Software: Systems and Application Software

1
Chapter 4

• Software Systems and Application Software

2
Summary Slide

• What is Software
• Overview of Software
• Operating Systems
• Popular Operating Systems
• Utility Programs
• Types of Application Software
• Proprietary Application Software
• Off-the-shelf Application Software
• Standard Off-the-shelf Application Software
• Software Issues and Trends

3
What is Software

• Software consists of computer programs that
  control the workings of the computer hardware
  (statements to the computer) and program
  documentation used to explain the programs to the
  user.

4
Overview of Software

• There are two basic types of software
• Systems Software is a set of programs that
  support the computer system by coordinating the
  activities of the hardware and the applications.
  Systems software is written for a specific set of
  hardware, most particularly the CPU.
• Application Software is a set of programs that
  solve specific user-oriented problems.

5
Operating Systems

• An Operating System is a set of computer programs
  that control the computer hardware and act as an
  interface with application programs.
• Operating System Activities
• Perform common computer hardware functions like
  storing data on disk
• Provide the user interface like the Windows XP
  Graphical User Interface
• Provide hardware independence by serving as the
  interface between the application program and the
  hardware
• Manage system memory to control how memory is
  accessed and used
• Manage processing tasks like enabling the user to
  run more than one application (multitasking)
• Provide network capability to link users
• Control access to system resources by providing
  functions like password protection
• Manage files tracking where each file is stored
  and where is located

6
Popular Operating Systems

• Consumer Appliance Operating Systems
• Windows CE.Net/Windows XP/Handheld PC/Pocket PC
• Palm OS
• PC Operating Systems
• MS Windows 95/98/2000/XP
• Mac OS X
• Linux
• Network (workgroup) Operating Systems
• Windows 2000 Server
• Unix
• Netware
• Linux
• Mac OS X Server
• Enterprise Operating Systems
• MVS/OS 390
• Linux

7
Utility Programs

• Utility programs are used to perform important
  functions like merging and sorting sets of data,
  keeping track of computer jobs and compressing
  files before they are stored.
• Examples of Utility programs
• DriveSpace compresses your hard drive increasing
  its storage capacity (Windows 95/98).
• Disk Defragmenter speeds up disk access by
  rearranging the files and free space on your
  computer (Windows 95/98)
• DFSORT sorts and merges data files (MVS)
• TestDrive allows you to try software before you
  purchase it and deletes the software from your
  hard drive after the trial period.
• Screen Saver
• Virus Detection

8
Types of Application Software
9
Proprietary Application Software

• Application Software gives organizations the
  ability to solve problems and perform specific
  activities and tasks.
• Proprietary application software solves a unique
  or specific problem.
• Proprietary application software can be In-house
  developed or developed by external vendors in
  which case is called contract software.
• Advantages of proprietary application software
• Software usually meets the user requirements
• Provides flexibility in making modifications
• Offers more control over the results
• Disadvantages of proprietary application
  software
• Can take a long time and significant resources to
  develop (costly)
• Has more risk concerning the features and
  performance

10
Off-the-shelf Application Software

• Off-the-shelf application software may be
  purchased, leased, or rented from a software
  company. Off-the-shelf application software can
  be customized to better fit company specific
  needs.
• Advantages of Off-the-shelf application software
• Lower initial cost
• Lower risk that the software will fail
• Higher quality usually without bugs and well
  tested
• Disadvantages Off-the-shelf application software
• May pay for features never used
• May lack important features
• May not match current work processes

11
Application Software

• Horizontal-Market Applications Software
• Horizontal-market application software provides
  capabilities common across all organizations and
  industries.
• Word processor, graphics programs, spreadsheets,
  and all presentation programs are all
  horizontal-market application software.
• Vertical-Market Applications Software
• Vertical-market application software serves the
  needs of a specific industry.
• Examples of such programs are
• Those used by dental offices to schedule
  appointments and bill patients
• Those used by auto mechanics to keep track of
  customer data and customers automobile repairs
• Those used by parts warehouses to track
  inventory, purchases, and sales

12
Standard Off-the-shelf Application Software

• Personal Application Software
• Word processing
• Spreadsheet analysis
• Database applications
• Graphics programs
• On-line information services
• Software suites
• Workgroup Application Software
• Lotus Notes
• Group scheduling
• Enterprise Application Software

13
Firmware

• Firmware is computer software that is installed
  into devices like printers, print servers, and
  various types of communication devices.
• The software is coded just like other software,
  but it is installed into special, read-only
  memory of the printer or other device.
• Users do not need to load firmware into devices
  memory.
• Firmware can be changed or upgraded, but this is
  normally a task for IS professionals.

14
Software Issues and Trends

• Software bugs and the costs associated with them
• Open Source Software can save you money but be
  aware of hidden costs
• Software Licencing
• Usage-based License
• Capacity-based License
• Subscription Licensing
• Lack of tracking software licenses can cost you
• Software Publishers Association (SPA) can fine
  your organization 100,000 or more if you are
  caught with illegal software
• Software upgrades should be carefully evaluated
• Software support should be carefully evaluated
• Shareware and Freeware can save you money
• Shareware is software where you are expected to
  pay the author a modest amount
• Freeware is free software