Hardware refers to the physical elements of a computer.
This
is also sometime called the machinery or the equipment of the computer.
Examples
of hardware in a computer are the keyboard, the monitor, the mouse and the
processing unit
Software,
commonly known as collection of programs,
Software is the electronic
instructions that tells the computer to perform a task.
Practical computer systems divide
software systems into two major classes:
- System software:
Helps run computer hardware and computer system itself.
System software includes operating systems, file management
tools, assembler, compiler, debugger and utilities.
System software is almost always pre-installed on your
computer.
- Application software:
Allows users to accomplish one or more tasks.
It includes word processing, image processing, communication
software, databases, web browsing and almost any other task for which you might
install software.
Compiler: A
compiler is a program that reads a program in one language – the source
language and translates into an equivalent program in another language – the
target language
Word
Processors:
Word processing is a tool that helps
user in creating, editing, and printing documents. Word processors will
normally have the following capabilities built into them:
§ Spell
checking
§ Standard
layouts for normal documents
§ Have
some characters appear in bold print, italics, or underlined
§ Center
lines, make text line up on the left side of the paper, or the right side of
the paper
§ Save
the document so it can be used again
§ print
the document.
Examples:
WordPerfect and Microsoft Word
Spreadsheets:
The spreadsheet packages are designed to use
numbers and formulas to do calculations with ease. Examples of
spreadsheets include:
§ Budgets
§ Payrolls
§ Grade
Calculations
§ Address
Lists
The most commonly used spreadsheet programs
are Microsoft Excel and Lotus 123.
Database
Management System (DBMS):
n A
DBMS is a software tool that allows multiple users to store, access, and
process data into useful information.
n Database
programs are designed for these types of applications:
§ Membership
lists
§ Student
lists
§ Grade
reports
§ Instructor
schedules
All of these have to be maintained so you
can find what you need quickly and accurately.
n Example:Microsoft
Access, dBASE, Oracle.
Graphic
Presentations:
The presentation programs can make giving presentations and using
overheads easier. Other uses include:
§ Slide
Shows
§ Repeating
Computer Presentations on a computer monitor
§ Using
Sound and animation in slide shows
The most recognized graphic presentation
programs are Microsoft PowerPoint and Harvard Graphics.
