Hardware vs. Software Computer systems consist of both hardware and software. Hardware refers to anything you can physically touch. Keyboards, mice, monitors, and motherboards are all hardware. Software consists of the instructions issued to the computer to perform specific tasks. The software on a computer system refers to the programs that make the computer run.

Types of Software Although there are literally thousands of software programs you can buy, there are really only three types of software: application and systems. Application software computer software created to allow the user to perform specific a job or task. Systems software is computer software responsible for the general operation of a computer system, including the operation of hardware, running application software, and file management. Communication software is computer software that make it possible for a computer to transmit and receive information to and from other computers.

Application Software Application software is also called productivity software. It allows an end user to perform some task. The most commonly used categories of application software are Word-processing programs Spreadsheet software Database software Presentation software Desktop publishing programs Games Graphics Software

Application Software Most application software is defined by the file type. File type – an extension at the end of a file name, indicating which application was used to create a document File Extensions for Microsoft Office .docx is Microsoft Word .xlsx is Microsoft Excel .pptx is Microsoft PowerPoint

Systems Software Systems software consists of programs that coordinate and control the resources and operations of the computer itself. The three categories of systems software are Operating systems Utility programs Language translators

Systems Software – Operating Systems Operating systems system software that acts as a "go-between", allowing computer hardware and other software to communicate with each other. There are many brands and versions of operating systems. An operating system is designed to work with a specific processor chip. For example, Windows operating systems are designed to work with an Intel processor (or clone) and will not usually work on a Macintosh computer.

Illustration of an Operating System This figure shows how an operating system acts as an interface between the user, the application programs, and the computer.

Systems Software - Utilities Utility programs are designed to help perform housekeeping chores for the computer. They can be designed to Manage the computer’s resources. Do file management. Format disks. Copy files from one disk to another. Back up data to disk or tape.

Common Utility Programs Disk Formatting prepares disk to have files stored on it. File Management is a program on a computer that allows the user to create, edit, view, print, rename, copy, or delete files, folders, or an entire file system File Recovery attempts to recover a file that has been erased.

Common Utility Programs Uninstall removes an application program no longer needed. Diagnostic provides detailed information about the computer system and attempts to locate problems. File Conversion converts a file from one format to another.

Common Utility Programs Disk Compression frees up storage space on a disk by compressing existing files. Backup makes a duplicate copy of the contents of a secondary storage device. Antivirus protects the computer system from viruses. Disk Defragmentation attempts to place segments of each file on the hard disk as close to one another as possible.

Systems Software – Language Translators Computers cannot read program statements in programming language format, such as Visual Basic or Java program statements. Language translator programs convert English-like software programs into machine code that can be understood by the computer. Each converted English-like instruction may be translated into many machine code instructions. Once converted to machine code, the program can be run and executed by the computer.

Microcomputer Operating System Interfaces The user interface of an operating system is what we are all familiar with. The User Interface is the part of the operating system that you interact with when using your computer.

Communication Software Programs that make it possible for a computer to transmit and receive information to and from other computers. Web Browsers Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, Google Chrome Email Yahoo, Gmail, Live, Hotmail, Outlook, etc.