A.

Mira university

Department of computer science

Teacher: Yasmine TETAH

2023/2024

Computer software

The computer software is nothing but a set of well written instructions or programs written in different
programming languages like JAVA, C++, Python etc... These set of instructions or programs govern the
operation of a computer system and make the hardware run.

The software can be classified into mainly two categories:

a- System software: represents the programs used to handle the computer hardware and to execute
the application software.

We have four types of system software;

1- Operating system: is a set of programs that manages the computer operations ex; Windows, Unix,
Dos, Linux.

2- Device driver: is a program that controls a particular device that is connected to the computer ex;
Keyboard, Printers, Scanners, Digital Cameras.

3- Utility program: help, manage, maintain and control computer resources ex; Antivirus, Disk
defragmentation, Backup.

4- Language processor: is a type that translates a source program. Ex: compiler (the language processor
that translates the complete high level language source program as a whole in machine code.
Interpreter ( a language processor that translates a high level language program line by line. Assembler
( is a translator which is used to convert an assembly language program into a machine language
program for later execution.

b- Application software : They are the software designed to solve specific tasks like Ms office, AutoCAD,
MATLAB etc. So, this type of software is specified to one specific application.

The basic relationship between hardware and software:

 Hardware and software both are interdependent on each other. Each of them should work
along to make computer produce a helpful output.
 The software can not be used if there is no support of any hardware device.
 When there is no proper instructions given, the hardware can not be used.
 The software acts as an associate interface between the user and therefore the hardware.
 The different software package can be loaded on hardware to run totally different jobs.
 We can say that the hardware abs software are the heart and soul of a digital computer.