Define the term software. what are the various characteristics of software
Answers
Software engineering provides methods to handle complexities in a software system and enables the development of reliable software systems, which maximize productivity. In addition to the technical aspects of the software development, it also covers management activities which include guiding the team, budgeting, preparing schedules, etc. The notion of software engineering was first proposed in 1968. Since then, software engineering has evolved as a full-fledged engineering discipline, which is accepted as a field involving in-depth study and research. Software engineering methods and tools have been successfully implemented in various applications spread across different walks of life.
Software is defined as a collection of programs, documentation and operating procedures. The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) defines software as a 'collection of computer programs, procedures, rules and associated documentation and data.' It possesses no mass, no volume, and no colour, which makes it a non-degradable entity over a long period. Software does not wear out or get tired.
Software controls, integrates, and manages the hardware components of a computer system. It also instructs the computer what needs to be done to perform a specific task and how it is to be done. For example, software instructs the hardware how to print a document, take input from the user, and display the output.
Computer works only in response to instructions provided externally. Usually, the instructions to perform some intended tasks are organized into a program using a programming language like C, C++, Java, etc., and submitted to computer. Computer interprets and executes these instructions and provides response to the user accordingly. A set of programs intended to provide users with a set of interrelated functionalities is known as a software package. For example, an accounting software package such as Tally provides users the functionality to perform accounting-related activities.
Software Characteristics
Different individuals judge software on different basis. This is because they are involved with the software in different ways. For example, users want the software to perform according to their requirements. Similarly, developers involved in designing, coding, and maintenance of the software evaluate the software by looking at its internal characteristics, before delivering it to the user. Software characteristics are classified into six major components.
• Functionality: Refers to the degree of performance of the software against its intended purpose.
Reliability: Refers to the ability of the software to provide desired functionality under the given conditions.
• Usability: Refers to the extent to which the software can be used with ease.
• Efficiency: Refers to the ability of the software to use system resources in the most effective and efficient manner.
• Maintainability: Refers to the ease with which the modifications can be made in a software system to extend its functionality, improve its performance, or correct errors.
• Portability: Refers to the ease with which software developers can transfer software from one platform to another, without (or with minimum) changes. In simple terms, it refers to the ability of software to function properly on different hardware and software platforms without making any changes in it.
In addition to the above mentioned characteristics, robustness and integrity are also important. Robustness refers to the degree to which the software can keep on functioning in spite of being provided with invalid data while integrity refers to the degree to which unauthorized access to the software or data can be prevented.
A software is a group of various programs and collection of data in the form of instructions given to computer which tells computer to How to work. A computer system is simply a Hardware. Software is necessary for making a connection between Human beings and computer.
An operating system is also a kind of software that creates a connection between Human and computer. But the main work of Operating system is to handle the various different tasks and actions in computer. Operating system is also very necessary for running a software inside the computer.
A software is just collection of various different programs. The different programs are coded in such a way that, The software should be created. Various programming languages are used for creating and developing softwares. Each programming language have it's different features.
Types of software:
i) System software
ii) Application software
i) System software: System software includes those softwares and programs which are developed for managing the computer system itself. System software includes Disk Operating System (DOS), Disk management utilities and Operating system. A system software is very necessary for running the computer system properly. Without being a system software, it is not easy to use computer system.
Disk management utilities, Operating systems are the common examples of System softwares. This softwares are inbuilt with the Operating system. Hence, This software's work properly with OS.
ii) Application software: This softwares are also called as Productivity softwares because this softwares help users to perform their task on PC. Tasks like creating documents, doing online research and work, designing, video editing, graphics designing, sending emails and everything we do on our computer by downloading applications. Playing Games is also an example of Application software.
Google Chrome, Microsoft word processor, Clean master are some of the application software's. This softwares in windows are installed as ".exe" file, while in mac, it is installed using extension ".mgt".
Categories of application software:
- Utility programs.
- Generic programs.
- Integrated programs.
- Specific software.
- Bespoke software.
- Word processing software.
- Desktop publishing software.
- Spreadsheet software.
How software is created ?
As software is a collection of various programs. So, Programs are created with the help of programming language. A programming language is a collection of codes and instructions which gives the order to the computer on our Behalf.
Different programming languages have different features. Every programming language is necessary for different tasks and different actions. Which helps the developers to create the required software. A software is created using the collection of various different codes and their collection.
Python, Java, C, C++, Ruby, Bootstrap are the popular one programming languages used in the development of a software. Each programming language have it's different functions, This helps programmers to develop a proper software.
How software works ?
When we request our computer for any data, then our request through the input unit like Keyboard, Mouse is sent to the Central Processing Unit (CPU). A cpu processes the data provided by input unit and with the help of processor, ram and with storage unit, CPU makes the all required Output and this output is sent to the Output unit like Monitor and Sound.
In this way, The software works. The inter-work of the software is all done by the storage unit and processor.