Software allows computers to interact with each other and perform tasks that would not be possible without it. A computer is only as good as the software that runs on it.
A piece of software can be so useful that it becomes known as a “killer application.” One example is the spreadsheet VisiCalc, which drove sales of the Apple II and made the personal computer a household item.
Operating system
The operating system is the first program loaded onto computer hardware and it controls all other programs and computer operations. It creates an environment within which application software can interact with the computer hardware, making it easy for applications to run without knowing the specifics of the hardware.
The OS manages the allocation and sharing of resources like processors, memory, input and output devices between different programs and users. This includes granting application software the attention of the central processing unit (CPU), allocating memory space, and mediating conflicts over shared resources.
The operating system also manages how data is logically stored in files and directories on the hard disk, enabling fast read/write access. It handles network communication to support LANs, WANs and intranets, and it installs and configures system hardware, such as printers. The OS also backs up data regularly, ensuring rapid recovery in the event of an outage or hardware failure. It also protects against external threats and enforces security protocols.
Applications
Application software focuses on tasks and functions specific to users. Examples include word processors like Microsoft Word and Google Docs, multimedia players such as VLC Media Player, and photo-editing programs like Adobe Photoshop.
These programs work with system software to access hardware resources. For example, when you run the command pwd (print your current directory), a system call is made to the kernel to fetch this information from the hardware and then print it to the terminal. You can observe this process by running a program called strace.
These tools facilitate the collection, processing, and analysis of data. Popular examples include spreadsheet software like Excel, Google Sheets, and LibreOffice Calc. These allow users to create visual and textual content presentations for meetings, lectures, or webinars. Popular examples include PowerPoint and Google Slides. These help teams collaborate across departments and locations by sharing files, instant messaging, or video calls. Popular examples include Slack, Zoom, and FaceTime.
Graphical user interface (GUI)
The GUI affects the way a computer works by replacing the traditional command-line interface. With a GUI, users click icons and select options from menus to control software functions. They can also drag and drop items to perform different actions. For example, dragging a file to the trash icon deletes it. GUIs are used in many pc software programs, including web browsers and music apps.
Designed to be user-friendly, GUIs reduce the learning curve and make computers more intuitive to use. They include windows (sections of a screen that display applications), icons, menus, and toolbars. Users can also interact with these elements by direct manipulation (moving the pointer to consider options, clicking on them and performing the corresponding action).
Most modern GUIs are offshoots of Apple’s Lisa and Macintosh or IBM’s OS/2 or Unix desktop environments. As a result, most GUI designs follow similar conventions and avoid unnecessary complexity. However, some improvements are necessary to enhance performance.
Special programs
Some system software, like device drivers, manages interactions between the OS and hardware. For example, a device driver converts the more general input/output instructions of the OS into messages that a specific type of hardware can understand, such as a keyboard or mouse. Without the driver, these devices wouldn’t function.
Other system software, such as compilers, assemblers and interpreters, translate the high-level programming languages that many computer programs are written in into the low-level machine code instructions (a series of ones and zeroes) that the CPU can execute. This system software is also responsible for error detection, security and memory management.
Other system software, such as IObit Advanced SystemCare, is designed to clean up junk files, protect against malware and speed up a PC’s performance. This software, however, has been criticized as “bloatware” because it’s full of features that end users may never use. The free version of the program offers a basic service, but it’s limited to one-year use and doesn’t include all features available with the paid versions.