1. Types of Software

2. Learning Objectives: By the end of this topic you should be able to:
identify different types of software:
give examples of how and where each type of software would be used;

3. Software computer programs
provides the instructions enabling the computer to work

4. Task
write down one piece of software that you have used in the past week
pass your paper on to the next group

5. Types of Software
Computer systems generally require 3 types of software:

6. Types of Software
Computer systems generally require 3 types of software:
Operating System

7. Types of Software
Computer systems generally require 3 types of software:
Operating System
Applications software

8. Types of Software
Computer systems generally require 3 types of software:
Operating System
Applications software
Utilities

9. Operating systems “controls the entire operation of the computer”
e.g. Windows, Mac OSX, Apple iOS, Linux, Android
acts as the interface between the user and the computer system
allow users to communicate with the hardware
recognises input from the keyboard
sends output to the monitor
provides a platform for the applications software to run on
controls & monitors allocation of hardware resources
allocate processor time, memory, hard disk space,
allow connection to peripheral devices
manage network printer queues

10. Applications software
programs used to solve particular problems
word processing,
spreadsheet,
graphics,
Internet browsing, ,
games,
stock control, ticket booking,
………..

11. Utilities individual programs which carry out minor tasks
assist the user in basic tasks:
maintenance
monitoring
provide additional functions not included in Operating System
examples:
anti-virus,
file management,
backup,
compression,
security …

12. Utilities virus checkers compression file management
check disks and memory for viruses
delete or clean infected files if detected
compression
compress (‘zip’) files so that they occupy less space
before sending via
before back-up or archive
file management
organise files & folders
copy, move, delete, rename
repair corrupted files
defragmentation - reorganise files on disk so that free space is contiguous
faster loading of programs & files

13. Utilities Security software Backup checks user IDs and passwords
prevents unauthorised access to system
user access logging
records total login time, software/files accessed, websites visited
firewalls
levels of access allocated to different users
block web access to certain sites
only accept connections from allowed network connections
prevent viruses, malware ….
Backup
copy & synchronise files to removable storage medium
backup can be automated

14. Exam questions:

15. Exam questions: One mark for type of software, 2nd for its use, eg:
Operating system (1)
to run the computer/ connect to scanner/printer/digital camera (1)
Utility Software (1)
to provide additional functionality to the OS/to run anti virus checks (1)

16. Exam questions:

17. Exam questions: Utility Software Assists the user in basic tasks (1)
To provide additional services not included in applications/OS (1)
Specific utility role (1)
Operating System Software
To communicate with the hardware (1)
Interface between user and computer (1)
To give a platform for the applications software to run on (1)
Manages sharing of resources (1)
Allocates and manages tasks (1)

18. Exam questions:

19. Exam questions: (a) Reduce the size of the file (1)
Increase memory space (1)
Reduce amount of bandwidth used (1) [2]
(b)
Compress photographs before sending them (1)
Compress old bookings/archiving/incremental back-ups (1)
Decompress files sent by travel company (1) [1]

20. Exam questions:

21. Exam questions:
(a)
To act as the interface (1) between hardware/application/user (1)
Controls allocation of usage/hardware/resources (1)
eg memory/central processing unit (CPU) time/hard disk space/ peripheral devices (1)
Performs basic data management tasks (1)
recognising input from the keyboard/ sending output to the display screen/keeping track of files and directories on the disk (1)
(b) e.g.
File compression (1)
Firewall (1)

22. Exam questions:

23. Exam questions: Operating system (1) to run the computer (1)
to connect to scanner/ printer/ digital camera (1)
Utility Software (1)
to provide additional functionality to the OS (1)
to run anti virus checks (1)
User Interface (1)
to load applications (1)