1 .Systems software – what is it? Talk about what an operating system is
An operating system is a program designed to run other programs on a computer. A computer’s operating system is its most important program. It is considered the backbone of a computer, managing both software and hardware resources. Operating systems are responsible for everything from the control and allocation of memory to recognizing input from external devices and transmitting output to computer displays. They also manage files on computer hard drives and control peripherals, like printers and scanners.
2. Applications software - what is applications software?
Application software, also known as an application or an "app", it is a computer software designed to help the people to perform specific tasks. Examples include enterprise software, accounting software, office suites, graphics software and media players. Many application programs deal principally with documents. Apps may be bundled with the computer and its system software, or may be published separately. Some users are satisfied with the bundled apps and need never install one.
Give examples of each and describe
Office Applications e.g. Word Processing, Spreadsheets Games Software
Communications software e.g. web browser, email
Word processing is the process of adding text to a word processing unit such as a computer or typewriter. The typed words are stored in the computer or word processor temporarily to allow for editing before a hard copy of the document.
Spreadsheet, also known as a worksheet, contains rows and columns and is used to record and compare numerical or financial data.
A video game (Software) emulator is a computer program that can cause one computer system to act like a different system. Using emulators allows people with modern computers to play video games from obsolete systems or a different platform without having to buy the operating system or machine. While using your modern machine to play the original Atari® Pitfall may be fantastic, there is considerable legal controversy about copyright issues in emulation.
A Web browser is a software program that interprets the coding language of the World Wide Web in graphic form, displaying the translation rather than the coding.
Email, also sometimes written as e-mail, is simply the shortened form of electronic mail, a protocol for receiving, sending, and storing electronic messages. Email has gained popularity with the spread of the Internet. In many cases, email has become the preferred method of communication.
3. Software utilities
When a person speaks about anti-virus software, he or she usually is referring a type of computer program that prevents, monitors and removes any type of malicious threat from a computer system. These threats can include Trojan horse programs, worms, viruses, adware and spyware. Anti-virus programs can be downloaded onto a computer system or used via online scanners. Their success rates can depend on the number of accurate virus definitions in their databases.
In construction, a firewall is a non-flammable wall that prevents fires from spreading throughout a building. Homes, for example, may have a firewall between the garage and the rest of the house to prevent garage fires from threatening other rooms.
