PC software is a wide range of programs and tools that make computers useful and productive. It includes word processors, video games and music players. It also contains productivity software and security programs.
System software coordinates a computer’s hardware and software to enable application software like word processors, spreadsheets, and web browsers to run. It can be bundled with utilities that clean out junk files and optimise a computer’s performance.
Operating system
An operating system is an integrated set of specialized programs that manage a computer’s hardware environment and software applications. Its main job is to ensure that all the different parts of a computer work together seamlessly and without interference from other programs.
All modern operating systems have an underlying kernel which connects the application software to the hardware through a designated application programme interface (API). The OS also comes with a file system, which handles all files and directories on the computer. It keeps track of their locations, information about them like creation and modification, and their status.
The OS also regulates how a program uses hardware input and output devices, such as a Wi-Fi adaptor or printer, by connecting to the device drivers through an I/O controller. If a program tries to alter a hardware device in a way that could disrupt other parts of the machine, the OS can detect this and switch to supervisor mode where it can deal with the situation by re-establishing the boundary between user mode and kernel mode.
Applications
Application software performs specific tasks that benefit the end user, such as word processing or spreadsheets. It can also help companies manage employee and customer databases. Some of these applications can be accessed through the web on devices such as smartphones and tablets. They include web browsers like Google Chrome and Firefox, music and video streaming programs, and instant messaging and conferencing tools such as Skype and WhatsApp.
Computer applications play a major role in modern life, enhancing business productivity, facilitating communication, and providing entertainment. They also aid in education, support research and science, contribute to medical advancements, and influence creative industries such as design and fashion.
While application software can be accessed from any device with a web browser, system software must be installed for it to function properly. System software is written in system programming languages that allow it to communicate with a computer’s hardware, including its memory and process management, and install new hardware when necessary.
System utilities
System utilities form a pivotal cog in the computer system, improving its efficiency, security and longevity. They work silently in the background, performing a host of essential functions such as disk cleanup and data backup. They also help in compartmentalizing systems and external drives for efficient management of programs and files that are stored within them.
Examples of utility programs include memory testers, registry cleaners and file compression software. File compression helps reduce the size of large files, making them easier to send via email and save storage space on hard disks. Other types of utility programs include driver updaters that automatically detect and download updates for drivers, ensuring compatibility and optimal performance.
Understanding the role of system utilities in a computer system can help students broaden their knowledge horizons and learn more about the inner workings of a computer’s operating systems. This is important, as it allows them to understand how these tools help the computer to perform its tasks effectively and efficiently, and protects its data from potential threats.
Security
PC software allows users to perform a variety of tasks such as word processing, video games and online communication tools. However, they are also vulnerable to viruses and security threats. To protect against these problems, it is important to regularly update system software and run antivirus scans.
Utility software includes compression programs to shrink files and disk defragmenters that rearrange them on a hard drive so they occupy contiguous memory locations. Backup programs are useful for restoring files that have been deleted or lost. Security programs protect the computer from malware, spyware and adware, which can be spread through email attachments or infected files.
The operating system keeps track of all the processes that are running and allocates resources to them according to their priority. The OS also manages the main memory, allocating and re-allocating it as needed. It is also responsible for storing information and instructions in a cache. This makes it faster to access data from the CPU.