Computer Software Explained | What is Computer Softwares | Types of Application Software | Computer Basics

Software is a collection of computer programs and related data that provide the instructions for telling a computer what to do and how to do it. Software is an interface between the user and the computer hardware. It is responsible for controlling, integrating, and managing the hardware components of a computer system and for accomplishing specific tasks. 

Types of Software Software can be divided into two major categories 

1. System software 
2. Application software 

System Software 

It consists of several programs, which are directly responsible for controlling, integrating, and managing the individual hardware components of a computer system. The system software also provides the interface between the user and components of the computer. Depending on the functionality, the system software can be further divided into the following categories: 

• Operating System: It consists of programs that control, coordinate, and supervise the activities of the various components of a computer system. Its function is to provide the link between the computer hardware and the user. It provides an environment to run the programs. e.g. MS-DOS, Windows XP/2000/98, Unix, Linux, etc. The operating system performs the following functions 

•  It recognizes input from the keyboard and sends output to the display screen. 
• It makes sure that programs running at the same time do not interfere with each other. 
• It is also responsible for security, ensuring that unauthorized users do not access the system.

BIOS The Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) is commonly known as System BIOS. The BIOS controls various electronic components within the main computer system. The initial function of the BIOS is to initialize system devices such as the RAM, hard disk, CD/DVD drive, video display card, and other hardware. 

• Device Drivers: A software, which is written with the objective of making a device functional when it is connected to the computer is called a device driver. It is system software that acts as an interface between the device and the user. Every device, whether it is a printer, monitor, mouse, or keyboard has a driver program associated with it for its proper functioning. 

• Language Translator: It helps in converting programming languages to machine language. The translated program is called object code. There are three different kinds of language translators: Assembler, Compiler, and Interpreter. 

Linker: It is a system program that links together several object modules and libraries to form a single and coherent program (executable). The main purpose of the linker is to resolve references among files. A linker is used to determine the memory locations that code from each module will occupy and relates its instruction by adjusting absolute references. 

Loader: It is a kind of system software that is responsible for loading and relocation of the executable program in the main memory. It is a part of an operating system that brings an executable file residing on disk into memory and starts its execution process.

Application Software 

It is computer software designed to help the user to perform single or multiple tasks. It is a set of instructions or programs designed for specific uses or applications, that enable the user to interact with a computer. Application software is also called end-user programs. These programs do the real work for users. 

There are two types of application software 

General Purpose Software 

This software is that software that is used for any general purpose. They allow people to do simple computer tasks.

Some of the general purpose software are as follows 

• Word Processing Software: A word processor is a software program capable of creating, storing, and printing documents. Word processors have the ability to create a document and make changes anywhere in the document. Today, the word processor is one of the most frequently used programs or online services used on a computer system. e.g. Microsoft Word, WordPerfect (Windows only), AppleWorks (Mac only), OpenOffice.org Writer, etc. 

• Electronic Spreadsheets: Spreadsheet applications (sometimes referred to simply as spreadsheets) are computer programs that accept data in a tabular form and allow you to create and manipulate spreadsheets electronically. The relationship between cells is called Formulas and the names of the cells are called Labels. e.g. Microsoft Excel, Corel Quattro Pro, Lotus 1-2-3, OpenOffice.org Calc, etc. 

• Presentation Software: Presentation is the practice of showing and explaining the contents of a topic to an audience or a learner visually. People, in a variety of settings and situations, use presentation software to make their presentations more interesting and professional. e.g. Microsoft PowerPoint, Corel Presentations, Lotus Freelance Graphics, OpenOffice.org Impress, etc. 

• Database Management System (DBMS): A DBMS refers to the software that is responsible for sorting, maintaining, and utilizing a database. It enables a user to define, create and maintain the database and provide controlled access to it. e.g. Microsoft Access, Corel Paradox, MySQL, OpenOffice.org Base, etc.

• Desktop Publishing (DTP): Software It is a tool for graphic designers and non-designers to create visual communications for professional or desktop printing as well as for online or on-screen electronic publishing. e.g. Quark XPress, Adobe PageMaker, 3B2, CorelDraw, Corel Ventura, Illustrator, etc. 

• Graphics Software (Image Editing): It is an application program or collection of programs that enable a person to manipulate visual images on a computer system. Most graphics software has the ability to import and export one or more graphics file formats. e.g. DirectX, Adobe Photoshop, piZap, Microsoft Publisher, Picasa, etc.

• Multimedia Software: Multimedia includes a combination of text, audio, still images, animation, video, or interactivity content forms. e.g. Macro-Media Flash, Xilisoft Video Converter, VLC Media Player, Nimbuzz, etc. 

Specific Purpose Software 

These software’s are designed to perform specific tasks. This type of application software generally has one purpose to execute. Some of the specific purpose application software are described below 

• Inventory Management System and Purchasing System: Inventory is a list of goods and materials available in stock. An inventory management system is generally used in departmental stores or in an organization to keep records of the stock of all the physical resources. e.g., Fishbowl, AdvancePro, etc.

• Payroll Management System: It is used by all modern organizations to encompass every employee of the organization who receives regular wages or other compensation. e.g. Namely, UltiPro, etc. 

• Hotel Management System: It refers to the management techniques used in the hotel sector. These can include hotel administration, accounts, billing, marketing, housekeeping, front office, or front desk. e.g. Djubo, Aatithya HMS, Hotelogix PMS, etc.

• Reservation System: A reservation system or Central Reservation System (CRS) is a computerized system used to store and retrieve information and conduct transactions related to air travel, hotels, car rental, or other activities. Today, a number of websites like www.yatra.com, and www.makemytrip.com provide online booking for tourists.

• Report Card Generator: It is application software that is commonly used in schools by the examination department to prepare and generate the report cards of the students.

• Accounting Software: It is application software that records and processes accounting transactions within functional modules such as accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and trial balance. e.g. Tally. ERP9, HDPOS, MARG, Profit book, etc.

• Billing System: It refers to the software that is used to perform the billing process. It handles the tracking of labeled products and services delivered to a customer or set of customers. e.g. Billing Manager, Billing Tracker, kBilling, etc. 

System Utilities

These programs perform tasks related to the maintenance of the computer system. These are the packages that are loaded into the computer during the time of installation of the operating system. They are used to support, enhance, expand and secure existing programs and data in the computer system. System utility mainly consists of the following functions

• Disk Compression: It increases the amount of information that can be stored on a hard disk by compressing all information stored on a hard disk. e.g. DiskDoubler, SuperStor Pro, DoubleDisk Gold, etc.

• Disk Fragmenter: It detects computer files whose contents are broken across several locations on the hard disk and moves the fragments to one location to increase efficiency. It can be used to rearrange files and unused space on your hard disk. e.g. MyDefrag, Diskeeper, Defraggler, etc. 

• Backup Utilities: It can make a copy of all information stored on a disk and restore either the entire disk or selected files. 

• Disk Cleaners: It is used to find files that have not been used for a long time. This utility also serves to increase the speed of a slow computer. e.g., Bleach Bit cleaner, etc. 

• Anti-virus: It is the utility that is used to scan computers for viruses and prevent computer system files from being corrupt. e.g., Kaspersky, AVG, McAfee, Avira, etc.

Adobe Page Maker is a typesetting tool formerly widely used for desktop publishing. 

A fully Backup contains a copy of every program, data, and system file on a computer. 

Firmware is a combination of software and hardware. e.g. ROMs, PROMs and EPROMs.

Freeware is commonly used for copyrighted software that is given away for free by its owner.

CAD (Computer Aided Design) Software is used by architects, engineers, drafters, and others to create precision drawings.