Computer Software

Introduction
 The computer software is the collection of
data or instruction that tells the computer
how to work. It is a set of program that
enables the computer to perform a specific
task. It has to be “loaded” into the computer’s
storage such as hard drive, memory, Ram,
etc. Anything which stores electronically is
known as software.
Fundamentals of Computer System
 What is computer software?
 The computer software is the collection of
data or instruction that tells the computer
how to work.
 It is a set of program that enables the

computer to perform a specific task.

 It has to be “loaded” into the computer’s

storage such as hard drive, memory, Ram,

etc. Anything which stores electronically is
known as software.
There are two types of software that
exist in the computer system:

 System Software
Application Software
  I. System Software
 System Software is the collection of
programs which can provide a
platform for other software.
 There are different types of system

software which includes an operating

system such as macOS, Ubuntu, and
Microsoft Windows, etc.
 a. Operating Systems (OS)
 A collection of programs that make the
computer hardware conveniently available to
the user and also hide the complexities of the
computer's operation.
 The Operating System is also an interface

between the application software and

computer.
Examples of OS
 The Operating System (such as Windows 7 or Linux)
interprets commands issued by application
software (e.g. word processor and spreadsheets).
b. Utility Software
 Utility
programs are small, powerful
programs with a limited capability, they
are usually operated by the user to
maintain a smooth running of the
computer system.
Examples of Utility Software
 Several types of utility software are as follows:
 Antivirus.
 File Management System.
 Disk Management tools.
 Compression tools.
 Disk cleanup tool.
 File Management System.
 Disk Defragmenter.
 Backup utility.
c. System Development Software
 developed program and procedures and then
prepare them for processing
 Examples are language translators and

editors and
 CASE and programming toold
d. Firmware
 Firmware is a specific type (or subset) of
software that is designed to act as the
intermediary between the software and
hardware or for the operation of single-
purpose embedded systems, such as printers
or routers. End users typically have limited
interaction with firmware and it is modified
infrequently.
II. Application Software
 Software designed to help the user to
perform specific tasks


Application software is designed for people

like who perform tasks that we consider
useful. This might be the ability of a scientist
to work out statistical information using a set
of results, or someone who wants to play the
latest computer game.
There are several categories of
Application software:
 General purpose application software
 Special purpose application software
 Bespoke application software
Examples of General purpose
application software
Examples of Special purpose
application software
Examples of
Examples of Application software
a. 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

b. 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.
 c. 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.
 b. Database Management System (DBMS):
 A DBMS is a software tool that allows multiple users
to store, access, and process data into useful
information.
 Database programs are designed for these types of
applications:
 Membership lists
 Student lists
 Grade reports
 Instructor schedules
All of these have to be maintained so you can find
what you need quickly and accurately. 
 Example:Microsoft Access, dBASE, Oracle.
Activity 4:
General Instruction: Answer the following items and
use any wordprocessing software in submitting your
output.
1. Think about some machine / items / gadgets
having only Hardware and list at least two(2).
2. Think about some machine / items / gadgets
having both Hardware and Software and list at
least two(2).
3. Using your laptop and your mobile phone, find
the Operating System, you are using and its
version. Take the screen capture.
Sources:
 https://www.tutorialandexample.com
 https://en.wikibooks.org
 https://limoname.hatenablog.com