Computer - Hardware
Hardware represents the physical and tangible components of a computer, i.e. the
components that can be seen and touched.
Examples of Hardware are the following −
Input devices − keyboard, mouse, etc.
Output devices − printer, monitor, etc.
Secondary storage devices − Hard disk, CD, DVD, etc.
Internal components − CPU, motherboard, RAM, etc.
Relationship between Hardware and Software
Hardware and software are mutually dependent on each other. Both of them
must work together to make a computer produce a useful output.
Software cannot be utilized without supporting hardware.
Hardware without a set of programs to operate upon cannot be utilized and is
useless.
To get a particular job done on the computer, relevant software should be loaded
into the hardware.
Hardware is a one-time expense.
Software development is very expensive and is a continuing expense.
Different software applications can be loaded on a hardware to run different jobs.
A software acts as an interface between the user and the hardware.
If the hardware is the 'heart' of a computer system, then the software is its 'soul'.
Both are complementary to each other.
Computer - Software
Software is a set of programs, which is designed to perform a well-defined function. A
program is a sequence of instructions written to solve a particular problem.
There are two types of software −
System Software
Application Software
System Software
The system software is a collection of programs designed to operate, control, and
extend the processing capabilities of the computer itself. System software is generally
prepared by the computer manufacturers. These software products comprise of
programs written in low-level languages, which interact with the hardware at a very
basic level. System software serves as the interface between the hardware and the
end users.
Some examples of system software are Operating System, Compilers, Interpreter,
Assemblers, etc.
Here is a list of some of the most prominent features of a system software −
Close to the system
Fast in speed
Difficult to design
Difficult to understand
Less interactive
Smaller in size
Difficult to manipulate
Generally written in low-level language
Application Software
Application software products are designed to satisfy a particular need of a particular
environment. All software applications prepared in the computer lab can come under
the category of Application software.
Application software may consist of a single program, such as Microsoft's notepad for
writing and editing a simple text. It may also consist of a collection of programs, often
called a software package, which work together to accomplish a task, such as a
spreadsheet package.
Examples of Application software are the following −
Payroll Software
Student Record Software
Inventory Management Software
Income Tax Software
Railways Reservation Software
Microsoft Office Suite Software
Microsoft Word
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft PowerPoint
Features of application software are as follows −
Close to the user
Easy to design
More interactive
Slow in speed
Generally written in high-level language
Easy to understand
Easy to manipulate and use
Bigger in size and requires large storage space
Computer - Operating System
The Operating System is a program with the following features −
An operating system is a program that acts as an interface between the software
and the computer hardware.
It is an integrated set of specialized programs used to manage overall resources
and operations of the computer.
It is a specialized software that controls and monitors the execution of all other
programs that reside in the computer, including application programs and other
system software.
Objectives of Operating System
The objectives of the operating system are −
To make the computer system convenient to use in an efficient manner.
To hide the details of the hardware resources from the users.
To provide users a convenient interface to use the computer system.
To act as an intermediary between the hardware and its users, making it easier
for the users to access and use other resources.
To manage the resources of a computer system.
To keep track of who is using which resource, granting resource requests, and
mediating conflicting requests from different programs and users.
To provide efficient and fair sharing of resources among users and programs.
Characteristics of Operating System
Here is a list of some of the most prominent characteristic features of Operating
Systems −
Memory Management − Keeps track of the primary memory, i.e. what part of it
is in use by whom, what part is not in use, etc. and allocates the memory when
a process or program requests it.
Processor Management − Allocates the processor (CPU) to a process and
deallocates the processor when it is no longer required.
Device Management − Keeps track of all the devices. This is also called I/O
controller that decides which process gets the device, when, and for how much
time.
File Management − Allocates and de-allocates the resources and decides who
gets the resources.
Security − Prevents unauthorized access to programs and data by means of
passwords and other similar techniques.
Job Accounting − Keeps track of time and resources used by various jobs
and/or users.
Control Over System Performance − Records delays between the request for
a service and from the system.
Interaction with the Operators − Interaction may take place via the console of
the computer in the form of instructions. The Operating System acknowledges
the same, does the corresponding action, and informs the operation by a display
screen.
Error-detecting Aids − Production of dumps, traces, error messages, and other
debugging and error-detecting methods.
Coordination Between Other Software and Users − Coordination and
assignment of compilers, interpreters, assemblers, and other software to the
various users of the computer systems.
