows users to

perform calculations

Examples:
Excel

4.Multimedia Software :
They allow the users to create and play
audio and video media
Audio converters, players, burners,
video encoders and decoders are some
forms of multimedia software
Examples of this type of software
include Real Player and Media Player.

5.Powerful
Presentation:
come under Presentation
Software :
The software that is used to
display information in the
form of a slide show is known
as presentation software
Microsoft PowerPoint is the
best example of presentation
software.