SOFTWARE: SYSTEMS AND APPLICATION SOFTWARE

TYPES OF SOFTWARE System Software

Application Software

SYSTEM SOFTWARE: System Software includes the Operating System and all the

utilities that enable the computer to function.

System software is a term referring to any computer software which manages and controls the hardware so that application software can perform a task.

Example: Operating Systems, Compiler, Loader, Linker, Interpreter.

APPLICATION SOFTWAREApplication software: helps users

solve particular problemsIn most cases, application software

resides on the computer’s hard diskApplication software can also be

stored on CDs, DVDs, and flash or keychain storage devices

SUPPORTING INDIVIDUAL, GROUP, AND ORGANIZATIONAL GOALS (CONTINUED)

Software Supporting Individuals, Workgroups, and Enterprises

SYSTEMS SOFTWARESystems softwareControls operations of computer hardwareSupports application programs’ problem-solving capabilities

Types of systems softwareOperating systemsUtility programsMiddleware

OPERATING SYSTEMS

Operating system (OS): set of programs that controls the computer hardware and acts as an interface with application programs

SYSTEM SOFTWARE: Operating System:Operating System is a software, which makes a

computer to actually work.

It is the software the enables all the programs we use.

The OS organizes and controls the hardware.

OS acts as an interface between the application programs and the machine hardware.

Examples: Windows, Linux, Unix and Mac OS, etc.,

OPERATING SYSTEMS (CONTINUED)

Various combinations of OSs, computers, and users

Single computer with a single userSingle computer with multiple usersMultiple computersSpecial-purpose computers

OPERATING SYSTEMS (CONTINUED)

Activities performed by the operating system Perform common computer hardware functions Provide a user interface and input/output management Provide a degree of hardware independence Manage system memory Manage processing tasks Provide networking capability Control access to system resources Manage files

SYSTEM SOFTWARE (CONTD):

Source Languages

Target Languages

‘C’ language ‘C’ language‘Pascal’ language Machine languageFORTRAN languageC++ languageADA language

her language – the target language.

OPERATING SYSTEMS (CONTINUED)

The Role of Systems Software

The role of Systems Software –interface between users, application software and hardware

OPERATING SYSTEMS (CONTINUED)OS acts as an intermediary between application

and hardwareOS converts basic request into a set of details

instruction that the hardware requiresCommon hardware functions (e.g.) Get input from keyboard or some other input device Retrieve data from disks Store data on disks Display information on a monitor or printer

OPERATING SYSTEMS FUNCTIONS1. User interface and input/output

managementUser interface: allows individuals to access and command the computer system

Command-based user interface: requires that text commands be given to the computer to perform basic activities

Graphical user interface (GUI): uses icons and menus displayed on screen to send commands to the computer system

OPERATING SYSTEMS FUNCTIONS (CONTINUED)

Application Program Interface Links Application Software to the Operating System

4. Processing tasks Multitasking: more than one program can run at the same

time Time-sharing: allows more than one person to use a

computer system at the same time Scalability: ability of the computer to handle an increasing

number of concurrent users smoothly5. Networking capability Features and capabilities of the OS that aid users in

connecting to a computer network

Operating Systems (continued)

OPERATING SYSTEMS (CONTINUED)6. Access to system resources and

securityProtection against unauthorized accessLogins and passwords7. File managementEnsures that files in secondary storage are available when needed and that they are protected from access by unauthorized users

SYSTEM SOFTWARE (CONTD): Loader: A loader is the part of an operating system that

is responsible for loading programs into memory, preparing them for execution and then executing them.

The loader is usually a part of the operating system's kernel and usually is loaded at system boot time and stays in memory until the system is rebooted, shut down, or powered off.

In Unix, the loader is the handler for the system call execve().

SYSTEM SOFTWARE (CONTD): Linker: A linker or link editor is a program that

takes one or more objects generated by compilers and assembles them into a single executable program.

Linkers can take objects from a collection called a library. The objects are program modules containing machine code and information for the linker.

The linker takes care of arranging the objects in a program's address space.

