Software and Programming Languages

Software

• Software controls physical components to perform tasks
• Basic software: programs for computer and peripheral functions, operating systems (basic system tasks), and resident programs (permanent)
• Application software: programs for specific purposes (e.g., office, games)

Programming Languages

• High-level languages are closer to natural language (e.g., C, C++, Python, MATLAB)
• Low-level languages are closer to machine language (Machine code, Assembly language)
• Machine code: the only language a computer can run; instructions are in binary format (0s and 1s); specific to one microprocessor; not usable across different brands
• Assembly language: binary values are replaced by labels; assembler translates to machine code; easier to understand than machine code but still complex with low-level primitives
• High-level languages are designed for human programmers; independent of specific processor architecture and can run on different operating systems

Language Translation Programs

• Translation programs convert instructions (source code) into binary code (executable program)
• Can detect syntax errors (compilation-time errors)
• Assembler translates assembly language into machine code
• Compiler translates high-level language into low-level language (object code); object code needs linking for executable file; detects syntax errors
• Interpreter translates and executes high-level language instructions one by one; translates instruction by instruction until all instructions have been executed or an error occurs

Compiler vs Interpreter

• Compiler:
  • Compiles code once, use many times (more efficient)
  • Syntax errors detected during compilation
  • Faster
  • Target computer doesn't need the compiler installed
• Interpreter:
  • Code can be run across different environments (operating systems) with the interpreter
  • Easy code modification and variable watching

Operating System

• Manages computer's physical elements to coordinate program execution
• Efficiently coordinates and manages resources (monitor, printer, keyboard, memory)
• Manages user-machine interaction and user requests

Hardware

• Set of mechanical and electronic components
• Central Processing Unit (CPU): controls computer operations
• Input/Output peripherals: transfer information between computer and user
• Buses: transmit information among computer components
• Auxiliary memory: large-capacity data storage (hard disk)

Processor

• Control Unit: analyzes the state of other units and controls them
• Registers: small memory units for temporary data and instruction storage
• Decoder: takes machine language instruction and performs it
• Clock: each pulse starts instruction execution (measured in Hertz)
• Arithmetic-Logic Unit (ALU): performs arithmetic and logic operations; data for ALU is in main memory and registers

Main Memory

• Stores currently used information
• Organized into numbered cells (memory words) identified by address
• Read-Only Memory (ROM): permanent information (e.g., operating system programs)
• Random Access Memory (RAM): volatile; contents lost when power is off

Secondary Memory

• Large-capacity, slower storage
• Includes magnetic units (floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tape), optical units (CD-ROM, DVD), and solid-state units (flash drives)

Buses

• Control bus: transmits instructions
• Address bus: transmits addresses
• Data bus: transmits data

Program Execution Steps

1. Control unit fetches instruction
2. Instruction stored in instruction register (operation code, data address)
3. Control unit sets connections
4. Result stored, if any
5. Program counter increases; next instruction processed

Peripherals

• Devices for computer communication with people/other computers, to acquire, store, or transmit data
• Storage: hard disk, magnetic tape, optical disk, CD-ROM, DVD, solid-state drives (flash drives)
• Input: keyboard, scanner, optical reader
• Output: monitor, printer
• Communicate with processor through channels (memory/buffer, control unit)

Storage Peripherals

• Magnetic, optical, solid-state

Computer Networks

• Group of interconnected computers to share information
• LAN (Local Area Network): local connections
• WAN (Wide Area Network): wider connections, e.g. Internet

The Internet

• Network of networks
• Each computer identified by IP address
• Communication through TCP/IP protocols
• Features: decentralized, non-hierarchical, heterogeneous, OS-independent

Explore the essential concepts of software types including basic and application software. This quiz also delves into programming languages, distinguishing between high-level and low-level languages. Test your understanding of how software interacts with hardware and programming languages’ architecture.