Interaction of User and Computer Flashcards
A program in a high-level language is written in an
English-like language
Isolates the execution semantics of computer architecture from the specification of the program, making the process of developing a program simpler and more understandable with respect to assembly and machine level languages.
High Level Language
Programming languages are also classified in terms of generations in which they have evolved.
First Generation: Machine language
Second Generation: Assembly language
Third Generation: C, COBOL, Fortran, Pascal, C++, Java, ActiveX (Microsoft) etc.
Fourth Generation: .NET (VB.NET, C#.NET etc.) Scripting language (Javascript, Microsoft Frontpage etc.)
Fifth Generation: LISP, Prolog
It is also referred to as a symbolic representation of the machine code.
Easier to write than the machine language program but is still machine dependent.
Assembly language
It is a software that converts a program written in assembly language into machine code.
Assembler
A program written in a high-level language has to be converted to a language that the computer can understand, i.e. binary form.
Software that translates the program written in a high-level language to machine language.
Converts the entire source code into object-code and creates the object code. The object code is then executed by the user.
Compiler
It is used to convert the high-level language program into computer-understandable form.
Performs line-by-line execution of the source code during program execution.
Converts a line into machine executable form, executes the line, and proceeds with the next line.
Interpreter
Three kinds of Translator Software.
Assembler
Compiler
Interpreter
It is a program that links several object modules and libraries to a single executable program.
Linker
The compiled and the linked program are called the —-.
Executable code
It is used to load and re-locate the executable program in the main memory.
Loader
The ______is compiled and converted into a set of bytecodes and are stored in _____.
Java Source File like Sample.java; Sample.class file.
Hierarchy of Program Execution
Source Program
Compiler
Linker
Loader
It is a software that a user uses for accomplishing a specific task.
It may be a single program or a set of programs.
It is written for different kinds of applications—graphics, word processors, media players, database applications, telecommunication, accounting purposes etc.
Application Software
It is a set of programs that are written for a specific purpose and provide the required functionality.
Software Package
Examples of Application Software Packages
- Word Processing Software
- Image Processing Software
- Accounting Software
- Spreadsheet Software
- Presentation Software
- Suite of Software having Word Processor, Spreadsheet and Presentation Software
- CAD/CAM Software
- Geographic Information Systems
- Web Browser Software
For writing letters, reports, documents etc. (e.g. MS-WORD).
Word Processing Software:
For assisting in drawing and manipulating graphics (e.g. Adobe Photoshop).
Image Processing Software
For assisting in accounting information, salary, tax returns (Tally software).
Accounting Software
Used for creating budget, tables etc. (e.g. MS-Excel).
Spreadsheet Software
To make presentations, slide shows (e.g. MS-PowerPoint)
Presentation Software
Some examples are MS-Office, Google Docs, Sun Openoffice, Apple iWork.
Suite of Software having Word Processor, Spreadsheet and Presentation Software
To assist in architectural design. (e.g. AutoCAD, Autodesk)
CAD/CAM Software
It captures, stores, analyzes, manages, and presents data, images and maps that are linked to different locations. (e.g. ArcGIS)
Geographic Information Systems
To access the World Wide Web to search documents, sounds, images etc. (e.g. Internet Explorer, Netscape Communicator, Chrome).
Web Browser Software
The different ways in which the software are made available to users are:
Retail Software
OEM Software
Demo Software
Shareware
Freeware
Public Domain Software
Open Source Software
It is off-the-shelf software sold in retail stores. It comes with printed manuals and installation instructions. For example, Microsoft Windows operating system.
Retail Software
It refers to software which is sold, and bundled with hardware.
It is sold at reduced price, without the manuals, packaging and installation instructions.
OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) Software
It is designed to demonstrate what a purchased version of the software is capable of doing and provides a restricted set of features. To use the software, the user must buy a fully- functional version.
Demo Software
It is a program that the user is allowed to try for free, for a specified period of time, as defined in the license. It is downloadable from the Internet.
Shareware
It is software that is free for personal use. It is downloadable from the Internet. The commercial use of this software may require a paid license.
Freeware
It is free software.
Does not have a copyright owner or license restrictions.
The source code is publicly available for anyone to use.
Public Domain Software
It is software whose source code is available and can be customized and altered within the specified guidelines laid down by the creator.
It has restrictions on their use and modification, redistribution limitations, and copyrights.
Open-Source Software
may require the user to purchase the software like retail software, or use free software like freeware, public-domain software, and open- source software.
Software acquisition
It provides basic functionality to the computer, controls computer hardware, and acts as an interface between user and computer hardware.
System Software
intermediates between users of computer and computer hardware. It manages resources of the computer system, controls execution of programs, and provides a convenient interface to the user for use of the computer.
Operating System
intermediates between the device and the software that uses the device.
can be character or block device drivers.
Device Driver
is required for maintenance of the computer. Anti-virus, data compression, disk partitioning, backup, system profiling are some system utilities.
System utility software
include a set of commands that the user follows to write a program.
Programming Languages
It is defined by the hardware of the computer. A program written is very fast, machine-dependent, and is difficult to write.
Machine language
is used to convert a program written in high-level language and assembly language to a form that the computer can understand.
Translator software
