COMPUTER SOFTWARE
COMPUTER SOFTWARE
Computer
Software refers to series of instructions, commands and programs that tell the
computer what to do.
Give the two types
of Computer Software.
·
System
Software
·
Application
software.
Explain the difference between system
software and application software
System software refers to the programs/instructions
designed to manage the operation of computers and avail computer resources to
the users while
Application software is a program
designed to enable a user to accomplish specific task(s).
Define the term System Software?
System software refers to a category of software that enables the
computer to work and as well control devices connected to it.
OR-It refers the
software that performs tasks related to the operation and performance of the
computer system.
OR -System software
is a set of programs designed to manage operations of the computer and avail
computer resources to the user.
State the functions
of system software
·
Booting the
computer
·
Making sure that
all hardware elements are working properly
·
Performing
operations such as retrieving, loading, executing and storing application
programs
·
Storing and
retrieving files
·
Performing a
variety of system utility functions.
State
any two branches of system software.
·
Operating
system.
·
Drivers.
·
Programming
languages.
·
Utility
programs.
Define the term
Operating System as used in Computer Software?
An operating
system is a generalized program/software that manages and coordinates all the
activities taking place within a computer system
Give
the types of operating system
•
Stand-alone
operating system
•
Network operating
system
•
Embedded operating
system
What
is meant by Stand-alone operating system?
Mention the
functions of the Operating System to the Computer.
·
Starting a computer, (Booting the computer)
·
Providing a user interface,
·
Managing programs,
·
Configures devices, (Device drivers are often needed). Plug and Play
devices are recognized automatically.
·
Monitoring performance
·
Providing file management.
·
Administering security.
·
Managing resources.
·
Coordinating tasks, and Spooling.
·
Managing memory,
·
Establishing an Internet connection.
What is meant by the term User Interface?
A
user interface is the part of the software with which you interact; it controls how
data and instructions are entered and information is presented on the screen.
What
are the features of a graphical User Interface?
·
Uses graphics to
stand for the complicated actions
·
Use icons
·
Use a mouse to
selector the icons
·
Screen divided
into windows allowing different things on each
·
WIMP - Windows
Icons Menus Pointers
·
Requires little IT
knowledge
Mention the advantages of using a
Graphical User Interface
·
Easy to use
·
Easy to explore
and find your way around the system
·
Do not have to
learn complicated commands
·
Exchange data
between different software
·
Good help
facilities provided with GUIs
Give the limitations of using a
Graphical User Interface.
·
Larger amount of
hard disk space than other interfaces
·
Significantly more
memory (RAM) to run than other interface type
·
GUI use more
processing power than other types of interfaces
·
GUI can be slow
for experienced programmers to use, they find CLI much faster
Suggest the advantages of using
Command line Interface.
·
Knowing the correct commands, this can be much faster than any
other interface type
·
Uses much less memory (RAM) than any other interface type
·
Low resolution, cheap monitors can be used
·
CLI does not require Windows to run.
Explain the limitations of using
Command Line Interface.
·
Can be
confusing/Complicated
·
Commands have to
be typed precisely, if there is a spelling error the command will fail
·
If you mistype an
instruction, it is often necessary to start all over again
·
Large number of
commands need to be learned
List the examples of popular
Operating systems used today?
|
·
Microsoft
Windows |
|
·
Linux |
|
·
Chrome O.S |
|
·
IOS Apple O.S |
|
·
|
Explain
the term Programing Languages?
These are artificial languages designed to
communicate instructions to a machine, particularly a computer. Programming
languages can be used to create and control the behavior of a machine
Mention any five classifications of Programming
languages that you know.
·
Machine/Computer/Code
languages(low level)
·
Assembler (low
level) languages.
·
High level
languages.
·
Fourth Generation
languages.
·
Fifth Generation
Languages.
Define the term
Machine Code Language as used in programming
These are languages written/represented in
binary form in the computer. They are only understood by computers.
What are the advantages of Machine Code Language?
·
Machine
code program are executed faster.
·
They don't require
either a compiler or interpreters
·
They are suitable
to developing operating systems.
Give the disadvantages of Machine code language.
·
They
are difficult to learn and understand.
·
The instructions
are expressed in binary form( 0 and 1s)
·
The programs are
machine dependent hence difficult to be used by other machines of different
family.
Differentiate
between Assembler Language and High level language
Assembler
language which consist of
mnemonic symbols (English like words) used to represent the binary digits of
zeros and ones of machine language While
High level languages consist of
statements or sequences text including words, numbers and punctuation, much
like written natural languages
Mention the
advantages of using High level languages.
·
They are machine independent
and can be used by other computers.
·
They are user
friendly and problem oriented.
·
They are easier to
learn, write, correct and revise than assembler and machine languages.
·
They can be used
for development of application software.
List examples of High-level languages
|
·
Python
|
·
ECMAScript |
·
C |
|
·
Visual
Basic |
·
Ruby |
·
FORTRAN |
|
·
Delphi |
·
COBOL |
·
LISP |
|
·
Perl |
·
Ada |
·
Pascal |
|
·
PHP |
·
C++ |
·
Algol |
|
·
Java
Script |
·
Prolog |
·
BASIC |
Explain the
following language translators that you know.
A Compiler is a computer
program that translates high level program into machine code, the language a
computer can understand.
An Assembler is a program that
translates a program written in assembly language into machine code language.
An Interpreter is a program that
translates the source high-level programming language into machine code
language line by line while the program is running. This is done every time the
program is executed.
Linkers are programs that combines compiled programs and
determines where the program will be located in memory.
