Question

1. Identify and explain the three basic functions of system: Input, Processing, and Output?

2. In details, explain the two types of software?

Answer 1

Answer 1:

The three basic functions of a computer system are as follows:

• input
• output
• processing

Let's look at each individually:

Input

Transferring of information into the system. This may be through a user input device - i.e. keyboard, mouse, scanner etc.. Or though previously loaded software/program, cd etc.

Output

Output is the exact opposite of input. Output is the function that allows a computer to display information, from the system, for the user. This can be accomplished through the monitor (or other graphical display), printer, speakers etc.

Processing

This is where the computer actually does the 'work' - manipulating and controlling data over the entire system.

The following table lists a few sample actions along with the name of devices and functions that are used when they are performed.

Action	Device	Function
A user running a text-editor program types the letter Z on the keyboard. The keyboard sends a code representing the letter Z to the CPU.	Keyboard	Input
The CPU processes the code and determines what letter was typed. Then the CPU sends instructions to the monitor to display the letter Z.	CPU	Process
The monitor displays the letter Z.	Monitor	Output
The user clicks the save button. The mouse sends a code representing the click.	Mouse	Input
The CPU processes the code and determines what action was clicked.	CPU	Process

Answer 2 :

The term 'software' refers to the set of electronic program instructions or data a computer processor reads in order to perform a task or operation. In contrast, the term 'hardware' refers to the physical components that you can see and touch, such as the computer hard drive, mouse, and keyboard.

Different Types of Software

Typically, there are two major classifications of software, namely System Software and Application Software.

1. System Software

A system software aids the user and the hardware to function and interact with each other. Basically, it is a software to manage computer hardware behavior so as to provide basic functionalities that are required by the user. In simple words, we can say that system software is an intermediator or a middle layer between the user and the hardware. These computer software sanction a platform or environment for the other software to work in. This is the reason why system software is very important in managing the entire computer system. When you first turn on the computer, it is the system software that gets initialized and gets loaded in the memory of the system. The system software runs in the background and is not used by the end-users. This is the reason why system software is also known as ‘low-level software’.

Operating System: It is the most prominent example of System Software. It is a collection of software that handles resources and provides general services for the other applications that run over them. Although each Operating System is different, most of them provide a Graphical User Interface through which a user can manage the files and folders and perform other tasks. Every device, whether a desktop, laptop or mobile phone requires an operating system to provide the basic functionality to it. As an OS essentially determines how a user interacts with the system, therefore many users prefer to use one specific OS for their device. There are various types of operating system such as real-time, embedded, distributed, multiuser, single-user, internet, mobile, and many more. It is important to consider the hardware specifications before choosing an operating system. Some examples of Operating systems given below:

• Android
• CentOS
• iOS
• Linux
• Mac OS
• MS Windows
• Ubuntu
• Unix

Device Drivers: It is a type of software that controls particular hardware which is attached to the system. Hardware devices that need a driver to connect to a system include displays, sound cards, printers, mice and hard disks. Further, there are two types of device drivers: Kernel Device Drivers and User Device Driver. Some examples of device drivers are:

• BIOS Driver
• Display Drivers
• Motherboard Drivers
• Printer Drivers
• ROM Drivers
• Sound card Driver
• USB Drivers
• USB Drivers
• VGA Drivers
• VGA Drivers
• Virtual Device Drivers

Firmware: Firmware is the permanent software that is embedded into a read-only memory. It is a set of instructions permanently stored on a hardware device. It provides essential information regarding how the device interacts with other hardware. Firmware can be considered as ‘semi-permanent’ as it remains permanent unless it is updated using a firmware updater. Some examples of firmware are:

• BIOS
• Computer Peripherals
• Consumer Applications
• Embedded Systems
• UEFI

Programming Language Translators: These are mediator programs on which software programs rely to translate high-level language code to simpler machine-level code. Besides simplifying the code, the translators also do the following :

• Assign data storage
• Enlist source code as well as program details
• Offer diagnostic reports
• Rectify system errors during the runtime
• Examples of Programming Language Translators are Interpreter, Compiler and Assemblers.

Utility: Utility software is designed to aid in analyzing, optimizing, configuring and maintaining a computer system. It supports the computer infrastructure. This software focuses on how an OS functions and then accordingly it decides its trajectory to smoothen the functioning of the system. Softwares like antiviruses, disk cleanup & management tools, compression tools, defragmenters, etc are all utility tools. Some examples of utility tools are:

• Avast Antivirus
• Directory Opus
• McAfee Antivirus
• Piriform CCleaner
• Razer Cortex
• Windows File Explorer
• WinRAR
• WinZip

2. Application Software

Application Software, also known as end-user programs or productivity programs are software that helps the user in completing tasks such as doing online research, jotting down notes, setting an alarm, designing graphics, keeping an account log, doing calculations or even playing games. They lie above the system software. Unlike system software, they are used by the end-user and are specific in their functionality or tasks and do the job that they are designed to do. For example, a browser is an application designed specifically for browsing the internet or MS Powerpoint is an application used specifically for making presentations. Application Software or simply apps can also be referred to as non-essential software as their requirement is highly subjective and their absence does not affect the functioning of the system. All the apps that we see on our mobile phones are also examples of Application Software. There is certain software that is exclusively made for app development like Meteor and Flutter. These are examples of Application software too.

There are various types of application software:

Word Processors: These applications for documentation. Along with that it also helps I storing, formatting and printing of these documents. Some examples of word processors are:

• Abiword
• Apple iWork- Pages
• Corel WordPerfect
• Google Docs
• MS Word

Database Software: This software is used to create and manage a database. It is also known as the Database Management System or DBMS. They help with the organization of data. Some examples of DBMS are:

• Clipper
• dBase
• FileMaker
• FoxPro
• MS Access
• MySQL

Multimedia Software: It is the software that is able to play, create or record images, audio or video files. They are used for video editing, animation, graphics, and image editing, Some examples of Multimedia Software are:

• Adobe Photoshop
• Inkscape
• Media Monkey
• Picasa
• VLC Media Player
• Windows Media Player
• Windows Movie Maker

Education and Reference Software: These types of software are specifically designed to facilitate learning on a particular subject. There are various kinds of tutorial software that fall under this category. They are also termed as academic software. Some examples are:

• Delta Drawing
• GCompris
• Jumpstart titles
• KidPix
• MindPlay
• Tux Paint

Graphics Software: As the name suggests, Graphics Software has been devised to work with graphics as it helps the user to edit or make changes in visual data or images. It comprises of picture editors and illustration software. Some examples are:

• Adobe Photoshop
• Autodesk Maya
• Blender
• Carrara
• CorelDRAW
• GIMP
• Modo
• PaintShop Pro

Web Browsers: These applications are used to browse the internet. They help the user in locating and retrieving data across the web. Some examples of web browsers are:

• Google Chrome
• Internet Explorer
• Microsoft Edge
• Mozilla Firefox
• Opera
• Safari
• UC Browser