Lec 17-18 Computer Softwares

APPLICATION OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES

• Lecture Details

  • Title: Computer Software

  • Lectured by: Mr. Muhammad Tahir Sohail

  • Department: Computer Science

COMPUTER SOFTWARE

• Hardware vs Software

  • Hardware:

    • Physical components of a computer system that can be touched.

  • Software:

    • Instructions that run on hardware, also known as Computer Programs.

    • Software is necessary for hardware to perform useful tasks, and hardware cannot function without software.

MACHINE LANGUAGE

• Definition:

  • The language that computers understand and execute.

  • Considered the lowest level of programming language.

• Characteristics:

  • Easy for computers, but challenging for humans to write and understand.

LANGUAGE TRANSLATORS

• Purpose:

  • Convert programs written in human-friendly languages to machine language.

• Types:

  • Compiler:

    • Translates high-level language code into machine language all at once.

  • Interpreter:

    • Translates high-level language code one statement at a time.

SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT

• Overview:

  • Creating complex software requires more than just coding.

• Time Allocation:

  • Only 15% of time is spent coding; 85% is spent on other activities.

THE SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS

• Phases:

  1. Concept & Feasibility

  2. User Requirement

  3. Developer Specification

  4. Planning

  5. Design

  6. Implementation

MAJOR TYPES OF SOFTWARE

• Categories:

  • System Software:

    • Operates in the background, interacts directly with hardware.

  • Application Software:

    • Programs that users directly interact with to perform tasks.

SYSTEM & APPLICATION SOFTWARE

• Functionality:

  • System software works behind the scenes, while application software interacts directly with users through the system software.

TYPES OF SYSTEM SOFTWARE

• Categories:

  • Operating System

  • Firmware

  • Utilities

  • Language Translators

  • Device Drivers

OPERATING SYSTEM

• Definition:

  • Operates in the background and facilitates user interaction with hardware.

• Examples:

  • Windows, Mac OS, Unix, Linux.

FIRMWARE

• Characteristics:

  • Embedded software that controls hardware.

  • Examples include BIOS on PCs for loading the operating system.

UTILITIES

• Function:

  • Designed to maintain and optimize computer performance.

• Examples:

  • Antivirus software, disk optimization programs.

LANGUAGE TRANSLATORS

• Function:

  • Translate code from high-level to low-level languages for CPU understanding.

• Types:

  • Compilers and Interpreters cover different translations processes.

DEVICE DRIVERS

• Definition:

  • Programs that facilitate communication between hardware and operating systems.

• Function:

  • Acts as a manual for the OS to understand how to operate that hardware.

APPLICATION SOFTWARE

• Definition:

  • Programs designed for user interaction to perform specific tasks.

• Types:

  • Scientific, Business, Productivity, Entertainment, Educational Software.

CLASSIFICATION OF SOFTWARE

ACCORDING TO THE MODE

• Interactive-mode:

  • Continuous user interaction (e.g., Word Processor).

• Batch-mode:

  • Non-interactive processing of data (e.g., Payroll).

ACCORDING TO APPLICATION AREA

• Categories:

  • Scientific/Engineering/Graphics Software

  • Business Software

  • Productivity Software

  • Entertainment Software

  • Educational Software

ENTERTAINMENT SOFTWARE

• Example Types:

  • Music and Video Players (WinAmp, Real Player)

  • Computer Games (Educational, Strategy, Sports).

EDUCATIONAL SOFTWARE

• Growth Areas:

  • Increasing reliance on software to enhance or replace traditional education methods.

SOFTWARE OWNERSHIP

• License Purchase:

  • Users purchase licenses, not software ownership.

• Types of Licenses:

  • Proprietary, Freeware, Open-Source, Shareware.

PROPRIETARY SOFTWARE LICENSE

• Definition:

  • Licenses prohibit modification and redistribution.

• Examples:

  • MS Windows, MS Office.

FREEWARE SOFTWARE LICENSE

• Characteristics:

  • Software is free to use.

  • Examples:

  • Linux, Chrome.

OPEN-SOURCE SOFTWARE LICENSE

• Definition:

  • Users can modify high-level source code.

• Examples:

  • Apache Web Server, MySQL.

SHAREWARE SOFTWARE LICENSE

• Definition:

  • Free to use initially, payment requested if the software is satisfactory.

TRIALWARE

• Features:

  • Usable for a limited time before requiring purchase.

CONCLUSION

• Final Thoughts:

  • Ample opportunities exist in software utilization and development.

• Closing Note:

  • Jazak Allah, Questions?