Is a set of instructions and its associated documentations that tells a computer what to do or how to perform a task? It refers to the set of programs that are available for execution on a computer system. A program is a sequence of instructions given to a computer to perform a particular task. Instruction is command given to the computer to perform certain specified operation on given data.
Types of software:
System software: The software required to execute user’s program is called system software. It directs the internal operations of a computer system. System software is a type of computer program that is designed to run a computer’s hardware and application programs. If we think of the computer system as a layered model, the system software is the interface between the hardware and user applications. It is responsible for resource management, language translations, file management etc. Types of system software: 1. Operating system: It is an organized set or collection of software programs that control the overall operation of the computer system. It is an interface between the user and the hardware. It manages the resources such and input/output, job scheduling etc.
Responsibilities of operating system:
• Communicate with user, receive and execute commands, show error messages. • Manage allocation of memory, processor time and other resources. • Collect input from keyboard, mouse, and provide data to running programs. • Convey program output to screen, printer, or other output device. • Access data from secondary storage. • Write data to secondary storage. • Maintains security (checks user-name , password, virus infection)
Functions of operating system
1. Booting: Booting is a process of starting the computer operating system starts the computer to work. It checks the computer and makes it ready to work. It is of two types (1) Cold booting: when the computer is started after having been switched off. (2) Warm booting: when the operating system alone is restarted (without being switched off) after a system crash or 'freeze. 2. Memory Management It is also an important function of operating system. The memory cannot be managed without operating system. Different programs and data execute in memory at one time. If there is no operating system, the programs may mix with each other. The system will not work properly. 3. Loading and Execution Program is loaded in the memory before it can be executed. Operating system provides the facility to load programs in memory easily and then execute it. 4. Data security Data is an important part of computer system. The operating system protects the data stored on the computer from illegal use, modification or deletion. 5. Disk Management Operating system manages the disk space. It manages the stored files and folders in a proper way. 6. Process Management CPU can perform one task at one time. if there are many tasks, operating system decides which task should get the CPU. 7. Printing controlling Operating system also controls printing function. It a user issues two print commands at a time, it does not mix data of these files and prints them separately. 8. Providing interface It is used in order that user interface acts with a computer mutually. User interface controls how you input data and instruction and how information is displayed on screen. The operating system offers two types of the interface to the user: 1. Graphical-line interface: It interacts with of visual environment to communicate with the computer. It uses windows, icons, menus and other graphical objects to issues commands. 2. Command-line interface: it provides an interface to communicate with the computer by typing commands.
Types of operating system
A. Operating System: Multiprogramming • The most important operating system capability for sharing computer resources is multiprogramming. • Multiprogramming permits multiple programs to share a computer system’s resources at any time through concurrent use of CPU. • By concurrent use, we mean that only one program is actually using the CPU at any given moment. • However, at the same time other programs can collect inputs and display outputs. • Two or more programs are active at the same time, but they do not use the same computer resources simultaneously. • With multiprogramming, a group of programs takes turns using the processor B. Operating System: Multitasking • Multitasking => The multiprogramming capability of primarily single-user operating systems (PC). • One person can run two or more programs concurrently on a single computer. • When you are writing a report using MS Word, you can also search on the Internet. • Multitasking allows you to display both programs on the computer screen and work with them at the same time.
C. Operating System: Virtual Storage
• Virtual storage => a way of handling programs more efficiently • Virtual storage breaks a program into a number fixed- length portions called pages or into variable-length portions called segments. • Only this small portion (2 to 4 kilobytes) of the program is stored in primary memory at one time. • All other program pages are stored on a peripheral disk until they are ready for execution. • Virtual storage provides a number of advantages: - the central processor is utilized more fully. - Many more programs can be in primary storage because only one page of each program actually resides there. - Programmers no longer have to worry about the size of the primary storage. Programs can be of infinite length and small machines can execute a program of any size.
