Download What is Computer Software?

What is Computer Software?
Hardware vs Software
Got to have both to get the job done!
How does Software work?

Algorithms have to be written
 Algorithms are turned into a computer
language
 Another specialized program turned this
language into something the computer
understands


Software development – multi-step process
First programmer – Grace Hooper – created
FLOW MATIC (later known as – COBOL)
Types of Software
Applications Software
 Systems Software

Operating systems
 Utilities
 Language translators

Applications Software
Operating Systems
Interface between user and the computer
 Many brands

Utility Software
Helps perform housekeeping chores
 Tasks include:

Antivirus programs
 Copy file from hard drive to another location
 Convert graphics file so it can be used by
another program
 Backup copy of hard drive

Language Translators
Converts code written in English to a
language the computer can understand
 Translator helps computer process data

I don’t
understand! I
need a
translator.
Operating Systems





Mac OS
DOS
Windows
Unix – portable operating system (can run on
just about any hardware platform)
Networking Operating System – group of two
or more computers to be connected
User Interfaces
Determines how user friendly the
computer is
 Part we interact with when using the
computer
 Command-line interface such as DOS
 Graphical interfaces such as Windows

Command Line
Early computers used only this
 Have to memorize codes
 Not very user friendly
 Not colorful – usually written in black and
white
 No pictures

Graphical User interfaces
Came about with menus
 Graphical user interface (GUI)
 Came about with Apple’s development of
Macintosh Finder
 Pictures (icons) represent software
 Colorful
 Contributed to the explosion of computer
use.

Work Session

Research the three operating systems:
Mac OS X El Capitan (released on Sept 30)
 Windows 10
 Unix


Determine 2advantages and 2
disadvantages of each, create a t- chart
for each of the operating systems and
report on your findings. Which one do
you think would be the best for someone
to use in a home business?
Example:
Mac OS
advantages
Mac OS
disadvantages