COMPUTER SOFTWARE

BIF 506
 A set of instructions for a specific task is termed a
routine and a complete set of instructions to execute a
related set of tasks is a program.

Computer programs or software can be divided into two

major categories:

Systems software
System software is machine oriented , which creates an environment
for, and facilitates, the execution of application software.

Applications software
Application programs consist of programs written for specific
applications such as payroll processing and sales analysis.
SYSTEM SOFTWARE
Comprises programs designed to coordinate the
operations of the computer system.

Manages the hardware, software and data resources of

the computer system.

It includes three types of programs:

System management programs
System support programs
System development programs.
SYSTEM MANAGEMENT
PROGRAMS
Manage the hardware, software and data resources of the
computer system.
Includes operating system, database management system

(DBMS) and telecommunication monitors.

Operating system is an integrated system of complex

programs
Manages the resources of the computer and provides a user-
interface that is easy to manage.

DBMS is a set of programs that controls creation,

maintenance and use of database.
Allows different applications to share data and programs
concurrently. Also secures data in the database from misuses.
DB2, Oracle, MS SQL Server etc are some of the examples of
database management systems.
 SYSTEM SUPPORT PROGRAMS
Support efficient operation of a computer.

Provide a variety of support services to users and

management of computer system.

Services like utility programs, security monitors and

performance monitors.

Utility programs consist of programs like programs for

transferring data from one medium to another,
formatting disk, backing up and sorting of files.
SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
Help users and system developers in designing and
building systems

Also in developing programs and procedures and prepare

programs for computer processing.

Examples : language translators, programming tools and

Computer Aided Software Engineering (CASE) packages.

The language translators may be assemblers, compilers

or interpreters. It has made programming easier, more
enjoyable, and portable across computers.
Hardware, system software and application software
OPERATING SYSTEM
Operating system establishes a link between
application programs and the computer itself.

Provides an interface for the user with the machine.

It executes application programs by fully exploiting

the available computing power.
ASSEMBLERS
Assembly language is composed of mnemonics

Mnemonics were translated into machine language

later for execution

Assemblers were written to automate the translation

of assembly language into machine language
COMPILERS
Translate the instructions in high level language into
machine language instructions

Language specific and each high level language

requires a separate compiler

Analyses each statement it uncovers certain types of

errors called diagnostic errors
Detect only the syntax errors
INTERPRETER
Translator program takes one instruction in high
level language and translates it into machine
instruction for immediate execution.

Translation and execution alternate for each

statement in the high level program

Object code is not permanently saved as the

translation
COMPILER VS INTERPRETER
Fast response to changes in source program
(interpreter).
Interpreters are easy to write and they do not require
large memory space in the computer.

Compiled machine language program runs faster

than an interpreted program
LOADERS AND LINKERS
Program that places programs into memory and
prepares them for execution.

Linking of object modules into a load module is called

linker.

The linker program links the program with library

routines and enables it to use these routines during
execution
FUNCTIONS OF OPERATING SYSTEM
Resource management
Data management

Job management

Input/output management

Maintaining Security etc

Conflict resolution
 The operating system offers various facilities like:
Job control language

Failure and recovery

File security

Logging

Accounting

Scheduling, and,

Communication with the operator

TYPES OF OPERATING SYSTEM
Multiprogramming

Multiprocessing

Time-sharing or Multitasking
MULTIPROGRAMMING
A technique developed to minimise the effect of this
mismatch between the CPU and I/O devices so that the
CPU time is more efficiently used

Requires better memory management, job scheduling

and CPU scheduling facilities.
Requires large memories, fast secondary storage devices
and fast ALU

Program will be in one of the three states: ready,

running and blocked
MULTIPROCESSING
Have two or more CPUs, which have the ability to
execute two or more jobs simultaneously

Multiprogramming execution of different jobs segment

by segment in the time slice allotted to each job until
each job is complete

Multiprocessing enables the multiple CPUs to work on

several program segments of one or more programs at
the same time
ADVANTAGES OF
MULTIPROCESSING
Parallel processing improves systems efficiency by
increasing throughput and lowering turnaround time
of the system.

Also results in more efficient use of hardware resources

other than the CPU.

High reliability of the system is ensured by the

provision of automatic take-over of complete work by
other CPUs in case of breakdown of one of the CPUs.
LIMITATIONS
Large memory is required for multiprocessing as it
requires many programs and data to reside in memory
at any time.

The multiprocessing systems are expensive.

Requires not only high initial outlay but also high

operation and maintenance expenses to be incurred.

The system needs a highly sophisticated operating

system and highly skilled computer professionals to
design it.
TIME-SHARING OR
MULTITASKING
A logical extension of multiprogramming

Simultaneous use of a single computer by many users.

Time-sharing is done in a multi-user environment

Uses CPU scheduling and multiprogramming to allot a

slice of CPU time to each user in turn

Operating system to subdivide the memory into

several large partitions to open multiple applications
simultaneously on microcomputers
ADVANTAGES OF TIME-SHARING
It utilises the CPU more efficiently by reducing CPU
idle time

It provides computing facility to many users

simultaneously.

It results in efficient use of software by allowing

access to the same software for many users of the
system.

It provides quick response.

LIMITATIONS
Since many users work with the same system
simultaneously, security and integrity of user
programs and data become a problem.

It requires data communication facilities, as the

timeshared system will have remote terminals using it.

The time-shared system supports several users at the

same time operating even from remote terminals.
Therefore, its reliability must be ensured by back up
facilities as a safety measure which can be used in the
event of any system problem.
 Examples of Operating Systems:
DOS
Windows
Unix
Macnitosh
OS/2
OS/2 Warp
DISK OPERATING SYSTEM (DOS)
DOS is a master program that co-ordinates the flow of
information between computer and the disk, floppy or
hard disk.

It is basically a set of programs, which enables the user

to communicate with the CPU, the disk drives and the
printer, and manage these resources efficiently.

The Disk Operating System integrates the computer

system. The major tasks of DOS are: -
Control input-output devices
Enable user to load and execute progra'!1s
Maintain an orderly system of data on the disk
UNIX
UNIX was developed by AT&T's Bell Labs in 1969.

Widely used in multi-user systems. It is a powerful

operating system with multitasking, multiprogramming
and interactive features

Not a single operating system. Many versions are

AIX, BSDI, Digital UNIX, SCO UNIX, Solaris, Sun OS, etc.

UNIX is a mature and technically superior group of

operating system with proven performance, reliability
and security in server environment.
OS/2

IBM's OS/2 Warp (Operating System 2) is a 32-

bit operating system.

It supports multitasking and can run programs

written for OS/2 and other operating systems like
MS DOS and MS Windows
OS/2 WARP

0512 warp is the name of the new version of OS/2

introduced by IBM in late 1994.

It can run all applications written for DOS and MS

Windows.

OS/2 Warp is bundled with a bonus pack that includes

a number of applications like a word processor, a
spreadsheet, personal information manager and easy
Internet access and other online services
APPLICATION SOFTWARE
General-purpose Application Software Packages
The general-purpose packages provide certain generalised
facilities.
They provide a general framework and a set of tools to
manipulate data.

Special-purpose Application Software Packages

Special purpose application programs are specific to
certain applications such as project planning and
monitoring, production planning and control, inventory
management etc.
CHARACTERISTICS OF SOFTWARE
PACKAGES
Modularity
The packages are modular in structure.
User can select only those modules, sub-modules and
options that are required for his needs.
Minimises the computer resources required for the package
for storage as well as when processing.

User-friendliness
Theusers must be provided with features that make the
package easy to learn and use.
These features include menus, online help facility and user
documentation.
END