| Computer software. About system software and programming systems

Lesson 8
concept software and its types. Purpose operating system and its main functions

§9. Computer software
§10. 0 system software and programming systems

Computer software

The main topics of the paragraph:

What is software;
- types of software;

Issues under study:

- Composition of application software.


- Service programs.

What is software

The capabilities of a modern PC are so great that an increasing number of people are using it in their work, study, and everyday life. The most important quality of a modern computer is its "friendliness" in relation to the user. Communication between a person and a computer has become simple, clear, and understandable. The computer itself tells the user what to do in a given situation, helps to get out of difficult situations. This is possible thanks to computer software.

Let's use the analogy between a computer and a human again. A newborn person does not know anything and does not know how. He acquires knowledge and skills in the process of development, learning, accumulating information in his memory. The computer, which was assembled at the factory from chips, wires, boards, and other things, is like a newborn person. We can say that loading software into the memory of a computer is similar to the process of teaching a child.

Software is created by programmers.

The entire set of programs stored on all long-term memory devices of a computer is its software (SW).

Computer software is constantly updated, developed, improved. Price installed programs on a modern PC often exceeds the cost of its technical devices. The development of modern software requires a lot of highly qualified from programmers.

Software types

There is a necessary part in the computer software, without which nothing can be done on it. It is called system software. The main element of system software is the operating system (for example, Windows, Linux). The customer purchases a computer that is equipped with system software that is as important to the operation of the computer as memory or a processor. In addition to system software, computer software also includes application programs and programming systems.

Computer software is divided into:

System software;
- application software;
- programming systems.

System software and programming systems will be discussed later. And now let's get acquainted with the application software.

Application software composition *

* In the field of software, everything changes very quickly, so it is impossible to give an accurate and unchanging classification.
Some modern programs are difficult to attribute to any one of the types described below. .

Programs with the help of which the user can solve his information problems without resorting to programming are called application programs.

The operating system usually comes with a set of general-purpose application programs. On Windows, this is the "Accessories" program group (plain text and graphic editor, calculator, etc.), an e-mail program and an Internet browser. General-purpose programs also include office, multimedia and entertainment programs. In Linux, such programs are grouped according to their purpose.

Office programs. As a rule, the user, when purchasing a computer, installs on it office suite programs. These programs include:

Word processors - to work with text documents;
spreadsheet processors that allow organizing tabular calculations that are very common in practice;
programs for creating presentations - a demonstration video sequence used for public speaking;
programs for managing simple databases.

multimedia programs. These are general-purpose programs designed to work with images and sound. These include graphic editors that allow you to draw, process photos, and make photomontage. Sound and image player programs allow you to display a picture on the screen, listen to a musical recording, watch a video film. Sound processing on a computer, as a rule, is done by professionals, using special software packages for this.

Entertainment programs. Many users begin their communication with the computer with computer games.

Professional programs. These are application programs for special purposes - tools of professional activity. For example, accounting programs are used for automated payroll and other calculations that are made in accounting departments; systems computer-aided design used by designers to develop projects for various technical devices; programs that allow solving complex mathematical problems are used by scientists and engineers; medical expert systems help the doctor diagnose the patient and much more.

Educational programs. These are also special purpose programs. Educational programs include electronic textbooks, training simulators. Often, a game form is used for learning purposes. This combination is especially popular for young children.

Briefly about the main

The computer software is divided into three parts: system software, application software and programming systems.

With application programs the user can directly solve his information tasks without resorting to programming.

Application software includes: office, multimedia, entertainment and educational, professional and other programs.

Questions and tasks

1. What is computer software?

2. What tasks does the application software perform?

3. Name the main types of general-purpose application programs.

4. What are special purpose applications?

About system software and programming systems

The main topics of the paragraph:

What is an operating system;
- interactive mode;
- service programs;
- programming systems.

Issues under study:

The concept of software.
- Software types
- Composition of application software.
- System software and operating system functions.
- The concept of interactive mode of operation.
- Service programs.
- Programming system - a tool for the work of a programmer.

What is an operating system

What application programs are for is easy to understand. What is system software?

The main part of the system software is operating system(OS).

An operating system is a set of programs that manage memory, processor, external devices and files, as well as leading a dialogue with the user.

