EURO INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, SECTOR-45, GURGAON,HARYANA

CHAPTER 2 : HARDWARE & SOFTWARE CONCEPTS

What is hardware ?
The electronic components of a computer system that we can see and touch are called hardware.
Software is a general term used for computer programs that control the operations of the computer.
What is a program?
A program is a sequence of instructions that perform a particular task.
What is software and its types ?
A set of programs form a software. It is the software which gives hardware its capability. Hardware is of
no use without software and software cannot be used without hardware.
Types of Software Software can be broadly are categorized as:

What do you mean by System Software ?

System Software is the software that is directly related to coordinating computer operations and
performs tasks associated with controlling and utilizing computer hardware. These programs assist in
running application programs and are designed to control the operation of a computer system. System
software directs the computer what to do, when to do and how to do. System software can be further
categorized into
1. Operating System
2. Language Translators
3. Operating System
Write Short Note on Operating System?
An Operating system is the most important system software. It is a set of programs that control and
supervise the hardware of a computer and also provide services to application software,
programmers and users. It manages all hardware and software, input, output and processing
activities within the computer system, the flow of information to and from the processor, sets priorities
for handling different tasks, and so on. Without operating system a computer cannot do anything
useful. When a computer is switched on, the operating system is the first program that is loaded onto
Software
A user cannot communicate directly with the computer hardware, so the operating system acts as an
interface between the user and the computer hardware. Some of the popular operating systems used
in personal computers are DOS, Windows, Unix, Linux, Solaris, etc.
Differentiate between Single User or a Multiuser operating system.
A single user operating system allows only one user to work at any time but a multiuser operating
system allows two or more users to use a powerful computer at the same time. For example
Windows 7 is a single user operating system while Linux is a multiuser operating system. Need for
an Operating System
What are the functions of Operating System?
Operating system provides a platform, on top of which, other programs, called application programs
can run. It acts as an interface between the computer and the user. It is designed in such a manner
that it operates, controls and executes various applications on the computer. It also allows the
computer to manage its own resources such as memory, monitor, keyboard, printer etc. Our choice
of operating system, therefore, depends to a great extent on the CPU and the other attached devices
and the applications we want to run.
The operating system controls the various system hardware and software resources and allocates
them to the users or programs as per their requirement. Functions of an Operating System An
operating system has variety of functions to perform.
Some of the prominent functions of an operating system can be broadly outlined as:

 Processor Management:
 This deals with management of the Central Processing Unit (CPU).
 The operating system takes care of the allotment of CPU time to different processes. This is
called scheduling.
How do we classify operating System?
Types of Operating System OS are classified into the following types depending on their capability of
processing

 Single User and Single Task OS: It is used on a standalone single computer for performing a
single task. Operating systems for Personal Computers (PC) are single-user OS. Single user OS
are simple operating system designed to manage one task at a time. MS-DOS is an example of
single user OS.
 Multiuser OS is used in mini computers or mainframes that allow same data and applications to
be accessed by multiple users at the same time. The users can also communicate with each
other. Linux and UNIX are examples of multiuser OS.
 Multiprocessing OS have two or more processors for a single running process. Processing
takes place in parallel and is also called parallel processing. Each processor works on different
parts of the same task, or, on two or more different tasks. Since execution takes place in parallel,
they are used for high speed execution, and to increase the power of computer. Linux, UNIX and
Windows 7 are examples of multiprocessing OS.
 Time sharing Operating System: It allows execution of more than one tasks or processes
concurrently. For this, the processor time is divided amongst different tasks. This division of time
is also called time sharing. The processor switches rapidly between various processes. After the
stipulated time is over, the CPU shifts to next task in waiting,
 Real Time Operating System: It is a multitasking operating system designed for real time
applications like robotics. In this type of operating system, the tasks have to be done within a
fixed deadline. System performance is good if task is finished within this deadline. If it is not
done, the situation is called Deadline Overrun. Lesser the deadline over run, better is the system
efficiency. Hence Real Time operating systems depend not only on the logical result of the
computation but also on the time in which the results are produced.
 Distributed Operating System: On a network data is stored and processed on multiple
locations. The Distributed Operating System is used on networks as it allows shared data/files to
be accessed from any machine on the network in a transparent manner. We can insert and
remove the data and can even access all the input and output devices. The users feel as if all
data is available on their workstation itself.
 Interactive Operating System: This is the operating system that provides a Graphic User
Interface (GUI) through which the user can easily navigate and interact. The computer responds
almost immediately after an instruction has been entered, and the user can enter new
instructions after seeing the results of the previous instructions.

Name some Commonly Used Operating Systems?

