Lecture 2
Title: Computer Software
By: Mr Hashem Alaidaros
MIS 101
Main Topics
• Computer software types
• 32 bit vs. 64 bit
• Malware
Software Types
 Software: It is a group of programs that tells the
computer hardware what to do.
 Programs: is a group of commands written in a specific
programming language to solve a specific problem.
 Programming Language: is a group of instructions and
rules that perform operations on data processing
 Since computer doesn’t understand human language,
programming language is invented
 High level language (understandable by human): Java,
C++
 Low level language (understandably by computer
hardware): Assembly language
‫ذ‬
Example of Java Language
3/23/2016
© Mr Hashem Alaidaros
4
Software Terms
 Open Source Software: It is software that its
programming language is able to be read and
customized.
 More flexible
 Freeware Software: It is a copywrited software,
available to use for free forever.
 Close Source
Types of Software
 There are three main types of software:
1.
2.
3.
System software (Operating System)
Utility software
Application software
1. System Software
 System Software: It is software that controls and
manages the operations that deal directly to the
computer hardware
 Operating System (OS)
 Operating System (OS) functions:
1. Allow users to run application software
2. Manages the computer processes
3. Functioning as interface that connects the user, the
application and the hardware. How?
System Software Examples
 Basic Input / Output System (BIOS)
 Disk Operating System (DOS)
 Windows (Microsoft product)
 Most targeted by hackers and Malwares
 iOS (Apple product)
 More suitable for graphics design
 Linux: (Unix family)
 Open source
 Android (Google product)
 Designed for smart phones
Multitasking
 The execution of two
or more programs by
one user concurrently
on the same computer
with
one
processor
central
2. Utility Software
 Utility Programs allow the user to perform maintenance-type
tasks usually related to managing a computer, its devices or its
programs
• Types of utility software
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Disk image
Disk optimization
Encrypt data
File and data recovery
Text protect
Preventative security
Spyware
Uninstaller
- Msconfig
- Restore
- Page file
- Task Manager
- System log
- Control Panel
- Remote Acces
3. Application Software
• Application software are programs that perform specific
tasks for users (It is the reason that one wants to buy a
computer).
• Types of application software
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Bowser
Communication
Data management
E-mail
Presentation graphics
Programming
Spreadsheet
Word processing
Application Software
 Includes many executable files and data files:
 Installer program
(eg: setup.exe)
 Uninstaller program (why important?)
 Main executable file (eg: winword.exe)
 Support modules
(eg: .dll files)

Called by the PROGRAM, not by the user
 Data modules
(eg: MS Word dictionary)
Application Software
 Two types of Application software:
1. Prewritten application software
2. Custom application software
1. Pre-written
• Pre-written application: It is ready application that is designed and
developed for public use.
• For this type of application: Users only need to install (with a little
modification if need) the software on their hardware
• Available on the hand
• Examples of pre-written software may include:
•
•
•
MS Word
Skype
Second Live
2. Custom
 Custom Software: It is software that is designed for specific purpose
and to meet organization’s needs.
 In these cases, the business may have its own programmers to
create a software to meet their needs
 Programmer: Someone who develops application or system
software




Examples of custom application software may include:
Payroll
Accounting
Project Management
 What are the differences between pro-written and custom software?
32 bit vs. 64 bit
 CPU, OS, and Software can be 32 bit or 64 bit
 CPU-32 bit
 CPU processes 32 bit of data per one cycle
 CPU-64 bit
 CPU processes 64 bits of data per one cycle
 Which one has better speed? Why?
 OS- 32 bit
 Support up to 4 GB of RAM
 OS-64 bits
 Support more than 4 GB of RAM
 With CPU-32 bit, only OS-32 bit with Software-32 bit is supported
 In CPU-64 bit, OS-32 bit with Software-32 can be supported
 OS-32 bit only supports Software-32 bit
Malware
 Malware or MALicious softWARE: is a program that is written to attack
or harm systems and files.
 Malware can:
•
•
•
•
Delete files
Slow down computer and network
Send emails automatically
Control the computer remotely or open backdoor on the victim
computer
 Malware main types:
 Virus
 Worms
 Trojan horse
Malware
• Virus: is a program that repeat itself into files and systems.
• It has to attach itself to a program or a file (exe files)
• It has to be clicked to activate the virus
• Worm: is type of virus that spread itself into other computers
via networks.
• It doesn’t attach itself to a program or a file
• It activate itself with human intervention
 Trojan horse: is type of malware that attach itself to a program
or a file and open backdoor on the victim computer
 Used for spying and controlling the victim computer
Spyware
• Spyware is a small computer program that
monitors what you are doing with your
computer resources.
• Mostly come from advertisement pop-up
• Auntispyware
antispyware
software: adware, microsoft
Software Updates
• Operating system and application software must
be always up to date (update)
• How often should be updated?
• Benefits of updates:
•
•
Security
Efficiency