Introduction to Software
Understand system software, application software, operating systems, utilities and language processors.
1. Software Types
System software manages/controls the computer; application software helps users perform specific tasks.
2. Operating System
An OS manages processes, memory, files, devices and provides an interface between users/applications and hardware.
3. Language Processors
Assembler translates assembly language; compiler translates a program as a whole; interpreter translates/executes incrementally.
4. Utilities
Compression, backup, antivirus and disk-management tools are examples of utility software.
5. Scheduling and Memory
FCFS, SJF, Round Robin and Priority are common scheduling concepts. Swapping moves whole processes; paging divides memory into fixed-size pages.
6. FOSS
Free and open-source software allows users to use, study, modify and redistribute software subject to its licence.