Software (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE ICT)
Revision Note
Written by: Robert Hampton
Reviewed by: James Woodhouse
Software
What is software?
Software is the set of programs that control the hardware; they live on the computer system but cannot be physically touched
Software can be broken down in to two categories:
Application software
System software
What is application software?
Application software (abbreviated 'apps') is software chosen by a user to help them carry out a specific task
Application software is installed on top of system software and is user-chosen to best suit industry requirements
Common categories of application software include:
Word processing: creating and editing text documents
Spreadsheet: organising and analysing data in a grid format
Database management systems: storing, retrieving and managing data in databases
Control/measurement: uses sensors to measure and control a system
Video editing: creating and modifying video files
Graphics editing: creating and modifying images
Audio editing: creating and modifying sound files
Computer-Aided Design (CAD): designing and modelling objects in 2D or 3D
What is system software?
System software is software essential for the operation of a computer system
Without system software, a user has no starting point for giving a computer instructions
System software gives users a platform to run applications and carry out tasks
Essential services carried out by system software include:
Compilers: translating high-level programming languages into machine code
Linkers: combining object files into a single executable program
Device drivers: controlling hardware components and peripherals
Operating systems: managing the computer's resources and providing a user interface
Utilities: tools for maintaining and optimising the computer's performance
Worked Example
Tick whether the following are examples of applications software or system software
[2]
| Applications | Systems |
|---|---|---|
Control software |
|
|
Compiler |
|
|
Word processor |
|
|
Device driver |
|
|
Answers
Applications (✓) | System (✓) | |
|---|---|---|
Control software | ✓ |
|
Compiler |
| ✓ |
Word processing | ✓ |
|
Device drivers |
| ✓ |
2 marks for 4 correct ticks
1 mark for 2 or 3 correct ticks
0 marks for 0 or 1 tick
Examiner Tips and Tricks
A common misconception is that control software is system software—it's actually application software!
Operating Systems
What is an operating system?
An operating system (OS) is software that provides an interface between the user and the hardware in a computer system
An operating system enables a system to function by:
Controlling input/output devices
Oversees loading, running and storage of application software
Deals with errors
Maintains security
Keeps a log of events
What is a user interface?
A user interface is how the user interacts with the operating system
Examples of user interfaces include:
Command Line Interface (CLI)
Graphical User Interface (GUI)
Dialogue-based
Gesture-based
Feature | CLI | GUI | Dialogue-based | Gesture-based |
|---|---|---|---|---|
How do users interact? | Text-based commands | Visual elements (WIMP) | Spoken word | Human interaction (hands, fingers, head or feet) |
Examples | MSDOS, Raspbian | Windows and Mac OS | Amazon Alexa, Siri | Smartphones (swiping, pinching, and zooming) |
Advantages and disadvantages of user interfaces
Interface | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
Command line (CLI) |
|
|
Graphical (GUI) |
|
|
Dialogue-based |
|
|
Gesture-based |
|
|
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