Computer software

College of computer
Application for Women, Satara

Sub : Computer Fundamentals and operating systems.

Lecture : 12

12/24/2020
By Dr. Samiksha Nikam

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Topic Name: Computer Software
Types of Computer

NPTEL Online Certification Courses

Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur

QUESTION 10:

A __________ is a distributed computer system that consists of a collection of interconnected
stand-alone computers working together as an integrated computing resource.

A. Grid
B. Cluster
C. Cloud
D. Node

Correct Answer: B

Detailed Solution: Key components of a cluster include multiple stand-alone computers working
together.

Computer

• Computer software, or just software, is a collection of

computer programs and related data that provides the
instructions for telling a computer what to do and how to do
it.

• Any set of instructions that guides the hardware and tells it

how to accomplish each task.

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By Dr. Samiksha Nikam

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Types of Software

Software

System
Software

Application
Software

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System Software

• System software is a set of one or more programs, which

controls the operation or extend the processing capability of a
computer system.

• It performs following functions,

• 1. Support development of other application software.
• 2. Support execution of other application software.
• 3. Monitor effective use of various hardware resourses such as

CPU, Memory , peripherals etc..

• 4. communicate with and control operation of peripheral devices

such as printer , disk , tape etc.

System software make the operation of a computer system more
efficient and effective.

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By Dr. Samiksha Nikam

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System Software

• Operating System: it a type of system software which take

care of effective and efficient utilization of hardware and
software components of computer system. Eg. Windows XP,
win8, win 10, linux, etc.

• Programming Language Translator: it transforms the

instruction prepared by programmer in a programming
language into a form that can be interpreted and executed by
a computer system. Eg. Turbo C, Turbo C++, Compilers,
Interpreters etc.

• Communication Software: In a network environment

communication software enables transfer of data and
programs from one computer to another.

• Utility Programs: a set of programs that help users in system

maintenance task and in performing task of routine nature.eg.
Antivirus, formatting of hard disk, taking backup,

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Application software

• It is a set of one or more programs , which solves a specific

problem.

• Eg. Payroll system, exam result processing system, railway

reservation system etc.

• Some commonly known application software,
• 1. word processing software
• 2. spread sheet software
• 3. Database software
• 4. Graphics software
• 5. Personal software
• 6. Educational software
• 7. Entertainment software

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By Dr. Samiksha Nikam

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Types of Computers

• Computer can be divided into different types on the following

basis:

• On the basis of Construction

• On the basis of Configuration

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Types of Computers

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On the basis

of

Construction

Analog

Digital

Hybrid

Types of Computers

On the basis of
Configuration

Microcomputer

Mainframes

Mainframe
Super

Computers
Laptop

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By Dr. Samiksha Nikam

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Analog Computers

• Analog Computer Analog computers are designed to measure

continuous electrical or physical conditions, such as current,
voltage, flow, temperature, length, or pressure.

• Purpose
• Mostly analog computers are special-purpose computers.

Normally they are designed to perform some specific task not
multiple tasks.

• Key component
• operational amplifier, and the computer's capacity is

determined by the number of amplifiers.

• Examples : Wrist watch (if non-digital), your car's

speedometer, pressure, temperature, and fuel gauges are also
considered analog computers

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By Dr. Samiksha Nikam

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Analog computers

• Uses :
• The output of an analog computer is often an adjustment to

the control of a machine; such as, an adjustment to a valve
that controls the flow of steam to a turbine generator.

• It is also used in temperature setting to control the ovens for

baking.

• They have been widely used in simulating the operation of

aircraft, nuclear power plants, and industrial chemical
processes.

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By Dr. Samiksha Nikam

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Digital Copmuters

• Digital computers are designed to perform daily routine tasks

such as writing letters, sending emails, performing calculations
in an office or creating a database to store large amount of
data etc. Purpose

• Digital computers may be either special or general purpose.

Mostly these computers are designed to perform multiple
tasks

• Key component
• IC (Integrated Circuits)
• Examples Personal Computer, Laptop, Mainframe, Super

Computer etc

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By Dr. Samiksha Nikam

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Digital Computers

• Uses
• Word processing is the most common application for personal digital

computers.

• Accounting - Computers are ideal for keeping payroll records,

printing paychecks, billing customers, preparing tax returns, and
taking care of many of the other accounting tasks in an organization.

• Record keeping - Computers can record information like inventories

and personnel files.

• Digital Computer Uses Industrial Uses - Industrial computers save

considerable time and reduce waste by efficiently performing
hundreds of industrial tasks.

• Science - The research and development applications are the most

numerous. Digital computers are being used to do lengthy and
complicated mathematical calculations millions of times faster than
human beings.

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By Dr. Samiksha Nikam

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Hybrid Computer

• A computer which possesses characteristics of both Analog

and Digital computers is called Hybrid computer.