The operating system has a lot of work to do, and it is in working condition almost all the time. For example, in order to execute an application program, it must be found in external memory(on disk), place it in RAM (having found free space there), start program execution, monitor the operation of all computer devices during execution, and display diagnostic messages in case of failures. All these concerns are taken care of by the operating system.

Here are the names of some common operating systems for personal computers: Windows, Linux, MacOS.

interactive mode

The operating system communicates with the user through a specific dialog environment (shell) displayed on the screen: “Desktop”, file manager, etc. Wanting to perform some action, the user sends the corresponding command to the OS, acting on the elements of the dialog environment. For example, it can be a command to launch an application program, a command to perform an operation with files (delete a file, copy, etc.), a command to report the current time or date, a command to restart the computer. After completion of this stage of work, the operating system enters the state of waiting for the next command from the user.

This mode of operation is called conversational mode.. Thanks to the OS, the user never feels left to their own devices. All operating systems on personal computers work with the user in a dialogue mode. Dialogue mode is often referred to as interactive mode..

Service programs

In addition to the OS, system software should also include a lot of service programs, service nature. For example, these are disk maintenance programs (copying, formatting, "healing", etc.), compressing files on disks (archivers), fighting computer viruses, and much more.

computer virus called malicious programming code, which can damage the data on the computer or disable it. The main carriers of viruses are: unlicensed software, files copied from random sources, as well as the global computer network Internet. Computer viruses are dealt with by experts who create anti-virus programs.

Anti-virus programs must be included in the computer software. However, it is not enough to install such a program on a computer only once. After that, you need to regularly update its database - add settings for new types of viruses. Most promptly, such an update is performed via the Internet by servers of manufacturers of anti-virus programs.

Programming systems

In addition to system and application software, there is a third type of software. It is called programming systems (SP).

The programming system is a complex tools, designed to work with programs in one of the programming languages.

Programmers work with programming systems. They are developing computer programs. Each joint venture is focused on a certain programming language. There are many different languages, such as Pascal, BASIC, FORTRAN, C ("C"), Assembler, LISP, etc. In these languages, a programmer writes programs, and with the help of programming systems enters them into a computer, debugs, tests, executes.

Programmers create all kinds of programs: system, applied and new programming systems.

Briefly about the main

System software- a mandatory part of the software. Its core is the operating system (OS). The OS is directly connected with the hardware and controls its operation, organizes work with files, and conducts a dialogue with the user.

To service programs include disk maintenance programs, archivers, antivirus programs, etc.

Programming systems- tools for programmers.

Questions and tasks

1. What types of software are available on modern computers? Prepare a message.

2. What is an operating system (OS)? What are its main functions?

3. What is the interactive mode of communication between the OS and the user?

4. What are programming systems for? Who works with them?

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What is software? Examples of it practical use we meet every day, sitting down at the computer. Even just moving the mouse across the screen is the result of the software. What are the types of software? How is software development done?

Software: theory

The operation of a computer is carried out through the combined use of hardware and software. The first refers to a set of chips, boards and other electronic components and devices that make up a PC. Under the second - computer programs that are designed to process information and perform useful actions using a PC. The first is often called "hardware" in slang, the second - "software".

The software appears on the computer through installation - placing the appropriate files on the disk. In some cases it is necessary to update the software. This is, in fact, a re-installation of a more advanced and modern version of the software. That it is necessary to possess so-called "distribution kit". It is a specialized installer program.

There are two main types of software - system and application. The first variety ensures the operation of the PC in terms of its main functions: starting, loading, and performing low-level computing operations. The main varieties of system software are considered to be as well as the means of controlling the hardware components of the computer and their settings.

These are programs with the help of which practically significant actions are performed on a PC. For example, typing, building tables, drawing, using the Internet, etc.

To simplify the language, it can be summarized as follows: system software is for the computer, application software is for the user. Another way to explain the difference plain language: the work is usually not visible. They perform their functions without "coordination" with the user, in a hidden mode. In turn, only with the direct participation of the user does the application software work. We will look at examples of both of these today.

There are, of course, "non-computer" types of software. They can control other kinds of devices - for example, tablets, smartphones, TVs. There is software for climate control systems, industrial facilities, etc.

