Computer Software

1. Discuss the following questions with the group.

A. What is computer software? Give examples.

B. Who creates computer software?

C. Do you use computer software? Supply examples of the programs that you use.

2. Match the words with their definitions.

1.to perform	a. to organize or integrate diverse elements in a harmonious operation
2. tangible	b. suitable for one's purpose or needs; easy to use
3. to co-ordinate	c. a program that organizes the interaction of a particular device with the computer
4. convenient	d. to carry out some action or do something
5. technique	e. to include entirely or comprehensively
6. device driver	f. a group of connected pages on the World Wide Web containing information on a particular subject
7. website	g. having a physical existence; corporeal
8. to encompass	h. a program that is used by the designers to find and correct the mistakes in other programs
9. debugger	i. to manage to do something; to achieve something
10. to accomplish	j. a practical method, skill, or art applied to a particular task

3. Read the text and decide on a suitable title for it.

(1) Computer software, or just software is a general term used to describe a collection of computer programs, procedures and documentation that perform some tasks on a computer system. The term includes application software such as word processors which perform productive tasks for users, system software such as operating systems, which interface with hardware to provide the necessary services for application software, and middleware which controls and co-ordinates distributed systems. Software includes websites, programs, video games etc. that are coded by programming languages like C, C++, etc.

(2) Computer software is usually regarded as anything but hardware, meaning that the "hard" are the parts that are tangible (able to hold) while the "soft" part is the intangible objects inside the computer. Software encompasses an extremely wide array of products and technologies developed using different techniques like programming languages, scripting languages etc. Practical computer systems divide software systems into three major classes: system software, programming software and application software, although the distinction is arbitrary, and often blurred.

System software helps to run the computer hardware and computer system. It includes operating systems, device drivers, diagnostic tools, servers, windowing systems, utilities and more. The purpose of systems software is to insulate the applications programmer as much as possible from the details of the particular computer complex being used, especially memory and other hardware features, and such as accessory devices as communications, printers, readers, displays, keyboards, etc.

(3) Programming software usually provides tools to assist a programmer in writing computer programs, and software using different programming languages in a more convenient way. The tools include text editors, compilers, interpreters, linkers, debuggers, and so on. An Integrated development environment (IDE) merges those tools into a software bundle, and a programmer may not need to type multiple commands for compiling, interpreting, debugging, tracing, and etc., because the IDE usually has an advanced graphical user interface, or GUI.

Application software allows end users to accomplish one or more specific (non-computer related) tasks. Typical applications include industrial automation, business software, educational software, medical software, databases, and computer games. Businesses are probably the biggest users of application software, but almost every field of human activity now uses some form of application software. Computer software has to be "loaded" into the computer's storage (such as a hard drive, memory, or RAM). Once the software has been loaded, the computer is able to execute the software. This involves passing instructions from the application software, through the system software, to the hardware which ultimately receives the instruction as machine code. Each instruction causes the computer to carry out an operation: moving data, carrying out a computation, or altering the control flow of instructions. Moving data, especially large amounts of it, can be costly. So, this is sometimes avoided by using "pointers" to data instead. Computations include simple operations such as incrementing the value of a variable data element. More complex computations may involve many operations and data elements together.

(4) Instructions may be performed sequentially, conditionally, or iteratively. Sequential instructions are those operations that are performed one after another. Conditional instructions are performed when different sets of instructions execute depending on the value of some data. When more than one computer processor is used, instructions may be executed simultaneously.

A simple example of the way software operates is what happens when a user selects an entry such as "Copy" from a menu. In this case, a conditional instruction is executed to copy text from data in a 'document' area residing in memory, perhaps to an intermediate storage area known as a 'clipboard' data area. If a different menu entry such as "Paste" is chosen, the software may execute the instructions to copy the text from the clipboard data area to a specific location in the same or another document in memory.

4. Define whether the following statements are true or false. Give the correct answer.

1. Application software does not allow end users to accomplish one or more specific tasks.

2. Computer software is a general term used to describe computer parts such as monitor, keyboards etc.

3. System software helps to run the computer hardware and computer system.

4. Sequential instructions are those operations that are performed one after another.

5. Programming software usually provides tools to assist a programmer in creating computer programs.

6. Application software is used only by programmers and is not suitable for businesses and other human activity.

7. When more than one computer processor is used, instructions may be executed only one by one.

8. Once the software has been loaded, the computer is able to execute the software.

5. Work in pairs. Share your opinion with a partner.

1. What is an Integrated development environment?

2. Do you understand the difference between the software and the hardware?

3. What is the main function of a computer software?

4. Who creates computer programs? What makes the process more convenient?

5. In what way businesses can use computer software?

6. What kind of instructions do you know?

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