COMPUTER: FORM ONE: Topic 3 – THE COMPUTER SOFTWARE

Software refers to the programs that control the operation of a computer . Software is is a program and its documentation in a nutshell the term software describes the programs that are used to operate the computer system.

There are two types of computer software

• i) Application Software
• ii) System Software

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SYSTEM SOFTWARE AND APPLICATION SOFTWARE

SYSTEM SOFTWARE	APPLICATION SOFTWARE
System software is used for operating computer hardware	Application software is used by user to perform specific task
System software is installed on the computer when operating system is installed	Application software is installed according to user’s requirements
In general, the user does not interact with system software because it works in the background	In general, the user interacts with application software
System software can run independently. It provides platform for running application software.	Application software can’t run independently. They can’t run without the presence of system software.
Some examples of system software are compiler, assembler, debugger, driver, etc.	Some examples of application software are word processor, web browser, media player, etc

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE

• Hardware and software both are interdependent on each other. Each of them should work along to form computer produce a helpful output.
• The software can not be used if there is no support of any hardware device.
• The software acts as an associate interface between the user and therefore the hardware.

What is an operating System?

Some of the definitions are;

• A program that acts as an intermediary between a user of a computer and a computer hardware.
• It is part of the computing system that manages all the hardware and all the software .operating system performs basic tasks like input from the mouse or keyboard . sending output to the video screen or printer. keeping track of files on the drivers and controlling peripherals such as printers and modems

There are various types of operating system.The most commonly used types of operating system are:

• Batch operating system
• Time-sharing operating system
• Distributed operating system
• Network operating system
• Real-time operating system

FUNCTIONS OF OPERATING SYSTEM

• Processor management
• Memory management
• Virtual storage
• Device management
• Information management Examples of operating system disk operating system, windows 98, windows 2000, windows millennium, windows xp, vista, 7, 8, UNIX, SOLARIS, IBM OS/ 400, LINUX, MAC (OS)X

SWITCHING ON A COMPUTER

• On starting a computer the figure shows you the first screen / windows. the screen is called Desktop. the desktop operating system composed of a task bar on which the start button is located. the other items appearing on the desktop are called icons.

SWITCHING OFF A COMPUTER

• There are procedures that has to be followed when shutting down the computer.
• close all opened programs
• click the start button on the task bar
• click on the shut down or turn off the computer
• from the dialog box that appears, select shut down or turn off the computer
• then click OK