FCS Unit 2

1. What is a Software?
Explain Various Categories of Software
Software refers to a collection of programs, data, and instructions that

enable a computer to perform specific tasks. It acts as an intermediary
between the user and the hardware.
Categories of Software:
System Software: These are programs that manage and control hardware
components. The most important system software is the Operating
System (OS), which enables the computer’s hardware to communicate
with the software.
Examples: Windows, macOS, Linux.
Application Software: These are programs designed to perform specific

tasks or applications for the user.
Examples: Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop, web browsers like Google

Chrome.
Development Software: This software is used to create other software

programs and applications.
Examples: Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) like Visual Studio,

Eclipse, compilers, debuggers.
Utility Software: These are programs that help manage, maintain, or

protect the computer, ensuring smooth operation.
Examples: Antivirus software, file management tools, disk cleanup tools.
2. What is a Computer Memory? Explain Various Types in Detail
Computer memory refers to the components, devices, and systems that

store data and machine code currently being used. It provides the
workspace for the CPU to perform operations and hold data temporarily or
permanently.
Types of Computer Memory:
Primary Memory (Volatile Memory):
RAM (Random Access Memory): Temporarily stores data that the CPU
needs for active tasks. It is fast but volatile, meaning data is lost when the
computer is turned off.
Cache Memory: A small, high-speed memory located closer to the CPU. It
stores frequently accessed data and instructions to speed up processing.
Registers: Small, fast storage locations in the CPU for holding intermediate
data during processing.
Secondary Memory (Non-volatile Memory):
Hard Disk Drive (HDD): A mechanical, magnetic storage device used for
long-term data storage. It has large capacity but slower speed compared
to RAM.
Solid-State Drive (SSD): A faster alternative to HDD, using flash memory

instead of spinning disks, offering quicker access speeds.
Optical Discs (CD/DVD): Data storage on discs using laser technology.

Slower and more outdated, but still used for backups and media storage.
USB Flash Drives: Portable storage devices using flash memory, offering
medium speed and capacity.
3. What is Utility Software? Explain Various Types
Utility Software is designed to help users manage, maintain, or optimize

their computer systems. These tools typically enhance the computer’s
performance or safeguard data.
Types of Utility Software:
Antivirus Software: Protects against malware, viruses, spyware, and other

security threats.
Example: Norton Antivirus, McAfee.
Disk Management Tools: These help manage and organize hard disk drives
or storage devices.
Example: Disk Defragmenter, Disk Cleanup.
Backup Software: Provides data backup and recovery solutions.
Example: Acronis True Image, Windows Backup.
File Compression Tools: Compresses files to save space or make them

easier to transfer.
Example: WinRAR, 7-Zip.
System Monitoring Tools: Tracks the computer’s performance (CPU usage,

memory usage, etc.).
Example: Task Manager (built-in in Windows), CPU-Z.

4. What is an Operating System? Explain Various Functionality of
Operating System
An Operating System (OS) is software that manages computer hardware

and software resources and provides common services for computer
programs. It acts as an interface between the user and the hardware.
Functionality of Operating System:
Process Management: Manages processes, including scheduling,

execution, and termination of processes. The OS ensures the efficient
execution of multiple processes (multi-tasking).
Memory Management: Allocates and deallocates memory space to

processes, ensuring that each process gets the necessary memory
without conflict.
File System Management: Manages files and directories, including storing,

retrieving, and organizing files on storage devices.
Device Management: Controls and coordinates hardware devices (e.g.,

printers, monitors, keyboards) through device drivers.
Security and Access Control: Ensures secure access to the computer by

enforcing user authentication (e.g., passwords) and permissions (e.g., file
access rights).
User Interface: Provides the user interface, which can be command-line or

graphical, allowing users to interact with the system.
Networking: Manages network connections, enabling data exchange

between devices over a network.
5. What is an Operating System? Explain Various Functionality of

Operating System (Repeated)
This question is similar to the previous one, where we explained the
Operating System (OS) and its functionalities in detail.
6. What are Device Drivers? Explain
Device Drivers are software programs that allow the operating system to
communicate with hardware devices. They translate the OS’s general
commands into device-specific commands, making the hardware usable.
Example: A printer driver allows a computer to send print jobs to a printer.
Device drivers are necessary for peripherals like printers, graphics cards,
sound cards, keyboards, and others.
They help ensure hardware operates efficiently and are usually specific to
the manufacturer of the hardware device.
7. What is a Computer Network? Explain Various Types in Detail
A Computer Network is a group of interconnected devices (such as

computers, servers, and printers) that share resources and communicate
with each other.
Types of Computer Networks:
LAN (Local Area Network): A network that covers a small geographic area,
such as a home or office.
Example: An office network where computers and printers are connected.
WAN (Wide Area Network): A network that spans a large geographic area,
often a country or even the world.
Example: The internet is the largest WAN.

