Course Title: Fundamentals of Computer

Course ID: ESG-1104

Chapter 4: Software

Bipul Roy
Lecturer
Dept. of Environmental Science and Geography
Islamic University, Kushtia-7003, Bangladesh
Email: bipul.est10@gmail.com

Bipul Roy; Lecturer; Dept. of ESG, IU. Course Title: Fundamentals of Computer.; ESG-1104; Session: 2019-20 1
 Outline

Software;
Hardware;
Relation between Software and Hardware;
Differences between Software and Hardware;
Types of Software;
System Software;
Application Software;
Software development steps;
Software Engineering;

Bipul Roy; Lecturer; Dept. of ESG, IU. Course Title: Fundamentals of Computer.; ESG-1104; Session: 2019-20 2
 Software

 Software is a collection of instructions and data that tell a

computer how to work.
 Software comprises the entire set of programs, procedures, and
routines associated with the operation of a computer system.
 Software is typically stored on an external long-term memory
device, such as a hard drive or magnetic diskette.
 When the program is in use, the computer reads it from the
storage device and temporarily places the instructions in
random access memory (RAM).

Bipul Roy; Lecturer; Dept. of ESG, IU. Course Title: Fundamentals of Computer.; ESG-1104; Session: 2019-20 3
 Hardware

Hardware refers to the physical elements of a computer.

This is also sometime called the machinery or the equipment of
the computer.
Computer hardware consists of interconnected electronic
devices that we can use to control computer’s operation, input
and output
Examples of hardware in a computer are the keyboard, the
monitor, the mouse and the central processing unit.

Bipul Roy; Lecturer; Dept. of ESG, IU. Course Title: Fundamentals of Computer.; ESG-1104; Session: 2019-20 4
 Relationship Between Hardware and Software

 Both hardware and software are necessary for a computer to

do useful job. They are complementary to each other.
 Same hardware can be loaded with different software to make
a computer system perform different types of jobs.
 Software acts as an interface between the users and the
hardware;
 Except for upgrades, hardware is normally a onetime expense,
whereas software is a continuing expense.
 If hardware is the heart of a computer system, then software is
its soul.

Bipul Roy; Lecturer; Dept. of ESG, IU. Course Title: Fundamentals of Computer.; ESG-1104; Session: 2019-20 5
Differences Between Hardware and Software

Bipul Roy; Lecturer; Dept. of ESG, IU. Course Title: Fundamentals of Computer.; ESG-1104; Session: 2019-20 6
 Types of Software

Most software can be divided into two major categories:

 System software are designed to control the operation and
extend the processing capability of a computer system.
 Application software are designed to solve a specific
problem or to do a specific task.

Bipul Roy; Lecturer; Dept. of ESG, IU. Course Title: Fundamentals of Computer.; ESG-1104; Session: 2019-20 7
 System Software

 System software is a type of computer program that is designed to

run a computer's hardware and application programs.
 System software is used to manage the computer itself.
 Make the operation of a computer system more effective and
efficient.
 Help hardware components work together and provide support
for the development and execution of application software.
 Examples of system software are operating systems, programming
language translators, utility programs, and communications
software.

Bipul Roy; Lecturer; Dept. of ESG, IU. Course Title: Fundamentals of Computer.; ESG-1104; Session: 2019-20 8
 Important features of System Software
 High speed
System software must be as efficient as possible to provide an effective
platform for higher-level software in the computer system.
 Hard to manipulate
It often requires the use of a programming language, which is more difficult
to use than a more intuitive user interface (UI).
 Written in a low-level computer language
System software must be written in a computer language the central
processing unit (CPU) and other computer hardware can read.
 Close to the system
It connects directly to the hardware that enables the computer to run.
 Versatile
System software must communicate with both the specialized hardware it
runs on and the higher-level application software that is usually hardware-
agnostic and often has no direct connection to the hardware it runs on.
System software also must support other programs that depend on it as they
evolveBipul
and change.
Roy; Lecturer; Dept. of ESG, IU. Course Title: Fundamentals of Computer.; ESG-1104; Session: 2019-20 9
 Types of System Software

Bipul Roy; Lecturer; Dept. of ESG, IU. Course Title: Fundamentals of Computer.; ESG-1104; Session: 2019-20 10
 Application Software

 Application software is a program or a set of programs that

primarily help users perform certain tasks using a computer
system.
 These software are downloaded and installed separately by the
users and have nothing to do with the system functions.
 Unlike system software, application software mostly runs in the
front-end and remains visible to users.
 Some of the most common examples of application software
include MS Office, web browsers, games, media streaming
software, Photoshop, and other media editing software.

