LLECTURE 3

SOFTWARE AND PROGRAMMING

 LLECTURE 3
SOFTWARE AND PROGRAMMING
Table of Contents:
Definition of Software
Types of Software and their uses
Installing and using software Application
Introduction to programming
Basics of programming languages
Writing simple programs
 SOFTWARE

What is software?
Software is a Set of Instructions that makes the
computer perform tasks. In other words we can say
that, software tells the computer what to do.
Today, software often has a Graphical User Interface (GUI
– discussed later). With a GUI, you interact with the
software using text, graphics, and visual images such as
icons, as shown in the next slide which are small images
that represent a program, an instruction, or some other
object. With a GUI, you use the mouse to select icons that
perform operations such as starting a program.
There are two types/categories of software; viz: system software and application
software.
SYSTEM SOFTWARE
The system software is the software that directs the
functionality of the basic system components including
input, output, process and storage.

This software consists of the programs that control or

maintain the operations of the computer and its
devices. There are two types of system software. These
are:
• operating system and
• utility software.
THE OPERATING SYSTEM
An operating system is a set of programs that coordinates
all the activities among computer hardware devices. It
provides a means for users to communicate with the
computer and other software, as it serves as the interface
between the user, the application software, and the
computer’s hardware.
Many of today’s computers use Windows 7, 8 or 10, three
of Microsoft’s operating systems, or Mac OS Mojave,
Apple’s operating system.
The OS as an interface between the user, application
software and hardware
In most cases, the operating system is installed and
resides on the computer’s hard disk. On handheld
computers and many mobile devices such as
smartphones, however, the operating system may reside
on a ROM chip. When one starts a computer, portions of
the operating system load into memory (RAM) from the
computer’s hard disk. It remains in memory while the
computer is on.
Different sizes of computers typically use different
operating systems. For instance, a mainframe computer
does not use the same operating system as a personal
computer. Even the same types of computers, such as
desktop computers, may not use the same operating
system. Some, however, can run multiple operating
systems.
When purchasing application software, you must ensure
that it works with the operating system installed on your
computer. The operating system that a computer uses is
sometimes called the platform, as it provides the
environment for the user to be able to use the
application software as well the underlying hardware.
That is why on purchased application software, the
package identifies the required platform (operating
system). Hence, a cross-platform application software or
program is one that runs the same on multiple operating
systems.
Types of Operating Systems
The three basic types/categories of operating systems
that exist today are stand-alone, network, and
embedded operating systems.
Stand-Alone Operating Systems
A stand-alone operating system is a complete operating
system that works on a desktop, laptop/notebook
computer, or mobile computing device. Some stand-
alone operating systems are called client operating
systems as they also work in conjunction with a network
operating system. Such operating systems can operate
with or without a network.
Other stand-alone operating systems include
networking capabilities, thereby allowing users to set
up a small network. Examples of currently used stand-
alone operating systems are Windows (Windows 10),
Mac OS (Mac OS Mojave), UNIX, and Linux.
Embedded Operating Systems
The operating system on most Personal Digital
Assistants (PDAs) and small devices such as
smartphones and tablets, are called an embedded
operating system, and they reside on a ROM chip.
Popular embedded operating systems include Android,
iOS, etc.
 Functions of the Operating System