What is an operating system?

OS is the basic type of system software from the point of view of exploiting the capabilities of a PC. Why is it classified in this category of software? The fact is that in the environments formed by operating systems, all other computer software (both system and application) work. The OS is the basis for the operation of the PC. If there is no operating system, then no other program will work. The main processes of the OS are hidden from the user.

The most common PC OS in the world is Windows (the most popular, there are a lot of its versions - 7th, 8th, XP and others), Linux, MacOS.

System software: drivers

The second, perhaps, most important type of system software is the driver. They are designed to ensure the correct operation of hardware components. If the drivers for the disk are not installed on the computer, it will not function. Similarly - for a video card, mouse, modem and even a processor. Typical network software is a router or modem driver. This type Software is usually supplied by hardware manufacturers (and in many cases included with operating systems).

This is the essence of system software. Next in line are application software, examples of the most popular solutions and the main features that are offered to users.

Applied software: antiviruses, utilities

Common types of application software are antiviruses and utilities. The former are designed to protect the PC from malware, which can disable other software or even computer hardware components. Some of the most popular antiviruses in Russia are NOD32, DrWeb, Kaspersky. Utilities are designed to ensure the stable operation of the PC, monitor how well the processor, disks, memory and other hardware components of the computer work.

Popular Microsoft Word

Which of the specific samples of application software are most in demand today? First of all, it concerns programs for word processing. This kind of operation on a computer is historically the very first. One of the world's most popular programs for word processing and related operations (drawing tables, graphs, etc.) is Word. It was developed by one of the largest corporations in the world - American Microsoft. Its Russian transcription is acceptable, which sounds like "Word program".

To date, several versions of this software have been released. The functions in each of them are different, but the basic (and most demanded in practice) task performed by MS Word in one modification or another is text formatting, saving it to a file and ensuring (if necessary) its correct output to the printer.

Microsoft Word Features

"Word program" can perform a huge number of operations. Namely:

Formatting letters and paragraphs (selecting the font of the desired size and basic attributes - underlining, writing in bold, italics, line spacing, etc.)

Decor appearance pages (setting the color and pattern on the background, adding graphics, pictures, etc.)

Adding accompanying text elements (tables, graphs, icons, etc.)

Learning how to use Word is very easy. Many of the program controls are intuitive. It is also worth noting that Microsoft, which released Word, provided its solution with a detailed help system, which the user can access by pressing F1 on the keyboard.

Popular Applications: Microsoft Excel

An example of another popular application software is Microsoft Excel(in Russian - "Excel program"). Her area of ​​expertise is spreadsheet calculations. Such solutions greatly simplify the work with numbers.

Although this program is considered professional, even novice users can master the basic methods of working with it (which is why it has gained worldwide fame).

Microsoft Excel: features

The most basic operations in Excel are displaying text and numbers in the form of tables. The working field of the program, in fact, looks like a large number of cells, in each of which you can enter something. A more complicated procedure is the construction of graphs, the introduction of formulas. Operations that require professional training - programming of the so-called "macros" (a kind of internal programs), engineering calculations.

We list the most common types of tasks in practice that the "Excel program" can solve:

Mathematical calculations using numerical values ​​in tabular cells (summation, subtraction, division, multiplication, building progressions, etc.);

Application of formulas for account automation;

Drawing up reports, forms, questionnaires and other documents that look most comfortable in the form of tables;

Construction of graphs, visualization of statistics using charts.

Just like with Word, using Excel is very easy to learn on your own. The program controls are largely intuitive. This type of software is also equipped with a detailed help system (which can be useful not only for a novice user, but also for a professional).

Popular Applications: Adobe Photoshop

Often users have a need to use one interesting program - Photoshop. For Windows 7, 8 or XP, it exists in a large number of versions. Officially, this program is called Adobe Photoshop. It is intended for drawing (such solutions are called "graphic editors"). It is used, as in the case of Word and Excel, by both novice users and professionals: designers, web developers, cartoon creators.

Photoshop refers to programs that process images in the so-called "raster" mode. What does it mean? We can say that the main part belongs to the category "raster" computer graphics. We are talking about images consisting of a large number of small dots (remember how a picture is built on a TV and monitor - the principle is the same). With the help of "raster" you can create absolutely any graphic elements. You can draw a portrait of a person, a house, a landscape - anything. In addition to "raster" graphics, there are also "vector" ones. Images based on it, in turn, can be built only according to the templates laid down in the program.

