The different types of software....

 There are two main types of software: systems software and application software. Systems software includes the programs that are dedicated to managing the computer itself, such as the operating system, file management utilities, and disk operating system (or DOS).

System software is the software used to manage and control the hardware components and which allow interaction between the hardware and the other types of software. The most obvious type of system software is the computer's operating system but device drivers are also included within this category.

Utility software is software such as anti-virus software, firewalls, disk defragmenters and so on which helps to maintain and protect the computer system but does not directly interface with the hardware.

Applications software (also known as 'apps') are designed to allow the user of the system complete a specific task or set of tasks. They include programs such as web browsers, office software, games and so on. They are usually the reason you bought the computer system in the first place and aren't concerned with the management or maintenance of the system itself.

Any individual software package, whichever of the above types it falls into, can be either generic (or 'off-the-shelf') or it can be bespoke (custom-built). Generic software is mass produced with the intention that it will be used by a wide variety of different users in a range of different situations. Bespoke software is created for a specific purpose which will be used in a known environment.
Often generic software is used when there is a package available that meets the needs of the user. Because it is used by many more people the cost of creating it is spread over a greater number of people or organisations and so the cost to the individual is much lower. It also has the advantage that it is available immediately there's no waiting time involved while the software package is designed, created and tested. Bespoke software has the advantage that it can be tailor made to exact specifications but it significantly more expensive and will take time to create.

Input, Ouput and Storage devices with examples

Input Devices
Input devices are any electronic devices connected to a computer that produce input
signals.
A keyboard is an example of input device for text input.
Emaige Here!
A scanner is an example of input device for graphical as well as text input.
Emaige Here!
A microphone is an example of input device for audio input
Emaige Here!
A webcam is an example of an input device for video input.
Emaige Here!
A mouse is also an input device but it is called a pointing device used
to input data into a computer.
Emaige Here!
Input Devices for Texts
You can enter data such as text and commands into a computer by pressing the keys on the
keyboard.
You can press the keys of a virtual keyboard on the screen.
An optical reader is a device that uses a light source to read characters, marks and codes
and then converts them into digital data that a computer can process.
b. Input Devices for Graphics
A scanner is a device that captures images from photographic prints, posters, magazine
pages and similar sources for computer editing and display.
A digital camera allows you to take pictures and store the photographed images digitally.
c. Input Devices for Audio
Audio input is the speech, music and sound effects entered into the computer. This can be
done by using input devices such as a microphone and digital musical instruments like the
Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) keyboard.
ICTL for Secondary School - Computer Hardware Module
d. Input Devices for Video
Video input are motion images captured into the computer by special input devices.
A Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) video camera is a type of digital video camera that
enables a home or small business user to capture video and still images.
A webcam is a video camera that displays its output on a web page.
A digital video camera allows you to record full motion and store the captured motion
digitally.
e. Pointing Devices
A pointing device is another form of input device. Pointing devices such as a mouse,
trackball, graphics tablet and touch screen are used to input spatial data into the computer.
Spatial data refers to data that is continuous and multi-dimensional.

Output Devices
An output device is hardware that is capable of delivering or showing information to one or
more users. An output device displays, prints and presents the results of a computer’s work.
Types of Output Devices
A display device is an output device that visually conveys texts, graphics and video
information.
A monitor is an example of an output device that can be used to display text. It can also
display graphics and video. It is similar to a television set that accepts video signals from a
computer and displays information on its screen.
A Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) projector uses its own light source to project what is
displayed on the computer on a wall or projection screen. A digital light processing (DLP)
projector uses tiny mirrors to reflect light which can be seen clearly in a well-lit room.
A printer is an output device that prints text and graphics on a physical medium such as
paper or transparency film.
A photo printer is a colour printer that produces photo quality pictures.
An image setter produces high quality output compared to an ordinary laser printer. An
image setter is a high resolution output device that can transfer electronic text and graphics
directly to film, plates or photo-sensitive paper.
An audio output device produces music, speech, or other sounds. A pair of speakers is an
audio output device that generates sound. The headphone is a pair of small speakers
placed over the ears and plugged into a port on the sound card. A woofer or subwoofer is
used to boost the low bass sound and is connected to the port on the sound card

Storage Devices
What Is Computer Storage?
Information and documents are stored
in computer storage so that it can be
retrieved whenever they are needed
later on.
Computer storage is the storing of data
in an electromagnetic form to be accessed
by a computer processor.
Types of Computer Storage
1. Primary storage
2. Secondary storage
Primary Storage
Emaige Here!..