Some of the commonly used operating systems are discussed below:
1. Windows: Microsoft launched Windows 1.0 operating system in 1985 and since then Windows has
ruled the world’s software market. It is a GUI (Graphic User Interface) and various versions of Windows
have been launched like Windows 95, Windows 98, Win NT, Windows XP, Windows 7 and the latest
being Windows 8.
2. Linux: Linux is a free and open software which means it is freely available for use and since its
source code is also available so anybody can use it, modify it and redistribute it. It can be downloaded
from www.linux.org. It is a very popular operating system used and supported by many companies. The
defining component of this operating system is the Linux kernel.
3. BOSS (Bharat Operating System Solutions): This is an Indian distribution of GNU/Linux. It consists of
Linux operating system kernel, office application suite, Bharateeya OO, Internet browser (Firefox),
multimedia applications and file sharing.
4. UNIX: It is a multitasking, multiuser operating system originally developed in 1969 at Bell Labs. It was
one of the first operating systems developed in a high level language, namely C. Due to its portability,
flexibility and power, UNIX is widely being used in a networked environment. Today, ”UNIX” and "Single
UNIX Specification" interface are owned and trademarked by The Open Group. There are many different
varieties of UNIX, although they share common similarities, the most popular being GNU/Linux and Mac
OS X.
5. Solaris: It is a free Unix based operating system introduced by Sun Microsystems in 1992. It is now
also known as Oracle Solaris. Solaris is registered as compliant with Single UNIX Specification. It is
quite scalable and is used on virtual machines. Mobile Operating Systems (Mobile OS) It is the operating
system that operates on digital mobile devices like smart phones and tablets. It extends the features of a
normal operating system for personal computers so as to include touch screen, Bluetooth, WiFi, GPS
mobile navigation, camera, music player and many more.
Which operating system are commonly used in Mobile Communication?
The most commonly used mobile operating systems are – Android and Symbian
Android: It is a Linux derived Mobile OS released on 5th November 2007 and by 2011 it had more than
50% of the global Smartphone market share. It is Google’s open and free software that includes an
operating system, middleware and some key applications for use on mobile devices. Android
applications are quiet user friendly and even one can easily customize the Smartphone with Android OS.
Various versions of Android OS have been released like 1.0, 1.5, 1.6, 2. x, 3.0 etc. Most Android phones
use the 2.x release while Android 3.0 is available only for tablets. The latest Android version released is
4.2.2. The Android releases have dessert inspired codenames like Cupcake, Honeycomb, Ice Cream
sandwich and Jelly Bean.
Symbian: This Mobile OS by Nokia (currently being maintained by Accenture) designed for
smartphones. It offers high level of functional integration between communication and personal
information management. It has an integrated mail box and it completely facilitates the usage of all
Google applications in your smartphone easily. Symbian applications are easy to shut down as
compared to Android applications. Various versions like S60 series, S80 series, S90 series, Symbian
Anna etc have been released. The latest Symbian releases (Symbian Belle) can support 48 languages.
Define Language Processors or the Translator System Software.
We know that computer understands instructions in machine code, i.e. in the form of 0s and 1s. It is
difficult for us to write computer program directly in machine code. The programs are written mostly in
high-level languages, i.e. BASIC, C++, Python etc. The Language Processor or translator system
software converts instruction written in HLL or Assembly Language into machine Language. The
language processors can be any of the following three types- Assembler, Compiler and Interpreter.
What is a source dode ?
A program written in any high-level programming language (or written in assembly language) is called
the Source Program or Source Code. The source code cannot be executed directly by the computer.
The source code must be converted into machine language to be executed. The program translated into
machine code is known as Object Program or Object code.
Define : Assembler , Compiler and Interpreter.
Assembler The Assembler is used to translate the program written in Assembly language into machine
code. The input of Assembler is a source program that contains assembly language instructions. The
output generated by assembler is the object code or machine code understandable by the computer.
Compiler The language processor that translates the complete source program as a whole in one go
into machine code is called compiler. Some of the examples are C and C++ compilers. The program
translated into machine code is called the object program. The source code is translated to object code
successfully if it is free of errors. If there are any errors in the source code, the compiler specifies the
errors at the end of compilation with line numbers. The errors must be removed before the compiler can
successfully recompile the source code again.
Interpreter The language processor that translates a single statement of source program into machine
code and executes it immediately before moving on to the next line is called an Interpreter. If there is an
error in the statement the interpreter terminates its translating process at that statement and displays an
error message. Only after removal of the error, the interpreter moves on to the next line for execution.
Define Utilities?
A utility software is one which provides certain tasks that help in proper maintenance of the computer.
The job of utility programs is to keep the computer system running smoothly. Nowadays many utility
software are part of the operating system itself. Even if there is no utility software on your computer, the
computer works but with the right kind of utility software loaded, the computer becomes more reliable
and even its processing speed increases. Some of the commonly use utility software are antivirus, Disk
defragmenter, backup, compression etc. 30
Antivirus An antivirus is utility software which detects and removes computer viruses. If the software is
not able to remove the virus, it is neutralized. The antivirus keeps a watch on the functioning of the
computer system. If a virus is found it may alert the user, flag the infected program or kill the virus. Some
of the common types of viruses are:
 Boot Sector Virus: A boot sector virus displaces the boot record and copies itself to the boot sector
i.e. where the program to boot the machine is stored. So first the virus is loaded on to the main memory
and then the operating system. Whenever a new disk is inserted the virus copies itself to the new disk.
The antivirus overwrites the correct boot record on the infected boot sector and also cleans the bad
sectors.