Adobe Photoshop Features

Using Photoshop, you can not only create pictures, but also make changes to ready-made ones. Hence the term "photoshop". You can, for example, modify objects in a photo, add something to them, retouch - with a lot of experience with Photoshop, everything can turn out very believable.

Adobe Photoshop works with most graphic file formats due to the large set of converters for different formats. The latter will transform graphic information from the file format to the native format of the Adobe Photoshop editor when reading from a file. When writing to a file, converters perform the reverse conversion.

What are the most popular types of operations that are performed in Photoshop? These include the following:

Create new drawings using virtual brushes, pencils, rulers, shapes using different colors;

Changing the size of pictures or their individual elements;

Combining the content of two different images;

Change the color of the picture or its parts;

Application of visual effects due to the templates and algorithms built into the program;

Image transformation (reflection, rotation, etc.).

Just like with Word and Excel, Photoshop's controls are easy to learn intuitively. So even an inexperienced user will be able to draw something. Many of the versions of the program are equipped with a help system in Russian, which tells in detail how to work with Photoshop.

Popular types of application software: browsers

A browser is a program with which users access the Internet, read news from websites, write messages on social networks, watch videos - in a word, they do everything that is typical for "virtual space". The world's most popular solutions of this type - Internet Explorer Opera, Google Chrome. There are a very large number of their analogues and subtypes. The functionality of each of them is generally the same. Most users prefer to use one or the other, based on a subjective assessment of the quality of the design of programs and the convenience of the location of controls on them.

The principle of operation of browsers is based on recognizing the hypertext markup language (called HTML) and converting it into user-friendly visual elements - text, pictures, tables, videos, animations, message forms, etc.

Browsers: features

Samples of such software are arranged very simply. The main elements of the browser are a line with the site address and the main field (most often called the "web interface"), where information from the Internet is displayed. main feature such a program - it is an intermediary between the PC user and other people in the virtual space. That is, with the help of a browser (more precisely, a "web interface"), a person, in fact, can exchange data by sending something from himself (text, files) and receiving something from others. Was there an internet before browsers were invented? Undoubtedly. The fact is that the "web interface" is historically not the very first way of communication between users. It appeared after many years of international harmonization of standards according to which the exchange of "virtual" information should be carried out.

Software: paid and free

One of the criteria for classifying software is cost. There are three categories of solutions. Firstly, it is completely free. Secondly, there is a commercial one. If the user wants to use such software, then he must pay for its installation. Thirdly, there is an intermediate type of software - shareware. What is its feature? In general, the use of such software is as follows: you do not need to pay for the installation, but after using the program for some time (for example, a month), you will need to transfer cash developer for continued use.

What is "cloud technology"?

In recent years, the term "cloud computing" has become very popular. What is this phenomenon? " Cloud technologies"- this, in simple terms, is application software that can be launched from a browser (accordingly, it is not installed on a PC). Consider an example. Microsoft Word, which we talked about above, starts double click by icon on the desktop. But there is the same solution but "cloudy": the use of this type of software is carried out through the browser's web interface. As a rule, the files that the user works with using such software are also stored on the Internet.

A lot of programs now exist in the "cloud" format. There were even versions of operating systems of this type. So we can say that the "cloud" format is not only applied, but also system software. The popularity of such solutions today is associated with the fast speed of the Internet (this was not the case a few years ago), as well as saving the user's time - there is no need to install anything on a PC. By the way, cloud-type software updates occur independently of the user. This is also convenient.

Who develops the software?

There is a whole branch of the economy, within the framework of which software development is carried out - programming. It employs people with a wide variety of knowledge profiles. But they are united by a common feature - knowledge of programming languages. Using one or more of them, a person writes software. A programming language is a set of commands that are recognized by the hardware components of a computer. Having written a "phrase" built in a certain way, a person creating software gives an "instruction" to the processor, or, say, to a PC disk, to perform such and such an operation on the file. There are hundreds of languages ​​in which software development is carried out. Among the popular ones are C ("C"), Java, Pascal, Ruby-on-Rails.

