Let begin this way, what is a computer? "A computer is an artificial device or machine which is capable of processing data based on what it has been designed for unless been modified." - [Adewale Osunsakin, 2018] Meanwhile, software is the term used to describe computer programs; it is the blood that flows through the computer system. Compared with the hardware, the software used on a given computer is relatively easy to change and it is the attributes, which give computer their flexibility. Just as there are two types of blood cells in human beings performing different functions in the computer system. The first is referred to as System software and the other is the Application software. All other forms of software come under these two board divisions.
Software component of the computer system
Computer hardware without software can be linked to a vehicle without fuel. A system can only perform based on a set of given instructions that are to be followed in sequence, called program. Software refers to the collection of all the programs available on a computer system or in a computer installation. Software can be divided into two main classes namely;
[1] System Software
[2] Application Software
System Software: These are programs written by the manufacturer to ensure the smooth running of the computer. They are programs that enhance the performance operations of computer. It is divided into four classes of the system namely;
1. Operating system
2. Translators
3. Utilities and service programmers
Examples of Software
Examples of system software includes;
(i) Operating system e.g Disk Operating System(DOS), windows OS, Linux, Unix, Xenix, Ubuntu, Novell Netware, etc
(ii) Translator e.g Compiler, Interpreter, Assemblers
(iii) Utility e.g. Norton utilities, antivirus, scandisk, windows explorer, etc
Application Software: Application software allows users to accomplish one or more specific tasks. This can be classified into two namely;
1. User application program
2. Application Packages
There are various types of application software, this includes;
Word processing software
Spreadsheet software
Database management software
Presentation software
Graphic software
Communication software
Multimedia software
DEFINITION OF AN OPERATING SYSTEM
A set of instruction or programs designed to efficiently manage the resources of the computer system is referred to as operating system. It is the operating system that makes the computer understands the user’s instructions and command. It is the life-wire of a computer system. It does the loading and schedule of all activities going on in a computer system.Also, Operating System can be defined as the collection of programs which are resident in the computer memory. It controls the general operations of the computer system.
Examples of Operating System(OS)
(i) Disk operating system (DOS)
(ii) Windows Operating System
(iii) Linux Operating System
(iv) UNIX
(v) Xenix
(vi) Ubuntu
TYPES OF OPERATING SYSTEM
There are different types of operating system as specified by their operational performance. The most commonly used operating system are:
[1] Single user operating system
[2] Multi user operating system
[3] Networking operating system
Single user operating system allows only a single task performed at a time. It allows a single user to operate the machine time in an interactive mode and allows one user program to be in the main store and processed at a time. It does not allow users program. Examples of a single user operating system includes MSDOS, PCDOS etc.
Multi-User Operating System permits the execution of more than one task at a time. It shares the system resources to more than one user by connecting the individual user on the system. Examples are window 98, windows me, Xenix OS/2, etc.
Networking operating system is used in network environment where users form different locations are interconnected. Computers connected to a large network, such as WAN & INTERNET. Examples of a networking operating system includes window NT, window 2000, window XP, Novel Netware. Etc.
FUNCTIONS OF AN OPERATING SYSTEM
The general functions of the operation system include the following among others.
-1.It helps in loading and scheduling of programs to provide continuous processing and give appropriate response to events
-2.It protects software, hardware and data from improper use.
-3.It manages hardware resources.
-4.It performs the loading of programs from external memory to the main memory.
-5.It provide error correction routine
-6.It makes communication possible between the users and computer system
-7.It passes control from one job to another in a multi programming environment.
-8.It handles interrupts and computer language malfunctioning.
