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2Technology Briefing
Information Systems Software
COIS11011 P/O WEEK 4
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Learning Objectives
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Key IS Software Components• Software
o Programs o Sets of instructionso Allow the hardware components in the
computer system to communicate
• Two basic types:o Systems Software/Operating Systemo Application Software
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Systems Software• Controls the basic operations of computer
hardware
• Common functions:•Booting
•Reading programs into memory
•Managing program and file storage
•Maintaining the structure of directories
•Formatting disks
•Controlling the computer monitor
•Sending documents to the printer
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Operating System• Coordinates:
o peripheralso application softwareo users
• Also used in embedded devices
• Written in assembly language
• Performs day-to-day operations
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The OS Acts as a Manager
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Interfaces: Command vs. GUI• Provided by operating system
• Interface Types:o Command-based interface o Menu interface
• list of options
o Graphical user interface (GUI)
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Graphical User Interface
• Examples:o Windows Vista
o Mac OS X
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Common Operating Systems
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Utility Programs
•Manage computer resources and files
•Examples:oBackup
oData compression
oAntivirus
oMedia players
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Learning Objectives
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Application Software• For performing specific user tasks
o Writing a business letter o Processing payroll
• Two Typeso Customized (proprietary) software
•Developed specifically by or for a particular organization
o Commercial software •Purchased off the shelf
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Customized Application Software
• Software developed “in-house”
• Advantages:o Customizability
•A kiosk in a retail store to help shoppers o Problem specificity – the company pays only
for specific features •Unique types of required reports
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Off-the-Shelf Application Software
• A.K.A. packaged software
• Support common business processes
• Advantages:o Less costly
o Faster to produce
o Higher quality
o Less risky
• Customized and off-the-shelf applications can be combined
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Examples of IS Application Software
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Productivity Software• Word Processor
o MS Word, OpenOffice Writer
• Spreadsheeto MS Excel, OpenOffice Calc
• Database management o MS Access, OpenOffice BASE
• Presentation Softwareo MS PowerPoint, OpenOffice Impress
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Productivity Software (II)• Email
o MS Outlook, Mozilla Thunderbird
• Web browsero MS Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox
• Chato MS Live Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger
• Calendar and contact managemento Lotus Notes, MS Outlook
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Open-Source Software• Source code is freely available for
o use and/or o modification
• Examples:o Operating systems – Linuxo Web browsers – Firefoxo Secure connection standard – OpenSSLo Personal productivity software – OpenOffice
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OSI Certification• Author of source code cannot collect royalties
• Source code accessible to users
• Modifications under original name allowed
• No one denied access to program
• Rights attached to program must not depend on it being part of a particular software distribution
• Software cannot place restrictions on other software that is distributed with it