Basic of computer Network 10：Network Software

Network Operating System (NOS)
Network operating system (NOS) is a software that can be used by computers on the network to share network resources conveniently and effectively and provide various services needed by network users. The network operating system is an extended operating system. In addition to the processor management, memory management, equipment management and file management that the usual operating system should have, it should also have the following two functions:

1. Provide efficient and reliable network communication capability.
2. Provide a variety of network service, such as store and process data from remote area, Web service; E-mail service; Remote printing service, etc.
   So, NOS = OS + network functions. For example, Netware, Windows NT, Artisoft’s LANtastic, etc.

Application Software
Software is the soul of the computer. A computer without software is like a tape recorder without tape which is no different from scrap iron. Human can use computer to do many different things with various software. It gives computers extraordinary flexibility and versatility. For this reason, any action of the computer cannot be separated from the instructions arranged by people. A sequence of instructions written for a computer in response to a need is called a program. A program, together with related descriptive information, is called software. A computer with software is a complete computer system.
Software is generally divided into two categories: application software and system software.
Application software is software specially designed for the purpose of an application. Common examples are:

1. Word processing software
   It is used for input, storage, modification, editing, printing, etc., such as office 365, WPS, etc.
2. Information management software
   Used for input, storage, modification, retrieval of various information, such as payroll management software, personnel management software, warehouse management software, planning management software. After this kind of software develops to a certain level, each individual piece of software is linked together, the computer and management personnel form a harmonious whole, all sorts of information flow reasonably among them, form a complete, efficient management information system, referred to as MIS.
3. Aided design software
   It is used for drawing and modifying engineering drawings efficiently, making routine calculation in design, and helping people to seek good design scheme.
4. Real-time control software
   It is used to collect the running state information of production equipment and aircraft at any time and implement automatic or semi-automatic control according to the predetermined plan, so as to complete the task safely and accurately.

Protocol and Standards
Protocol and Standards are the rules and standard that are establish for data exchange over the network. See Basic of computer Network 6 for more detail.