Introduction to Computer

Software
Software vs. Hardware

 Computer Instructions stored/installed electronically on

your computer is Software. It is a set of instructions that
directs your computer system to execute specific
operations.

 Computer hardware is any physical device used in or

with your machine. Hardware is one that is tangible. The
storage devices (Hard disk, CD’s etc.,), mouse,
keyboard CPU and display devices (Monitor) are
Hardware.
Software Versions and Upgrades

 Software Versions
 Software Companies offer new variations of their
own product time to time. Each such variation is
called a version.

 Software Upgrade
 When you replace your current version of
software with a newer one, it is called an upgrade.
Software Availability

 Freeware
 Available free
 Might have errors in it
 It may not be safe to use it

 Shareware
 Initially free for some time but afterwards if you like the software, you
have to pay for its full legal use
 Support provided by manufacturers once you register
 Less expensive than commercial software

 Commercial Software
 Payment required ( can be expensive)
 Good quality and error free with support from provider
 Usually trusted
Types of Software
 System Software
 Application Software
Application Software:

Easy-to-use programs designed to perform specific user

tasks

Example:
Word Processor, Spreadsheet ,Database Management ,
Payroll systems, Inventory Control, Student Database
System etc.,
Application Software:
Word Processors:
Word processing is a tool that helps user in creating,
editing, and printing documents. Word processors will
normally have the following capabilities built into them:
 Spell checking
 Standard layouts for normal documents
 Have some characters appear in bold print,
italics, or underlined
 Center lines, make text line up on the left side
of the paper, or the right side of the paper
 Save the document so it can be used again
 print the document.

Examples: WordPerfect and Microsoft Word

Application Software
(contd…):
Spreadsheets: The spreadsheet packages are
designed to use numbers and formulas to do
calculations with ease. Examples of spreadsheets
include:
 Budgets
 Payrolls
 Grade Calculations
 Address Lists
The most commonly used spreadsheet programs are
Microsoft Excel and Lotus 123.
Application Software
(contd…):
Graphic Presentations: The presentation
programs can make giving presentations and using
overheads easier. Other uses include:
 Slide Shows
 Repeating Computer Presentations on a
computer monitor
 Using Sound and animation in slide shows

The most recognized graphic presentation programs are

Microsoft PowerPoint and Harvard Graphics.
System Software:
System software is a term referring to any computer
software which manages and controls the hardware so
that application software can perform a task.

Example:
Operating Systems, Compiler, Loader, Linker, Interpreter.
System Software:
Operating System:
 Operating System is a software, which makes a
computer to actually work.

 It is the software the enables all the programs we use.

 The OS organizes and controls the hardware.

 OS acts as an interface between the application

programs and the machine hardware.

 Examples: Windows, Linux, Unix and Mac OS, etc.,

System Software (contd):
Compiler: A compiler is a program that reads a
program in one language – the source language and
translates into an equivalent program in another
language – the target language.
Therefore,

Operating
Application and
software systems
software

Users
Hardware