 The term’s “hardware” and “software” are

used frequently in connection with computers

◦ Hardware refers to the physical devices of a

computer system

◦ Thus, input, storage, processing, control and

output devices are hardware
 A sequence of instructions written in a
language understood by a computer is called
a computer program

 A program controls a computer’s processing

activity, and the computer performs precisely
what the program wants it to do

 When a computer is using a program to

perform a task, we say, it is running or
executing that program
 The term software refers to a set of computer
programs, procedures, and associated
documents describing the programs, and how
they are used
 For a computer to produce useful output its
hardware and software must work together

◦ Both hardware and software are necessary for a

computer to do useful job. Both are
complementary to each other

◦ Same hardware can be loaded with different

software to make a computer perform different
types of jobs just as different songs can be played
using the same cassette player
◦ Except for upgrade, hardware is normally a one-
time expense, whereas software is a continuing
expense
 Software can be divided into two major
categories
1. System Software
2. Application Software
 System Software is a set of one or more
programs designed to control the operation
and extend the processing capability of a
computer System
 Computer System software performs one or
more of the following functions:
 Supports development of other application software
 Supports execution of other application software
 Monitors effective use of various hardware resources
such as CPU, memory, peripherals etc
 Communicates with and controls operation of
peripheral devices such as printer, disk etc

• Hence, system software makes the operation of a

computer system more effective and efficient
 Operating System
◦ Operating system software takes care effective and
efficient utilization of all hardware and software's
components of a computer system
 Programming Language
◦ Programming language translators transform the
instructions prepared by programmer in
programming language into form that can be
interpreted and executed by a computer system
 Communications Software's medium
◦ In a network environment communication software
enable transfer of data and programs from one
computer system to another

 Utility Programs
◦ Utility program are a set of programs that helps
user in a system maintenance task and in
performing task of routine nature
◦ Some task are performed by utility programs
include formatting hard disks, or floppy disks
 Application software is a set of one or more
programs designed to solve s specific
problem, or do a specific task
◦ Examples
 Payroll processing software, examination result
processing software, railway/airline reservation
software, computer games software are all application
software
 Similarly a program written by a scientist to solve a
research problem is also application software
 The program included in an application software
package are called application programs
 Word-Processing Software
◦ Word-processing software enables us to make use
of a computer for creating, editing, viewing,
formatting, storing, retrieving and printing
documents
 Spreadsheet Software
◦ Spreadsheet software is a numeric data analysis
tool that allows us to create a kind of computerized
ledger
◦ A manual ledger is a book having rows and columns
that accountants use for keeping a record of
financial transactions and for preparing financial
statements
 Database Software
◦ A database software is a collection of related data
stored and treated as a unit for information
retrieval purposes

◦ A database software is a set of programs that

enables us to create a database, maintain it (add,
delete, and update its records), organize its data in
desired format and selectively retrieve useful
information from it
 Graphics Software
◦ Graphics software enables us to use a computer
system for creating, editing, viewing, storing,
retrieving, and printing of designs, drawings,
pictures, graphs etc

 Personal Assistant Software

◦ Personal assistance software allows us to use
personal computers for storage and retrieval of our
personal information, as well as planning and
management of our schedules, contacts, finances,
and inventory of important items
 Education Software
◦ Education software allows a computer to be used as
a teaching and learning tool

◦ Such software include those used for teaching

mathematics, grammar, language, or any other
object
 Entertainment Software
◦ Entertainment software allows a computer to be
used as an entertainment tool

◦ Computer video games belongs to this category of

software