Table of contents |
|
Types of Software |
|
System Software |
|
Application Software |
|
Specific Purpose Software |
|
System Utilities |
|
Open Source Software |
|
Criteria for the Distribution of OSS |
|
Proprietary Software |
|
Software is a collection of computer programs and related data that provide instructions to a computer on what tasks to perform and how to execute them.
Serving as an interface between the user and the computer hardware, software is responsible for controlling, integrating, and managinghardware components to accomplish specific tasks.
System software comprises programs that directly control, integrate, and manage the individual hardware components of a computer system. It also provides an interface between the user and the computer's components. Based on functionality, system software can be categorized as follows:
Functions of an Operating System:
This software converts programming language into machine language. The translated program is called object code. There are three types of language translators:
Linker:
Loader:
![]() |
Download the notes
Computer Software
|
Download as PDF |
Types of Application Software
These software types are used for general purposes, allowing users to perform simple computer tasks. Examples include:
Specific purpose software is designed to perform specific tasks, with each application generally serving a single purpose. Below are examples of such software:
Inventory Management System and Purchasing System: Used in departmental stores or organizations to track the stock of physical resources. Examples include Fishbowl and AdvancePro.
These programs perform tasks related to the maintenance of a computer system, supporting, enhancing, expanding, and securing existing programs and data. System utilities mainly consist of the following functions:
Open source software (OSS) refers to software whose source code is publicly accessible, allowing it to be modified and shared. Examples include Linux, Unix, and MySQL. To be considered open source, software must meet the following criteria:
Open source software is typically distributed with its source code under an open source license, which must comply with the following criteria:
Free Redistribution: The license must allow selling or giving away the software without requiring royalties or fees.
Source Code: The program must include source code and allow distribution in both source and compiled forms.
Integrity of the Author’s Source Code: The license may restrict source code distribution in modified form only if it allows distribution of "patch files" to modify the program at build time.
Proprietary software is owned by an individual or company and has significant restrictions on its use. Its source code is kept secret, and the software is copyrighted with limits on use, distribution, and modification.
Tit-Bits
48 videos|24 docs|33 tests
|
1. What are the different types of software? | ![]() |
2. What is the criteria for the distribution of Open Source Software? | ![]() |
3. What is the difference between System Software and Application Software? | ![]() |
4. Can you provide an example of Specific Purpose Software? | ![]() |
5. How does Proprietary Software differ from Open Source Software? | ![]() |