Computer Platforms Week 3

1. Computer PlatformsWeek 3 Types of Software HNC COMPUTING - COMPUTER PLATFORMS

2. Aims • Understand what is meant by Software • Distinguish between the different types of Software that are available and what they are used for. • Discuss different types of operating systems • Compare the functions of each different operating systems – command line & GUI HNC COMPUTING - COMPUTER PLATFORMS

3. What is meant by software • Software refers to the set of programming commands which work with the computer’s hardware. • These commands run all the applications which make computers useful. • Programmers write code to make software packages, which are supplied on CD or DVD and installed onto a computer’s hard drive.. HNC COMPUTING - COMPUTER PLATFORMS

4. What is meant by software Cont. • The programs are written in special languages which interact with the computer’s processors and operating systems. HNC COMPUTING - COMPUTER PLATFORMS

5. Different types of Software • There are many different types of software available, most of which are listed below: • Applications software lets us perform the tasks we need to do. It cannot run without an operating system. • Generic software is multi-purpose, such as spreadsheets. • Specialist software has a single purpose, such as accounts software. • Bespoke software is specially written, like passport application processing. • Utilities software does useful things, like checking for viruses, scan disk etc. • Programming software is used to write all the software packages listed above. • Operating systems create an environment which is useable. HNC COMPUTING - COMPUTER PLATFORMS

6. Application Software • Most of the software we use is generic software (off the shelve), made by large companies. This type of software can be used to do lots of different jobs. • Example : Ms Word, Excel HNC COMPUTING - COMPUTER PLATFORMS

7. Application Software • We can also buy special purpose software that only does one job, like an accounts package or data logging software. It will do that job very well, but we can’t use it to do anything else. • Example : Flowol is software specially created to help students learn how to understand and use flow charts. HNC COMPUTING - COMPUTER PLATFORMS

8. Application Software • If we have a very specialized job to do, we could have software specially written for it. This is known as Bespoke software. • This type of software is very expensive • Example : The government had bespoke software written for the passport agency. Another example is the software used for online university applications. HNC COMPUTING - COMPUTER PLATFORMS

9. Utility Software • This type of software is given as part of an operating systems package or alternatively can be bought off the shelve. • The software is focused around system maintenance. • Example : Scan disk, firewall, defrag HNC COMPUTING - COMPUTER PLATFORMS

10. Programming Software • Programming software helps the user to write code and then test it. The program can be run line by line to check that it works. • Tools are available to debug the code to identify any errors that may exist. • Example : VB.Net (Visual Studio) HNC COMPUTING - COMPUTER PLATFORMS

11. Operating systems When a computer boots up, it loads its operating system. It acts as an interface (go between) between the different hardware devices and the user. What operating systems can you think of? HNC COMPUTING - COMPUTER PLATFORMS

12. Operating systems • There are generally four types of operating systems. • Each operating system is categorised based on the types of computers they control and the sort of applications they support. • Each type is listed below: • Single-user, single task • Single-user, multi-tasking • Multi-user • Real-time operating system (RTOS) HNC COMPUTING - COMPUTER PLATFORMS

13. Operating systems Cont. • Single-user, single task • This operating system is designed to manage the computer so that one user can effectively do one thing at a time. • Example: Palm OS (embedded OS for PDAs) HNC COMPUTING - COMPUTER PLATFORMS

14. Operating systems Cont. • Single-user, multi-tasking • This is the most common type of Operating system. This type of operating systems will let a single user have several programs in operation at the same time. For example, Writing an email whilst downloading a file from the internet. • Example: Windows 98, Windows NT Workstation and Windows 2000 HNC COMPUTING - COMPUTER PLATFORMS

15. Operating systems Cont. • Multi-user • This allows many different users to use the computer's resources simultaneously. • The operating system must make sure that the requirements of the various users are considered, and that each of the programs they are using has sufficient and separate resources, therefore if a problem occurs with one user it doesn't affect the others • Example: Multiple Virtual Storage (MVS) Used as an operating system for IBM mainframe computers and Unix Sever. HNC COMPUTING - COMPUTER PLATFORMS

16. Operating systems Cont. • Real-time operating system (RTOS) • Real-time operating system • This is a multitasking operating system which is often used in embedded systems. • RTOS has very little user-interface capability, and no end-user utilities. • It is a time specific operating system - the most important aspect of RTOS is that a particular operation has to execute in a precise amount of time. • Why is the RTOS OS required? • Example: Spacecraft, industrial control and scientific research equipment. HNC COMPUTING - COMPUTER PLATFORMS

17. Tasks • Get into groups and research and compare different types of operating systems – please write up your findings. HNC COMPUTING - COMPUTER PLATFORMS

18. Conclusion • We looked into what is meant by Software • Distinguished between the different types of Software that are available and what they are used for. • Discussed different types of operating systems • Compared the functions of different operating systems HNC COMPUTING - COMPUTER PLATFORMS