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Computer Platforms
Week 3
Types of Software
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Aims
Understand what is meant by Software
Distinguish between the different types of
Software that are available and what they
are used for.
Discuss different types of operating
systems
Compare the functions of each different
operating systems – command line & GUI
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What is meant by software
Software refers to the set of programming
commands which work with the computer’s
hardware.
These commands run all the applications which
make computers useful.
Programmers write code to make software
packages, which are supplied on CD or DVD
and installed onto a computer’s hard drive..
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What is meant by software Cont.
The programs are written in special
languages which interact with the
computer’s processors and operating
systems.
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Different types of Software
There are many different types of software available, most of which
are listed below:
Applications software lets us perform the tasks we need to do. It
cannot run without an operating system.
– Generic software is multi-purpose, such as spreadsheets.
– Specialist software has a single purpose, such as accounts software.
– Bespoke software is specially written, like passport application
processing.
Utilities software does useful things, like checking for viruses, scan
disk etc.
Programming software is used to write all the software packages
listed above.
Operating systems create an environment which is useable.
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Application Software
Most of the software we use is generic software (off the
shelve), made by large companies. This type of software
can be used to do lots of different jobs.
Example : Ms Word, Excel
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Application Software
We can also buy special purpose software that only does
one job, like an accounts package or data logging
software. It will do that job very well, but we can’t use it
to do anything else.
Example : Flowol is software specially created to help
students learn how to understand and use flow charts.
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Application Software
If we have a very specialized job to do, we could have
software specially written for it. This is known as
Bespoke software.
This type of software is very expensive
Example : The government had bespoke software
written for the passport agency. Another example is the
software used for online university applications.
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Utility Software
This type of software is given as part of an operating
systems package or alternatively can be bought off the
shelve.
The software is focused around system maintenance.
Example : Scan disk, firewall, defrag
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Programming Software
Programming software helps the user to write code and
then test it. The program can be run line by line to check
that it works.
Tools are available to debug the code to identify any
errors that may exist.
Example : VB.Net (Visual Studio)
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Operating systems
When a computer boots up, it loads its operating system.
It acts as an interface (go between) between the different
hardware devices and the user.
What operating systems can you think of?
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Operating systems
There are generally four types of operating
systems.
– Each operating system is categorised based on the
types of computers they control and the sort of
applications they support.
– Each type is listed below:
Single-user, single task
Single-user, multi-tasking
Multi-user
Real-time operating system (RTOS)
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Operating systems Cont.
Single-user, single task
– This operating system is designed to manage
the computer so that one user can effectively
do one thing at a time.
– Example: Palm OS (embedded OS for PDAs)
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Operating systems Cont.
Single-user, multi-tasking
– This is the most common type of Operating system.
This type of operating systems will let a single user
have several programs in operation at the same time.
For example, Writing an email whilst downloading a
file from the internet.
– Example: Windows 98, Windows NT Workstation and
Windows 2000
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Operating systems Cont.
Multi-user
– This allows many different users to use the
computer's resources simultaneously.
– The operating system must make sure that the
requirements of the various users are considered,
and that each of the programs they are using has
sufficient and separate resources, therefore if a
problem occurs with one user it doesn't affect the
others
– Example: Multiple Virtual Storage (MVS) Used as an
operating system for IBM mainframe computers and
Unix Sever.
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Operating systems Cont.
Real-time operating system (RTOS)
– Real-time operating system
– This is a multitasking operating system which is often
used in embedded systems.
– RTOS has very little user-interface capability, and no
end-user utilities.
– It is a time specific operating system - the most
important aspect of RTOS is that a particular
operation has to execute in a precise amount of time.
– Why is the RTOS OS required?
– Example: Spacecraft, industrial control and scientific
research equipment.
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Tasks
Get into groups and research and
compare different types of operating
systems – make notes.
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Conclusion
We looked into what is meant by Software
Distinguished between the different types
of Software that are available and what
they are used for.
Discussed different types of operating
systems
Compared the functions of different
operating systems
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