Lesson 3.7

3.7  WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNT

In this lesson we discussed about two types of software, namely, system software and application software. System software controls the hardware part of the computer. It is designed for performing tasks such as controlling all operations required to move data into and out of the computer. It communicates with printer, card reader, disk, tapes, etc. and monitors the use of various components like memory, CPU, etc. DOS, UNIX and WINDOWS are three important system softwares. Application software is a set of programs written for specific purpose. Examples of application softwares are MS WORD, Lotus 1-2-3, COBOL, BASIC and FORTRAN. We have discussed about levels of computer language.

3.8   TERMINAL QUESTIONS

1. What is software and hardware?

2. What is computer Language?

3. Name the three different categories of computer languages.

4. What is machine language? Why is it required?

5. What are advantages and disadvantages of machine language .       

6  What is assembly language? What are its advantages over machine languages?

7 What is the difference between source program and object program?

8 What is higher level languages? Why are higher level languages are easier to use.

9   What is compiler? Why is it required?

10      What is interpreter? How does it differ from compiler?

3.9 FEEDBACK TO IN-TEXT QUESTIONS

IN-TEXT QUESTIONS 1

1. Program is a set of instructions given to the computer by the user. Software is a set of computer programs and procedures that describe the programs. Programming is the process of software development.

2. Application Software is a set of programs to carry out operations for a specific application. System software is a set of programs written for performing tasks such as controlling all operations required to move data into and out of the computer.

3. (a)  False     b)  T rue      (c) True

IN-TEXT QUESTIONS 2

1. FORTRAN is used for scientific applications whereas COBOL is used for business applications.

2. Machine Languages are the only language that is directly understood by the computer. It is written in binary form that is 0 and 1. The set of symbols and letters forms the Assembly Language.

3. (a)  True   (b)  False      (c) True

IN-TEXT QUESTIONS 3

1.  Both compiler and interpreter are program translators used for translating higher level language into machine language. While compiler scans the entire program first and then translates it into machine code, an Interpreter translates the program line by line.

2. FORTRAN (Formula Translation) and BASIC (Beginners All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code) are some of the high level languages.

3.  (a) True (b) False (c) True