COMPUTER SOFTWARE: Operating Systems, Device Drivers, Trialware

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Introduction to Computing CS101

LESSON 10

COMPUTER SOFTWARE

To discuss the role of software in computing systems

To learn to differentiate among software belonging to the system and application categories

To learn about software ownership

We mentioned in Lesson 4 that at the highest level, two things are required for computing

Hardware: The physical equipment in a computing environment such as the computer and its peripheral

devices (printers, speakers...)

Software: The set of instructions that operates various parts of the hardware. Also termed as "computer

program"

Computer Software

The HW needs SW to be useful; the SW needs HW to be useful

When the user needs something done by the computer, he/she gives instructions in the form of SW to

computer HW

These instructions need to be written in a language that is readily understood by computer uP

10.1 Machine Language

A system of codes directly understandable by a computer's CPU is termed this CPU's native or

machine language. Although machine code may seem similar to assembly language they are in fact

two different types of languages. Machine code is composed only of the two binary digits 0 and 1.

Every CPU has its own machine language, although there is considerable overlap between some. If CPU

A understands the full language of CPU B it is said that A is compatible with B. CPU B may not be

compatible with CPU A, as A may know a few codes that B does not.

10.2 Language Translators

Human programmers write programs in a language that is easy to understand for them. They use

language translators to convert that program into machine language. It converts the human

understandable code in uPs understandable code, i.e. a language that is easy to understand for the uPs

10.3 Software Development

A software development process is a process used to develop computer software. It may be an ad hoc

process, devised by the team for one project, but the term often refers to a standardised, documented

methodology which has been used before on similar projects or one which is used habitually within an

organisation.

The SW development process involves many steps, and coding, that is typing the instructions in a high-

level language is only a small part of that process taking-up only around 15% of the effort

Hardware

Operating System

Device Driver

Utility

Language

Scientific

Business

Productivity

Entertainment

Translator

Apps.

System software

Application software

Introduction to Computing CS101

The Software Development Process

Concept & Feasibility

User Requirements

Developer Specs

Planning

Design

Implementation

10.4 Major Types of SW

System SW

System software is responsible for controlling, integrating, and managing the individual hardware

components of a computer system.

System software performs tasks like transferring data from memory to disk, or rendering text onto a

display Specific kinds of system software include loading programs, operating systems, device drivers,

compilers, assemblers, linkers, and utilities.

Software libraries that perform generic functions also tend to be regarded as system software. System

software stored on non-volatile storage on integrated circuits is usually termed firmware. These

generally perform the background tasks in a computer. These programs, many times, talk directly to the

HW.

Application SW

Programs that generally interact with the user to perform work that is useful to the user. These programs

generally talk to the HW through the assistance of system SW.

10.5 System SW are programs that ...

Control the overall operation of the computer

Interact directly with HW

Device drivers

Perform system management & maintenance

Utilities

Are used to develop or maintain other programs

Language translators

10.6 Operating System

It performs its work invisibly to control the internal functions of a computer, e.g. maintaining files on

the disk drive, managing the screen, controlling which tasks the uP performs and in what order. It

interacts directly with the computer HW. Other SW normally does not directly interact with the HW,

e.g.

Windows

Mac OS

Linux

UNIX

Solaris

DOS

CP/M

VMS

Firmware

ROM is a component of OS that permanently stored on a chip. It is a firm ware program. When a

computer is powered-on, it is the first program that it always executes. Firmware consists of startup and

Introduction to Computing CS101

a few low-level I/O routines that assist the computer in finding out and executing the rest of the OS. On

IBM-compatible PC's, it is called BIOS

10.7 Utilities:

It is a small program that provides an addition to the capabilities provided by the operating system. In

some usages, a utility is a special and nonessential part of the operating system. These are the computer

programs that perform a particular function related to computer system management and maintenance

Examples:

1. Anti-virus SW

2. Data compression SW

Disk optimization SW

Disk backup SW

10.8 Language Translators

Programs that take code written in a HLL and translate it into a low-level language that is easily

understood by the uP

1. Compiler translates the program written in a HLL in one go. The translated code is then used by the

uP whenever the program needs to be run

2. Interpreter translates the HLL program one statement at time. It reads a single statement, translates

it into machine language and passes that machine language code to the uP and then translates the next

statement, and so on ...

10.9 Device Drivers

A device driver, often called a driver for short, is a computer program that is intended to allow another

program (typically, an operating system) to interact with a hardware device. Think of a driver as a

manual that gives the operating system (e.g., Windows) instructions on how to use a particular piece of

hardware.

A device driver essentially converts the more general input/output instructions of the operating system

to messages that the device type can understand.

