Computer Software
In the last tutorial, we looked at components that made up computer hardware. In the following pages we will look at the invisible part of the computer called the software, which includes programs and applications.
Software
Software is a program that runs on your system. This includes computer operating systems and other computer programs.
Software is written in a computer language by computer programmers e.g. java, html, php etc. The computer language is in a text format and can be read by a person who had some basic programming knowledge.
After a program is written, it will undergo what is called compiling by the programmers. Compiling is the process of changing the textual written language into a binary language, which can be understood by the computer. Most programmes, operating systems and applications that run on the computer are created this way.
What is an Operating System (OS)
What makes a computer a computer is the Operating System. The OS is the core software component of your computer. It is what brings your computer to life and useful to you. Computers will be useless without one.
The basic functions of the operating system (OS) is, it communicates or provides a method for other programs or software to communicate with the hardware of your computer. It also enables you to add, remove and delete any programme, application or data you installed on your computer.
To crown it all the OS provides a bridge between you and the world.
Types Operating System
There are many types of operating systems. Most of the widely used programs of today are from Microsoft. Microsoft operating systems help to revolutionize the way computers work in today’s world. Below are list of Operating systems, from the oldest to the most recent:
Windows 3.x , Windows 95, Windows NT, Windows 98, Windows M, Windows 2000
Windows XP, Windows Vista.
Other Known and not so popular Operating Systems are:
Linux
Linux is an operating system created by Linus Torvalds, a student at the University of Helsinki. Generally, Linux is needs to be explained further, not as easy as Microsoft OS. Linux is not a program like a word processor and is not a set of programs like an office suite.
Unix
Another operating system like Linux It could be called an operating system because it contains a suit of programs, which make the computer work. The workstations and multi-user servers use UNIX.
Mac
Apple Macintosh - Most recent versions are based on Unix but it has a good graphical interface so it is both stable and easy to learn. One drawback to this system is that it can only be run on Apple produced hardware. One of the good thing about Mac is it doesn’t crash often or have as many software problems as other systems may have.