Explain the
meaning of the following categories of Application Software
Freeware refers copyrighted software provided at no cost,
Shareware refers to copyrighted software provided on a trial
basis but later the user has to pay to use of all the functions provided
Off-to Shelf
Software refers to packaged software that is designed to meet the needs of a wide
variety of end users.
Custom (bespoke) software is tailor-made software, which is developed at
a user's request to perform specific functions
Open source software is software
provided for use, modification, and redistribution.
Public-domain software refers to the software that has been
donated for public use and has no copyright restrictions.
Web-based software
refers to
programs hosted by a Web site
Special Purpose
(Specialized) Software refers to computer programs developed and dedicated to accomplish particular
jobs only. Programs that run on special purpose computers
General
purpose software refers to a wide a variety of
application programs that perform many common tasks.
Adware
refers to
software that contains commercial advertisements of the company embedded in the
application that constantly displays when the user open the application.
Spyware refers to the software that is designed to secretly
gather information on a target computer about ongoing activities without
knowledge and permission of the owner.
What is a software suite?
A software suite is a collection of
individual application software packages sold as a single entity.
What are the
advantages of using software suites?
·
Costs significantly cheaper than buying each of the application
package separately
·
Easy to learn and use because applications within a suite usually use a
similar interface and share common
features such as clip art and toolbars
·
Easy installation because all the various applications can be installed
at once
State one factor
to consider before buying a software program.
·
Compatibility issue with the hardware.
·
Compatibility with the available
software.
·
Needs of the organisation.
·
Is the product an up-to-date, current
version or release?
·
Ease of use of the software.
·
Whether the manufacturer offers technical
assistance of users of the programs.
·
Nature of the software manufacturer.
·
Efficiency and productivity of the
program.
·
Whether the software vendor offers
service support centre for routing updates.
·
Cost of the program to use.
What is meant by
copyrighted software
Copyrighted
software refers to computer programs with restrictions regarding use,
modification, and redistribution
Differentiate
between a software update and software upgrade.
A Software Update (also known as software patch) is a free download for an application or
software suite that provides fixes for features that are not working as
intended or adds minor software enhancements and compatibility. While
A Software
Upgrade is a new
version of your software that offers significant change or improvement over
your current version
Define the
following terms as used in Computer Software
Software
release is the process of issuing/letting the
software or application for publication, use and distribution.
Software
version refers to
variation of an earlier or original type with minor changes to the existing
version or type. Eg. ITunes 12.0, ITunes 12.2.3
Software license refers is a document that provides legally
binding guidelines for the use and distribution of software.
Software License Agreement refers to the legal contact between
licensor and /or author and the purchaser of a piece of software which
establishes the purchaser’s’ rights.
Software bug refers to an error in the programming code that does
not permit it to function
Beta software is a type of software provided to people for
testing purposes.
What are systems software programs?
Is computer software designed to
operate and control the
computer hardware and to
provide a platform for running application software.
Distinguish between application software and system software.
Application software refers to
programs that perform specific end user tasks, while; System software consists of programs that control the
operations of a computer and its
devices.
What is a computer
program?
A computer program is a
collection of instructions that performs a specific task when executed by
a computer.
Give one reason for storing a document in a
pdf format.
· PDF documents can be quickly and easily
created
·
It ensures required security without
compromising originality.
· It
has to ability to compact and able to compress large files.
· It has the ability to exist independently from
the hardware, software and operating system (OS)
used to create or view the
PDF document.
· Less
chance of information being lost, destroyed or being accessed inappropriately.
· Records
are managed throughout their lifetime.
Give two advantages of using a shareware program.
·
It
is free of charge
·
It
can be copied from computer to another.
·
It
is covered by a copyright.
·
Gives
the user an opportunity to compare
Mention one use of
a software driver.
·
It
enables the computer to communicate with the device.
·
It
configures the hardware devices with the operating system
Outline two
examples of an application programs.
·
Video
Editing Software
·
Music
playing software
·
Word
processing software
·
Spread
sheet software
·
Presentation
Software.
·
Database
Software
·
Desk
top Publishing Software
Mention any two
examples of specialised application programs.
·
Accounting package.
·
Computer Aided Design.
·
Customer Relations Management (CRM).
State two advantage of keeping work in a soft
copy.
·
Convenient
to store.
·
Can
be easily transported from one computer to another.
·
Easily
edited.
·
Can
be shared by many people easily say in a network.
·
Data
security can easily be achieved at least costs.
·
Not
affected much by natural disasters like humidity, e.t.c.
·
Cheaper
to store.
·
Soft
copies can easily be searched quickly and obtained.
. Mention two
dangers of software piracy.
·
Leads
to loss to software manufacturers.
·
Leads
to imprisonment to offenders.
·
Leads
to lack of software support from software developers.
·
Leads
to transmission of computer viruses.
Give the difference between a computer
instruction and program.
An instruction is
a command entered into the computer while a program is a software that tells a
computer what to do.
State one advantage of keeping data in a soft
copy. (01 mark)
·
It
is easier to make changes on the work
·
Can
be accessed anytime by the user
·
Producing
soft copies is less expensive.
·
Soft
copy has no weight
·
Requires
no physical space
·
Soft
copy can be stored for a long period of time.
Write
True of False next to each of these statements.
|
|
Statement
|
T
/ F |
|
a |
Computer
programs are custom made only. |
F |
|
b |
A
command line interface is a form of operating system. |
F |
|
c |
Freeware
normally attract payment after some time. |
T |
|
d |
A
compiler is an example of applications software. |
F |
|
e |
Linkers
are used to write computer codes. |
T |
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