THE SOFTWARE REVOLUTION

Systems Software- The Operating System

 Windows
 Mac OS and Linux
 Utilities and Drivers
 Open Source
 The Operating System

An operating system (OS) is system software

that manages computer hardware, software
resources, and provides common services for
computer programs. Operating systems are
found on many devices that contain a computer
– from cellular phones and video game consoles
to web servers and super computers.
 What Does an Operating System Do?

An operating system is the core set of software on a device that keeps everything
together. Operating systems communicate with the device’s hardware. They handle
everything from your keyboard and mice to the Wi-Fi radio, storage devices, and
display. In other words, an operating system handles input and output devices.
Operating systems use device drivers written by hardware creators to communicate
with their devices.
 What is Software?
Software is a computer program that provides instructions and
data to execute a user’s commands. It is an indispensable part of
the machine you cannot see, but it allows you to use the computer.
Software is the programs and routines for a computer or the program
material for an electronic device which make it run.
 Sometimes abbreviated as SW and S/W, software is a collection
of instructions that enable the user to interact with a computer, its hardware,
or perform tasks. Without software, most computers would be useless. For
example, without your Internet browser software, you could not surf the
Internet or read the page.
Software can also be downloaded to a computer over the Internet. Once
downloaded, setup files are run to start the installation process on your
computer.
The two major types of computer software are:
• Application Software
• System Software
Whereas, two other types of computer software are:
• Programming Software
• Driver Software
1. Application Software
As a user of technology, application software or ‘apps’
are what you engage with the most. These types of
computer software are productive end-user programs
that help you perform tasks. Following are some
examples of application software that allow you to do
specific work:
• MS Excel: It is spreadsheet software that you can
use for presenting and analyzing data.
• Photoshop: It is a photo editing application
software by Adobe. You can use it to visually
enhance, catalogue and share your pictures.
• Skype: It is an online communication app that you
can use for video chat, voice calling and instant
messaging.
• Software applications are also
referred to as non-essential
software. They are installed and
operated on a computer-based
on the user’s requirement. There
is plenty of application software
that you can use to perform
different tasks. The number of
such apps keeps increasing with
technological advances and the
evolving needs of the users.
Application Software Type Examples
Word processing software: Tools that
are used to create word sheets and Microsoft Word, WordPad, AppleWorks
type documents etc. and Notepad
Spreadsheet software: Software used
to compute quantitative data.
Apple Numbers, Microsoft Excel and
Quattro Pro
Database software: Used to store data
and sort information. Oracle, MS Access and FileMaker Pro
Application Suites: A collection of
related programs sold as a package. OpenOffice, Microsoft Office
Multimedia software: Tools used for a
mixture of audio, video, image and text
content. Real Player, Media Player
Communication Software: Tools that
connect systems and allow text, audio,
and video-based communication. MS NetMeeting, IRC, ICQ
Internet Browsers: Used to access and Netscape Navigator, MS Internet Explorer,
view websites. and Google Chrome
Email Programs: Software used for
emailing. Microsoft Outlook, Gmail, Apple Mail
2. System Software
System software helps the user, hardware, and
application software to interact and function together.
These types of computer software allow an environment
or platform for other software and applications to work
in. This is why system software is essential in managing
the whole computer system.
3. Operating systems are an example of system software. All of your computer-like devices
run on an operating system, including your desktop, laptop, smartphone, and tablet, etc.
Here is a list of examples of an operating system. Let’s take a look and you might spot some
familiar names of system software:
For desktop computers, For smartphones:
laptops and tablets: • Apple iOS
• Microsoft Windows
• Google’s Android
• Mac (for Apple devices
• Windows phone OS
• Linux
4. Programming software
is used by software programmers as translator
programs. They are facilitator software used to
translate programming languages. Translators
can be compilers, interpreters and assemblers.
Programming software examples include the
different programming language editors,
debuggers, compilers and IDEs. Such as:
• Eclipse – a Java language editor
• Coda – programming language editor for Mac
• Notepad++ – an open-source editor for
windows
• Sublime Text – a cross-platform code editor for
Mac, Windows, and Linux
Driver software is often classified as one of the
types of system software. They operate and
control devices and peripherals plugged into a
computer. Drivers are important because they
enable the devices to perform their designated
tasks. They do this by translating commands of
an Operating System for the Hardware or
devices, assigning duties. Therefore, each device
connected with your computer requires at least
one device driver to function.
 Since there are thousands of types of devices, drivers make the job of your system
software easier by allowing it to communicate through a standardized language. Some
examples of driver software that you may be familiar with are:
• Printer Driver
• Mouse Driver
• Network Card
Usually, the operating system comes built-in with drivers for mouse, keyboard, and
printers by default. They often do not require third-party installations. But for some
advanced devices, you may need to install the driver externally. Moreover, if you use
multiple operating systems like Linux, Windows, and Mac, then each of these supports
different variants of drivers. For them, separate drivers need to be maintained for each.
 Five additional subcategories of software

