Introduction of Utility Software

Subject: Computer and Information Technology Application

Overview

Utility software is a group of programs that aid programmers in carrying out certain activities in order to minimize their overall programming effort. A computer can be examined, arranged, optimized, or maintained with the aid of utility software. Antivirus is also referred to as a virus scanner. The impacts of a computer virus are reduced or eliminated (avoided) using specialized computer applications.

Utility software is a collection of programs that assist programmers in carrying out particular activities in order to minimize their overall programming work. Utility software aids in the analysis, organization, optimization, or upkeep of a computer. It is often referred to as a service program or housekeeping utilities. Utility software typically places a focus on how the computer infrastructure functions. This covers the operating system, hardware, and storage for applications and data.

Antivirus

Virus scanner is another name for antivirus. It is a specialized computer program that lessens or eliminates (avoids) a computer virus's effects. It is used to find, stop, and remove harmful viruses and worms as well as take action to stop any harm they may cause. To rid the computer of the newest malware, antivirus software should be installed. Examples include Microsoft Essentials, NOD 32, MacAfee, Kaspersky, and Windows Defender.

Device driver

Typically, the operating system offers the applications needed to support and operate a variety of devices. Devices including printers, cameras, scanners, ROMs, modems, and others occasionally struggle to support an operating system. A device driver in computing is a specialized program that is necessary to run, operate, or control these associated devices. It is sometimes referred to as a driver or just a software driver. A driver acts as an intermediary between a hardware component and higher-level software applications as well as the computer bus. The driver sends commands to the device whenever any software that wants to use a device calls a routine in the driver. The driver may call functions in the original calling application once the device transmits data back to it. Basically, drivers are operating system (or software) specific and hardware-dependent. The driver allows the proper functioning of devices. Example: Scanner, printer, TV card, NIC card, Sound card, Digital camera, Modem, Graphics card, etc.

Device manager

Users of Microsoft Windows operating systems can inspect and manage the hardware that is connected to their computers using the device manager, a component of the control panel. The incorrect hardware is highlighted for the user to deal with if some components of the hardware stopped functioning (malfunctions).

Disk cleaners

The maintenance tool built into Microsoft Windows operating systems is what makes room on a computer's hard drive for new data. It examines and finds files that are not necessary for computer operation and takes action to make hard disk space available. When a user's hard drive is full, a disk cleaner can help them decide what to erase.

Language Translator

A language translator is a piece of software that can take instructions written in a certain language, usually a high-level language, and translate them into machine code. Language processor is another name for a translator. Depending on the translation, this can entail altering or streamlining the program flow without compromising the fundamental functionality of the program.

A source-to-source compiler is used when all of the source code (in higher level language) translates into the target language, which may be machine code in the form of an executable file. Such executable files' data is referred to as object code. Compiler is the term for a translator that transforms high-level languages into lower-level languages (machine code).

An interpreter is a translator that transforms higher level source code into machine code as opposed to producing executable object files.

Decompiling occurs when a translator translates target/machine code to source language. De-compiler accomplishes this. DCC, Boomerang Decompilers, and Reverse Engineering Compiler, for instance (REC).

An assembler is a translator that transforms assembly language codes into machine language that can be executed. Examples include MASM, TASM, FASM, and NASM disassembler.

If the translator converts machine code into assembler, the process is known as disassembling. OllyDbg and IDA Pro are two examples.

Reference:

Keyes, J. Financial Services Information Systems (Best Practices), Auerbach Publications; 2 Sub edition
Things to remember
  • Utility software helps to examine organize, optimize or maintain a computer.
  • Antivirus is used to detect, prevent and remove malicious virus, worms and takes actions to prevent harm from them.
  • Antivirus should be installed in the computer system to free the computer from the latest virus.
  • Examples of antivirus are Windows defender, MacAfee, Kaspersky, AVG, Microsoft essentials, NOD 32, etc.
  • A driver provides an interface between a hardware device and higher-level computer programs and also computer bus.
  • Device manager provides an alert message if any hardware device is a malfunction (or is not working).
  • Disk cleaner analyzes and discovers unnecessary files to computer operation and take action to free hard disk space. Disk cleaner helps the user to adopt action what to delete when their hard disk is filled.
  • If the translator converts a high-level language into a lower level language (machine code), it is known as  compiler.
  • The translator converts the source code (in higher level language) into machine code,  instead of creating executable object file is known as an interpreter.
  • If the translator converts target/machine code to source language is known decompiling. It is done by de-compiler.
  • If the translator converts codes written in assembly language into executable machine language is known as an assembler.

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