Two Categories Of Software
Two Categories Of Software
We come across several kinds of computer software every day that aid in our duties and boost productivity.
These are all instances of software, including MS Windows, which welcomes us when we turn on the computer, the web browser we use to access the internet, the games we play on our computers, and the calorie counter on our smartphones.
We even encounter many software development trends in this technological age that support the expansion of our company. We are surrounded by software that makes our lives simpler.
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There are primarily two categories of software: system software and application software.
1. System Software:
It facilitates communication and interaction between the hardware and the user. In essence, it is software that controls how computer hardware behaves and gives users access to essential features.
The system software serves as a bridge or middleman between the user and the hardware, to put it simply. It offers a working surface or setting for other software. It is crucial for managing the complete computer system because of this.
The system software is initialised and loaded into the system's memory when you initially power on the computer. End users do not make use of it; it runs in the background. As a result, this kind of software is frequently referred to as "low-level software."
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Types of System Software:
1. OPERATING SYSTEM:
It is the most elementary illustration of the system software found on all computing devices. It is a group of programmes that manages system resources and provide support for other programmes running on a given system.
The majority of operating systems include a graphical user interface (GUI), which allows you to manage files and directories and carry out other operations, despite the fact that each operating system is unique. Every device—desktop, laptop, or smartphone—needs an operating system to perform its fundamental functions.
Examples of OS:
- iOS
- Linux
- Mac OS
- MS Windows
- Unix
- Android
2. HARDWARE DRIVERS:
It is a category of software that manages specific system hardware. Displays, sound cards, printers, mouse, and hard drives are examples of hardware components that demand drivers in order to connect to a system.
User device drivers and kernel device drivers are the two different categories of device drivers.
Device drivers come in the following forms:
- Display Drivers for BIOS
- ROM drivers, motherboard drivers, printer drivers
- USB Drivers for Sound Card
- A USB driver
- A VGA driver
- A VGA driver
- Drivers for virtual devices
3. FIRMWARE:
Read-only memory contains persistent software called firmware. It is a set of instructions that are indeliblely saved on hardware. It offers crucial details on how the device communicates with other hardware.
Firmware can be referred to as "semi-permanent," as it does not need to be updated until a firmware updater is used.
Examples of firmware include:
- Computer Peripherals
- Consumer Apps
- Embedded Systems
- BIOS
4. PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES TRANSLATORS:
Software programmes use these mediator programmes to convert complex machine-level code to simpler high-level language code. The translators also perform the following in addition to streamlining the code:
- Set up the data storage
- Include programme description and source code.
- Present diagnostic summaries.
- Correct system flaws while the programme is running.
Languages Used in Programming Examples Interpreters, compilers, and assemblers are examples of translators.
5. UTILITY:
Utility software is created to help with system analysis, optimisation, configuration, and maintenance.
It aids in the infrastructure of the computer. They concentrate on an OS's functionality and make decisions on their course accordingly in order to improve the system's performance.
Utility tools include antivirus software, disc management and clean-up tools, compression software, defragmenters, etc.
Several instances of useful tools include:
- Antivirus Avast
- Directory Razer
- Cortex
- Windows
- File Explorer
- Piriform
- CCleaner
- WinRAR
- WinZip
2. APPLICATION SOFTWARE:
Application software, usually referred to as end-user programmes or productivity programmes, aids users in carrying out tasks including conducting online research, taking notes, setting alarms, creating images, maintaining account logs, performing computations, or even playing games. They are located over the operating system.
They are used by end users for a particular task or goal. For instance, MS PowerPoint is used to create presentations, and a browser is a programme made exclusively for exploring the internet.
Application software, or simply apps, is also referred to as "non-essential software" because its necessity is highly debatable and its removal has no negative effects on the operation of the system.
Application software includes the programmes we use on our smartphones.
Meteor and Flutter are two examples of software that is specifically designed for app development. These are also illustrations of application software.
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Types of Application Software:
1. TEXT EDITORS
You can use these programmes to produce documents that you can edit and write in. Additionally, it aids in document formatting, printing, and storage.
Text Editors examples include:
- Abiword
- iWork Pages by Apple
- WordPerfect for Corel
- Chrome Docs
- Word 2007
2. DATABASE APPLICATIONS:
A program that employs software to construct and administer databases is known as a database management system. They assist with data organisation. DBMS examples include:
Multimedia software includes
- Clipper dBase
- FileMaker
- FoxPro
- MS Access
- MySQL.
3. MULTIMEDIA SOFTWARE:
It is the programme that has the ability to play, produce, or record audio, video, or image files. They are employed in the creation of graphics, animation, and edited videos.
Various types of multimedia software include:
- Windows Media Player
- Windows Movie Maker
- Inscape
- Media Monkey
- Picasa
4. GRAPHICS PROGRAMS:
As its name implies, graphics software was created to work with graphics because it enables users to edit or modify visual data or images. It includes illustration software and picture editors.
Examples include:
- Photoshop by Adobe
- Autodesk Maya
- Blender
- Carrara
- CorelDRAW
- GIMP
- Modo
- PaintShop Pro
5. WEB BROWSERS:
We use web browsers to navigate the internet. They aid users with data retrieval across the web.
Several instances of web browsers include:
Opera and Safari
Using Chrome
Internet browser
Windows Edge
Google Chrome