4c Software Classification

Hardware

CPU, disks, mouse, printer, etc.

System software

Operating system

Utilities

Application software

Computer games

Spreadsheets

Word processors

Databases

Internet browsers

Software

  • Explain what is meant by: system software; application software.
  • Give examples of system software and application software.
  • Understand the need for, and functions of, operating systems (OS) and utility programs.
  • Understand that the OS handles management of the:
    • processor(s)
    • memory
    • input/output (I/O) devices
    • applications
    • security

Operating System

Operating System Tasks

Recognises and installs peripheral devices

Manages files and folders

Shares out system memory

Handles system errors and alerts user

Manages system security

Allows software to communicate with hardware

Moves data to and from the hard disk

Loads and runs other software applications

Handles inputs and outputs

Handling and managing all of the system resources

The operating system handles the computer's memory and the sharing of the central processing unit (CPU). Makes sure each application gets the correct and adequate resources.

Key functions:

  • memory management
  • processor management
  • I/O management
  • file management
  • security
  • error handling
  • program management
  • interaction with the user.

Memory Management

  • Controlling the allocation of memory and dealing with the transfer of programs in and out of memory when the process no longer needs it when the process has been ended.

Processor Management

  • Carrying out a process called scheduling  where it manages the CPU.
  • Organising processing time between programs and users.
  • Keeping track of processors and the status of any process running.

I/O Management

  • Manages all the input and output devices, including controlling the backing store and all peripherals. This is done with device drivers.
  • Translates instructions sent by application software into a format that I/O devices can understand.
  • Decides which process gets the device, when and for how much time.

Specially written program which translates the commands from an operating system into commands that the hardware will understand.

File Management

  • Allows the user to perform tasks including the creation of files and directories.
  • Allows the user to save files to a backing store.
  • Allows the user to rename, copy, move and delete files.
  • Keeps track of where files are located on the hard drive.

FAT - file allocation table

NTFS - new technology file system

ext4, btfs, xfs - other file systems

Security

  • Controls access to programs, processes and users to the computer resources.
  • Ensures that all access to system resources is controlled.
  • Ensures that external I/O devises are protected from invalid access attempts.
  • Provides an authentication feature for each user by means of a password.

Error Handling

  • Monitors the system for any errors that occur.
  • Takes appropriate actions to ensure correct operations.
  • Closes the program if errors are terminal.

Application Management

  • Loads a program into memory.
  • Allows the application software to communicate with the hardware.
  • Provides a mechanism for processing all internal communication.

Utility Software

  • Helps manage, maintain and control computer resources.
  • Virus scanner
    • protects against viruses and Trojans
  • Disk defragmenter
    • speeds up the hard disk
  • System monitor
    • watches the current system resources

Application Software

Allows the computer to perform useful tasks.

  • Animation software
  • Audio editing
  • Data manipulation (databases and spreadsheets)
  • Graphics software
  • Presentation software
  • Text editors (word processors, desktop publishing)
  • Web browser

Questions

  1. Why might a network manager want to know when and for how long each user is logged in over a period of time?
  1. Describe with an example what a maintenance utility is.
  1. Describe with an example what security software is.
  1. Explain what operating system software does.
  1. Explain what application software is.

Questions

  1. Why might a network manager want to know when and for how long each user is logged in over a period of time?
  1. Describe with an example what a maintenance utility is.

The network manager will want to know if there has been any unusual access to the network, this might indicate hacking.

Maintenance utilities are not essential for the computer to work but make the computer more secure or work more smoothly. 

An example would be disk defragmentation software, this keeps the hard disk tidy and reduces read/write time.

Questions

  1. Describe with an example what security software is.
  1. Explain what operating system software does.
  1. Explain what application system software is.

Security software is designed to prevent and catch security problems. Such as anti-virus software to stop viruses/trojan horse software from getting into a computer system before it can cause damage.

Operating system software is the collection of programs that allow a computer to operate.

They include the operating system, utilities, library routines and program translators. 

Application software are the programs that allow the user to perform tasks.

For example word processing software to write documents.

Software

  • Explain what is meant by: system software; application software.
  • Give examples of system software and application software.
  • Understand the need for, and functions of, operating systems (OS) and utility programs.
  • Understand that the OS handles management of the:
    • processor(s)
    • memory
    • input/output (I/O) devices
    • applications
    • security
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