Page 14 - Viva ICSE Computer Studies 8 : E-book

Introduction

A computer is a machine that can perform a variety
of operations as per the set of instructions given to it.
This set of instructions is called a program. It processes
the input data given by the programmer/user and
provides the desired information as output. Computers
have made life easier for everyone in the world. They
are being used everywhere in nearly all the fi elds such
as banking, railways, airways, hotels, schools, colleges,
shops, industries, defence and designing.

Computer works with an interaction of hardware and software. Hardware refers to any physical
component of a computer which we can see and touch. Hardware consists of devices such as
monitor, keyboard and hard disk. The most important hardware is CPU. It is called the brain of
a computer.

Software refers to the programs required to operate the computer. Disk operating system
(DOS), Windows, Oracle and Tally are some examples of software.
Both hardware and software are dependent on each other. Devices like CPU, memory unit and
hard disk cannot work unless they are provided with instructions and data for storage and
processing.

Types of Software

We can broadly classify software into two types: system software and application software.

System Software

System software is required to control the Learn More
working of hardware and aid in eff ective
BASIC stands for Beginner’s All Purpose Symbolic
execution of a general user’s applications Instruction Code. It is a programming language
such as fi le editing, storage management, mostly used by students for learning programming
resource accounting, I/O management and developing simple applications.
and database management. Some
examples of system software are DOS, Windows and Linux. System software can be further
categorised into two types: system management software (operating systems) and system
development software (language translators, application generators and CASE tools).

Application Software

Application software consists of programs that are required to perform specifi c types of work
for end users on the computer. They are required for general and special purpose applications
such as database management, word processing and accounting. Microsoft Word (MS Word),
Microsoft Excel (MS Excel), Adobe PageMaker and Tally are some examples of application
software. Application software can be further classifi ed into following two types: general
purpose application software and customised application software.

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