MI4007 Week 04 Lecture 01 PDF

MI4007 Wk.04 Lec.01 Software: A part of a computer system that consists of data/computer instructions, in contrast to the physical hardware from which the system is built. It includes all information processed by computer systems, programmes and data. It includes programmes, libraries and related n...

MI4007 Wk.04 Lec.01 Software: A part of a computer system that consists of data/computer instructions, in contrast to the physical hardware from which the system is built. It includes all information processed by computer systems, programmes and data. It includes programmes, libraries and related non-executable data, such as online documentation/digital media. Typically written in high-level programming language, containing human language. Algorithm: An unambiguous specification of how to solve a problem. A set of step-by-step procedures for accomplishing a task. Programming Language: An artificial language designed to communicate instructions to a machine, particularly a computer. It has a precise syntax, i.e. if there is one mistake, none of it will work, and a clear definition of what to do. E.g. Visual Basic, C++ They are then converted to low-level programming languages for computers to understand such as assembly language. Compilation: The process of translating a high-level language to a low-level language to create an executable programme. It looks at the entire piece of source code and translates it as a whole into the machine. Interpretation: The process of translating a high-level language to a low-level language on the fly (on a line-by-line basis for debugging). An interpreter analyses and executes each line of source code in succession without looking at the entire programme. It continues translating until the first error is met, in which case it stops. Software Execution: 1. Software is located on hard disk 2. Part of the software is loaded into the RAM 3. That part is transferred to the cache on the CPU 4. The CPU executes the instructions from the cache, once it is empty, more instructions are fetched from the RAM. Types of Software: → System Software: File management tools, operating system, utilities, compilers, assembler, debugger. → Application Software: Word processing, games, spreadsheets, communications, graphics, databases. Operating System Types: → Mobile Operating Systems, e.g. Android → Personal Operating Systems, e.g. Windows 11  → Server Operating Systems, e.g. Windows Server Platform: The combination of an operating system and a CPU. E.g. Wintel, Apple, The Web. Device Driver: A programme that operates/controls a particular type of device that is attached to the computer. Application Software: Software that uses the computer system to perform special functions or provide entertainment functions beyond the basic operation of the computer itself. They can be personal (office), departmental (accounting packages) or enterprise systems (document management) Open-Source Software (OSS): Software with its source code made available with a license in which the copyright holder provides the rights to study, change and distribute the software to anyone and for any purpose. It’s made available for free under General Public License (GPL). E.g. Mozilla Firefox. IP: Internet Protocol TCP: Transmission Control Protocol References: Notes based on MI4007 Lecture Slides Image 1: educba.com