Software

Software
There are two types of software:

Systems software:

Applications software: (end-user programs)

Systems software is the control software that operates the hardware and allows the applications to run. Applications are pieces of software that are programmed to perform specific tasks. Eg: a browser application, a word processing application, an e-mail application and so on. You can also buy new applications and install them.

Logical system architecture

Types of software

System software

set of pgms, designed to control the operation & extend the processing capability of a computer system.

Supports the development of other application software.

Supports the execution of other application software.

Monitors the effective use of various h/w resources like cpu, mem, etc. Communicates and controls the operation of the peripheral devices like printers, disk etc.

System software

Utility software :to manage and tune the computer H/W, OS or application software by performing some tasks.

Disk cleaners Backup Anti-virus System profilers tool for diagnosing problems or checking
computer specifications
H/W) (Checking available RAM slots, Checking installed

System software

Interpreter is a computer program which reads source code written in a high-level programming language, transforms the code to machine code, and executes the machine code. Assembler - A utility program called an assembler is used to translate assembly language statements into the target computer's machine code. Compiler - A compiler is a special program that processes statements written in a particular programming language and validates the syntax.

Application Software

It is a set of one or more programs designed to solve a specific problem or do a specific task. Examples are:

Word processing s/w Spreadsheet s/w Database s/w Graphics s/w Personal assistance s/w Education s/w Entertainment s/w

Major functions of an OS

Processor management Memory management Device management Storage management File management Security Application interface User interface

Processor management

ensures that each process and application receives enough of the processor's time to function properly

Memory management
Each process must have enough to execute, and cannot cross-over into the memory of another process Manages the memory used by individual processes.

Device management
Manages the devices thru driver software. The path between the operating system and virtually all hardware not on the computer's motherboard goes through a special program called a driver

Storage management
Managing the free space available on the secondary-storage device. Allocation of storage space when new files have to be written. Scheduling the requests for memory access.

File management
creation and deletion of files, directions mapping of files back up of files

Security
User Authentication Data Access security Level of Access

Application interface
API provides a consistent way for applications to use the resources of the computer system Eg: Using the Amazon API, a third party Web site can post direct links to Amazon products with updated prices

User interface

a user interface (UI) brings structure to the interaction between a user and the computer

Operating Systems

Operating Systems run in the background without the users being aware of it. It controls the inputs, outputs, and storage of files as requested by the applications software.

Popular Operating Systems

Windows XP home and business Mac Operating System GUI, graphics UNIX general purpose Linux alternative to Windows Dos command driven

Types of OS
1. Multitasking/ Multiprogramming OS (Eg
Games)
Preemptive

Word &

time sliced by CPU Cooperative- Each task/program decided CPU usage

2. Multi threading OS run multiple parts of the s/w program (Eg Spell check & Print) 3. Multi-processing OS many processers in one computer system (Eg Unix Server) 4. Single user OS

5. Multi-user OS 6. Parallel System with Multiple CPUs 7. Distributed System computers connected by a highspeed networks. 8. Real Time System responds to real time events (Eg:
satellite co.ntrol systems, process control systems)

Multiprogramming