D. Operating System: Time Sharing
• Time sharing => an operating system capability that allows many users to share computer processing resources simultaneously. • It differs from multiprogramming in that the CPU spends a fixed amount of time on one program before moving to another . • In time sharing environment, thousands of users are each allocated a tiny slice of computer time (2 milliseconds). • In this time slot, each user is free to perform any required operations. • At the end of this period, another user is given a 2-millisecond time slice of the CPU. • This arrangement permits many users to be connected to a CPU simultaneously. • Because the CPU is operating at the nanosecond level, a CPU can accomplish a great deal of work in 2 millisecond.
E. Operating System: Multiprocessing
• Multiprocessing => an operating system capability that links together two or more CPU to work in parallel in a single computer system. • The operating system can assign multiple CPUs to execute different instructions from the same program or from different programs simultaneously, dividing the work between the CPUs. • Multiprogramming uses concurrent processing with one CPU. • Multiprocessing uses simultaneous processing with multiple CPUs.
F. Network operating System
• A Network Operating System runs on a server and provides the server the capability to manage data, users, groups, security, applications, and other networking functions. • The primary purpose of the network operating system is to allow shared file and printer access among multiple computers in a network, typically a local area network (LAN), a private network or to other networks.
G. Batch processing operating system
• The users of a batch operating system do not interact with the computer directly. • Each user prepares his job on an off-line device like punch cards and submits it to the computer operator. • To speed up processing, jobs with similar needs are batched together and run as a group. • The programmers leave their programs with the operator and the operator then sorts the programs with similar requirements into batches. • The problems with Batch Systems are as follows − • Lack of interaction between the user and the job. • CPU is often idle, because the speed of the mechanical I/O devices is slower than the CPU. • Difficult to provide the desired priority. H. Embedded OS • An embedded system is a computer system with a dedicated function within a larger mechanical or electrical system, often with real time computing constraints. • It is embedded as part of a complete device often including hardware and mechanical parts. Embedded systems control many devices in common use today. • Ninety-eight percent of all microprocessor are manufactured as components of embedded systems. • An embedded operating system is a specialized OS for use in the computers built into larger systems. • An embedded system is a computer that is part of a different kind of machine. • Examples include computers in cars, traffic lights, digital television, ATMs, airplane controls, point of sale (POS) terminals, digital camera, GPS navigation system, elevators, digital media receivers and smart meters, among many other possibilities.
I. Handheld OS • A handheld computer is a computer that can conveniently be stored in a pocket (of sufficient size) and used while you're holding it. • Handheld OS are those which run on handheld devices such as smart phones, tablets etc.
J. Command-line Interface(CLI)& Graphical User Interfaces(GUI)
• Command-line interface systems display a command prompt, and then expect the user to type the desired commands. • These systems include UNIX, MS-DOS and VMS. • Graphical user interfaces (GUI) display pictures (icons), menus, and text, which the user may point to with a mouse or other pointing device, then click to select the desired function. • These systems (GUI) include Macintosh OS, Windows 95/98, Windows NT, OS/2 Warp, and UNIX with X Windows interface. 2. Utility software: These are software tools which help users in developing, writing, debugging and documenting programs. They are also called service programs .Some example of utility software are: Editors: Such as, Notepad++. System Utilities: Such as, Tune up Utilities. File Management Utilities: Such as, file recovery tools. Disk Checker, Disk Cleaner: Such as Disk cleanup. Antivirus: Such as, Avira, E Set NOD32, Kaspersky, Norton, AVG antivirus etc.