Is it difficult to learn how to write software?

Not at all. Anyone can become a software developer. Creating software is not a prohibited activity at all. Many successful entrepreneurs got their start by developing software. Examples of such people are Bill Gates, Linux Torvalds, Evgeny Kaspersky. You can learn languages ​​for creating software based on a large amount of available literature, video tutorials, or by visiting specialized courses. Software development is one of the fastest growing industries, and its growth in popularity is mainly due to universal accessibility.

Software (English) ssoftware) is a set of programs that ensure the functioning of computers and the solution of problems of subject areas with their help. Software (SW) is an integral part computer system, is a logical continuation of technical means and determines the scope of the computer.

BY modern computers includes a wide variety of programs, which can be divided into three groups (Fig. 3.1):

1. System software (system programs);

2. Application software (application programs);

3. Tooling (tool systems).

System software (SW) are programs that control the operation of a computer and perform various auxiliary functions, for example, managing computer resources, creating copies of information, checking the performance of computer devices, issuing help information about a computer, etc. They are intended for all categories of users, are used for efficient work computer and user, as well as the efficient execution of application programs.

Operating systems occupy a central place among system programs. operating systems). operating system (OS) is a set of programs designed to manage the loading, launch and execution of other user programs, as well as to plan and manage computer computing resources, i.e. control of the PC operation from the moment it is turned on until the moment the power is turned off. It loads automatically when the computer is turned on, conducts a dialogue with the user, manages the computer, its resources (RAM, disk space, etc.), launches other programs for execution, and provides the user and programs with a convenient way to communicate - interface - with computer devices. In other words, the operating system ensures the functioning and interconnection of all components of the computer, and also provides the user with access to its hardware capabilities.

The OS determines the performance of the system, the degree of data protection, the choice of programs with which you can work on a computer, and hardware requirements. Examples of OS are MS DOS, OS/2, Unix, Windows 9x, Windows XP.

Service systems expand the capabilities of the OS for system maintenance, provide user convenience. This category includes maintenance systems, software shells and OS environments, as well as utility programs.

Maintenance systems is a set of PC software and hardware tools that perform monitoring, testing and diagnostics and are used to check the functioning of computer devices and detect malfunctions during computer operation. They are a tool for specialists in the operation and repair of computer hardware.

To organize a more convenient and visual user interface with a computer, software shells operating systems - programs that allow the user to perform actions to manage computer resources other than those provided by the OS (more understandable and efficient). The most popular shells include the Norton Commander packages ( Symantec), FAR (File and Archive manager) ( E. Roshal).

Utilities (utilities, lat. utilitas- benefit) - these are auxiliary programs that provide the user with a number of additional services for the implementation of frequently performed work or increase the convenience and comfort of work. These include:

 Packers (archivers) that allow you to more densely record information on disks, as well as combine copies of several files into one, so-called archive file (archive);

 anti-virus programs designed to prevent infection with computer viruses and eliminate the consequences of infection;

 disk space optimization and quality control programs;

 programs for information recovery, formatting, data protection;

 programs for recording CDs;

 Drivers - programs that expand the capabilities of the operating system to manage input / output devices, RAM, etc. When you connect new devices to your computer, you need to install the appropriate drivers;

 communication programs that organize the exchange of information between computers, etc.

Some utilities are part of the operating system, and some are marketed as stand-alone software products, such as the multifunctional Norton Utilities utility package ( Symantec).

Application software (PPO) is designed to solve user problems. Its composition includes user applications And application packages (PPP) for various purposes .

application program user is any program that contributes to the solution of a problem within a given problem area. Application programs can be used either standalone or as part of software systems or packages.

Application packages (PPP) are specially organized software systems designed for general use in a specific problem area and supplemented by appropriate technical documentation. There are the following types of PPP:

 General PPP- universal software products designed to automate a wide class of user tasks. These include:

Text editors(for example, MS Word, Word Perfect, Lexicon);

Table processors(for example, MS Excel, Lotus 1-2-3, Quattro Pro);

Dynamic Presentation Systems(for example, MS Power Point, FreelanceGraphics, Harvard Graphics);

Database management systems(for example, MS Access, Oracle, MS SQL Server, Informix);

Graphic editor(for example, Corel Draw, Adobe Photoshop);

Publishing systems(for example, Page Maker, Venture Publisher);

Design automation systems(for example, BPWin, ERWin);

Electronic dictionaries and translation systems(e.g. Prompt, Socrates, Lingvo , Context);

Text recognition systems(e.g. Fine Reader, Cunei Form).