MAN (Metropolitan Area Network): A network that covers a city or a large
campus area, usually linking multiple LANs.
PAN (Personal Area Network): A small network for personal devices within
a small area, such as a home or office.
Example: Connecting a smartphone to a laptop via Bluetooth.
VPN (Virtual Private Network): A secure network that allows remote users
to access a LAN over the internet.
8. Explain Device Drivers with the Help of a Diagram
A device driver acts as a translator between the OS and hardware. Below

is a simplified diagram of how a device driver works:
Sql
Copy code
| Application |
| Operating | -> +---------------------+
| System | | Device Driver |
+------------------+ +---------------------+
V v
+------------------+ +-------------------+
| Hardware | ----- | Hardware Device |
+------------------+ +-------------------+
Explanation:
The application communicates with the Operating System, which then
communicates with the Device Driver.
The Device Driver translates the OS’s general requests into specific
instructions that the hardware understands.
The Hardware Device performs the actions as per the device driver’s
instructions.
9. What Are Various General-Purpose Application Software? Explain in

Brief
General-purpose application software is designed to perform a wide range

of tasks for users and is not specialized for any particular industry or
function. Some examples include:
Word Processors: Used for creating, editing, formatting, and printing text
documents.
Example: Microsoft Word, Google Docs.
Spreadsheet Software: Used for organizing, analyzing, and storing data in

tabular form.
Example: Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets.
Presentation Software: Used for creating slideshows for presentations.
Example: Microsoft PowerPoint, Google Slides.
Email Software: Used for sending, receiving, and organizing emails.
Example: Microsoft Outlook, Gmail.
Web Browsers: Used for accessing and navigating the internet.
Example: Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox.
These tools are common across various industries, helping users perform
tasks such as writing, calculations, presentations, communication, and
internet browsing.

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1. What is a Software?

Explain Various Categories of Software

Software refers to a collection of programs, data, and instructions that

Examples: Windows, macOS, Linux.

Application Software: These are programs designed to perform specific

Examples: Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop, web browsers like Google

Development Software: This software is used to create other software

Examples: Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) like Visual Studio,

Utility Software: These are programs that help manage, maintain, or

Examples: Antivirus software, file management tools, disk cleanup tools.

2. What is a Computer Memory? Explain Various Types in Detail

Computer memory refers to the components, devices, and systems that

Types of Computer Memory:

Primary Memory (Volatile Memory):

Secondary Memory (Non-volatile Memory):

Solid-State Drive (SSD): A faster alternative to HDD, using flash memory

Optical Discs (CD/DVD): Data storage on discs using laser technology.

3. What is Utility Software? Explain Various Types

Utility Software is designed to help users manage, maintain, or optimize

Types of Utility Software:

Antivirus Software: Protects against malware, viruses, spyware, and other

Example: Norton Antivirus, McAfee.

Example: Disk Defragmenter, Disk Cleanup.

Backup Software: Provides data backup and recovery solutions.

Example: Acronis True Image, Windows Backup.

File Compression Tools: Compresses files to save space or make them

Example: WinRAR, 7-Zip.

System Monitoring Tools: Tracks the computer’s performance (CPU usage,

Example: Task Manager (built-in in Windows), CPU-Z.

An Operating System (OS) is software that manages computer hardware

Functionality of Operating System:

Process Management: Manages processes, including scheduling,

Memory Management: Allocates and deallocates memory space to

File System Management: Manages files and directories, including storing,

Device Management: Controls and coordinates hardware devices (e.g.,

Security and Access Control: Ensures secure access to the computer by

User Interface: Provides the user interface, which can be command-line or

Networking: Manages network connections, enabling data exchange

5. What is an Operating System? Explain Various Functionality of

6. What are Device Drivers? Explain

Example: A printer driver allows a computer to send print jobs to a printer.

7. What is a Computer Network? Explain Various Types in Detail

A Computer Network is a group of interconnected devices (such as

Types of Computer Networks:

Example: An office network where computers and printers are connected.

Example: The internet is the largest WAN.

Example: Connecting a smartphone to a laptop via Bluetooth.

8. Explain Device Drivers with the Help of a Diagram

A device driver acts as a translator between the OS and hardware. Below

| Operating | -> +---------------------+

| System | | Device Driver |

| Hardware | ----- | Hardware Device |

9. What Are Various General-Purpose Application Software? Explain in

General-purpose application software is designed to perform a wide range

Example: Microsoft Word, Google Docs.

Spreadsheet Software: Used for organizing, analyzing, and storing data in

Example: Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets.

Presentation Software: Used for creating slideshows for presentations.

Example: Microsoft PowerPoint, Google Slides.

Email Software: Used for sending, receiving, and organizing emails.