INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTING
CHAPTER 1: COMPUTING ESSENTIALS
LESSON 3 – SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE TECHNOLOGIES
Software Technologies
Software based on O’leary’s definition is the other term for program
and according to him program is the set of instructions that tells the computer
how to process data into the form you want. That’s why, softwares are not
only found in computers, it can also be found in other devices like TVs,
Refrigerators, Mobile Phones, Clocks and etc. Why? Because these devices
have Integrated Chips (IC) inside and inside those IC’s are set of instructions
(programs/algorithms) that allows it to function or move.
According to webopedia.com “Software is traditionally divided into
two different categories: System Software and Application Software. However,
in addition to the two categories, an entire new batch of wares has entered the
computer vernacular in recent years.”
Webopedia.com also defined the “System software as software that
sits directly on top of your computer’s hardware components. It includes the
range of software you would install to your system that enables it to function.
This includes the operating systems, drivers for your hardware devices, linkers
and debuggers. System software can also be used for managing computer
resources. System software is designed to be used by the computer system
itself, not human users.” System software according to O’leary is a collection
of software that is classified as Operating Systems, Utilities and Device
Drivers. Operating systems are programs that coordinate computer resources,
provide an interface between users and the computer and run applications.
Fig 1.6 – Logo of different Operating System and Application Softwares
While Application Software from webopedia.com is defined as
Software designed to be used by end-users. Application software, in essence,
sits on top of system software, as it is unable to run without the operating
system and other utilities. Application Software includes things like database
programs, word processors and spreadsheets, e-mail applications, computer
games, graphic programs and such. Generally, people will refer to
applications software as software. Application Software according to O’leary
is categorized as General-Purpose or Special-Purpose Applications. General
INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTING
CHAPTER 1: COMPUTING ESSENTIALS
LESSON 3 – SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE TECHNOLOGIES
purpose applications or basic applications are kinds of programs that you have
to know to be considered as computer competent. And Special-Purpose
Applications or advanced applications are programs that are more narrowly
focused on specific discipline and occupations.
After we discussed some introduction concepts on software
technologies, let’s now proceed on the Hardware technology side.
Hardware Technologies
When we say Hardware, we are dealing with the physical computer
(tangible parts of the computer, which you can touch and see). Since the birth
of computer, it is classified into four types namely: Super Computer,
Mainframe Computer, Minicomputer and Microcomputer.
Let us define each types of computer and the definition I will be using
is based from byte-notes.com. So let’s now begin with Super Computer,
Super Computer according to byte-notes.com is the “most powerful computer
in terms of performance and data processing. These are specialized and task
specific computers used by large organizations. These computers are used for
research and exploration purposes, like NASA uses super computers for
launching space shuttles, controlling them and for space exploration purposes.
Super computers are very expensive and very large in size. It can be
accommodated in large air-conditioned rooms; some super computers can
span an entire building. Seymour Cray is the one who designed the first super
computer CDC 6600 in 1964.”
Fig 1.7 – Picture of Playstation Power Air-force SuperComputer
INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTING
CHAPTER 1: COMPUTING ESSENTIALS
LESSON 3 – SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE TECHNOLOGIES
Now, let’s move on to Mainframe Computers. “Mainframe computers
are not as powerful as supercomputers, but certainly they are quite expensive
nonetheless, and many large firms and government organizations uses
mainframes to run their business operations. The mainframe computers can be
accommodated in large air-conditioned rooms because of its size. Supercomputers are the fastest computer with large data storage capacity,
Mainframes can also process and store large amount of data. Banks
educational institutions and insurance companies use mainframe computer to
store data about their customers, students and insurance policy holders. Some
of the popular mainframe computers are Fujitsu’s ICL VME and Hitachi’s
Z800.”
Fig 1.8 – Picture of IBM 360 Mainframe Computer
Next, in line are the Minicomputers. “Minicomputers are used by
small business and firms. Minicomputers are also called as “Midrange
Computers”. These are small machines and can be accommodated on a disk
with not as processing and data storage capabilities as super-computer and
mainframes. These computers are not designed for a single user. Individual
departments of a large company or organization use Mini-computers for
specific purpose. Some of the popular mainframe computers are K-202, Texas
Instrument TI-990, SDS-92 and IBM Midrange Computers.”
INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTING
CHAPTER 1: COMPUTING ESSENTIALS
LESSON 3 – SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE TECHNOLOGIES
Fig 1.9 – Picture of Mini-Computer
Last but not the least is what we call Microcomputers.
“Microcomputers are widely used and fastest growing computers. It includes
desktop computers, laptops, personal digital assistant, tablets and smart
phones. These computers are the cheapest among the other three types of
computers. Micro-computers are specially designed for general usage like
entertainment, education and work purposes. Well known manufacturers of
Micro-Computers are Dell, Apple, Samsung, Sony and Toshiba.”
Fig 1.10 – Picture of Different Microcomputers
And those are the four classifications of computer. Now, you know
that what you have at home is only the micro-computers. I suggest if you want
to see how a mini-computer, super-computer and mainframe computers. You
can search Youtube.com for videos. In the next chapters, we will be dealing
INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTING
CHAPTER 1: COMPUTING ESSENTIALS
LESSON 3 – SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE TECHNOLOGIES
with the parts of the computer and how to it works but for the next lesson, we
will be discussing on the Hierarchy of Data and what information is all about?