General purpose systems are often integrated into multi-component packages for office automation - office packages – Microsoft Office, StarOffice, etc.

 method-oriented RFP, which are based on the implementation of mathematical methods for solving problems. These include, for example, mathematical data processing systems (Mathematica, MathCad, Maple), statistical data processing systems (Statistica, Stat .);

 problem-oriented RFP designed to solve a specific problem in a specific subject area. For example, information and legal systems YurExpert, YurInform; accounting and control packages 1C: Accounting, Galaxy, Angelica; in the field of marketing - Kasatka, Marketing Expert; banking system STBank;

 integrated PPP are a set of several software products combined into a single tool. The most developed of them include a text editor, a personal manager (organizer), a spreadsheet, a database management system, e-mail support tools, a program for creating presentation graphics. The results obtained by individual subroutines can be combined into a final document containing tabular, graphical and textual material. These include, for example, MS Works. Integrated packages, as a rule, contain some kind of kernel, which provides the possibility of close interaction between components.

Typically, application software packages have customization tools that allow them to be adapted to the specifics of the subject area during operation.

TO tool software include: programming systems – for the development of new programs, for example, Pascal, BASIC. They usually include: editor texts, which provides the creation and editing of programs in the original programming language (source programs), translator, and routine libraries; instrumental environments for developing applications, for example, C ++, Delphi, Visual Basic, Java, which include visual programming tools; simulation systems , for example, the MatLab simulation system, BpWin business process modeling systems and ErWin databases, and others.

Translator (English) translator- translator) is a translator program that converts a program from a high-level language into a program consisting of machine instructions. Translators are implemented in the form compilers or interpreters, which differ significantly in terms of how they work.

Compiler(English) compiler- compiler, collector) reads the entire program entirely, translates it and creates a complete version of the program in machine language, which is then executed. Compiling produces an executable program that requires neither the source program nor a compiler to run.

Interpreter(English) interpreter– interpreter, interpreter) translates and executes the program line by line. The program processed by the interpreter must be re-translated into machine language each time it is run.

Compiled programs run faster, but interpreted programs are easier to fix and change.

Software (Software) means a set of programs,

performed by the computer system.

Software (SW) also includes the entire area of ​​activity in the design and development of software:

Program design technology (for example, top-down design, structural and object-oriented design, etc.);

Methods for proving the correctness of programs;

Analysis of the quality of programs;

Program documentation;

Development and use software tools, facilitating the process of software design, and much more.

Software is an integral part of a computer system. It is a logical continuation of technical means. The scope of a specific computer is determined by the software created for it.

The computer itself does not have knowledge in any area of ​​application.

All this knowledge is concentrated in programs running on computers.

The software of modern computers includes millions of programs - from games to science.

As a first approximation, all programs running on a computer can be divided into three categories (Fig. 1):

Application programs that directly ensure the performance of the work required by users;

System programs that perform various auxiliary functions, for example:

Computer resource management;

Creation of copies of used information;

Checking the health of computer devices;

Issuance of reference information about the computer, etc.;

Tool software systems that facilitate the process of creating new programs for the computer.

When constructing a software classification, one must take into account the fact that the rapid development of computer technology and the expansion of the scope of computer applications have sharply accelerated the process of software evolution.

If earlier it was possible to list on the fingers the main categories of software - operating systems, translators, application software packages, now the situation has changed radically.

The development of software has gone both in depth (new approaches to the construction of operating systems, programming languages, etc.) and in breadth (applied programs have ceased to be applied and have acquired independent value).

The balance between required software products and those available on the market is changing rapidly. Even classical software products, such as operating systems, are constantly evolving and endowed with intellectual functions, many of which previously belonged only to human intellectual capabilities.

In addition, non-traditional programs have appeared, which are very difficult, if not impossible, to classify according to established criteria, such as, for example, a program - an electronic interlocutor.