Bipul Roy; Lecturer; Dept. of ESG, IU. Course Title: Fundamentals of Computer.; ESG-1104; Session: 2019-20 11
 Features of Application Software

 Application Software is designed to perform specific tasks, such as

image editing, word processing, email, gaming, etc.
 Application Software is usually written or programmed in a high
level language.
 Application Software requires more storage space because it is
mostly bigger in size. For example, Photoshop software, games,
etc.
 Application Software is comparatively easy to design.
 Application Software is more interactive for users.

Bipul Roy; Lecturer; Dept. of ESG, IU. Course Title: Fundamentals of Computer.; ESG-1104; Session: 2019-20 12
 Types of Application Software
 Word-Processing Software
Word-processing software allows us to easily create, view, modify,
store, or print documents on a computer system.
 Spreadsheet Software
Spreadsheet software allows us to easily create a computerized
ledger on a computer system. Such software can be referred to as a
numeric data-analysis tool.
 Database Software
Database software can be defined as software that allows the
collection of relevant data that can be accessed by users on a
computer system. Users can store and retrieve files from the
database according to their needs.
 Graphics Software
It is designed to help users perform tasks such as creating, editing,
and drawing graphs, structures, pictures, etc. using a computer.
Bipul Roy; Lecturer; Dept. of ESG, IU. Course Title: Fundamentals of Computer.; ESG-1104; Session: 2019-20 13
 Types of Application Software

 Education Software
Education software helps users to use computer systems as learning
or teaching tools.
 Entertainment Software
Entertainment software includes various programs that can be used
as an entertainment tool on a computer system.
 Gaming Software
Gaming software, commonly called games, are advanced types of
application software that help users use a computer as a gaming
device and play games on it.

Bipul Roy; Lecturer; Dept. of ESG, IU. Course Title: Fundamentals of Computer.; ESG-1104; Session: 2019-20 14
 System Software vs Application Software

Bipul Roy; Lecturer; Dept. of ESG, IU. Course Title: Fundamentals of Computer.; ESG-1104; Session: 2019-20 15
 Software Development Steps

Developing a software and putting it to use is a complex process

and involves following steps
 Analyzing the problem at hand and planning the program(s) to
solve the problem;
 Coding the program(s);
 Testing, debugging, and documenting the program(s);
 Implementing the program(s);
 Evaluating and maintaining the program(s);

Bipul Roy; Lecturer; Dept. of ESG, IU. Course Title: Fundamentals of Computer.; ESG-1104; Session: 2019-20 16
 Software Engineering

 Software engineering is the application of engineering concepts

to software development.
 Its main goal is the creation, improvement, and maintenance of
software.
 Software engineering takes into account engineering aspects like
the hardware and software environment when working on a
program.

Bipul Roy; Lecturer; Dept. of ESG, IU. Course Title: Fundamentals of Computer.; ESG-1104; Session: 2019-20 17
 Goals of Software Engineering

The goals of software engineering are straightforward and easy

to understand but they aren’t always easy to meet. Main goals
are
 Readable;
 Correct;
 Reliable;
 Reusable;
 Extendable;
 Flexible;
 Efficient;

Bipul Roy; Lecturer; Dept. of ESG, IU. Course Title: Fundamentals of Computer.; ESG-1104; Session: 2019-20 18
 Challenges of Software Engineering

 In safety-critical areas such as space, aviation, nuclear power

plants, etc. the cost of software failure can be massive because
lives are at risk.
 Increased market demands for fast turnaround time.
 Dealing with the increased complexity of software need for new
applications.
 The diversity of software systems should be communicating with
each other.

Bipul Roy; Lecturer; Dept. of ESG, IU. Course Title: Fundamentals of Computer.; ESG-1104; Session: 2019-20 19
Bipul Roy; Lecturer; Dept. of ESG, IU. Course Title: Fundamentals of Computer.; ESG-1104; Session: 2019-20 20