CARA'S TIPSSystem and application software, operating systems, translators and utilities
JAMBWAECNECO
What the syllabus asks
JAMB: Section B 1(e) Types, examples and uses of software: system vs application software; system software (operating systems, utility software, middleware, device drivers, translators); OS definition, functions and user interfaces (command line, menu, GUI); examples (MS Windows, Linux, UNIX); phone OS (Android, BlackBerry, iPhone); utility software; translators (interpreter, assembler, compiler);…
WAEC: Computer software (system software, OS, translators, utilities, application software and packages); Basic computer operations (booting and shutting down; desktop features)
NECO: Computer software (system software, OS, translators, utilities, application software and packages); Basic computer operations (booting and shutting down; desktop features)
What you will learn
- Define software and distinguish system from application software.
- List and explain the types of system software.
- Define an operating system and explain its functions.
- Describe types of OS and user interfaces, and compare GUI with command line.
- Name operating systems for computers and mobile devices.
- Explain translators and distinguish assembler, compiler and interpreter.
- State the functions and examples of utility programs.
- Distinguish open-source and proprietary software, and in-house and off-the-shelf software.
- Give examples of application packages and their uses.
- Explain cold and warm booting and the steps in booting and shutting down.
Key points
- Software = programs; two classes: system and application.
- System software: OS, translators, utilities, device drivers, middleware (also firmware, linkers, loaders).
- OS: manages hardware/software resources and provides the user interface.
- OS functions: processor, memory, file, device management; user interface; security; error handling; booting.
- OS types: single-user single-task, multitasking, multi-user, batch, time-sharing, real-time, network, distributed, mobile.
- Interfaces: command line (MS-DOS, UNIX), menu-driven (ATM), GUI/WIMP (Windows, macOS, Android).
- GUI is easier but needs more resources; CLI is lighter and powerful for experts.
- Phone OS: Android, iOS/iPadOS; BlackBerry OS is historical.
- Assembler: assembly to machine code. Compiler: whole program, object code, faster run. Interpreter: line by line, stops at first error.
- Utilities: antivirus, defragmenter, backup, compression, disk cleanup, text editor, formatter.
- Application software: general packages (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Photoshop) and special/user programs (Sage, Remita, SPSS).
- Proprietary: owned, licensed, closed source. Open source: source available (Linux, LibreOffice).
- In-house: custom, exact fit, costly. Off the shelf: cheaper, tested, may not fit exactly.
- Cold boot: from power off with full POST; warm boot: restart while on.
- Shut down properly to avoid corrupting files.
Start here: What is software?
Software is a set of programs: ordered instructions that tell the hardware what to do, together with the data and documentation that go with them. Without software, a computer is just metal, plastic and silicon. A program is one complete set of instructions for a task, such as a calculator app.
Two main classes
- System software manages and controls the computer’s own operations and provides a platform for other programs. The user often does not notice it working.
- Application software carries out specific tasks for the user: writing letters, calculating results, editing photos, playing music.
| System software | Application software |
|---|---|
| Runs the computer | Does the user’s job |
| Needed for the computer to work | Optional; installed as needed |
| Works close to the hardware | Runs on top of the OS |
| e.g. Windows, compiler, antivirus | e.g. MS Word, Excel, payroll program |
| Usually starts when the computer starts | Starts when the user opens it |
Hardware versus software
Hardware is physical and can be touched; software is a set of instructions and cannot be touched (although the disk holding it can). Hardware wears out physically; software does not wear out but can become outdated, corrupted or infected. Hardware is made in factories; software is written by programmers.
State three differences between system software and application software, with one example of each. (5 marks)
See the table above; examples: system, Linux; application, Microsoft Excel.
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Practice questions
- the set of programs that tell the computer what to do
- the physical parts of a computer
- the computer’s case
- electricity
Show answer
A: the set of programs that tell the computer what to do
Hardware is physical.
- Word processor
- Spreadsheet
- Game
- Operating system
Show answer
D: Operating system
System software runs the computer itself.
- CorelDRAW
- Google Chrome
- Linux
- MS Excel
Show answer
C: Linux
Others: Windows, macOS, Android.
- without the source code
- one line at a time
- all at once into object code
- only once a year
Show answer
B: one line at a time
A compiler translates the whole program first.
- assembly language into machine code
- high-level language into English
- machine code into BASIC
- pictures into text
Show answer
A: assembly language into machine code
Assembly uses mnemonics.
Key words
- Software
- Programs that instruct the hardware.
- System software
- Programs that manage and control the computer itself.
- Application software
- Programs that perform particular tasks for users.
- Operating system
- The master program that manages hardware, software and the user interface.
- GUI
- Graphical user interface using windows, icons, menus and a pointer (WIMP).
- Command-line interface
- An interface where the user types text commands.
- Translator
- A program that converts source code into machine code.
- Assembler
- A translator that converts assembly language into machine code.
- Compiler
- A translator that converts a whole high-level program into object code before it runs.
- Interpreter
- A translator that converts and executes a high-level program one statement at a time.
- Source code
- A program as written by the programmer.
- Object code
- The machine-code result of compiling source code.
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