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Application Software

INFO 1 - Topic 7: Software, News
  • Software that allows the computer to be applied to a particular problem
  • Software used for a particular purpose or application e.g. Processing orders, payroll, stock control, word processing etc.

Types of application software:

  • Package software: the programs and the documentation for a piece of software.
  • Generic software: applications package that can be used for a variety of tasks and used in a lot of areas of work.
  • Integrated software: application package consisting of software for a variety of different purposes e.g. Microsoft office – word processing software, database (excel), PowerPoint.
  • Specific software: software that performs one particular task.
  • bespoke software: software that is tailor made for a specific purpose or organisation.
  • Off -the shelf software: software that has not been developed for a particular purpose.

The Operating System

INFO 1 - Topic 7: Software
  • The main purpose of the operating system is to allow the applications software to interact with the computer hardware
  • Allows the computer hardware to behave in a predictable way so that the applications software can use it

Tasks it performs:

  • Diagnostic checks: performs these checks when the computer is booted up
  • controls the receipt of input devices such as the keyboard and mouse
  • controls output: sends information to the screen or other output devices
  • memory management: controls flow of data to and from the main processor
  • works out where to store the data on the hard disk drive
  • deals with security issues such as usernames and passwords

Brands of systems software:

  • Linux
  • Unix
  • Mac OS-X
  • Windows