Software Types and Operating Systems PDF

WHAT IS SOFTWARE? Computer software refers to a collection of programs, data, and instructions that tell a computer how to perform specific tasks. Unlike hardware, which is the physical components of a computer system, software exists as intangible, digital assets. Software is responsible for mana...

WHAT IS SOFTWARE? Computer software refers to a collection of programs, data, and instructions that tell a computer how to perform specific tasks. Unlike hardware, which is the physical components of a computer system, software exists as intangible, digital assets. Software is responsible for managing, controlling, and coordinating the hardware components, allowing users to interact with the computer and perform various functions. MAIN CATEGORIES OF SOFTWARE 1. System Software This type of software is designed to manage and control the computer hardware so that other software and users can function properly. System software serves as a platform for application software and includes: Operating Systems (OS): Examples include Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android. These control basic functions such as file management, memory management, and device management. Device Drivers: Software that allows the operating system to communicate with hardware devices like printers, network cards, and graphics cards. Utilities: Programs that perform maintenance tasks, such as disk cleanup and antivirus protection. MAIN CATEGORIES OF SOFTWARE 2. Application Software This type of software is used by users to perform specific tasks, such as creating documents, analyzing data, or editing photos. Application software includes: Productivity software: Examples include word processors, spreadsheets, and presentation software like Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Multimedia software: Programs for creating and editing graphics, videos, and music, such as Adobe Photoshop and Final Cut Pro. Web browsers: Software that allows users to access and interact with websites, such as Chrome, Firefox, and Safari. Games: Software designed for entertainment, including computer games and mobile gaming applications. OPERATING SYSTEM (OS) An operating system (OS) is a vital piece of system software that manages computer hardware and software resources and provides services for computer programs. It acts as an intermediary between users and the computer hardware, ensuring that various applications and users can interact efficiently and securely with the system. Without an operating system, a computer would not function as intended. Your computer's operating system (OS) manages all of the software and hardware on the computer. Most of the time, there are several different computer programs running at the same time, and they all need to access your computer's central processing unit (CPU), memory, and storage. The operating system coordinates all of this to make sure each program gets what it needs.  POPULAR OPERATING SYSTEMS Microsoft Windows: A widely-used OS for personal computers, known for its GUI, ease of use, and broad software support. macOS: Apple's OS for its Macintosh line of computers, known for its sleek design, security features, and seamless integration with other Apple products. Linux: An open-source OS that is known for its flexibility, security, and popularity among developers. Linux distributions include Ubuntu, Fedora, and Debian. UNIX: A multiuser, multitasking OS that has influenced many other operating systems, including Linux. It is commonly used in servers and workstations. OPERATING SYSTEMS FOR MOBILE DEVICES Mobile devices such as phones, and tablets, are different from desktop and laptop computers, so they run operating systems that are designed specifically for mobile devices. Examples of mobile operating systems include: Android: A mobile OS based on Linux, developed by Google, and used in a large range of smartphones and tablets. iOS: Apple’s mobile OS for iPhones and iPads, known for its smooth performance, security features, and curated app ecosystem OPERATING SYSTEMS FOR MOBILE DEVICES Operating systems for mobile devices generally aren't as fully featured as those made for desktop and laptop computers, and they aren't able to run all of the same software. However, you can still do a lot of things with them, like Watch movies Browse the web Manage your calendar Play games FILE FORMATS The file format is the structure of a file that tells a program how to display its contents, where each program encodes files in its own way. However, A program will be unable to open a file if it does not understand the file format. File formats sometimes follow a standard; an agreed way of encoding data (e.g., webpages use the HTML5 standard). Standards can be: Open ⁻ Published openly ⁻ Free to use ⁻ E.g., HTML, PDF Proprietary ⁻ Owned by a company ⁻ Others can use the standard if they pay for a license ⁻ E.g., MP3 FILE EXTENSION File extension is used by the operating system to determine a file’s format. E.g., the.docx file format opens by default with Microsoft Word. TYPES OF SOFTWARE 1. Proprietary Software Definition: Proprietary software is developed, owned, and controlled by a company or individual. The source code is not available to the public, and users are usually required to purchase a license to use the software. Ownership: The developer or company retains full ownership of the software. Users do not have the legal right to modify, redistribute, or access the source code. Licensing: Users are provided with licenses that limit how the software can be used. These licenses often restrict copying, modifying, or sharing the software. Support: The developing company typically provides customer support, bug fixes, and updates. Examples:  Microsoft Windows (operating system)  Microsoft Office (productivity suite)  Adobe Photoshop (image editing software)  macOS (operating system) TYPES OF SOFTWARE 2. Open-Source Software Definition: Open-source software is software whose source code is freely available for anyone to view, modify, and distribute. It is often developed collaboratively by communities of developers. Ownership: The software is often owned by a community rather than an individual or company. Users are encouraged to modify the software as long as they comply with the licensing terms. Licensing: The software is usually distributed under licenses like GNU General Public License (GPL), MIT License, or Apache License, which permit users to modify and share the software. Support: Open-source software often relies on community support. However, some companies offer paid support for specific open-source software solutions. Examples:  Linux (operating system)  Apache HTTP Server (web server)  GIMP (image editing software)  LibreOffice (office suite) USER INTERFACES (UI) A User Interface is the space where interactions between humans and machines occur. Its primary purpose is to allow users to interact with a computer or system effectively and efficiently. User interfaces can take many forms, and they are an essential aspect of software design. TYPES OF USER INTERFACES 1- Graphical User Interface (GUI): Description: A GUI allows users to interact with the system through graphical elements like windows, icons, menus, and buttons. Examples:  Operating systems like Windows, macOS, and Linux (with desktop environments like GNOME or KDE).  Software applications such as web browsers, word processors, and graphic design tools. Advantages:  Intuitive and user-friendly, even for non-technical users.  Visually appealing and interactive. Disadvantages:  May consume more system resources (memory, CPU) compared to other types of interfaces TYPES OF USER INTERFACES Command-Line Interface (CLI): Description: In a CLI, users interact with the system by typing commands in text form. It is commonly used by developers and system administrators. Examples:  Command prompt in Windows.  Bash shell in Linux/Unix. Advantages:  Requires fewer system resources.  Powerful for advanced users who are familiar with command syntax. Disadvantages:  Difficult for beginners and non-technical users.  Commands need to be memorized, which increases the learning curve.