10.10 Application SW

Application SW are programs that interact directly with the user for the performance of a certain type of

work

Scientific/engineering/graphics SW

Mathematica; AutoCad; Corel Draw

Business SW

The billing system for the mobile phone company

Productivity SW

Word processors; Spreadsheets

Entertainment SW

Games

Educational SW

Electronic encyclopedias; The VU Web site

Introduction to Computing CS101

Hardware

Operating System

Device Driver

Utility

Language

Scientific Business Productivity Entertainment

Translator

Apps.

System software

Application software

10.11 Another way of classifying SW

Shrink-Wrapped SW

You can just go to a shop and buy it

Custom-built SW

You cannot just go to a shop and buy it; you have to find someone who can develop it for you

Shrink-Wrapped SW

SW built in such a way that it is useful for many different users in many different ways.

Example: MS Word. Individuals use it and so do many large corporations. It is used for writing one-

page letters and also to typeset books

Custom-Built SW (1)

These SW are built for a particular organization to fulfill the needs of that particular organization. This

type of SW is expensive because the builder has to recoup costs and make a profit from a single sale

Example: A system for predicting the preferences of the Nortwest Airline pilots

Custom-Built SW (2)

This is other type of custom built SW. The delivery time is longer. Customers get more productivity out

of it because it is built according to their exact specifications just like a custom-built shoe fits better,

but generally is more expensive, and requires a longer period for delivery

10.12 Who Owns Software?

Generally, although a piece of SW that is being used by millions, it is not owned by any of them!

Instead, it is owned by the maker of the SW

The makers let us use their SW but keep the ownership to themselves. When we buy a SW package, we

do not really buy it we just buy a license that allows us to use it, the ownership stays with the maker

However, there are variations on this theme ...

10.13 Main types of SW licensees

Proprietary Most software on a Windows PC or a Macintosh belongs to this category

Freeware Most software on a Linux PC belongs to that category

Introduction to Computing CS101

Shareware the category which lies between the above two categories

10.14 Proprietary SW License

Proprietary software, as defined by the Free Software Foundation, means any software that is not free

software or is only partially free. The modification, use and redistribution is prohibited, or requires

express permission the originator. The user needs to pay the maker of the SW for buying a license that

allows the user to use the SW

The license, generally, does not transfer the ownership of the SW; it just allows the user to use it. The

user is legally barred from making copies of the licensed SW. Generally, the license is for the personal

use only. Most SW in use in the world is of this type.

Examples: Windows, Mac OS, MS Word, Adobe Photoshop, Norton Antivirus

Types of Proprietary Licenses

Single-user license

Multi-user license

Concurrent-user license

Site license

10.15 Freeware SW License

It is also known as "Public Domain SW". It allows the user to free use of the SW. The author, however,

generally retains ownership. It can usually be downloaded from various Web sites.

Examples: Linux; LaTeX; Netscape Web browser the Navigator; MS Web browser the Internet

Explorer

10.16 Open-Source SW License

Some authors give away the machine code only, which is extremely difficult to modify, if at all. Others

even give away the high-level language source code so that users can make changes according to their

own requirements. The later practice is called open-source licensing.

Generally is any computer software whose source code is either in the public domain or, more

commonly, is ed by one or more persons/entities and distributed under an open-source license .

Such a license may require that the source code be distributed along with the software, and that the

source code be freely modifiable, with at most minor restrictions, such as a requirement to preserve the

authors' names and statement in the code,

Examples: Linux; Netscape Navigator

10.17 Shareware SW License

Shareware is software that is distributed without payment ahead of time as is common for proprietary

software. Typically shareware software is obtained free of charge by downloading, thus allowing one to

try out the program ahead of time. A shareware program is accompanied by a request for payment, and

often payment is required per the terms of the license past a set period of time. shareware are similar in

that they can be obtained and used without monetary cost. Usually shareware differs from open source

software in that requests of voluntary "shareware fees" are made, often within the program itself, and in

that source code for shareware programs is generally not available in a form that would allow others to

extend the program.

A shareware's program source, maintenance and extensibililty can sometimes be negotiated for a

licensing fee with the author(s) similar to standard proprietary software.

Examples: WinZip, Download Accelerator

Introduction to Computing CS101

10.18 Trialware

It is similar to shareware but difference is that the SW is usable for a short period only. When the period

is expired, it is no more in use until the license is not purchased. The trial period may vary according to

its developer. This period may range from a week to a few months.

It can be downloaded from the Internet or alternatively.

What have we learnt today?

We have found out about the role software plays in a computing environment

We also learned to distinguish between software belonging to the system and application categories

We also discussed the different types of software licenses

Topics of some of the future lectures

Operating system

Application SW

Productivity SW

Word processor

Spreadsheets

Presentation making

Databases

Programming Languages

The SW development process

The Web development series of lectures is clearly focused on developing SW

Focus of the Next Lecture

The role of the OS in a computing environment

The various functions that an OS performs

The main components of an OS

Various types of OSes

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