Software
Software is the programs that run a computer system. Software provides the instructions and hardware carries out the work. There are two main types of software and application software (including utility software).
System software or operating software:
Operating systems, such as Windows or Mac OS (for Apple machines), are designed to manage the computers operations.
An operating system is a program, which has overall control of the running of a computer system, making sure that each action happens at the right time and place. Windows 7 is the operating system we use at school.
Systems software carries out 6 main functions:
1. It lets you use other hardware apart from the computer such as printers, modems and scanners.
2. It provides a meeting point (interface) between the user and the machine.
3. It controls access to data, allowing the user to save files or make changes to existing files.
4. It keeps records of computer use- such as who has used the machine and for how long.
5. It manages resources.
6. It can control access to the machine by providing a password.
6. It can control access to the machine by providing a password.
Application software:
Applications are written to solve a user’s problem, for example word processors, spreadsheets, presentations, video editing programs and computer games and databases. An application program is a series of computer instructions that let the user manipulate data and then store it in a file.
Application software refers to programs that carry out specific tasks for the user. It will only work if there is an Operating System, such as Windows 7 already installed.
Systems Utility Software
Operating systems (systems software) such as windows include other programs called utility software. Utility programs perform specific jobs, such as:
· Disk doctor programs- these restore data on damaged disks.
· Anti-virus programs- these scan disks for any viruses and remove them.
· Backup utilities- these select and copy files.
Drivers are another special type of utility program, used to control the operation of peripheral hardware devices, such as video cards, printers, scanners and cameras.
These devices often come with a CD-rom, which must be installed on the computer. The programs on these CDs are called drivers.
More recently many of these drivers for cameras are already installed in the operating system and are called “plug and play”.
Systems Utility Software
Operating systems (systems software) such as windows include other programs called utility software. Utility programs perform specific jobs, such as:
· Disk doctor programs- these restore data on damaged disks.
· Anti-virus programs- these scan disks for any viruses and remove them.
· Backup utilities- these select and copy files.
Drivers are another special type of utility program, used to control the operation of peripheral hardware devices, such as video cards, printers, scanners and cameras.
These devices often come with a CD-rom, which must be installed on the computer. The programs on these CDs are called drivers.
More recently many of these drivers for cameras are already installed in the operating system and are called “plug and play”.
System software or operating software:
Operating systems, such as Windows or Mac OS (for Apple machines), are designed to manage the computers operations.
An operating system is a program, which has overall control of the running of a computer system, making sure that each action happens at the right time and place. Windows 7 is the operating system we use at school.
Systems software carries out 6 main functions:
1. It lets you use other hardware apart from the computer such as printers, modems and scanners.
2. It provides a meeting point (interface) between the user and the machine.
3. It controls access to data, allowing the user to save files or make changes to existing files.
4. It keeps records of computer use- such as who has used the machine and for how long.
5. It manages resources.
6. It can control access to the machine by providing a password.
6. It can control access to the machine by providing a password.
Application software:
Applications are written to solve a user’s problem, for example word processors, spreadsheets, presentations, video editing programs and computer games and databases. An application program is a series of computer instructions that let the user manipulate data and then store it in a file.
Application software refers to programs that carry out specific tasks for the user. It will only work if there is an Operating System, such as Windows 7 already installed.
Systems Utility Software
Operating systems (systems software) such as windows include other programs called utility software. Utility programs perform specific jobs, such as:
· Disk doctor programs- these restore data on damaged disks.
· Anti-virus programs- these scan disks for any viruses and remove them.
· Backup utilities- these select and copy files.
Drivers are another special type of utility program, used to control the operation of peripheral hardware devices, such as video cards, printers, scanners and cameras.
These devices often come with a CD-rom, which must be installed on the computer. The programs on these CDs are called drivers.
More recently many of these drivers for cameras are already installed in the operating system and are called “plug and play”.
Systems Utility Software
Operating systems (systems software) such as windows include other programs called utility software. Utility programs perform specific jobs, such as:
· Disk doctor programs- these restore data on damaged disks.
· Anti-virus programs- these scan disks for any viruses and remove them.
· Backup utilities- these select and copy files.
Drivers are another special type of utility program, used to control the operation of peripheral hardware devices, such as video cards, printers, scanners and cameras.
These devices often come with a CD-rom, which must be installed on the computer. The programs on these CDs are called drivers.
More recently many of these drivers for cameras are already installed in the operating system and are called “plug and play”.