Software

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Software

• custom-written, off-the-shelf, generic, system,
  applications, utility, integrated

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Learning Objectives

• Define the different types of software.
• Describe the purpose of each of the software
  types giving common examples of applications for
  each type.
• Discuss the relative advantages and disadvantages
  of using off-the-shelf and bespoke software
  packages.

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Difference between Hardware and Software

• Hardware
• Comprises the physical parts of the computer
  system that are hard to touch.
• Software
• Makes a computer do something and are written to
  run on the hardware.

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Watch a computer booting up or logging onto a
network.

• What is happening?
• How is it happening?
• How does the computer know what to do?

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• What is software?
• How is it related to hardware?

Without software a computer system could not
function!
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Software

• Software is the general term used to describe
  all the changeable programs, routines or
  procedures that run on a computer.
• Software makes a computer do something and are
  written to run on the hardware.

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Software

• What types of software have you encountered?
  What were their functions?
• What were their software names and product
  names? (They are different!)

• The difference between generic and product names
  is like the difference between a 'car' and a make
  of car e.g. 'Fiat or Dacia.

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Systems software

• Performs tasks needed to run the computer system
  / hardware
• They help the computer run smoothly.
• Helps the user to control and make best use of
  the computer hardware.
• Allows the user to carry out different tasks
  with different programs rather than one specific
  task with one program.
  

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There are 2 main types of software
Performs tasks needed to just run the computer
system. Without system software application
software could not run.
Carries out some task/s for the user allowing the
user to produce something useful.
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Software written to the specification of a
particular organisation or customer.
Software that can be made to do many different
tasks.
Prewritten ready to buy
Software to perform a specific task e.g. payroll,
accounts, stock control, fill in forms

• A number of different pieces of software that can
  share / merge data.
• e.g.
• A graph from a spreadsheet can be placed in a
  report.
• Common screen design / toolbars / icons makes it
  simpler for people to learn.

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Advantages of off-the-shelf packages

• Immediately available, bespoke software takes
  time to write.
• Many users who share the development costs,
  making it a cheaper alternative.
• Thoroughly tested and so fewer bugs (due to the
  number and variety of users).
• More likely to be compatible with other
  applications packages.
• More likely that there are well established
  training courses in the software.
• User groups often available.

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Advantages of Bespoke Packages / Custom Written
Software

• Will be tailored to the exact needs of the user.
• Perhaps no off-the-shelf software fulfils the
  system requirements as the application is a one
  off.
• There is a potential to work with the developers
  to expand the marketplace for the new software.
• Will not contain extra routines that will never
  be used.

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Applications for which Common Packages are not
appropriate

• Where the use is so specialised that the software
  will need to be written (or at least tailored)
  for that particular use.
• E.g. Many uses of control software.
• Robots used on production lines tend to be
  one-off machines, designed for that particular
  purpose, consequently, the software that would
  drive them would, similarly, be one-off.
• A stock control system in a warehouse would have
  standard modules, but would have other sections
  which would be for that warehousing system alone.
  
• How different from the standard design is the
  system for which we want the software?
• The further away from the standard, the more
  difficult it is to use standard software, and the
  more likelihood there is that the system will
  require software written specially for it.

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Used to control communication between computer
and peripherals by converting OS commands into
instructions that the peripheral will understand.
Supplied with a new peripheral and needs to be
installed it can be used.
Program Part of OS Designed to carry out
housework and common tasks.
To protect files from attack by virus
To keep files sensibly arranged on the hard drive
Reduces size of files without loss of detail by
deleting redundant data so that less storage
space required and faster transmission.
Deletes the contents of a disk, divides the
surface of storage media into tracks and sectors
and, produces an index before being used.
To manage the files that are stored on a computer
system
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Plenary

• What are the different types of software?
• What are they used for and can you give examples?
• What are the relative advantages and
  disadvantages of using off-the-shelf and bespoke
  software packages?