Unit 4 Session 1: Software Types: System and Application | IT 231 BBA Slides

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Unit 4 · Session 1

Software Types: System and Application

IT 231: IT and Applications (BBA)

Today's focus

  1. An Introduction to Software
  2. System Software vs Application Software

An Introduction to Software

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, you will be able to:

  • ✅ Define software and explain its fundamental role in a computer system.
  • ✅ Differentiate between the two primary types of software: System and Application.
  • ✅ Recognize that software is created using programming languages.
  • ✅ Identify the common ways software can be acquired.

What is Software? SOFTWARE

Definition: Software is a set of instructions, data, or programs used to operate computers and execute specific tasks.

⚡ In simple terms, it's the "brain" that tells the physical "body" (hardware) what to do.

Without software, a computer is just a collection of metal and plastic.

Activity: Hardware or Software?

For each item, click the correct category. Get all 6 right!

Analogy: The Restaurant

Hardware ⚙️

The physical components.

  • The Kitchen
  • Ovens, Stoves
  • Plates, Knives
  • Ingredients

Software 📜

The instructions and processes.

  • The Recipe
  • The Menu
  • The Chef's Skills
  • The Service Workflow

The kitchen (hardware) is useless without the recipe (software) to create the meal.

Activity: Match the Analogy

Each restaurant item maps to a computer concept. Click the correct match for each row.

The Software Hierarchy

Software acts as a bridge between the user and the hardware.

You (The User)

interacts with

▼

Application Software (e.g., Chrome, Word)

which runs on

▼

System Software (e.g., Windows, macOS)

which manages the

▼

Hardware (CPU, RAM, Storage)

The Two Main Categories 📊

All software can be broadly classified into two types.

1. System Software

Manages the computer itself.

2. Application Software

Performs specific tasks for the user.

Activity: Sort the Software

Click each software name and assign it to the correct category.

System Software
Application Software

🔍 Deep Dive: System Software

System Software: Works in the background to manage the fundamental operations of the computer system.

  • It's the foundation upon which application software runs.
  • Users typically don't interact with it directly.

Examples: Operating Systems (Windows, Android), Device Drivers, Utility Programs (Antivirus, Disk Cleanup).

🔍 Deep Dive: Application Software

Application Software: Programs designed for end-users to perform specific tasks or activities.

  • This is the software you use every day to be productive or entertained.
  • Also known as "apps" or "programs".

Examples: Microsoft Word (Word Processing), Google Chrome (Web Browser), Photoshop (Image Editing), Valorant (Game).

How is Software Created?

Programming Languages 💻

Software is written by developers using special languages that computers can understand and execute.

Python

Used for AI, web development, data science.

JavaScript

The language of web browsers and interactive websites.

Java

Powers many large-scale enterprise systems and Android apps.

How Do We Get Software?

Software Acquisition Methods

Commercial (Off-the-shelf)

Buy or subscribe to ready-made software.
Example: Microsoft Office 365, Adobe Photoshop.

Custom (Bespoke)

Hire developers to build software for a specific need.
Example: A bank's internal transaction system.

Open Source

Free to use, modify, and distribute. Maintained by a community.
Example: Linux OS, VLC Media Player.

Activity: Which Method Would You Choose?

Read each scenario. Choose the best software acquisition method.

Practical Application in Nepal 🇳🇵

Identifying Software in Daily Life

Think about using a digital wallet like eSewa or Khalti to pay a utility bill:

  • Application Software: The eSewa/Khalti app on your phone. You directly interact with this.
  • System Software: The Android or iOS operating system that allows the app to run, use the camera, and connect to the internet.
  • Behind the Scenes: The banking systems they connect to are often custom-built (bespoke) application software running on powerful server operating systems (system software).

Key Takeaways 🎯

  • Software is the set of instructions that makes computer hardware useful.
  • System Software manages the computer, while Application Software performs user tasks.
  • Software is built using programming languages like Python, Java, and JavaScript.
  • We can acquire software by buying it, building it custom, or using free open-source alternatives.

