2. Software Components Contt.
• Software refers to a collection of programs, instructions, and
data that tell a computer how to perform specific tasks. It
includes applications, operating systems, and other programs
that enable a computer to function. Software provides the
instructions and tools to process and manipulate data.
• System Software
• Application Software
• Educational software
• Entertainment software
• Open-source Software and
• Proprietary Software
3. System Software
• System software refers to a category of computer software that is
responsible for managing and controlling the hardware components of
a computer system. Its primary purpose is to facilitate the execution of
application software by providing a platform for it to run effectively.
System software includes operating systems, device drivers, utility
programs, and other software components that enable the hardware
and software to work together seamlessly. Without system software, it
would be challenging for application software to interact with and
utilize the computer's hardware resources effectively.
• Operating systems, are the main examples of system software.
4. System Software Examples
• Microsoft Windows
• Linux
• Unix
• Mac OSX
• DOS
• BIOS Software
• Device Driver Software i.e Graphics Driver
• Linker Software
• Assembler and Compiler Software
5. Application Software
• Application Software consists of programs that tell a computer how to
produce information.
• Application software runs under System Software, and is made to do
a specific task i.e. ( Word Processing, etc), which has indirect access to
the hardware (i.e. Behind System Software).
• General Purpose Application Software
• Special Purpose Application Software
6. General Purpose Application Software
• General-purpose application software, often referred to simply as "application software," is a
category of computer programs designed to perform a wide range of common tasks and functions
for end-users. These software applications are not limited to a specific domain or industry; instead,
they are versatile and can be used for various purposes. Here are some common examples
• Microsoft Word (Word Processing)
• Microsoft Excel (Spreadsheet software)
• MySQL (Database Software)
• Microsoft PowerPoint (Presentation Software)
• Graphics and Image Editing Software
7. Word Processing
• Word Processing software is used to create
and print documents. A key advantage of
word processing software is that users
easily can make changes in documents.
8. Electronic Spreadsheets
• Electronic spreadsheet software allows the
user to add, subtract, and perform user-
defined calculations on rows and columns
of numbers. These numbers can be
changed and the spreadsheet quickly
recalculates the new results.
9. Presentation Graphics
• Presentation graphic software allows the
user to create documents called slides to be
used in making the presentations. Using
special projection devices, the slides display
as they appear on the computer screen.
10. Database Software
• Allows the user to enter, retrieve, and
update data in an organized and efficient
manner, with flexible inquiry and reporting
capabilities.
11. Special Purpose Application Software
Special-purpose application software, as the name suggests, refers
to computer programs and software applications that are designed
for specific, narrow, or specialized tasks or functions within a
particular industry or domain.
• Keeping Business Accounts
• Stock Control information
• Payroll
• General Practice management and appointments
12. Educational Software
• Software that can be used for learning purposes…
• Assessment and Testing:
• Learning Management Systems (LMS):
14. Open Source Software:
• Open source software (OSS) is computer
software whose source code is available under a
license that permits users to use, change, and
improve the software, and to redistribute it in
modified or unmodified form.
• It is often developed in a public, collaborative
manner.
Well-known OSS products are Linux, Netscape,
Apache, etc.,
15. Proprietary Software:
• Proprietary software (also called non-free software) is
software with restrictions on using, copying and modifying
as enforced by the proprietor. Restrictions on use,
modification and copying is achieved by either legal or
technical means and sometimes both.
• Proponents of proprietary software are Microsoft.
• Ex: CAD, Nortan Antivirus etc.,
