1. AS Computing
Software definitions

2. Learning objectives
Define the different types of software: operating system, user interface, translator,utilities, programming languages and generic application software;
Describe the different roles and functions of systems software and application software;

3. Generic applications
Generic application can be used in many different circumstances. For example,
Word processing software
Desktop publishing software
Spreadsheet packages
Database packages: Access, Paradox, etc
Multimedia authoring tools: authorware, macromedia Director
Expert system software: Crystal, etc

4. Programming languages
All computers process instructions using machine code, which uses numeric codes to represent basic operations such as load, move, add, subtract and so on.

5. Operating Systems
An operating system is a set of computer programs that controls the operation of the computer system.
For example:
MS-DOS
Linux
Windows

6. Utilities
Utility programs perform common task such as formatting disk, repairing damaged files.
For example:
Winzip
Anti-Virus

7. User Interface
User interface is a method that users use to communicate with computers.
Graphical user interface(GUI) displays information in a pictorial manner.

8. Translator
Programming languages have its own ‘translator’, which will take the code programmer write and turn it into machine-executable form.
e.g from a low-level language to machine code.

9. System software The operating system
Utility programs will perform specific task, e.g. Disk formatting, Disk Copier, Data compression, etc.
Library programs is a program that is stored on a disk in a special type of file and is available to all users of the system.
Translators convert programming languages into machine code.

10. Applications software
An application program is a program of instruction that someone has written that does something useful for a user.
For example, word processor, spreadsheet and database applications.

11. Integrated software package
They contain a number of separate applications such as a word processor and a database;
Information can easily be exported from on application in the package and imported into another application in the package;
The package comes with some form of documentation explaining the functions of each application and the package as a whole;
There is a common user interface across the applications in the package so that users can quickly learn each one.

12. Task 1
There are many different programming languages, for example, Java, Visual Basic, etc. Do some research and write a list of as many different programming languages as you can.

13. Task 2
What four areas need to be discussed if you want to fully describe ‘system software’?
The operating system
Utility programs
Library programs
Translators

14. Task 3 With the aid of example, explain what the word ‘generic’ means.
Microsoft word application
Access database application