Page 31 - CA_165_V2.0_C9_Flipbook
P. 31

SOFTWARE

                Computer can neither think nor work on its own. It has to be provided with a set of pre-defined instructions
                which are written in a computer language which it can follow. Such sets of instructions are known as
                Programs. A set of organised programs meant for specific purpose is known as Software. Software is an
                intangible part of a computer which provides intelligence to the computer.

                Software can be broadly classified as:

                l     Application Software
                l     System Software


                                                                Software




                           Application                           System                             Utility
                            Software                            Software                          Software

                          General Purpose
                         Application Package
                                                  Operating                 Language
                       Specific Purpose            System                   Processor
                           Package
                         Customised
                           Package
                                                                                                      Winzip
                                                                                                    Anti-Virus
                           Compiler               Interpreter              Assembler               Disc Manager


                Application Software

                Application Software refers to programs which are designed to accomplish particular type of tasks to
                meet a user’s specific needs. Application software can be classified into two categories:
                l     General Purpose Application Package       l  Specific Purpose Application Package
                l     Customised Package


                General Purpose Application Package
                General Purpose Application packages are typically designed to accomplish various types of tasks which
                meet the needs of general user. Some examples of general purpose application packages are:

                Word Processing Package

                A word processing package enables the user to type and manipulate text to create documents. It also
                enables to create, edit, print and save documents. For example:  MS-Word, Word Star, OpenOffice Writer,
                etc.

                Spreadsheet Package

                Spreadsheet package helps in representing data in form of tables and enables users to perform
                calculations and analysis by making graphs, tables, charts, etc. For example: MS-Excel, Google Sheets,
                OpenOffice Calc, etc.


                                                                             Basics of Information Technology    29
   26   27   28   29   30   31   32   33   34   35   36