Computer software

Question 1

Components of a computer

Answer 1

• Computer systems consist of two major components,
  namely, hardware and software.
• The hardware refers to the physical and electronic
  equipment and devices.
• The software refers to a set of computer programs
  that are required to enable the hardware to work
  and perform these operations effectively.
• The software is therefore an essential interface
  between the hardware and the user.
• We can say that software gives life to the hardware.

Question 2

What gives
the computer its power and
versatility, and the users their
satisfaction?

Answer 2

• There is an array of computer
  programs available for
  operating and controlling the
  computer.
• It is the judicious combination
  of these programs that gives
  the computer its power and
  versatility, and the users their
  satisfaction.

Question 3

Computer software

Answer 3

– controls and coordinates the hardware
components and manages their
performances (done by system
software).
– enables the users to accomplish their
required tasks (done by application
software).

Question 4

application
software

Answer 4

While the system software is essential
for a computer to work, the application
software is the additional software
required for the user to perform a
specific job.

Question 5

function of system software

Answer 5

The system software not only controls
the hardware functions but also enables
the hardware to interact with the
application software as well as the users

Question 6

Types of system software

Answer 6

– System management programs
* manage both the hardware and software systems.
– System development programs
* develop and execute application software.

Question 7

System management programs

Answer 7

• These programs operate the hardware system
  and manage their resources effectively.
• Enable the users to perform certain utility
  functions, such as creating backup files,
  recovering damaged files and merging files.
• Minimize the human intervention during
  processing and aid in maximizing the
  productivity of a computer system.

Question 8

System management
programs include:

Answer 8

– Operating system
– Utility programs
– Device drivers

Question 9

Operating System

Answer 9

– Operating System (OS) is the principal component of system
software and is responsible for overall management of
computer resources.

Question 10

Major functions of an operating system are:

Answer 10

• Scheduling and execution of all processes.
• Allocation and management of main memory and other storage
  areas to the programs.
• Coordination and assignment of different hardware devices to the
  programs.
• Creation, storage and manipulation of files required by the various
  processes.
• Coordination and assignment of other development and utility
  programs.
• Providing a friendly interface between the computer and the user.