 File Virus: A file virus generally attacks executable files. They can attach to various locations of the
original file, replace code, fill in open spaces in the code, or create companion files to work with an
executable file. Most of the file viruses are memory resident and wait in the memory until the user runs
another program. While another program is running, the virus replicates.

 Macro Virus: This virus infects an important file called normal.dot of MS Word. As soon as the
application is opened the virus gets activated. It damages the formatting of documents and even may not
allow editing or saving of documents.

 Trojan Horse: It is a code generally hidden in games or spreadsheets. Since they are hidden, the
program seems to function as the user wants but actually it is destroying the program. A Trojan horse
does not require a host program to embed itself. It is a complete program. Its main objective is to cause
harm to the data. They can create bad sectors on the disk, destroy file allocation tables and cause the
system to hang.

 Worm: Worm is a program capable of replicating itself on a computer network. A worm also does not
require a host as it is a self contained program. They generally travel from one computer to another
across communication links on a network. They generally disrupt routine services.

 Disk Defragmenter The memory is used in small chunks randomly. Sometimes when a memory
chunk of appropriate size is not available, the operating system breaks or fragments the files resulting in
slower access to files. A disk defragmenter scans the hard disk for fragmented files and brings all the
fragments together.
 Backup Utility This utility is used to create the copy of the complete or partial data stored in a
disk or CD on any other disk. In case the hard disk crashes or some other system failure occurs, the files
can be restored using backup software.
 Compression Utility This utility is used to compress largeDisk Cleaner This utility scans for file
that have not been accessed/used since long. Such files might be occupying huge amount of memory
space. In that case the Disk Cleaner utility prompts the user to delete such files so as to create more
space on the disk. If the files are important, the user might take a backup before deleting them.
 File Management Tools This utility helps the user in storing, indexing, searching and sorting
files and folders on the system. The most commonly used tool is the Windows Explorer and Google
Desktop.

What is Application Software? Explain its types .

An application software is bought by the user to perform specific applications or tasks, say for example
making a document or making a presentation or handling inventory or managing the employee database.
An application software can be of two types –
General Purpose Application Software
Customized Application software.

General Purpose Application Software Some of the application software is made for the common
users for day to day applications and uses. These are also referred as Office Tools. The users may use
them in the manner they want. Some of the popular types of general purpose application software are
discussed below:
Word Processor, Presentation Tools, Spreadsheet Packages, Database Management System

Customized Software Customized Software is one which is tailor made as per the user’s requirement.
Such type of software is customer specific. It is made keeping in mind the individual needs of the user
and so are also referred as Domain Specific Tools. Such software cannot be installed and used by any
other user/customer since the requirements may differ. Some examples of customized software are
discussed below: Inventory Management System & Purchasing System , School Management System,
Payroll System, Financial Accounting, Reservation System, Weather Forecasting system

What do you understand by Open Source Concepts Software?

Open source concepts software are mainly categorised into the following categories based on their
licenses: 1. Proprietary 2. Shareware 3. Freeware 4. Open source 5. Free Software
Proprietary We pay a supplier for a copy of the software which these days may be supplied on physical
media (disks) or downloaded from the Internet. We get the permission to use the software on one or
sometimes more than one machines. Examples of this type of software include Microsoft Office and
Microsoft Windows.
Shareware is basically a software for trial purpose that the user is allowed to try for free, for a specified
period of time. It is usually downloaded from the Internet. When the trial period ends, the software must
be purchased or uninstalled.
Freeware software is free of cost and is usually bundled up with some operating system or any other
software. Examples of freeware include Microsoft Internet Explorer which comes bundled up with any
Microsoft operating system. The author of the freeware software is the owner of the software, though
people may use it for free. The source code is not available, so no modifications can be done. Freeware
should not be mistaken with Open Source Software or Free Software.
Open source Open Source Software (OSS) is the software which gives the users freedom to run/use
the software for any purpose and in any manner. They can be used, modified and even redistributed. In
simple terms it can be freely used but it may not be free of charge. The source code is freely available to
the customer. Python, Tux Paint etc are examples of Open Source Software.
Free Software This type of software is freely accessible and can be freely used, modified, copied or
distributed by anyone. And no licence fee or any other form of payment need to be made for a free
software. The source code is also accessible in case of free software.

******