COMPUTER

SOFTWARE
SOFTWARE

• Software is a collection of instructions, data, or computer

programs that are used to run machines and carry out
particular activities. It is the antithesis of hardware, which
refers to a computer’s external components, in a computer
system, the software is a set of instructions or commands
that tell a computer what to do. In other words, the
software is a computer program that provides a set of
instructions to execute a user’s commands and tell the
computer what to do.
TYPES OF SOFTWARE
It is a collection of data given to the computer to
complete a particular task. The chart below
describes the types of software
SYSTEM SOFTWARE
System software is software that directly operates the computer
hardware and provides the basic functionality to the users as well
as to the other software to operate smoothly. Or in other words,
system software basically controls a computer’s internal
functioning and also controls hardware devices such as monitors,
printers, and storage devices, etc. It is like an interface between
hardware and user applications, it helps them to communicate
with each other because hardware understands machine
language(i.e. 1 or 0) whereas user applications are work in human-
readable languages like English, Hindi, German, etc. so system
software converts the human-readable language into machine
OPERATING SYSTEM
• It is the main program of a computer system. When the
computer system ON it is the first software that loads
into the computer’s memory. Basically, it manages all the
resources such as computer memory, CPU, printer, hard
disk, etc., and provides an interface to the user, which
helps the user to interact with the computer system. It
also provides various services to other computer
software. Examples of operating systems are Linux, Apple
macOS, Microsoft Windows, etc.
LANGUAGE
PROCESSOR
• As we know that system software converts the human-
readable language into a machine language and vice
versa. So, the conversion is done by the language
processor. It converts programs written in high-level
programming languages like Java, C, C++, Python, etc
known as source code, into sets of instructions that are
easily readable by machines known as object code or
machine code.
DEVICE DRIVER
• A device driver is a program or software that controls a
device and helps that device to perform its functions.
Every device like a printer, mouse, modem, etc. needs a
driver to connect with the computer system
eternally. So, when you connect a new device with your
computer system, first you need to install the driver of
that device so that your operating system knows how to
control or manage that device.
FEATURES OF SYSTEM SOFTWARE

• System Software is closer to the computer system.

• System Software is written in a low-level language in
general.
• System software is difficult to design and understand.
• System software is fast in speed working speed.
• System software is less interactive for the users in
comparison to application software.
WHY USE SYSTEM SOFTWARE
• Hardware Communication: System software serves as an interface between the hardware
and software components of a computer, enabling them to communicate and work
together.
• Resource Management: System software manages computer resources such as memory,
CPU usage, and storage, optimizing their utilization and ensuring that the system operates
efficiently.
• Security: System software provides security measures such as firewalls, antivirus software,
and encryption, protecting the system and its data from malware, viruses, and other
security threats.
• User Interface: System software provides a user interface that allows users to interact with
the computer or computing device and perform various tasks.
• Application Support: System software supports the installation and running of applications
and software on the system.
• Customization: System software allows for customization of the system settings and
configuration, giving users greater control over their computing environment.
APPLICATION SOFTWARE

Software that performs special functions or provides

functions that are much more than the basic
operation of the computer is known as application
software. In other words, application software is
designed to perform a specific task for end-users. It is
a product or a program that is designed only to fulfill
end-users requirements. It includes word processors,
spreadsheets, database management, inventory,
payroll programs, etc.
FUNCTIONS OF APPLICATION SOFTWARE