SYSTEM SOFTWARE (CONTD):

Interpreter: An interpreter is a computer program that translates and executes instructions written in a computer programming language line-by-line, unit by unit etc.,

An interpreter needs to be able to analyze, or parse, instructions written in the source language.

Example: Lisp systems, etc.,

CURRENT OPERATING SYSTEMS

Popular Operating Systems Cross All Three Spheres of Influence

CURRENT OPERATING SYSTEMS (CONTINUED)Microsoft PC operating systems PC-DOS and MS-DOS: early, command-driven OSs Windows XP: greatly improved stability and security

over previous versions of Windows Windows XP N: for European market Windows XP Professional X64: for computers with

newer 64-bit capabilities Windows XP Media Center Edition: incorporates

additional multimedia features Vista: latest version of Windows

CURRENT OPERATING SYSTEMS (CONTINUED)Apple operating systemsOften provide cutting edge tools in graphics and music not available from Microsoft

Mac OS XJaguar (OS X.2)Panther (OS X.3)Tiger (OS aX.4): support for 64-bit computing, Dashboard, Spotlight, etc.

CURRENT OPERATING SYSTEMS (CONTINUED)Linux Developed by Linus Torvalds in 1991 Open-source product Only thare kernel of an OS Several distributions available with capabilities/applications that form

a complete OS Examples: Red Hat Linux, Caldera OpenLinux

WORKGROUP OPERATING SYSTEMSWindows ServerUNIXNetWareRed Hat LinuxMac OS X Server

ENTERPRISE OPERATING SYSTEMS

z/OSMPE/iXHP-UXLinux

OPERATING SYSTEMS FOR SMALL COMPUTERS, EMBEDDED COMPUTERS, AND SPECIAL-PURPOSE DEVICES

Palm OSWindows Embedded

UTILITY PROGRAMSHelp to perform maintenance or

correct problems with a computer system

Common types of utility programs:Hardware utilitiesVirus-detection and recovery utilitiesFile-compression utilitiesSpam and pop-up blocker utilities

UTILITY PROGRAMS (CONTINUED)Network and Internet utilitiesServer and mainframe utilitiesOther utilitiesManages and protects corporate documentsHelps people with visual disabilities use the Internet

Monitors employeesSearches for files and documents

COMMUNICATION SOFTWARE

Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP): A client/server application that uses TCP for transport to retrieve HTML pages.

Domain Name Service (DNS): A name-to-address translation application that uses both TCP and UDP transport.

Telnet: A virtual terminal application that uses TCP for transport.

File Transport Protocol (FTP): A file transfer application that uses TCP for transport.

Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP): A file transfer application that uses UDP for transport.

Network Time Protocol (NTP): An application that synchronizes time with a time source and uses UDP for transport.

Border Gateway Protocol (BGP): An exterior gateway routing protocol that uses TCP for transport. BGP is used to exchange routing information for the Internet and is the protocol used between service providers.

MIDDLEWAREMiddleware: software that allows

different systems to communicate and exchange data

Middleware can also be used as an interface between the Internet and older legacy systems

APPLICATION SOFTWAREPrimary function is to apply the power of

the computer to give individuals, workgroups, and the entire enterprise the ability to solve problems and perform specific tasks

Application programs interact with systems software; systems software then directs computer hardware to perform the necessary tasks

APPLICATION SOFTWARE: Application Software includes programs

that do real work for user.

Example:

Payroll systems, Inventory Control, Manage student database, Word Processor, Spreadsheet and Database Management System etc.,

APPLICATION SOFTWARE(CONTD…):

Database Management System (DBMS):A DBMS is a software tool that allows multiple users to store, access, and process data into useful information. Database programs are designed for these types of applications:

Membership lists Student lists Grade reports Instructor schedules

All of these have to be maintained so you can find what you need quickly and accurately.  Example:Microsoft Access, dBASE, Oracle.

