Software

Software

1. What is software?

   • The programs and other operating information used by a computer

2. What is system software?

   • Operating systems and their utility programs (software that allows computer devices to work with one another.

3. What is application software?

   • Programs such as browsers,word processors and music players (software that allows a user to perform a task)

4. What is the operating system?

   • -It is the most important piece of software on any computer
   • -Without it, no programs will run.
   • -This is because an operating system is responsible for controlling / communicating with the computer software
   • -It provides a platform on which games, browsers, music players, etc. can all work
   • If you were to run an everyday program, without an operating system, nothing would happen.
     • This is because application software does not know how to TALK to hardware devices.
       • However, the operating system does. it can also talk to the application that is running.
         • So when you print a document (for example) the application talks to the OS, which then talks to the printer.
   • The operating system sits in between the users applications and the hardware. it enables applications to use the hardware resources.

5. What is the kernel?

   • The kernel is the heart of the operating system and is responsible for looking after most "low-level hardware operations".
     • It is the kernel that applications make use of when they want to operate the computers hardware.

6. 5 key roles of the operating system?