Software
Software
Software is the set of computer programs that are required for
effective running or operating a computer system. The step-wise instructions
that are given to the computer are called programs. It guides the input, helps
in processing and giving output from the computer system. Examples of software
are operating system, Paint, Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint and so on.
Software
can be categorized as:
Ø System
software controls or operates the hardware of the computer. It is the
backbone of the computer system. It provides platform to other software.
·
Operating system manages
computer's hardware and software resources. It acts a link between the software
and the hardware. It controls and keeps a record of the execution of all other
programs that are present in the computer, including application programs and
other system software. Without it, you cannot use word-processing software,
spreadsheet software, or any other application software. Examples: Microsoft
Windows, Mac OS, Linux and UNIX
·
Language translators are
programming tools that convert or translate a high-level programming language
into machine code that the central processing unit (CPU) can understand and
vice-versa.
·
Utility software are
focused on how OS works on that basis it performs task to enable smooth
functioning of computer.
Examples: Windows defender, windows disk clean
up tool, Antivirus, backup software, file manager, disk compression tool all
are utility software
Ø Application software
is a set of instructions that are designed to perform a specific task.
·
General purpose
application software is developed by keeping in mind the general needs of a
large number of people. It can be used for a variety of tasks and is not
limited to perform a particular function.
Examples: word processors, spreadsheets,
databases, desktop publishing packages, graphics packages
·
Customized application software is
designed according to the specific needs of an organization or an individual.
It is used only by companies with large computer departments or where
application packages are not available.
Examples: Software needed for accounting
management, inventory control, reservation system for railway and flight
bookings, payroll system, school inventory, billing system, etc.
System Software
System
software is the fundamental platform upon which the computer runs its hardware
and enables the user to derive full computing functionality of different
application software.
It can be
classified as:
The
operating system (OS) allows the user to interact with the hardware and get
the desired outcome by carrying data between RAM and storage disks, displaying
the desired result on the output device.
A language
processor/translator is a type of system software. Before our program is
executed, it must be translated into machine language. Since, computer can
understand only machine language, it has a translator that translates your
language into computer's language and vice-versa. Language translator includes
assembler, interpreter and compiler. The difference in these types of
translator is found in the process, the translator uses to produce computer
readable machine language.
Various utility
software regulate the computer functionality by analyzing its performance,
configuring and optimizing its processes and thereby, carrying out system
maintenance functions.
System
Software - Operating System
Operating system is
the first program that is loaded into the memory of the computer. The process
of loading the operating system is called booting. Operating system
manages computer's hardware and software resources. It acts a link between the
software and the hardware. It controls and keeps a record of the execution of
all other programs that are present in the computer, including application
programs and other system software.
For example, Microsoft
Windows, Ubuntu
System
Software - Language Translators
You have gone out with your friend and there
she meets her friend. They converse in French and you do not understand their
conversation.
There may be such
similar situation when you will go to work. Thus, a language translator is a
person who understands a language say, French and help translate in the
language that you understand say English.
You know that binary
language or machine language consist of two digits, O's and 1's. It is
difficult to code and debug in machine language, therefore, high-level
programming languages that are similar to English language were developed.
These languages like C, C++, Python, Java were easy to understand and code.
But, in a computer
system who translates the high-level language to machine language and vice-versa?
Language translators
are programming tools that convert or translate a high-level programming
language into machine code (Binary language) that the central processing unit
(CPU) can understand and viceversa. The different types of translator programs
are:
Assembler
Assembler is a
language translator which converts the low-level assembly language program into
machine language.
Assembly language consists of mnemonics or pseudo code, for
example Add X, Y. This command will be converted into machine code by the
assembler and after processing the result it is again converted into the
assembly language for the programmer to understand.
Interpreter
Interpreter translates high-level language source code into
machine language. An interpreter translates each line of program as it goes
through the program. The object code produced by an interpreter cannot be
saved; the program must be interpreted every time it is executed. Programming
languages like Python, BASIC use interpreter. The advantage of using an interpreter
is that they make it easy and fast to correct the programs and they do not
require a large memory space, but interpreted programs take a long time in
executing. To overcome this disadvantage, especially for large programs,
compilers were developed.
Compiler
Compiler translates source program written in high-level
language into machine language and vice-versa. Compiler translates the whole
program in one go. Many high-level languages like C, C++, Java have their
different compilers. A compiled program, which is converted into machine
language only once, it is saved in a program file and can be run whenever
needed, all the errors appear at a time on the screen. If the original source
code is altered the programs need to be recompiled. It is faster than other
language translators.
Know
More
Source
program/code is
the program written by a programmer in assembly language or high-level language
which is converted into machine language.
Object
program/code is
the source program that is converted into machine language for execution.
So, that’s it for
today guys so my next
blog on Utiity Software.
Thank You!!
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