SOFTWARE

Software
 A collection of programs, procedures and
routines which direct the operations of a
computer.
 Simply put, software is the programs that
run on the computer’s hardware.
 Main Categories Of Software
 There are two (2) main categories of
software.
 These are Operating System
Software and Application Software.
 Operating System Software
 These are a set of programs that control
and supervise the resources of a
computer system.
 They co-ordinate the activities among
computer devices.
 The operating system acts as an interface
(common boundary) between the user
and the computer.
 Operating System Software
 When a computer starts, users usually
interact first with the operating system.
For example to log in, access files or
launch other programs.
 Operating systems contain instructions
which allow users to run application
software.
 Operating System Software
 The operating system can be considered to be
the most important program in the computer.
Its functions include:
 Acting as an interface between hardware
and software
 Managing hardware resources
 Allowing users to run, switch between and
close programs
 Managing users
 Managing the computer’s memory
 Operating System Software
 Examples of operating systems include
 Microsoft Windows (XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10

and Server 2008, Server 2012)

 UNIX

 Linux

 OS X (Formerly known as Mac OS)

 Android (for mobile phones)

 iOS (for Apple mobile devices)

 Application Software

 These are programs that perform specific

tasks for users.
 Application software runs on top of the
operating system.
 Application Software
 There are many types of application software.
These include:
 Word Processing Software (Microsoft Word)

 Spreadsheet Software (Microsoft Excel)

 Database Management Software (Microsoft

Access)
 Presentation Software (Microsoft PowerPoint)

 Antivirus Software (Avast Antivirus)

 Internet Browser Software (Firefox)

 Graphics Manipulation Software (Photoshop)

 Multimedia Software (Virtual DJ)

 Application Sofware
 There are a number of Categories of Application
Software. These include:
 General Purpose Software

 Specialised Software

 Customised Software

 Custom-written Software

 Integrated software package

 Note that a program can be in more that one

category.
 Application Software
General Purpose Software
 These are programs that can be used for a
wide variety of tasks.
 These include office programs such as
Microsoft Word and Excel.
 Application Software
Specialised Software
 These are programs designed for a particular
purpose and nothing else.
 These include web browsers, CD burning
software and antivirus programs.
 Application Software
Customised Software
 These are programs which are modified
(changed) in order to provided further
functionality.
 For examples web browsers such as Firefox
support the addition of small programs such as
plugins which extend the features of the
browser.
 Application Software
Custom Written Software
 These are programs that companies or
individuals pay a computer programmer to
produce.
 These are often written from scratch and are
designed to do exactly what the customer
wants.
 Application Software
Integrated Software Packages
 These are groups of programs (sometimes
called suites) which are designed to work
together and share data.
 They often contain a variety of programs which
can be used to perform a wide range of tasks.
 Integrated packages are cheaper than buying
all the programs separately.
 Examples include Microsoft Office and Adobe
Creative Suite.