Every computer must have computer software in order to do certain tasks. Software may be defined as programs on the computer. 
Software is used to make the computer a useful tool. The two categories of software are:
- System Software
- Application Software
System Software is the category of programs/instructions designed to control and monitor the resources of hardware and software of the computer system. The three types of systems software:
- Operating systems
- Utilities
- Translators
- Operating systems (OS)
OS are a set of programs that monitor and co-ordinate software and hardware within a computer system. Examples of OS are Windows, UNIX, Linux, Mac OS and DOS.
- Utilities
Utilities are systems software that support the operating system in its housekeeping tasks to increase the effectiveness of the computer system. Examples include text editors, anti-virus software, back-up software, anti-spam and compression utility.
- Translators or language processors
Computers understand only binary language(ones and zeroes). All other programming instructions have to be converted into binary language or machine language. Three main types of translators are assemblers, interpreters and compilers.
Application Software
This software is used to enable users to get their task done on the computers.
Classification of Application software
- integrated-is a set of related programs combined in a unified package that allows data to be transferred easily between the programs. Example: Microsoft Office
- custom-written- software written for one user (set of users) or companies and is not used by other companies or users. Example: software for NCB
- specialized- software written to solve ONE particular problem or need of the user. Examples: ACCPAC, Rosetta Stone
- general-purpose- This software allows the user to do a wide variety of tasks.
ACTIVITY
Answer the following questions:
- What is software?
- What are the types of software?
- State whether the following software is system or application
- Ubuntu____________
- Norton Anti-virus____________
- Internet Explorer_____________
- Linux 2.2 ____________
- Need for speed game_________________
4. State whether each application software is general purpose, custom-written, specialized or integrated
- Documents to go______________
- Cardio Trainer _____________
- Microsoft Word_____________
- Microsoft Office ____________
- AutoCAD______________
- Peachtree______________
- Leapfrog______________
- Scotia bank computer software _______________
Other Activity
https://quizlet.com/12824036/match
Next Class: Operating System
Another Class: Word Processing: move text, apply page layout, paragraph formatting and insert table
Reference
-https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e1/Operating_system_placement.svg/220px-Operating_system_placement.svg.png
-http://www.ictlounge.com/html/hardwaresoftware.htm
SCHS Information Technology Blog 