Purpose, fu

nctions and
types of sof
tware
Unit 1 Mod
ule 2:
Objective 4
 Content
Purpose, functions and types of software including
application, system (operating systems, language
translators, and utilities); software; embedded systems
(monitoring and control systems)
 Purpose of software
Software is a set of instructions, data or programs
used to operate computers and execute specific
tasks.

It is the opposite of hardware, which describes the

physical aspects of a computer. Software is a generic
term used to refer to applications, scripts and programs
that run on a device.
 Categories of software
System Software

System software is a type of computer program that is

designed to run a computer's hardware and application
programs

Application Software

An application program (software application,

or application, or app for short) is a computer
program designed to carry out a specific task other than
one relating to the operation of the computer itself,
 Types of system software
The operating system (OS)

Operating systems are a set of programs that monitor and

co-ordinate software and hardware within a computer
system.
Operating systems are the most important programs and
must be present in all computer systems for other programs
to run.
Examples of operating systems are Windows, UNIX, Linux,
Mas OS and DOS.
When a computer system is switched on the OS will be
loaded into memory in order for the computer to start up.
This process is called booting.
 Types of system software
Functions of an operating system (OS)

0 The OS is needed in a computer system to perform the

following main functions:
0 Process management
0 File management
0 Memory management
0 Input/output device management
0 Provide security
0 Provide a friendly user interface
 Types of system software
Functions of an operating system (OS)

Process Management
A program that is running can be considered as a
process and a program can have many sub-programs.
Therefore, many processes would occur in a computer
system when a program is being executed. The process
management function of the operating system involves
allocating adequate time and resources of the CPU to
each process.
 Types of system software
Functions of an operating system (OS)

File Management
All the files created in secondary storage media, such as
the hard disk, are stored within its various files. The OS
is responsible for creating, deleting, renaming of files
and folders and also making back-up copies of files.
 Types of system software
Functions of an operating system (OS)

Memory Management
Main memory or RAM stores programs and data that
are presently being used by the CPU. The OS allocates
areas of memory to different programs so that each
program can function effectively.
 Types of system software
Functions of an operating system (OS)

Input/Output Device Management

There are many peripheral devices such as keyboards,
mouse and monitors that can be connected to the
system unit. The OS makes the communication possible
between the peripheral devices and the system unit.
 Types of system software
Functions of an operating system (OS)

Provide Security
Modern computer systems require the entry of a
password in order to access the system. The operating
system provides the user with password protection to
prevent unauthorized access. It also provides back up
and recovery routines in case of system failure.
 Types of system software
Functions of an operating system (OS)

Provide a Friendly User Interface

The method by which a user interacts with a computer
system is called its user interface. The operating system
provides the user with a friendly interface that will help the
user to interact with the computer system. For example, if
your computer has a Windows operating system you will
see a desktop from which you can interact with the
computer system. Both systems software and application
software have user interfaces.
 Types of system software
TRANSLATORS OR LANGUAGE PROCESSORS

Computers understand only binary language. All other

programming instructions have to be converted into
binary language or machine language. Translators are
systems software that convert other programming
language instructions to machine language. Three main
types of translators are assemblers, interpreters and
compilers.
 Types of system software
ASSEMBLER

An assembler is a program used to convert or translate

programs written in assembly code by humans
to machine code (binary) that can be understood by the
computer.
 Types of system software
UTILITIES
Utilities are systems software that support the
operating system in its housekeeping tasks to increase
the efficiency of the computer system. Some of the
functions performed by utility programs include:
 Types of system software
TYPES OF UTILITIES
Image viewer- a utility that displays the content of a file.
(Fastone image viewer, micro-soft picture viewer, HP
photo-books)

Backup Utility- allows user to copy or backup, selected files or an

entire hard disk onto another disk or tape. (Filefort backup
software, backup Maker, Android back Utility)

Screen saver- is a utility that causes a monitor’s screen to display

a moving image or blank screen if no keyboard or mouse activity
occurs for a specified time. (EZ Wizzard, Savy)
 Types of system software
TYPES OF UTILITIES

Disk Defragmenter- A disk defragmenter is a utility that reorganizes the file and
unused space on a computer’s hard disk so the operating system accesses data
more quickly and programs run faster. (Built into windows and other OS,
Defraggler, Smart Defrag)

Antivirus program- is a utility that prevents, detects and removes viruses from a
computer’s memory or storage devices.(AVG, AVAST, NORTON ANTIVIRUS)

File Compression Utility- is used to reduce or compresses the size of a file. Compressed
file takes up less storage space on a hard disk or floppy disk. (WinRAR, WinZip)

Diagnostic Utility- is a utility that compiles technical information about your

computer’s hardware and then prepares a report outlining any identified
problems.( ThinPrint Diagnostic Utility WMI Diagnosis Utility
 Types of system software
TYPES OF UTILITIES

File Encryption- is the process of making information useless by

converting it into secret codes.
(VeraCrypt (Windows/OS X/Linux), AxCrypt (Windows)

Firewall- is a utility program that detects and protects a personal

computer from unauthorized intrusions. (Combo Firewall Pro,
Open DNS)

Disk repair- a disk repair utility scans a hard disk or floppy disk
for bad sectors (defective areas) and either makes repairs to
these sectors, or marks the defective area so that the operating
system will not store any data in that location.(EasePartition
Master, CloneZilla)
Types of Application software
Word Processing Software
Word processing software is used to format, beautify, and manipulate text. It
allows features such as synonyms and antonyms. You can change the fonts,
colors, and style according to your choice with the word art feature. Error
checking as well as grammar and spell checking options are also available in it.
Microsoft Word is the best example of a word processing software.