i. Device driver: A device driver or hardware driver is a group of files that enable one or more hardware devices to communicate with the computer's operating system. Without drivers, the computer would not be able to send and receive data correctly to hardware devices, such as a printer. A device driver is a particular form of software application that is designed to enable interaction with hardware devices. Without the required device driver, the corresponding hardware device fails to work. A device driver usually communicates with the hardware by means of the communications subsystem or computer bus to which the hardware is connected. Device drivers are operating system-specific and hardware-dependent. A device driver acts as a translator between the hardware device and the programs or operating systems that use it. ii. Antivirus: Anti-virus is one of the useful utilities that are anti-biotic in nature. It detects the presence of virus in our Computer, removes them and ensures us a virus-free environment. For example: Norton anti-virus ( N A V ) , MacAfee, Avast, Panda, Avira, Microsoft antivirus ( M S A V ) , Kaspersky, Smart dog etc. Antivirus software is a type of utility used for scanning and removing viruses from your computer. While many types of antivirus (or "anti-virus") programs exist, their primary purpose is to protect computers from viruses and remove any viruses that are found. Most antivirus programs include both automatic and manual scanning capabilities. The automatic scan may check files that are downloaded from the Internet, discs that are inserted into the computer, and files that are created by software installers. The automatic scan may also scan the entire hard drive on a regular basis. The manual scan option allows you to scan individual files or your entire system whenever you feel it is necessary.
Application Software: The software that is written by the user to solve a specific problem using the computer is known as application software. It is a set of program necessary to carry out operation for specific application. Application program may be provided by the computer manufacturer or supplier, but in most case the software may be designed and prepared as the requirement is encountered.
Types of application software:
Tailored software Packaged software
Tailored software: This software is specially designed to solve a job or a task for different purpose is called tailored software. Example: For departmental store. For pharmacy store. For medical laboratory. For e-payment. For air ticketing etc.
Packaged software: An application packages is a generalized set of program which can be used to deal with a particular application. Example: MS-Office which contains MS-EXCEL, MS-WORD, MS-POWERPOINT, MS-ACCESS for typing, Calculating, inserting picture which generally used in office and daily life. Word processing software: • You can store text data electronically as a computer file rather than on paper. • It allows you to make changes in your document electronically in memory. • The Software has formatting options to make changes in line spacing, margins, character size, etc. • Most word processing software has advanced features: spell checking, grammar checking, and punctuation checking. • Besides these, it has thesaurus programs, and mail merge programs ( which link letters or other text documents with names and addresses in a mailing list). • You can also create and access Web pages.
Spreadsheet software: • Spreadsheet software is a numerical analysis tool. • You can use spreadsheet software to main your checkbook register. • Spreadsheet software creates a worksheet, composed of a grid of columns and rows. • You can write any character in each column. • You can write any number in each row. • The intersection of a column and row is called a cell. Each cell has a unique address (cell reference). • Using spreadsheet you can create graph (summary of data) • Spreadsheet software provides you with excellent printouts of the raw data or graphs created from the data.
Graphics and presentation software:
• Graphics and presentation software allow us to create illustrations, diagrams, graphs, and charts that you also can print and transmit to remote computers. • Most application software allows you to include graphics created by graphics software (Microsoft Paint or Adobe PhotoShop). • You can also use clip art (a collection of drawings) comes with software packages. • MS PowerPoint is a popular presentation software. You can create colorful presentations and transparencies.
Graphics designing software: Which contains software like ADBOE PHOTOSHP,
INDESIGN, PAGEMAKER, CORELDRAW, ILLUSTRATER, IMAGE READY, which are used for desktop publishing like in designing visiting card, marriage card, logo, banner etc?
Animation software: Such as video editing, clipping software, sound and video mixing software, Making animated cartoon etc Free- software and Open source software. Free software: Free software can’t be used for commercial purpose. We can redistribute the copy to help others. We can’t crack it or change or modify it. E. g. Firefox, Thunderbird, etc
Open Source Software:
It is software that is free to use and which provides the original code where the source code is available (Under copy right license) to the public which enables them to use, modify, enhance the OS system and redistribute the modified or unmodified form of the OS. E. g.: LINUX, Free BSD, Open Solaris etc. Open source software allows the commercial utilization of the code with the motive of profit.