Primary storage is the main memory in a computer. It stores data and programs that can be
accessed directly by the processor.
Types Of Primary Storage
There are two types of primary storage which are RAM and ROM.

Secondary Storage
Emaige Here!...

Secondary storage is another alternative
storage to save your work and documents. It
is very useful to store programs and data for
future use.
It is non-volatile, which means that
it does not need power to maintain
the information stored in it. It will
store the information until it is erased.
Types Of Secondary Storage
Magnetic Medium
Magnetic Medium is a non-volatile storage medium. It can be
any type of storage medium that utilizes magnetic patterns to
represent information. The devices use disks that are coated
with magnetically sensitive material. Examples of magnetic
storage are:
magnetic disk such as:
o a floppy disk, used for off-line storage
o hard disk, used for secondary storage
o
magnetic tape such as
o video cassette,
o audio storage reel-to-reel tape

How does computer process data?

Data processing is, broadly, "the collection and manipulation of items of data to produce meaningful information." In this sense it can be considered a subset of information processing, "the change (processing) of information in any manner detectable by an observer."
The term is often used more specifically in the context of a business or other organization to refer to the class of commercial data processing applications.

Data processing functions

Data processing may involve various processes, including:

• Validation – Ensuring that supplied data is "clean, correct and useful"
• Sorting – "arranging items in some sequence and/or in different sets."
• Summarization – reducing detail data to its main points.
• Aggregation – combining multiple pieces of data.
• Analysis – the "collection, organization, analysis, interpretation and presentation of data.".
• Reporting – list detail or summary data or computed information.
• Classification – separates data into various categories.

  
 History
The United States Census Bureau illustrates the evolution of data processing from manual through electronic procedures.

Manual data processing

Although widespread use of the term data processing dates only from the nineteen-fifties^[3] data processing functions have been performed manually for millennia. For example bookkeeping involves functions such as posting transactions and producing reports like the balance sheet and the cash flow statement. Completely manual methods were augmented by the application of mechanical or electronic calculators. A person whose job it was to perform calculations manually or using a calculator was called a "computer."
 The 1850 United States Census schedule was the first to gather data by individual rather than household. A number of questions could be answered by making a check in the appropriate box on the form. From 1850 through 1880 the Census Bureau employed "a system of tallying, which, by reason of the increasing number of combinations of classifications required, became increasingly complex. Only a limited number of combinations could be recorded in one tally, so it was necessary to handle the schedules 5 or 6 times, for as many independent tallies."^[4] "It took over 7 years to publish the results of the 1880 census"^[5] using manual processing methods.

Automatic data processing

The term automatic data processing was applied to operations performed by means of unit record equipment, such as Herman Hollerith's application of punched card equipment for the 1890 United States Census. "Using Hollerith's punchcard equipment, the Census Office was able to complete tabulating most of the 1890 census data in 2 to 3 years, compared with 7 to 8 years for the 1880 census. ... It is also estimated that using Herman Hollerith's system saved some $5 million in processing costs"^[5] (in 1890 dollars) even with twice as many questions as in 1880.

Electronic data processing

Computerized data processing, or Electronic data processing represents the further evolution, with the computer taking the place of several independent pieces of equipment. The Census Bureau first made limited use of electronic computers for the 1950 United States Census, using a UNIVAC I system,^[4] delivered in 1952.

Further evolution

"Data processing (DP)" has also previously been used to refer to the department within an organization responsible for the operation of data processing applications.^[6] The term data processing has mostly been subsumed under the newer and somewhat more general term information technology (IT). "Data processing" has acquired a negative connotation, suggesting use of older technologies. As an example, in 1996 the Data Processing Management Association (DPMA) changed its name to Association of Information Technology Professionals. Nevertheless, the terms are roughly synonymous.

See All Of Information Here!.. :)