Software and Its types | CAAN loksewa 078 Question paper

Q. What do you mean by software? Briefly describe various types of software. (2+3)marks.

answer:

A software or computer software essentially a type of programs which enable the users to perform some particular specific task or actually used to operate their computer.

A software plays a key role of a mediator between the user and the computer hardware.

It provides a set of instructions to execute a user’s commands and tell the computer what to do. For example like MS-Word, MS-Excel, PowerPoint, etc.

Generally, there are two main classifications of software, which are namely, System Software along with the Application Software.

source: freepik.com

1.System Software

System software is software that directly operates the computer hardware and provides the basic functionality to the users as well as to the other software to operate smoothly. In simpler word, it can be said that system software is essentially an intermediator or even a middle layer between the user as well as the hardware.  so system software converts the human-readable language into machine language and vice versa.

Some features of system software are:

• closer to the computer system.
• written in a low-level language in general.
•  difficult to design and understand.
• fast in speed(working speed).

Further System Software is divided in main 2 subtypes. They are:

A) Operating System

 it is  a collection of software which handles resources as well as offers general services for various other application which actually run over them. There are different types of operating systems like embedded, real-time, distributed, single-user, multi-user, mobile, internet and much more.

B) Language Processor

Language processor converts the human-readable language into a machine language and vice versa. It converts programs written in high-level programming languages into machine readable i.e. source code to object code/machine code. 

 C) Device Driver

It is a program or software that controls a device and helps that device to perform its functions. All devices like mouse, modem, etc. needs a driver to connect with the computer system eternally.

2. Application Software

Software that performs special functions or provides functions that are much more than the basic operation of the computer is known as application software. They are also popularly known as end-user programs or even productivity programs which assist the user in completing various tasks like designing graphics, maintaining accounts, carrying out calculations or even playing computer games.

Features of Application Software:

• performs more specialized tasks like word processing, spreadsheets, email, etc.
• more interactive for the users
• easy to design and understand
•  written in a high-level language in general

Like system software, application software is also subdivided into following types:

A) General Purpose Software

These software are used for a variety of tasks and it is not limited to performing a specific task only. For example, MS-Word 

B) Customized Software

These software are  used or designed to perform specific tasks or functions or designed for specific organizations. For example, railway reservation system 

C) Utility Software

These software are used to support the computer infrastructure like analyzing, configuring, optimizing and maintaining the system. For example, antivirus, memory tester, disk repair, registry cleaners, disk space analyzer, etc.

This answers is quit long and designed for 10 marks. If the question is for 5 marks then you can skip the subtype explanation. It will be better just to write definition, features and its subtypes(without definition)

Stay Safe. Thank You!

Share as much as possible and reach out to most of the readers preparing for the examination.