4th Class Computers Science Software Classification

Software Classification

Introduction

When you play games on a CD, you can see and touch the CD but can't the games. In this case, the CD is the hardware and games make up the software. Software is commonly known as programs or app, consists of all the instructions that tell the hardware how to perform a task. Computer software is a computer tool that will help computer users to interact with the machine or the hardware in a computer. Without computer software's you will not be able to make the computer run and thus working on computer may not be easy as it is today. Software programs are normally written and compiled for certain hardware platforms. It is very important that the software is compatible with all the components of the computer.

Bordly the entire computer software system can be categorized as system and application software.

System Software

System software is the basic requirement of any computer, as it run the computer hardware and computer system itself. It is also responsible for controlling, integrating and computer system and also run application software, such as web browser, media players etc. It also includes number of applications, such as utilities, operating systems, compilers and debuggers. The main function of this software is to operate the computer hardware and provide a platform for running application software.

Operating System

The operating system is just like a secretary who does all the work tor the boss. An operating system is also abbreviated as OS. OS is a software program that enables the computer hardware to communicate and operate with the computer software.

Following are a few common services provided by an operating

• Program execution
• I/O operations
• File system manipulation
• Communication
• Error detection
• Protection
• Resource allocation

Similarly when you ask the operating system to do things such as:

• Copy a .dat
• Delete myfile .dat
• Type readme .doc

 All these operations are perform with the help of operating system installed in the computer.

Language Processor

A Language processor is a processing of every statement in a source program, or its equivalent representation, to perform a language processing function. It is a special type of a computer software that has the capacity to translate the source code or program code into machine code. Machine language is in binary form that is its instruction consists of strings of zeros and once. Therefore, a language translator software will take a source program (that cannot be understood) by computer as input and then will convert it into object code (that can be understood by computer).

The following are different types of languages processors are following:

• Compiler
• Interpreter
• Assembler

The process diagram which shows how language processor work:

• Compiler: A compiler is a program that converts the source program into object program (machine code) as a whole. For example, C language and Cobol uses compiler.
• Assembler: An assembler is a translating program that translates the instructions of a program written in assembly language into machine language.
• Interpreter: An interpreter is a program that converts one statements of a program into machine code at one time. The translated instruction is executed. The advantage of interpreter over compilers is that an error is found immediately.
• Application software: Application software consists of programs designed to perform specific tasks for users or to solve particular computing problems.

It can be useful in following also:

• Productivity/business tool.
• To assist with graphics and multimedia projects.
• To supports home, personal and educational activities.
• To Facilitate communication.
• Developing a document.
• Application on the web.
• Learning aids and support tools within an application.