System Software vs Application Software

Next focus

In this part of today's lecture, you will be able to:

  • ✅ Differentiate between system and application software.
  • ✅ Describe the main functions of an operating system.
  • ✅ Provide examples of both software types.

The Two Main Types of Software

All computer software falls into one of two categories.

System Software

Manages the computer and its hardware. It's the foundation.

Application Software

Performs specific tasks for you, the user. It's what you interact with.

Think of it as a house: System software is the foundation and wiring. Application software is the furniture and appliances.

Interactive: Sort It!

For each software below, press System or App to classify it. Score is shown at the bottom.

🔍 Deep Dive: System Software

System Software: Software designed to manage the computer's hardware and provide a platform for running application software.

  • Works in the background, mostly invisible to the user.
  • Coordinates hardware components (CPU, memory, storage).
  • Acts as the essential bridge between you and the hardware.

Types of System Software

1. Operating System (OS)

The most important system software. It's the "manager" of the computer.

  • Manages all hardware & software
  • Provides the user interface (UI)
  • Handles files, memory, and security

2. Utility Programs

Helps manage, maintain, and control computer resources.

  • Antivirus software
  • Backup tools
  • File compression (WinZip, 7-Zip)
  • Disk cleanup utilities

Interactive: OS or Utility?

Each question describes a task. Decide whether it is done by the Operating System or a Utility Program.

Examples: System Software

Operating Systems

  • Microsoft Windows 11
  • Apple macOS (Sonoma)
  • Linux (Ubuntu, Fedora)
  • Android (for mobile)
  • Apple iOS (for mobile)

Utility Programs

  • Windows Defender / Norton
  • WinRAR / 7-Zip
  • CCleaner
  • Google Drive (for backup)

🔍 Deep Dive: Application Software

Application Software (App): A program or group of programs designed to help the user perform specific tasks.

  • This is the software you directly interact with daily.
  • It solves a specific problem or provides entertainment.
  • Crucially: It relies on the system software (the OS) to run.

Categories of Application Software 📊

Productivity

Microsoft Word, Google Sheets, PowerPoint

Web Browsers

Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge

Communication

Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Viber, WhatsApp

Entertainment

VLC Player, Spotify, Netflix, Games

Interactive: Which Category?

Assign each app to the correct category: Productivity, Web Browser, Communication, or Entertainment.

How They Work Together

There is a clear hierarchy from the user down to the hardware.

User
(You)

↓ interacts with ↓

Application Software
(e.g., Chrome, Word)

↓ runs on top of ↓

System Software (OS)
(e.g., Windows, macOS)

↓ manages the ↓

Hardware
(CPU, RAM, Disk)

Interactive: Build the Stack

The four layers of the software hierarchy are shown below in the wrong order. Use the Up / Down arrow buttons to arrange them from top of the hierarchy (position 1) to bottom (position 4), then press Check.

Software in Daily Life (Nepal Context)

System Software ⚡

The Android OS on your Samsung or Xiaomi phone is system software. It manages your calls, battery, and storage.

Windows 11 on the PCs at your university's computer lab is the core system software.

Application Software ⚡

Using eSewa or Khalti to pay your internet bill is an application.

Booking a ride with Pathao or InDriver is an application.

Communicating with family on Viber is an application.

Let's Discuss 💡

Is a device driver (e.g., a printer driver) system software or application software?

Answer: It's System Software.

Why? It doesn't perform a task for the user directly. Instead, it helps the Operating System manage a specific piece of hardware (the printer).

Key Takeaways 🔑

  • Software is divided into two main categories: System and Application.
  • System Software (like the OS) manages the computer and works in the background. It's the foundation.
  • Application Software (like a browser or game) performs specific tasks for the user. It's what you interact with.
  • Application software cannot run without system software.

Thank You

Questions before we wrap this hour?

Next: Unit 4 · Session 2 — Software Acquisition and Programming Languages

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