Many different operating systems exist; however, most

operating systems provide similar functions as discussed
below.
Starting a Computer
Booting is the process of starting or restarting a
computer. When turning on a computer that has been
powered off completely, you are performing a cold boot.
A warm boot, on the other hand is the process of using
the operating system to restart a computer. With
Windows 10, for instance, you can perform a warm boot
by clicking a menu command. When you install new
software or update existing software, often an on-screen
prompt instructs you to restart the computer.
Each time you boot a computer, the kernel (the core of
the operating system) and other frequently used
operating system instructions are loaded, or copied,
from the hard disk (storage) into the computer’s
memory (RAM). When you boot a computer, a series of
messages may be displayed on the screen. The actual
information displayed varies depending on the make
and type of the computer and the equipment installed.
The boot process, however, is similar for all sizes of
computers.
To perform a warm boot, click on “Restart”
The Booting Process
When you turn on a computer, it goes through several
steps to prepare itself for use. The first step is a self-test
called POST (Power on self-test). The computer identifies
the devices that are attached to it, counts the amount of
memory available, and does a quick check to see
whether the memory is functioning properly. This
routine is initiated by a part of the system software
located in read-only memory (ROM), a chip that contains
brief, permanent instructions for getting the computer
started.
Next, the computer looks in the hard drive for the
operating system. When it finds the operating system, it
loads that program into memory. Because the
operating system is needed to control the computer’s
most basic functions, it continues to run until the
computer is turned off.
After the computer finds and runs the operating
system, it is ready to accept commands from an input
device – usually the keyboard or a mouse. At this point,
the user can issue commands to the computer.
Providing a User Interface
As stated earlier you interact with software through its
user interface. Therefore, the user interface controls
how you enter data and instructions and how
information is displayed on the screen. Two types of
user interfaces are:
• the Command-Line Interface (CLI) and
• the Graphical User Interface (GUI).
Operating systems sometimes use a combination of
these interfaces to describe how a user interacts with a
computer.
Command-Line Interface (CLI): network administrators
and other advanced users work with a CLI to configure
devices, manage system resources, and troubleshoot
network connections. In a CLI, a user types commands
or presses special keys on the keyboard to enter data
and instructions. Command-line interfaces often are
difficult to use because they require exact spelling,
grammar, and punctuation.
Graphical User Interface (GUI): today most users work
with a graphical user interface. With a GUI, you interact
with menus and visual images such as buttons and
other graphical objects to issue commands. Windows
10, Mac OS Mojave are examples of operating systems
that offer a GUI.
People also refer to the GUI as a point-and-click
interface, because you use a mouse to point at on-screen
objects and then click on them. The icons are controlled
using the mouse and it’s on screen pointer. Sometimes
you simply point at the icons; sometimes you click on
them once; sometimes you double-click (click twice in
rapid succession). Sometimes you slide an icon across by
moving the mouse while holding down a mouse button –
an operation known as dragging.
Managing Programs
Some operating systems support a single user and only
one running program at a time. Others support
thousands of users running multiple programs. How an
operating system handles programs directly affects your
productivity.
As the name implies, single-user single-task operating
systems are designed to manage the computer so that
one user can effectively do one thing at a time. PDAs,
smart phones, tablets and other small computing
devices often use a single-user single-task operating
system.
A single-user multi-task operating system allows a single
user to work on two or more programs that reside in
memory at the same time. i.e. they allow a single user to
have several programs in operation at the same time.
Users today typically run multiple programs concurrently.
For example, it's entirely possible for a Windows user to
be writing a note in a word processor while downloading
a file from the Internet and at the same time working on
applications such as graphics etc.
 Introduction to Programming:

• Programming is the process of designing and building executable

computer programs to accomplish a specific task. It involves writing
instructions that a computer can understand and execute. Programming is a
fundamental skill in today's technology-driven world and is used in a wide
range of applications, from developing software and mobile apps to
designing websites and controlling hardware devices.
 CONCEPTS

Algorithm: An algorithm is a step-by-step procedure or formula for solving

a problem or accomplishing a specific task. It serves as the foundation for
writing computer programs. Algorithms are translated into code to create
executable programs.
Programming Languages: Programming languages are used to write code
that instructs a computer. There are various programming languages, each
with its own syntax and semantics. Common programming languages
include Python, Java, C++, JavaScript, and many more.
 CONCEPTS

Syntax and Semantics: Syntax refers to the rules that dictate how programs
are written in a particular programming language. Semantics, on the other
hand, deals with the meaning behind the code. Understanding both is crucial
for writing error-free and functional code.
Variables and Data Types: Variables are containers for storing data in a
program. Data types define the kind of data a variable can hold, such as
integers, floats, strings, and booleans. Properly managing variables and data
types is essential for effective programming.
 CONCEPTS

Control Structures: Control structures determine the flow of a program.

Common control structures include conditionals (if statements), loops (for,
while), and switches. These structures enable the creation of dynamic and
responsive programs.
Functions and Procedures: Functions and procedures are blocks of code
that can be reused throughout a program. They help in modularizing code,
making it more organized and easier to maintain.
Object-Oriented Programming (OOP): OOP is a programming paradigm
that organizes code into objects, each containing both data and methods.
OOP principles, such as encapsulation, inheritance, and polymorphism,
facilitate the creation of scalable and maintainable code.
 CONCEPTS
Debugging and Testing: Debugging is the process of identifying and fixing
errors in code. Testing involves systematically verifying that a program
behaves as expected. Both are critical for producing reliable software.
Integrated Development Environments (IDEs): IDEs are software
applications that provide comprehensive tools for writing, testing, and
debugging code. They often include features like code editors, compilers,
and debuggers to streamline the development process.
Version Control: Version control systems, such as Git, help manage
changes to code over time. They enable collaboration among developers and
provide a history of code modifications.