To date, we can say that the following groups of software have more or less definitely developed:

Operating systems and shells;

Programming systems (translators, libraries of subroutines, debuggers, etc.);

Tool systems;

Integrated software packages;

dynamic spreadsheets;

Computer graphics systems;

Database management systems (DBMS);

Application software.

The software structure is shown in fig. 6.2. Of course, this classification cannot be considered exhaustive, but it more or less clearly reflects the direction of improvement and development of software.

An application program is any specific program contributing to the solution

any task within the given problem area.

Professional-oriented software - application software designed to solve problems within an industry.

For example, where a computer is entrusted with the task of controlling the financial activities of a firm, the payroll program will be the application.

Application programs can also be of a general nature, for example, provide for the compilation and printing of documents, etc.

In contrast, the operating system or tool software does not directly contribute to satisfying the user's end needs.

Application programs can be used either autonomously, that is, to solve the task without the help of other programs, or as part of software systems or packages.

System programs are executed together with application programs and serve to manage computer resources - central processing unit, memory, I/O.

These are programs common use, which are intended for all computer users. System software is designed to enable the computer to run application programs efficiently.

Among tens of thousands of system programs, a special place is occupied by operating systems that provide management of computer resources in order to use them effectively.

Important classes of system programs are also auxiliary programs - utilities (lat. utilitas - benefit). They either expand and complement the corresponding capabilities of the operating system, or solve independent important tasks. Let's briefly describe some types of utilities:

Monitoring, testing and diagnostic programs that are used to check the correct functioning of computer devices and to detect malfunctions during operation; indicate the cause and location of the malfunction;

Driver programs that expand the operating system's ability to manage I / O devices, RAM, etc.; using drivers, it is possible to connect new devices to the computer or non-standard use of existing ones;

Packers (archivers) that allow you to write information on disks more densely, as well as combine copies of several files into one archive file;

Antivirus programs designed to prevent infection by computer viruses and eliminate the consequences of virus infection.

Rice. 2. Computer software structure

Computer virus- this is a specially written small-sized program that can "attribute" itself to other programs to perform any harmful actions - it corrupts files, "clogs" RAM, etc.

Disk space optimization and quality control programs;

Programs for information recovery, formatting, data protection;

Communication programs organizing the exchange of information between computers;

Memory management software for more flexible use random access memory;

Programs for burning CD-ROM, CD-R and many others.

Some of the utilities are part of the operating system, while the other part functions independently of it, i.e. offline. ent Environments).

Basic Software Concepts

COMPUTER SOFTWARE

Control questions

1. What is computer architecture?

2. What are the principles of building a computer, formulated by von Neumann.

3. What devices are included in the von Neumann computer?

4. What electronic elements are located on motherboard?

5. What are the main functions of the microprocessor?

6. What is clock frequency?

7. What is the capacity of a microprocessor?

8. What models of microprocessors do you know?

9. What is the purpose of memory devices?

10. What is RAM and ROM?

11. What is abbreviated as RAM?

12. What is the minimum portion of information in memory devices for PC?

13. What is the purpose system bus?

14. Name the main groups of keys on a standard keyboard.

15. What port is the mouse connected to?

16. What is the purpose of the monitor?

17. Describe the principle of operation of matrix, inkjet and laser printers?

18. What are tracks and sectors on a magnetic disk?

19. Why format disks?

20. What is laser disc?

21. What is a driver?

22. What are the types of ports?

A computer is a software-controlled automatic device to work with information. Without programs, any computer is "dead iron" The capabilities of a computer as the technical basis of a data processing system are associated with the software (programs) used.

Program (program, routine) is an ordered sequence of computer commands (instructions) for solving a problem.

Software- a set of data processing programs.

task (problem, task)- a problem to be solved.

application- software implementation on a computer to solve the problem.

Software The software can be divided into three groups:

– system programs;

– application programs;

- programming systems.

Systemic called programs that organize the computational process and manage computer resources.

They are designed to control the operation of devices that make up a computer, organize communication with the user (user interface), and work with the file system.

System programs consist of:

– operating systems (OS),

- operating shells,

– special programs.

Operating system (OS)- a set of programs that provide support for the operation of computer hardware, networks and all programs.