Spreadsheet Software
Spreadsheet software is majorly used to store data in table format and perform
calculations. Intersecting cells are given in a spreadsheet to keep various data
fields such as time, date, text, and numbers. Users can perform calculations with
formulas and functions. The best example of spreadsheet software is Microsoft
Excel.

Presentation Software
Presentation Software lets you put forth your thoughts and ideas in a piece of
visual information. Then, you can present that information in the form of slides.
You can make your slides interactive and informative by adding videos, texts,
charts, graphs, and images. The best example of presentation software is
Microsoft PowerPoint.
Types of Application software
Multimedia Software
Multimedia Software lets you create or record videos, audio, and
image files. Such app software is used in video editing, graphics,
and animations. Common examples of multimedia software are
VLC player, MX Player, and Windows Media Player.

Web Browsers
These software applications are used to browse on the internet.
They let you locate and retrieve data from the web. The most
popular web browsers are Chrome and Firefox.

Educational Software
These types of application software are called academic software
as they are particularly designed to facilitate learning. All
different kinds of tutorial software are included in it. Examples of
educational software are EDX, MindPlay, and Kid Pix.
Types of Application software
Graphics Software
Graphics Software is used to make changes in visual data,
images, and animation. It comprises different editorial
software. Adobe Photoshop, Unity 3d, and Paint-Shop are
examples of graphics software.

Freeware
This type of software is available free of cost. Therefore, you
can download and install them for free. However, you are
not allowed to make any change in its source code. Skype
What's-App are examples of freeware software.

Shareware
Such software's are distributed to the users on a trial basis.
Then, if the users like it and want to continue, they have to
pay for that software. An example of shareware software is
WinZip.
Types of Application software
Simulation Software
Simulation Software is a monitoring program that allows the user to observe an
operation without performing it. Such software is useful when the existing
system’s work is not highly accurate, predictable, or dangerous. It is used widely
in engineering, robotics, flight systems, weather forecast, testing, education, and
video gaming. MATLAB is the best example of simulation software.

Open Source
Open Source software is available with a source code and rights for anyone to
inspect, modify and enhance it. Moreover, most open-source software is
available for free, while very few are paid ones at such a conditional level.
Examples include Fire Fox, Linux

Closed Source or Proprietary Software

Closed Source software is precisely the opposite to open-source software. They

are paid software and have intellectual property rights or patient over source
code. It usually comes with some restrictions as well as terms and conditions.
Examples include Microsoft Office and Microsoft Windows
 Embedded Systems
0 An embedded system is a microprocessor-based
computer hardware system with software that is
designed to perform a dedicated function, either as an
independent system or as a part of a large system. At
the core is an integrated circuit designed to carry out
computation for real-time operations.

0 Embedded system applications range from digital

watches and microwaves to hybrid vehicles and
avionics. As much as 98 percent of all
microprocessors manufactured are used in embedded
systems.
Examples Embedded Systems
Embedded systems are used in a wide range of
technologies across an array of industries. Some
examples include:

Automobiles. Modern cars commonly consist of many

computers (sometimes as many as 100), or embedded
systems, designed to perform different tasks within the
vehicle. Some of these systems perform basic utility
functions and others provide entertainment or
user-facing functions. Some embedded systems in
consumer vehicles include cruise control, backup
sensors, suspension control, navigation systems and
airbag systems.
Examples Embedded Systems
Mobile phones. These consist of many embedded systems,
including GUI software and hardware, operating systems,
cameras, microphones, and USB (Universal Serial Bus) I/O
(input/output) modules.

Industrial machines. They can contain embedded systems,

like sensors, and can be embedded systems themselves.
Industrial machines often have embedded automation
systems that perform specific monitoring and control
functions.

Medical equipment. These may contain embedded systems

like sensors and control mechanisms. Medical equipment,
must be very user-friendly so that human health isn't
jeopardized by preventable machine mistakes. This means
they'll often include a more complex OS and GUI designed
for an appropriate UI.
Monitoring System VS Control
System
0 Monitoring systems seek to observe and record data
about an environment through the use of sensors, e.g.
recording the temperature of a greenhouse..

0 Control systems seek to actively maintain or

change the state of an system through the use
of actuators. The control system is continually
monitoring the inputs and adjusting the outputs from
actuators through a feedback loop.

0 At the heart of both processes is a microcontroller.

Monitoring System VS Control
System
NB

An actuator is a part of a device or machine that helps it

to achieve physical movements by converting energy,
often electrical, air, or hydraulic, into mechanical force.
Simply put, it is the component in any machine that
enables movement.
Monitoring System VS Control
System
Example 1 : Heart Rate Monitoring system
Heart rate monitor systems are commonly used both in
hospitals and by individuals who want to track their
health.

The systems usually give visual output on the display

and often data is logged in persistent file storage for
future analysis.
Monitoring System VS Control
System
Example 2 : Automatic Blood Glucose Control
system

In the past patients would have to monitor their blood

glucose levels manually and give themselves an insulin
injection as necessary. Advances in technology mean
that glucose can now be controlled automatically
through the use of a closed loop control system.