• Freeware
• Shareware
• Open Source Software
• Closed Source Software
• Utility Software
Freeware
Freeware software is any software that is available to use for free. They
can be downloaded and installed over the internet without any cost. Some
well-known examples of freeware are:
• Google Chrome
• Skype
• Instagram
• Snapchat
• Adobe reader

Although they all fall under the category of Application or end-user

software, they can further be categorized as freeware because they are free
for you to use.
Open Source Software
This is a type of software that has an open-source code that is available to use for all users. It can be modified and
shared with anyone for any purpose. Common examples of open source software used by programmers are:
• Libre Office
• PHP
• GNU Image Manipulation Program (GIMP)
Closed Source Software
These are the types of software that are non-free for the programmers. For this software, the source code is the
intellectual property of software publishers. It is also called ‘proprietary software’ since only the original authors
can copy, modify and share the software. Following are some of the most common examples of closed-source
software:
• .NET
• Java
• Android
• Microsoft Office
• Adobe PhotoShop
Utility Software
• TheUtility Software is system software that helps to maintain the
proper and smooth functioning of a Computer System. It assists the
Operating System to manage, organize, maintain, and optimize the
functioning of the computer system.
• UtilitySoftware performs certain tasks like virus detection,
installation, and uninstallation, data backup, deletion of unwanted
files, etc. Some examples are antivirus software, file management
tools, compression tools, disk management tools, etc.
Types of Utility Software Advantages of Utility Software

• Enhances performance.
• Antivirus
• Manages space.
• File Management System
• Manages files and data.
• Disk Management tools
• Helps to customize interface and desktop.
• Compression tools
• Helps to remove useless files. 
• Disk cleanup tool
• File Management System • Keep the system safe and secure.
• Disk Defragmenter • Helps to recover files after a loss.
• Backup utility
 Windows
is an operating system designed by Microsoft. The operating system is
what allows you to use a computer. Windows comes preloaded on most new
personal computers (PCs), which helps to make it the most popular
operating system in the world.
Windows makes it possible to complete all types of everyday tasks on
your computer. For example, you can use Windows to browse the Internet,
check your email, edit digital photos, listen to music, play games, and do
much more.
 Windows 10 is the most recent version of the Microsoft Windows operating
system. There have been many different versions of Windows over the years,
including Windows 8 (released in 2012), Windows 7 (2009), Windows
Vista (2006), and Windows XP (2001). While older versions of Windows mainly
ran on desktop and laptop computers, Windows 10 is also designed to run
equally well on tablets.
Many users complained that Windows 8, the previous version of Windows,
was confusing and difficult to use. As a result, Windows 10 looks and feels
similar to older versions. Still, it includes a lot of new features and
improvements.
 Open source software
Open source software is software with source code that anyone can inspect,
modify, and enhance.
"Source code" is the part of software that most computer users don't ever see; it's
the code computer programmers can manipulate to change how a piece of software
—a "program" or "application"—works. Programmers who have access to a
computer program's source code can improve that program by adding features to it
or fixing parts that don't always work correctly.
Its authors make its source code available to others who would like to view that
code, copy it, learn from it, alter it, or share it. Libre Office and the GNU Image
Manipulation Program are examples of open source software.
Thank You
Jolina May J. Tejada
Discussant