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Hardware and software

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Hardware and software

Uploaded by

Chandan Karmakar
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Hardware and software

Hardware refers to the physical components or devices of a computer system


that you can touch and see.
It includes things like the computer's processor, memory (RAM), storage devices
(hard drive or solid-state drive), input devices (keyboard and mouse), and output
devices (monitor or printer).

Software is the instructions and programs that tell a computer what to do. It's like
a set of rules or recipes that the computer follows to perform tasks.

What if software doesn’t exist?


Lack of Automation: Without software to automate tasks, manual data entry
would be required. This means employees would have to enter large amounts of
data into spreadsheets or databases by hand, which would be time-consuming
and prone to errors.

Limited Functionality: In the absence of software, computers would only have


basic capabilities. They could perform simple calculations but wouldn't be able to
run applications like word processors or web browsers, limiting their usefulness.

No Applications or Programs: Applications like word processors make tasks


like document creation and editing efficient. Without such software, people
would have to resort to manual typewriters or handwritten notes, making it
difficult to format, edit, and share documents effectively.

Communication Challenges: Without software for digital communication,


tasks like sending emails or making video calls would not be possible. People
would need to rely on traditional methods like sending physical letters or
conducting in-person meetings, which are slower and less convenient.

Reduced Customization: Software allows users to personalize their devices


and software environments. Without it, users would be unable to customize their
smartphones, install apps, or modify settings according to their preferences,
resulting in a less tailored and less enjoyable user experience.

Types of software:
System software: This includes the operating system, which manages the
computer's resources and provides a way for users to interact with the computer.
Application software: These are programs that perform specific tasks, such as
word processors, web browsers, and games. They are designed to help users
accomplish different things on the computer.
Programming Software: These are tools used by software developers to create,
debug, and maintain software applications. Examples include integrated
development environments (IDEs), compilers, and debuggers.
Utility Software: These are programs that assist in managing and optimizing
computer resources. They perform tasks such as disk cleanup, data backup,
system maintenance, and antivirus protection.
Embedded Software: This refers to software embedded within devices or systems
that are not typically considered traditional computers. It powers various
electronic devices like smart TVs, smartphones, home appliances, and automotive
systems.
Middleware: This software sits between the operating system and application
software, providing services and support for application development and
execution. It facilitates communication and integration between different
software components.
Firmware: Firmware is software that is embedded into hardware devices. It
provides low-level control and functionality specific to the hardware it resides in,
such as the firmware in a computer's BIOS or the firmware in a digital camera.

Open-Source Software: Open-source software refers to programs whose source


code is freely available, allowing users to view, modify, and distribute the
software as per the terms of the open-source license. Examples include the Linux
operating system and the Firefox web browser.
Brief history of Operating System:

The First Generation (1940 to early 1950s)

When the first electronic computer was developed in 1940, it was created without any
operating system. In early times, users have full access to the computer machine and write
a program for each task in absolute machine language. The programmer can perform and
solve only simple mathematical calculations during the computer generation, and this
calculation does not require an operating system.

The Second Generation (1955 - 1965)

The first operating system (OS) was created in the early 1950s and was known as GMOS.
General Motors has developed OS for the IBM computer. With the introduction of batch
processing systems, operating systems started to emerge. They allowed users to submit
jobs in batches and introduced concepts like job scheduling and spooling.

The Third Generation (1965 - 1980)

During the late 1960s, operating system designers were very capable of developing a new
operating system that could simultaneously perform multiple tasks in a single computer program
called multiprogramming. The introduction of multiprogramming plays a very important role
in developing operating systems that allow a CPU to be busy every time by performing different
tasks on a computer at the same time. During the third generation, there was a new development
of minicomputer's phenomenal growth starting in 1961 with the DEC PDP-1. These PDP's leads
to the creation of personal computers in the fourth generation.

The Fourth Generation (1980 - Present Day)

The fourth generation of operating systems is related to the development of the


personal computer. However, the personal computer is very similar to the
minicomputers that were developed in the third generation. The cost of a personal
computer was very high at that time; there were small fractions of minicomputers costs.
A major factor related to creating personal computers was the birth of Microsoft and the
Windows operating system. Microsoft created the first window operating system in
1975. After introducing the Microsoft Windows OS, Bill Gates and Paul Allen had the
vision to take personal computers to the next level. Therefore, they introduced the MS-
DOS in 1981; however, it was very difficult for the person to understand its cryptic
commands. Today, Windows has become the most popular and most commonly used
operating system technology. And then, Windows released various operating systems
such as Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows XP and the latest operating system,
Windows 7. Currently, most Windows users use the Windows 10 operating system.
Besides the Windows operating system, Apple is another popular operating system built
in the 1980s, and this operating system was developed by Steve Jobs, a co-founder of
Apple. They named the operating system Macintosh OS or Mac OS.

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