Computer Software
By: Richard Tyler Walker
The Two Kinds of Software Are:
• Systems Software, which includes
operating systems, utilities, and device
drivers
• Application software, which is
characterized as general purpose and
special purpose
System Software
• Enables the application software to
interact with the computer hardware
• System software is background software
that helps the computer manage it’s own
internal resources
• It is not a single program, rather it is a
collection of programs
The Collection of Programs Are:
• Operating Systems, which are programs that
•
•
coordinate computer resources
Utilities, also known as service programs, which
also perform special tasks related to managing
computer resources
Device Drivers, which are specialized programs
designed to allow input or output devices to
communicate with the rest of the computer
system
Application Software
• Described as end-user software
• These programs can be categorized as
either general purpose or special purpose
applications
• General Purpose Applications, also known
as basic applications, are widely used in
nearly all career areas
To Be Computer Competent:
• General Purpose Applications are
programs you need to know to be
considered computer competent
• One of these basic applications is a
browser to navigate, explore, and find
information on the internet
Two Most Widely Used
Browsers:
•Netscape Navigator
•Internet Explorer
•two of the most utilized
internet browsers
Basic Applications:
Type
Description
Browser
Connect to Web sites and
display Web pages
Word Processor
Prepare written documents
Spreadsheet
Analyze and summarize
numerical data
Database
Management System
Organize and manage data
and information
Presentation Graphics Communicate a message
or persuade other people
Special Purpose Applications:
• Also known as specialized applications
• Include thousands of other programs that
are narrowly focused on specific
disciplines and occupations
• Some of the best known applications are
graphics, audio, video, multimedia, webauthoring, and artificial intelligence
programs
Overview
You should now have a better
understanding of :
• The two major kinds of software
• Three types of systems software programs
• And be able to define and compare
general purpose and special purpose
applications