Classification of Software PDF

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Classification of Software...

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Classification of Software :

Software : The programs, procedures, routines, and symbolic languages that control the functioning of the hardware and direct its operation is called Software. It is a collection of computer programs and related data that provides the instructions for telling a computer what to do and how to do it. It is an interface between the computer hardware and the user.

Software System Software (Supplied by manufacturer which is necessary to control the computer system to get desired performance)

Application Software (Software developed by user for their own application)

Utilities and Service programs

System Management/ Control Program [OPERATING SYSTEM]

Software Package

System Support Program [Monitor, Linker, Loader, Editor]

Customized Software

System Development Program (Language Processor) [Assembler, Interpreters, Compilers]

: SYSTEM SOFTWARE : System software is computer software designed to operate and control the computer hardware and to provide a platform for running application software.  Device drivers such as computer BIOS and device firmware provide basic functionality to operate and control the hardware connected to or built into the computer.  The operating system ( Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X and Linux) allows the parts of a computer to work together by performing tasks like transferring data between memory and disks or rendering output onto a display device. It also provides a platform to run high-level system software and application software. Window systems are components of a graphical user interface (GUI), and more specifically of a desktop environment, which supports the implementation of window managers, and provides basic support for graphics hardware, pointing devices such as mice, and keyboards. The mouse cursor is also generally drawn by the windowing system. Utility software helps to analyze, configure, optimize and maintain the computer. Roles of System Software :o To use the computer hardware in an efficient manner. o To minimize the amount of human intervention necessary during processing. o To control the resource of a computer. o To ensure proper environment for developing and executing programs. o To control the job scheduling in multitasking environment. o To translate the user input data and instructions into binary code. o To ensure integrity and security of the system.

Three Categories of SYSTEM SOFTWARE: 

System Management / Control Program : This category of system software is most important set of programs which control program execution, manage storage units and different processing activities, manage resources. They also perform different monitoring and management functions. Operating System, Telecommunication software are major System control Software.  Operating System :  The OS is an organized collection of software which is the extension of hardware, consisting of control routines for operating a computer and for providing an environment for execution of programs.  It creates a platform through which the user interacts with the computer.  The main function of the OS :  Process Scheduling and Management: the OS manages one program or many programs within a computer system simultaneously. That is, this function of operating system manages the completion of users' tasks. A scheduler is an OS module that selects the next job to be admitted into the system and the next process to run. It governs the order in which the work to be done by a computer system. FCFS ( First Come First Serve), RR( Round Robin) , SJF (Shortest Job First) are some of the Scheduling methods.  Memory Management: The OS manages computer system resources, including its CPU, primary memory, virtual memory, secondary storage devices, input/output peripherals, and other devices.  I/O Management: An operating system manages a collection of computer hardware resources by using a variety of programs.  File Management: This is a function that manages data files. An operating system contains file management programs that provide the ability to create, delete, enter, change, ask, and access of files of data. They also produce reports on a file.  Provide Data Security and Integrity  Provide User-friendly environment on demand

 System Support Program: The System Support Programs perform routine and repetitive functions. Examples of System Support Programs are Monitor, Linker, Loader, and Editor.  Monitor: - A monitor is a program which resides in a ROM. It carries out the following functions :  Installation of the system  Loading of the system  Control of Input and Output devices  Displaying the contents of internal CPU registers or memory locations.  Modifying the content of CPU registers or memory locations.  Linker: - A large program is divided into a number of smaller programs, known as modules. A linker is a program which links smaller programs together to form a large program.  Loader: - A loader is a program which loads object code into system memory.  Editor: - Editors are some interactive programs which are loaded into memory and allow the user to write a program, generate text etc. A text editor allows user to write source program or text into RAM. It can be copied from RAM to a file on the magnetic disk.  System Development Program: System Development Programs help user to develop application software. These programs convert high-level language program to machine language.  Language Processor: Programmers develop application programs by using high level language, such as BASIC, COBOL, Pascal, FORTRAN, C, C++ etc. The High Level Languages are the aid in developing programs. The syntax is as simple as English language.  Assembler: An assembler translates the assembly language programs into machine language. Assembly language is an intermediate language between high-level language and machine language. It is written in mnemonics.  Compiler: A compiler is a translating program that translates the whole of the high-level language source program into machine language before loading into the computer memory.  Interpreter: An interpreter is a translating program that translates one instruction at a time into machine language and executes the same before translating the next instruction.

 Comparisons between Compiler and Interpreter Interpreter Compiler 1. Translates the entire source code into machine code in one go when all the syntax errors are removed, execution takes place.

1. Translates the source cede line by line, indicated errors at each step every line is checked for syntax error and then converted to equivalent machine code.

2. It has capability to store compiled code for future usage. 2. Cannot retain object code. 3. More useful for commercial purposes.

3. More useful for learning purpose.

4. Execution time is less.

4. Execution time is more. 5. Good for fast debugging.

5. Slow for debugging (removal of mistakes from a program).

Application Software is the set of software required by the computer to perform the specific task.  Some General Application software are MS-Office, Oracle, Foxpro, Tally etc.  Some Special Application software are Inventory control management system, Library management system, Network Analysis, Sales control etc. Application software can be classified into the following various categories:  Data Processing Software : These software package systems are readily available to carry out the task of data processing in applications such as accounting, inventory, payroll etc. (Tally)  Data Management Software: These allow huge amount of data handling. (My-SQL, Oracle etc.)  Presentation Software: Presentation Software provides a facility to prepare the presentation material for seminars, discussions, demonstration of information relevant to product, service or any other aspect of an organization. (3D studio, PowerPoint, Flash etc.)  Word Processing and Editing Software: Word Processing software packages are most useful for preparation of text documents on computers. (MS-Word)

 Multimedia and Animation Software : Multimedia and Animation Software is meant for preparation of films, video mixing, audio mixing, animation of stories etc. ( moviemaker)  Spreadsheet Software : Spreadsheet Software provides functions for mathematical, statistical calculations, data interpretations etc. (Ms-Excel , SPSS etc. )  Productivity and CAD/CAM software: CAD/CAM software packages not only support the design of the parts but also help manufacturing . (AutoCAD)  Real time Software: A real time software package is useful to control a process. ( Software used in embedded system like cell phones, TV tuning etc.)  Transaction Processing Software: Transaction Processing Software is utilized to provide day-today transactions. (Software for booking tickets on Railway Reservation System, depositing tax etc.)  Web Application Software: This is the newest trend of software to utilize the Internet and get the application. (Internet Explorer, Google Chrome etc.)...