• Information and data management

• Management of documents (document exchange systems)
• Development of visuals and video
• Emails, text messaging, audio, and video conferencing, and cooperation are all
options.
• Management of accounting, finance, and payroll
• Management of resources (ERP and CRM systems)
• Management of a project
• Management of business processes
• Software for education (LMS and e-learning systems)
• Software for healthcare applications
 EXAMPLES OF APPLICATION SOFTWARE
• System for Hotel Management: It relates to the hotel industry’s management strategies. Hotel
administration, accounting, billing, marketing, housekeeping, and front office or front desk.
• System for Payroll Management: It is a term used by all modern businesses to refer to every employee who
receives a regular salary or another form of payment. The payroll software calculates all different payment
options and generates the relevant paychecks. Employee salary slips can also be printed or sent using this
software.
• System for Human Resources Management: It describes the systems and activities that exist at the nexus of
Human Resource Management (HRM) and Information Technology (IT). The HR department’s role is
primarily administrative and is found in all businesses.
• Attendance Recording System: It’s a piece of software that tracks and optimizes a person’s or student’s
presence in an organization or school. Nowadays, customers’ existing time/attendance recording devices,
such as biometrics/access cards, can be connected with attendance systems. Attendance management can
be accomplished in two ways: Integration of biometrics & Integration of manual attendance
• System of Billing: It is the billing software that is utilized to complete the billing process. It keeps track of
marked products and services given to a single consumer or a group of customers.
BUSINESS APPLICATION
SOFTWARE
• Customer Relationship Management (CRM): CRM is a type of technology that can manage the customer,
transactions of customers, future transactions, etc. It is very important nowadays. It helps in expanding
business to the next level as it stays connected with customers, keeping more revenues, and less tension.
• Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP): Enterprise Resource Planning is a type of Software that handles some
basic parts of any operation, resource management, etc.
• Project Management Software: Project Management Software is also a useful application software that
helps in the planning of the project, and allocation of resources. It helps in effectively managing the project
from a single place.
• Database: DBMS (Database Management System) is a way to keep data in an automatic system. Here,
various types of operations can also be performed in the database.
• Business Process Management: Business Process Management Software help in enabling repetitive task
automatically by applying some specific technique.
• Resource Management Software: Resource Planning Software is a simple software used to maintain the
capital of the organization. It also helps in the allocation of projects.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SYSTEM SOFTWARE AND
APPLICATION SOFTWARE
OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE

Open source software is computer software whose source

code is available openly on the internet and programmers
can modify it to add new features and capabilities without
any cost. Here the software is developed and tested through
open collaboration. This software is managed by an open-
source community of developers. It provides community
support, as well as commercial support, which is available for
maintenance. We can get it for free of cost. This software
also sometimes comes with a license and sometimes does
not. This license provides some rights to users.
PROPRIETARY SOFTWARE

Proprietary software is computer software where the source

codes are publicly not available only the company that has
created them can modify it. Here the software is developed
and tested by the individual or organization by which it is
owned not by the public. This software is managed by a
closed team of individuals or groups that developed it. We
have to pay to get this software and its commercial support
is available for maintenance. The company gives a valid and
authenticated license to the users to use this software.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OPEN-SOURCE
SOFTWARE AND PROPRIETARY SOFTWARE
OPEN-SOURCE SOFTWARE PROPRIETARY SOFTWARE

• Open-source software is computer software whose • Proprietary software is computer software where the
source code is available openly on the internet and source codes are publicly not available only the
programmers can modify it to add new features and company which has created can modify it.
capabilities without any cost.
• Here the software is developed and tested by the
• Here the software is developed and tested through individual or organization by which it is owned not by
open collaboration. the public.
• In open-source software the source code is public. • In proprietary software, the source code is protected.
• Open-source software can be installed on any • Proprietary software can not be installed into any
computer. computer without a valid license.
• Users do not need to have any authenticated license to • Users need to have a valid and authenticated license
use this software. to use this software.
• Open-source software is managed by an open-source • Proprietary software is managed by a closed team of
community of developers. individuals or groups that developed it.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OPEN-SOURCE
SOFTWARE AND PROPRIETARY SOFTWARE
OPEN-SOURCE SOFTWARE PROPRIETARY SOFTWARE
• It is more flexible and provides more • It is not much flexible so there is a very limited
freedom which encourages innovation. innovation scope with the restrictions.
• Users can get open software free of charge. • Users must have to pay to get the proprietary
software.
• In open-source software faster fixes of bugs
• In proprietary software, the vendor is
and better security are availed due to the
completely responsible for fixing malfunctions.
community.
• Full Intellectual Property Protections
• Limited Intellectual Property Protections
• Usually Developed and Maintained by for-profit
• Usually Developed and Maintained by non- entities.
profit organizations.
• Examples are Windows, macOS, Internet
• Examples are Android, Linux, Firefox, Open Explorer, Google Earth, Microsoft Office, Adobe
Office, GIMP, VLC Media player, etc. Flash Player, Skype, etc.