Computer Software

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Learning Objectives

• Describe several important trends occurring in computer software.

• Give examples of several major types of application and system software.

• Explain the purpose of several popular software packages for end user productivity and collaborative computing.

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• Define and describe the functions of an operating system.

• Describe the main uses of computer programming software, tools, and languages.

• Describe the issues associated with open-source software.

Learning Objectives

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Information System Resources

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Application Software

• General Purpose– Perform common information processing

– Productivity packages

• Custom Software– In-house development and maintenance

• Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS)– Third party vendor

• Open-source Software– Application code available and free

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Types of Application & System Software

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Types of Application & System Software

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Components of Top Software Suites

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Integrated Packages• Combine functions of several programs

– Examples: Microsoft Works, AppleWorks

• Advantages– Lower price– Less disk space– Pre-installed on microcomputers

• Disadvantages– Limited functionality

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Web Browsers• Support navigation

– Internet and World-Wide Web– Intranets– Extranets

• Universal platform– Information searches– E-mail– Multimedia file transfer– Discussion groups– Other Internet-based applications

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Search Engines• Indispensable for finding information• Popular engines

– Google, Ask Jeeves, Look Smart, Lycos, Overture, Yahoo!

• Universal client

– On all computers of an enterprise

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E-mail, Instant Messaging, and Weblogs

• E-mail• Instant messaging (IM)• Weblog or blog

– Personal website in dated log format– Updated with new information

• Owner

• Gleaned from other sites

• Moderated discussion

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Word Processing/Desktop Publishing

• Popular Word Processors– Create, edit, revise, and print documents

– Microsoft Word, Lotus WordPro, Corel WordPerfect, OpenOffice Writer

• Desktop Publishing– Produce printed materials that look

professionally published

– Adobe InDesign, Microsoft Publisher, QuarkXPress

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Electronic Spreadsheets

• Used by most businesses

– Analysis, planning, modeling– Microsoft Excel, Open Office Calc,

Corel QuattroPro

• Electronic Spreadsheet

– Worksheet of rows and columns

– Local computer or on network

– Formulas and functions

– Charts and graphs

– What-if questions

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Presentation Graphics

• Emphasize key points

• Convert numeric data into graphics displays

• Create multimedia presentations

– Microsoft PowerPoint, OpenOffice Impress, Lotus Freelance, Corel Presentations

• Use predesigned templates • Tailor files for HTML format in Web sites

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Database Managers

• Manage databases

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Personal Information Managers

• End user productivity and collaboration

– Used in PDAs

– Information about clients

– Schedules, appointments, tasks

– Access the Web and e-mail

– Team collaboration

• Lotus Organizer, Microsoft Outlook

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Groupware• Collaborate on group assignments

– E-mail, discussion groups, databases, video conferencing

• Lotus Notes

• Novell GroupWise

• Microsoft Exchange

– Some allow teams to create websites• Windows SharePoint Services, WebSphere

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Software Alternatives

• Outsourcing

– Domestic

– Offshore

• Application service providers (ASPs)

– Companies that own, operate, and maintain application software and computer system resources

– Use the application for a fee over the Internet

– Pay-as-you-go

– Use expected to accelerate

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Software Alternatives (Cont.)

• Cloud computing – services over the internet– Natural step from grid computing (Chapter 3)– Applications– Virtualized hardware resources

• Vendors of cloud services– SAP Business ByDesign, Salesforce.com,

Google Apps, MidlandHR’s “iTrent as a Service”

• Advantages– Low barrier to entry– Cost Savings– More powerful software

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Software Licensing

• All COTS and ASP software is licensed– Intellectual property rights– Copyright– Trademark– Trade secrets– Traditional contract law

• Uniform Commercial Code (UCC)

• You buy license, not software– Protect the vendor’s property rights

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Software Licensing (Cont.)

• Can do– Sell software– Dispose of rights

• Can’t do– Duplicate– Resell multiple copies– Reverse engineer– Modifying– Disclosing– Transferring software

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Categories of Group Software

• System Management Programs– Manage the resources of a computer system– Examples:

• Operating systems

• Network management programs

• Database management systems

• System utilities

• System Development Programs– Helps develop IS programs and procedures and

then prepare them for processing• Language translators and editors

• CASE and programming tools

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Types of Application & System Software

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Applications-specific programs

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Types of Application & System Software

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Operating Systems

• Integrated system of programs that…

– Provides interface between user and computer

– Manages the operations of the CPU

– Controls the input/output, storage resources, and activities of the computer system

– Provides support for application programs

• Loaded first before other tasks

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Interface Between End Users and Computer

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Operating System Basic Functions

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Popular Operating Systems

• Windows– GUI, multitasking, networking, multimedia– Microsoft’s operating system

• NT, XP, 2003, Vista, Windows 7

– Different versions manage servers

• Windows Server 2008– Based on Vista– Release 2 to correct performance and

security issues

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Popular Operating Systems

• Unix– AT&T– Multitasking, multi-user, network-managing– Portable across computer sizes

• Linux– Low-cost, powerful, reliable – Similar to Unix-like– Open-source– Flexible– Multiple machines

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Open-Source Licensing Characteristics

• The Program – Must allow distribution of

• Source code

• Compiled form

• The License– Shall not restrict selling or giving away– Must allow modifications– Must allow distribution – May restrict modified source code – Must not discriminate– Must not restrict other software distributed

along with the licensed software

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Open-Source programs

• OpenOffice.org 2

– Sun Microsystems

– Integrated office suite

• File formats compatible with other major suites

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Popular Operating Systems

• MAC OS X– Apple operating system for the iMac– Based on UNIX– GUI– Multitasking– Multimedia

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Application virtualization

• Allows software to run on a different operating system.

• Advantages– One machine acts like multiple machines

• Reduces the number of computers needed

• Energy savings

• Use software from multiple vendors

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Other System Software

• Utilities– Miscellaneous housekeeping functions– Example: Norton Utilities includes data

backup, virus protection, data compression, etc.

• Performance Monitors– Keep computer running efficiently

• Security Monitors– Prevent unauthorized use of resources

• Middleware– Interface between an operating system and

the application programs of users

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Types of Application & System Software

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Programming Languages

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Programming Languages

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Object-Oriented Languages

• Combines data elements and the procedures that will be performed upon them into objects

– Data about a bank account and the procedures performed

• Interest calculations

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Web Languages

• HTML– Hypertext documents for the Web

• XML– Identifying tags or contextual labels– Digital publishing

• Cheaper, faster

• Java– Object-oriented – Simple, secure, and platform independent– Java applets on any computer

• JEE6 – Java Enterprise Edition 6• Microsoft .NET

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How Web Services Work

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Language Translator Programs

• Convert human instructions into computer instructions.

• Assembler– Translates assembler language statement

• Compiler– Translates high-level language statements

• Interpreter– Translates and executes one statement at a time

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Programming Tools

• Help identify and minimize errors– Graphical programming interfaces

– Programming editors

– Debuggers

• CASE Tools– Help in the software development process.

• Combine many programming tools into a single application with a common interface

• Used in different stages of the systems development process

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