UNIT 1 SOFTWARE EVOLUTION 1.0 INTRODUCTION and 1.2 OBJECTIVES

 1.0 INTRODUCTION

You all must have come across computers being used at many different places – post offices, hospitals, book stores, grocery stores, universities, banks, publishing houses, etc. You have also studied about computers and their applications in the previous block. But, have you ever wondered how the similar looking machines can behave so differently? What is it that makes them extremely useful machines for varied and unlimited purposes, unlike any other machine available to us? For example we can use a crane only to move loads – its usage is quite limited, but a computer can be used to create a document, do calculations, give presentations, book movie tickets, play movies, music or games and accomplish much more. What makes computer the versatile machines that they are? It is the software that enables a computer to perform all the useful and desired functions. Different types of software help a computer to be used for multiple and varied purposes, in totally different areas of work. We will study about the software aspect of computers in detail in this unit. 

1.2 OBJECTIVES 

After going through this unit, you will be able to: 

  • define what is software; 
  • discuss different aspects of software evolution; and 
  • differentiate between types of software.

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