State and explain with examples four categories of software.
Types / Categories of Software
1. System Software
1. System software is a collection of programs written to service other programs. 2. Few examples of system software are compilers, editors, and file management utilities, process complex, but determinate, information structures. 3. Other systems applications are operating system components, drivers, and telecommunications.
Example : DOS, WINDOWS
2. Real-time Software
1. Software that monitors or analyses or controls real-world events as they occur is called real time. 2. Elements of real-time software include a data gathering component that collects and formats information from an external environment, an analysis component that transforms information as required by the application. 3. A control/output component that responds to the external environment and a monitoring component that coordinates all other components so that real-time response can be maintained. Example : airline reservation system, railway reservation system
3. Business Software
1. Business information processing is the largest single software application area. Discrete "systems”. 2. For example: payroll, accounts receivable/payable, inventory have evolved into management information system (MIS) software that accesses one or more large databases containing business information. 3. Applications in this area restructure existing data in a way that facilitates business operations or management decision making. 4. In addition to conventional data processing application, business software applications also encompass interactive computing.
Example : Tally
4. Engineering and Scientific Software
1. Engineering and scientific software have been characterized by "number crunching" algorithms. 2. Applications range from astronomy to volcanology, from automotive stress analysis to space shuttle orbital dynamics, and from molecular biology to automated manufacturing. 3. However, modern applications within the engineering/scientific area are moving away from conventional numerical algorithms. 4. Computer-aided design, system simulation, and other interactive applications have begun to take on real-time and even system software characteristics.
Example : CAD / CAM software
5. Embedded Software
1. Intelligent products have become commonplace in nearly every consumer and industrial market. 2. Embedded software resides in read-only memory and is used to control products and systems for the consumer and industrial markets. 3. Embedded software can perform very limited and esoteric functions, for example: keypad control for a microwave oven. 4. To provide significant function and control capability, for example: digital functions in an automobile such as fuel control, dashboard displays, and braking systems.
Example : Microwave, Washing machine software
6. Personal Computer Software
1. The personal computer software market has burgeoned over the past two decades. 2.Word processing, spread sheets, computer graphics, multimedia, entertainment, database management, personal and business fi applications, external network, and database access are only a few of hundreds of applications.
Example: Microsoft word, Excel.