System Software
System software is split into four different categories:
- Operating Systems - Every computer needs an operating system to run hardware. Operating systems act as an interface between user and hardware and provide the user with a virtual machine. Examples of operating systems are; Microsoft's Windows, Apple's Mac and Linux.
- Libary Programs - A program libary is a collection of programs compiled routines that other programees can use. (eg. Printing and Network Connections)
- Utility Programs - Perform very specific tasks related to running or maintenance of a computer. Example of these types of software are; Disk formatter's, File compresser's and Firewalls.
- Programming Language Translators - Computers can run only machine code programs. When you write a program in a second-generation or higher-generation langauge, this program must be translated before it can be executed. There are three types of PLT's; Assembler (assembly to machine code), Complier (higher-level to object code) and Interpreter, each line ( high-level to machine code).
Application software is split into three different categories:
- General - Purpose Application Software - is often called generic software. It can be used for many different taks. Examples of these types of software are; Word processor, spreadsheet, Database management.
- Special - Purpose Application Software - supports one specific task. For example, a supermarket chain will have a stock control system for its stock control. Other examples of this type of software are; Payroll, Web Browser and a Tax calculator.
- Bespoke Application Software - is written and optimised for one customer's specific needs; one customer will pay all the developers cost, so bespoke software is usually expensive. Examples of bespoke software are; Air traffic control, BBC TV licencing service and London congestion charging scheme.
Fantastic summary (and a very professional looking post!) - we will be looking at translators in much more detail next lesson
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