Software CIT 214 - What is Software?

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Questions and Answers

Match the following terms with their definitions:

Source code = Sets of instructions written by programmers Device Driver = Software that controls a device to perform functions System Software = Software closer to the computer system, written in low-level language Application Software = Software used for specific tasks or organizations

Match the following features with the correct type of software:

Fast in speed = System Software Less interactive for users = System Software General Purpose Software = Application Software Customized Software = Application Software

Match the following examples with the correct type of software:

MS-Word, MS-Excel, PowerPoint = General Purpose Software Railway reservation system, airline reservation system = Customized Software Utility Software = Supports computer infrastructure SQL = Database management software

Match the following types of software with their characteristics:

Application Software = Performs specialized tasks like word processing and email System Software = Analyzes, configures, optimizes, and maintains the system Reliability = Ability of software to consistently perform tasks without errors Usability = How easily users can interact with the software Signup and view all the answers

Match the following software characteristics with their descriptions:

Efficiency = Optimal utilization of system resources to perform tasks on time Maintainability = Ease and cost-effectiveness of modifying or updating software Portability = Ability of software to run on different platforms without modifications Interactivity = Software characteristic that makes it easy for users to use and navigate Signup and view all the answers

Match the following system maintenance tools with their functions:

Antivirus = Protects the system from malware and viruses Disk Cleaner = Cleans unnecessary files from the disk Registry Cleaner = Removes unnecessary entries from the system registry Memory Tester = Checks the system's memory for errors Signup and view all the answers

Match the following high-level programming languages with their common usage:

Python = General-purpose programming language JavaScript = Client-side scripting for web applications SQL = Language for database queries CSS = Language for styling web pages Signup and view all the answers

Match the following definitions with the correct type of software:

Software that directly operates the computer hardware and provides basic functionality to users. = System Software Software that converts human-readable language into machine language. = Language Processor Main program of a computer system that manages all resources and provides an interface to the user. = Operating System (OS) Software that controls a computer's internal functioning and hardware devices like monitors and printers. = System Software Signup and view all the answers

Match the following statements with the correct description of software:

A collection of instructions, data, or computer programs used to run machines and carry out activities. = Software The device's running programs, scripts, and applications collectively referred to as software. = Software The antithesis of hardware referring to a computer's external components. = Software A set of instructions or commands that tell a computer what to do. = Software Signup and view all the answers

Match the following examples with the correct operating system:

Linux = Operating System (OS) Apple macOS = Operating System (OS) Microsoft Windows = Operating System (OS) Java, C, C++, Python = Language Processor Signup and view all the answers

Match the following functions with the correct role of system software:

Directly operating computer hardware and providing basic functionality to users. = System Software Converting human-readable language into machine language. = System Software Managing computer resources and providing an interface to the user. = Operating System (OS) Converting high-level programming languages like Java, C, C++, Python into machine language. = Language Processor Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

What is Software?

Software is a collection of instructions, data, or computer programs that run machines and carry out specific activities.
Software refers to a device's running programs, scripts, and applications.
It is the antithesis of hardware, which refers to a computer's external components.

Types of Software

System Software

System software operates the computer hardware and provides basic functionality to users and other software.
It controls a computer's internal functioning and hardware devices such as monitors, printers, and storage devices.
Examples of system software include Operating Systems (OS) like Linux, Apple macOS, and Microsoft Windows.
The OS is the main program of a computer system, managing resources like computer memory, CPU, printer, and hard disk, and providing an interface to the user.
Language Processors convert human-readable language into machine language and vice versa.
Device Drivers are programs that control devices and help them perform their functions.

Features of System Software

Closer to the computer system.
Written in a low-level language in general.
Difficult to design and understand.
Fast in speed (working speed).
Less interactive for users in comparison to application software.

Application Software

General Purpose Software: used for a variety of tasks, e.g., MS-Word, MS-Excel, PowerPoint.
Customized Software: designed to perform specific tasks or functions for specific organizations, e.g., railway reservation system, airline reservation system.
Utility Software: used to support computer infrastructure, e.g., antivirus, disk fragmenter, memory tester.

Features of Application Software

Performs more specialized tasks like word processing, spreadsheets, email.
Requires more storage space.
More interactive for users, making it easy to use and design.
Easy to design and understand.
Written in a high-level language in general.

Characteristics of Software

Reliability: ability to consistently perform intended tasks without failures or errors.
Usability: how easily and effectively users can interact with and navigate through the software.
Efficiency: optimal utilization of system resources to perform tasks on time.
Maintainability: how easily and cost-effectively software can be modified, updated, or extended.
Portability: ability to run on different platforms or environments without significant modifications.

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Description

This quiz covers the definition of software, including a collection of instructions, data, or computer programs used to run machines and carry out activities. It also explains the difference between software and hardware. System software is discussed as a type of software.