Types of software
- 2. Introduction Software is programs or instructions that tell the computer what to do and how to do it Computers need software to do even a simple job, without software computers cannot function
- 3. Types of Software Two types: System software It is the background software that enables the application software to interact with each other Application software It is a group of programs designed to accomplish a single task or a group of related tasks
- 4. System Software Also known as Operating System (OS) and Disk Operating System (DOS) OS allows applications software to communicate with the hardware DOS is a group of programs which manages the most basic operations of a computer system DOS is a link between the users and the computer system Example of OS are Window XP, Window 7,VISTA, Linux, Macintosh, etc DOS programs reside on a floppy disk or hard disk
- 5. Functions of OS Control the hardware, the memory and the application software Manages the information on the disk Runs computer programs Manages the startup process
- 6. Application Software It is a group of programs designed to accomplish a single task or a group of related tasks It divided into two categories: User-designed application software Software that is created or designed by big companies and government department Ready-made application software A collection of programs designed for general use
- 7. User Designed Application Software Also known as Bespoke Software or Tailor-Made Software These type of software are designed and developed specifically for the company or organization
- 8. Advantages The Company will get the exact software/system that they need The software will work exactly how they want it to work The software will only have the features that they specifically need in their business
- 9. Disadvantages Takes a long time to develop Cost a great deal of money to develop such system Company need to employ a team of people such as analysts, programmers There will be little in the way of user support and online help
- 10. Ready-Made Designed Application Software Also known as Package Software or Package It usually comes with manuals Manuals are instruction on how to run the application software Example Word Processing, Power Point
- 11. Package is generally written in one of the programming language by a team of computer specialists. These specialist is called programmers A company or organization which writes packages is called a software house A package is specific to an operating system
- 12. Advantage of using Ready-Made Packages User-friendly Cheap Easily Available
- 13. Disadvantages of using Ready-Made Packages Rigid Functions cannot be changed Some may not suit own specific requirement