• Some computers combine the functions of both analog and

digital computers. These computers are called Hybrid
Computers.

• Examples
• Cement plant, ECG machine, CNG pump

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Microcomputer

• The microcomputers are also known as personal computers or

simply PCs.

• They are also called Desktop computers.
• Microcomputers are the most common, smallest and very

cheaper computers.

• They were introduced in 1970’s as a result of the development

of microprocessor.

• A single microprocessor may carry more than hundred

thousand transistors on a single silicon chip.

• Size: A personal computer can be placed easily on any table or

desk.

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By Dr. Samiksha Nikam

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Microcomputer

• Uses
• They are being widely accepted and used

in business, at home and in educational
institutions.

• They are commonly known as personal

computers and are usually single user
machines but can be interconnected
among themselves to form a Local Area
Network.

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By Dr. Samiksha Nikam

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Laptop

• A laptop computer (also known as notebook

computer) is a small mobile personal computer,
usually weighing around from 1 to 3 kilograms (2
to 7 pounds).

• Notebooks smaller than an A4 sheet of paper

and weighing around 1 kg are termed
subnotebooks.

• Laptops contain components that are similar to

those in their desktop counterparts and perform
the same functions but are designed for mobile
use and efficient power consumption.

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By Dr. Samiksha Nikam

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Laptop

• Laptops have LCD displays for output. In addition to a

built-in keyboard, they may utilize a touchpad (also
known as a track pad) or a pointing stick for input,
though an external mouse or keyboard can also be
attached.

• Uses
• Laptops are generally popular among students,

travelers and businessmen.

• Laptops are capable of many of the same tasks

that desktop computers perform..

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By Dr. Samiksha Nikam

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Mainframe Computer

• A mainframe (also known as "big iron") is a high-

performance computer used for large-scale
computing purposes that require greater
availability and security of data than a smaller
scale machine can offer.

• In the past, a typical mainframe might have

occupied 2,000 - 10,000 square feet. Now the
mainframe computer specially requires a very
large clean room with air-conditioner.

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By Dr. Samiksha Nikam

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Mainframe Computer

• Working:
• Historically, mainframes have been associated with

centralized rather than distributed computing.

• Mainframe computers are usually large and expensive

computers. Thousands of users can work at a time on
mainframe computers.

For example, IBM, S/390

mainframe can support 50,000 users simultaneously.

• Operating System
• Special operating systems are used on main frames such

as z/VM, z/VSE™, Linux for System z™, and z/TPF

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By Dr. Samiksha Nikam

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Mainframe

• Uses:
• The mainframe computers are specially used as servers

on the World Wide Web.

• The mainframe computers are used in large

organizations such as Banks, Airlines and Universities etc.
where many people (users) need frequent access to the
same data, which is usually organized into one or more
huge databases.

• Examples: IBM S/390, Control Data CYBER 176 and

Amdahl 580

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By Dr. Samiksha Nikam

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Miniframe

• Minicomputers were first introduced in early 1960s.
• A minicomputer is a class of multi-user computers that

lies in the middle range of the mainframe computers and
the microcomputers.

• They are smaller than mainframes in size and other

facilities, such as speed, storage capacity and services.

• Size: A minicomputer and its peripheral equipment can

usually fill a small room.

• A minicomputer typically about the size and shape of a

wardrobe, mounted in a single tall rack.

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By Dr. Samiksha Nikam

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Miniframe

• Working:
• Minicomputers are commonly used as servers like a small

mainframe in a network environment and hundreds of users
can be connected to the network with a minicomputer at a
time.

• Now the terms "midrange computer" and "server" replaced

the venerable minicomputer designation.

• Uses
• The minicomputers are used in business, education and many

other government departments. They are also widely used in
industrial and small business application.

• Examples: IBM’s AS 400, Hewlett Packard HP 3000 series, Data

General’s MV/1500 etc.

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By Dr. Samiksha Nikam

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Super Computer

• Super computer is a large computer or collection of computers

that act as one large computer capable of processing
enormous amounts of data.

• They are the fastest and most powerful type of computers.

Size: A minicomputer and its peripheral equipment can usually
fill a small room.

• Super computer use multiprocessing and parallel processing

to solve complex problems.

• Multiple processor and parallel processing enables dividing a

complex problem into smaller problems that differenr
processors can process in parallel.

• A super computer due to its special nature and huge cost, is

often treated as a national resource that is shared by several
academic and research organization.

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By Dr. Samiksha Nikam

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Super Computer

Uses :
• Aerospace industry use supercomputer to simulate airflow

around an aircraft at different speeds and altitude.this helps in
producing effective aerodynamic design to develop an aircraft
with superior performance.

• Automobile industry use super computer to do crash

simulation of an automobile design before releasing it for
manufacturing.

• Films and TV industries use supercomputer to create special

effect.

• Meteorological centers use super computer for weather

forecasting.

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