When you turn on the power of the computer, the operating system is loaded into the RAM first of all, under the control of which the health check and all subsequent operation of the computer take place. The work is also completed under OS control.

OS

Operating systems are classified by:

- number of concurrent users single player And multiplayer OS;

– the number of tasks simultaneously executed under OS control, per single-tasking And multitasking;

- the number of processors in use uniprocessor And multiprocessor;

- bit depth processor to 8-bit, 16-bit, 32-bit, 64-bit;

- user interface type command(text) and object-oriented(graphic);

– the way in which shared hardware and software resources are used on network And local.

The main difference multiuser systems from single-user is the availability of means of protecting each user's information from unauthorized access by other users.

IN multitasking each task (program, application) is allocated some portion of the processor time in turn. Since the switching process is very fast, and the shares of processor time allocated to tasks are quite small, the user gets the impression that several tasks are being performed simultaneously.

Operating system MS-DOS is a command (text) OS for 16-bit computers based on 8086...80486 microprocessors. All MS-DOS programs are stored on magnetic disks, which is why it is called disk operating system(Disk operating system). The letters MS are short for Microsoft. Several modifications of this OS were released, so we can talk about the whole family of operating systems MS DOS.

Operating systems of the Windows family

When creating the operating system of the Windows family, Microsoft used object-oriented approach.

At the user level, an object-oriented approach is expressed in the fact that the interface is a semblance of the real world, and working with a computer is reduced to actions with ordinary objects. So, folders can be opened, closed, moved, put away in a briefcase. Documents can be viewed, corrected, moved from one place to another, destroyed or thrown into the trash.

The principles of Windows OS are:

– WYSIWYG(What You See Is What You Get - what you see is what you get), due to which the same image is formed on the printer as on the display screen. When working in DOS, the appearance of text on the monitor screen and printed on the printer may turn out to be different. It depends on the font selected on the printer.

– Plug and Play(plug and play, more precisely, plug and play) allows without manual setting connect new devices to the computer, such as a printer or laser player. The English term Plug and Play in Russian is pronounced plug and play. An OS that supports this principle automatically selects the driver necessary for the operation of a new device connected to the computer.

- technology Drag and Drop(drag and drop). Thanks to Drag and Drop technology, it is easy to change the position of any window and its size.

In Windows, you can compose documents from parts that are prepared in various applications. Technology is used to link and embed documents OLE(Object Linking and Embedding), which means "linking and embedding objects."

When working in the operating room Windows system programs are called applications.

The advantage of operating systems of the Windows family is unified user interface(shell), thanks to which the same principles for managing their work are preserved in different programs. This provides the ability to perform multiple tasks at the same time.

In this case, the user interface of each program is placed in a separate rectangular area, which is called window.

Operating shells –– graphical add-ons designed to facilitate work with the operating system. The most popular in Russia are Norton Commander, DOS Navigator, Windows Commander, etc.

Special Programs –– perform some Additional services systemic nature. These programs are divided into utilities and drivers.

Utilities- designed to perform frequently repeated operations, for example, formatting magnetic disks, defragmenting disks, archiving files, restoring accidentally deleted files, search and removal of viruses, etc.

Drivers- system programs that ensure the operation of printers, disk drives, displays, keyboards, etc. The word "driver" comes from the English word driver - driver, driver.

Application Software Packages (APPs)

An application program package is a complex of interrelated programs for solving problems of a certain class of a specific subject area.

Application programs, enable the user to directly solve their information tasks.

The application software, in turn, is divided into two parts:

– general purpose applications ,

- professionally oriented programs.

TO general purpose applications include programs that most users need, regardless of their professional interests. They include:

– word processing systems ( word processors);

– computer graphics systems (graphic editors);

– tabular calculation systems - spreadsheets (spreadsheet processors);

– user-oriented database management systems;

- presentation development tools;

- programs that provide work with email and work with the Internet.

Career-Oriented Programs compose specialized programs for specialists with a narrow range of tasks.

Programming systems - tool for professional programmers.

Each such system is focused on a specific programming language: Pascal, BASIC, Fortran, C, Assembler, etc. Programming systems allow you to create program texts, debug and execute programs. All the types of software listed above are created by programmers using specially created programming systems.