Unit 2: Computer software & Windows operating system
IT Tools for Business notes · PTU syllabus (BBASEC 301-18)
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Unit summary
Software turns hardware into a useful tool. This unit covers application and system software, compilers and interpreters, generations of programming languages, primary and secondary memory, storage media, and file and directory management in Windows.
After this unit you can
- Distinguish system software from application software
- Compare compilers and interpreters and the generations of languages
- Explain primary and secondary memory and storage media
- Manage files and folders in Windows
PTU syllabus topics
- Application vs. system software
- compilers and interpreters
- generations of programming languages
- primary and secondary memory
- storage media
- directory and file manipulation in Windows
Translates
Whole program at once
One line at a time
Speed of running
Faster
Slower
Errors
Shown after compiling
Shown line by line
Examples
C, C++
Python, JavaScript
Topic 1
Application vs system software
Purpose
Runs and manages the computer
Performs specific user tasks
Examples
Windows, Linux, device drivers, utilities
MS Word, Tally, browsers
User interaction
Indirect
Direct
Dependence
Runs independently
Needs system software to run
Topic 2
Compilers, interpreters and generations of languages
Translation
Whole program at once
Line by line
Speed of execution
Faster
Slower
Errors
Reported after compiling the whole program
Reported line by line
Examples
C, C++
Python, JavaScript
Assemblers translate assembly language into machine code.
| Generation | Language |
|---|---|
| 1GL | Machine language (binary) |
| 2GL | Assembly language (mnemonics) |
| 3GL | High-level languages (C, Java, Python) |
| 4GL | Query and report languages (SQL) |
| 5GL | AI and logic languages (Prolog) |
Topic 3
Primary and secondary memory
Examples
RAM, ROM, cache
Hard disk, SSD, pen drive, DVD
Volatility
RAM volatile; ROM non-volatile
Non-volatile
Speed
Fast
Slower
Capacity and cost
Small, costly per GB
Large, cheap per GB
Storage units: 8 bits = 1 byte; 1 KB = 1024 bytes; MB, GB, TB follow in steps of 1024.
Topic 4
File and directory management in Windows
- File Explorer shows drives, folders (directories) and files.
- Create a folder: right-click → New → Folder. Rename: F2. Copy: Ctrl + C, paste: Ctrl + V, cut: Ctrl + X. Delete: Delete key (to Recycle Bin); Shift + Delete (permanent).
- File extensions identify types: .docx, .xlsx, .pptx, .pdf, .jpg.
- Organise with meaningful folder names and use search and sorting.
Key terms
- System software
- Software that runs and manages the computer
- Compiler
- Translates a whole program into machine code at once
- RAM
- Volatile read-write primary memory
- ROM
- Non-volatile read-only memory
- Directory
- A folder that holds files
Quick revision
- System software manages; application software performs tasks.
- Compiler whole program; interpreter line by line.
- 1GL machine → 5GL AI languages.
- RAM volatile; secondary memory non-volatile.
Important exam questions
Practice questions written to the PTU exam pattern for this unit's syllabus: short answers (Section A style) and long answers (Sections B and C style).
Short-answer questions
- Q1.Differentiate between system and application software.
- Q2.Differentiate between a compiler and an interpreter.
- Q3.What is an assembler?
- Q4.Differentiate between RAM and ROM.
- Q5.How do you permanently delete a file in Windows?
Long-answer questions
- Q1.Explain types of software with examples.
- Q2.Explain the generations of programming languages.
- Q3.Compare primary and secondary memory and describe storage media.
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