1.8 Computer software

So far we have talked about hardware in a system. The hardware will only work as well as the software – programs that coordinate it to process the data. The software cannot actually be seen. You can see the result of using the program on the screen. You can see the CD or disk it is stored on but you cannot see the actual program.

There are four main categories of software in a computer system:

• operating system software
• application software
• utility software
• programming languages.

Operating system software

A computer’s operating system is a system program or programs that control the operations of a computer. The operating system determines how each hardware component of the computer system is used. Common operating systems are Microsoft Windows, Linux and Apple Mac OS, IOS and Google’s Android.

The operating system enables us to print a document while at the same time opening a file or entering text. On a smartphone you can conduct a phone call while checking messages or using other apps.

The operating system also provides an interface between the user and the programs. The interface – sometimes known as the graphical user interface – makes the device much more user friendly.

An operating system is used to:

• start apps up and then close them down
• manage the location of saved files
• control peripheral devices such as printers and scanners.

An operating system is the base program on which other applications run.

Application software

Application software determines how the data is processed to produce information. Well-known application software programs include Microsoft Word, Adobe Photoshop, Instagram and WhatsApp.

• Meet Thomas Suarez, a 12-year-old self-taught app developer.
• How did Thomas get into app development? What skills do you think Thomas has? What sort of support has he received?

Utility software

These programs are maintenance-type programs that are used to keep the computer running smoothly. They are important for the efficient organisation of files. File processes such as copy, move, delete, backup are carried out in these programs.

Windows Explorer, Windows Disk Defragmenter and Microsoft Backup are some commonly used utility software programs.

Programming languages

Programming languages are used to produce custom applications. Though it is outside of the scope of this book to go into this topic in great detail, it is worth knowing that general-purpose programming languages are the most commonly used for developing software. These languages include C#, C++, Java, JavaScript, Python, Ruby and Visual Basic, and allow the creation of software through logical instructions. We will consider programming languages once again in Module 11: Algorithms and programming and introduce some exercises using Python.

Computer awareness exercise 10

Computer software

1. What is the difference between hardware and software?
2. On the computer you use at school:
   1. Which operating system software does it use?
   2. List five applications available for you to use.
   3. List two utilities programs.