APPLICATION SOFTWARE(CONTD…): Graphic Presentations: The

presentation programs can make giving presentations and using overheads easier.  Other uses include: 

Slide Shows Repeating Computer Presentations on a computer monitor

Using Sound and animation in slide shows 

The most recognized graphic presentation programs are Microsoft PowerPoint and Harvard Graphics.

APPLICATION SOFTWARE (CONTD…):

Spreadsheets: The spreadsheet packages are designed to use numbers and formulas to do calculations with ease. Examples of spreadsheets include:

Budgets Payrolls Grade Calculations Address Lists

The most commonly used spreadsheet programs are Microsoft Excel and Lotus 123.

APPLICATION SOFTWARE: Word Processors:

Word processing is a tool that helps user in creating, editing, and printing documents. Word processors will normally have the following capabilities built into them:  Spell checking Standard layouts for normal documents Have some characters appear in bold print, italics, or underlined Center lines, make text line up on the left side of the paper, or the right side of the paper Save the document so it can be used again print the document.

Examples: WordPerfect and Microsoft Word

OVERVIEW OF APPLICATION SOFTWARECustom built softwares: one-of-a-

kind program for a specific application, usually developed and owned by a single company

Generic softwares: existing software program that is purchased

OVERVIEW OF APPLICATION SOFTWARE (CONTINUED)

Proprietary being the Custom built software and off-the-shelf being the generic built software

Types of Application Software

OVERVIEW OF APPLICATION SOFTWARE (CONTINUED)

A Comparison of Proprietary and Off-the-Shelf Software

OVERVIEW OF APPLICATION SOFTWARE (CONTINUED)

A Comparison of Proprietary and Off-the-Shelf Software (continued)

PERSONAL APPLICATION SOFTWARE

Serves the needs of an individual user

Includes personal productivity software

Enables users to improve their personal effectiveness

PERSONAL APPLICATION SOFTWARE (CONTINUED)

Examples of Personal Productivity Software

PERSONAL APPLICATION SOFTWARE (CONTINUED)

Examples of Personal Productivity Software (continued)

PERSONAL APPLICATION SOFTWARE (CONTINUED)Software suite: collection of single application

programs packaged in a bundle Microsoft Office: most popular general-purpose

software suite Other general-purpose software suites: Corel’s

WordPerfect Office, Lotus SmartSuite, Sun Microsystems’s StarOffice

Integrated application packages: offer a range of capabilities for less money than software suites

Example: Microsoft Works

PERSONAL APPLICATION SOFTWARE (CONTINUED)

Major Components of Leading Software Suites

WORKGROUP APPLICATION SOFTWARE

Workgroup application software: support teamwork, whether people are in the same location or dispersed around the world

Groupware: software that helps groups of people work together more efficiently and effectively

ENTERPRISE APPLICATION SOFTWARESoftware that benefits an entire

organizationEnterprise resource planning (ERP)

software: set of integrated programs that manage a company’s vital business operations for an entire multisite, global organization

ENTERPRISE APPLICATION SOFTWARE (CONTINUED)

Examples of Enterprise Application Software

APPLICATION SOFTWARE FOR INFORMATION, DECISION SUPPORT, AND SPECIALIZED PURPOSES

Specialized application software for information, decision support, and other purposes is available in every industry

Examples Genetic researchers use software to visualize and analyze

the human genome Music executives use decision support software to help pick

the next hit Decision support software is used to increase the cure rate

for cancer

PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES

Sets of keywords, symbols, and a system of rules for constructing statements by which humans can communicate instructions to be executed by a computer

Different languages have different characteristics

Syntax: a set of rules associated with a programming language

THE EVOLUTION OF PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES

The Evolution of Programming Languages

THE EVOLUTION OF PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES (CONTINUED)

Visual, object-oriented, and artificial intelligence languages are easier for nonprogrammers to use than older generation languages

Visual languages use a graphical or visual interface for program development

Object-oriented programming languages are based on objects

Compiler: a special software program that converts programmer’s source code into machine-language instructions consisting of binary digits

THE EVOLUTION OF PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES (CONTINUED)

How a Compiler Works