Transcript courses/Textbooks/SuccedingWithTechnology2/ch03

Chapter 3: Software
Solutions for Personal
and Professional Gain
Succeeding with Technology:
Second Edition
Objectives

Discuss the importance and types of software

Discuss the functions of some popular programming
languages

Describe the functions of system software and
operating systems
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Objectives (continued)

Describe the support provided by application
software

Discuss how software can be acquired, customized,
installed, removed, and managed
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An Overview of Software – System
and Application Software

Two basic types of software

System software
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
Coordinates hardware activities
Application software

Consists of programs written to

Solve problems

Help people and organizations achieve their
goals
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How Software Works

Software

Usually consists of a number of files, ranging from a few to
dozens or more

At least one file is an executable file with an .exe extension

Text file typically has a .txt extension

Word processing files have a .doc extension

Important: Change your defaults to see “registered”
extensions and avoid opening “bad” files (e.g. pif, vbs, …)
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Programming Languages

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
Primary tool of computer programmers
Program code
 Set of instructions that signal the CPU to perform
circuit-switching operations
Programming language standard
 Set of rules that describes how programming
statements and commands should be written
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Newer Programming Languages

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Languages beyond the fourth generation include
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Artificial intelligence languages
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Visual languages
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Object-oriented languages
Fifth-generation languages (5GLs)

Used to create artificial intelligence or expert
systems applications

Sometimes called natural languages
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Newer Programming Languages
(continued)

Visual languages


Use a graphical or visual interface for program
development
Object-oriented programming languages

Visual Basic .NET, C++, and Java

Allow the creation and interaction of programming
objects
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Programming Language Translators

Language translator


Source code


Converts a statement from a high-level
programming language into machine language
High-level program code
Object code

Machine-language code
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Programming Language Translators
(continued)

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Interpreter

Language translator

Converts each statement in a programming
language into machine language
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Executes statements one at a time
Compiler

Language translator

Translates complete program into complete
machine-language program
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System Software – Operating
Systems

Operating systems
 Set of computer programs
Runs or controls the computer hardware
 Acts as an interface with application programs and
users
Combinations of operating systems, computers, and
users include
 A Single Computer with a Single User
 A Single Computer with Multiple Users
 Multiple Computers
 Special-purpose Computers


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Controlling Common Computer
Hardware Functions

Common Computer Hardware Functions

Starting the computer, often called booting
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Inputting data from a keyboard, a mouse, or some
other input device

Reading data from and writing data to disk drives

Outputting or writing information to the computer
screen and printers

Formatting floppy disks and other disks
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Managing Memory

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Operating system
 Controls how memory is accessed
 Maximizes use of memory and storage
Logical view of data
 The way a programmer or user thinks about data
Physical view of data
 Includes the specific location of the data in storage
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Operating Systems (continued)


Processor Management
 OS controls the operation of all processors within
the computer system
 OS makes sure that one program does not interfere
with the operation of another program
Managing Input, Output, Storage, and Peripherals
 OS must manage and coordinate the use of

Input and output devices
Storage devices

Other peripheral equipment
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PC Operating Systems Today

Older Operating Systems
 Command based
 Used such instructions as COPY, RENAME, and
FORMAT

Windows


Originally designed to provide a GUI when used with
DOS
Apple Computer Operating Systems

Apple computers typically use a proprietary Apple
operating system and Motorola processors
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PC Operating Systems Today
(continued)


UNIX

Powerful operating system developed by AT&T for
minicomputers

Portable operating system
Linux operating system

Developed by Linus Torvalds in 1991

Open-source software package
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Operating Systems for Servers,
Networks, and Large
Mainframe Computer Systems
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
Some operating systems
 Designed specifically for larger computer systems or
 Computer systems that require a server
Network operating systems
 Windows Server 2003
 UNIX, Linux, Novell NetWare
 Sun Microsystems Solaris
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Operating Systems for Handheld
Computers and SpecialPurpose Devices


Embedded operating systems
 Operating systems for handheld devices and other
small devices that contain computers
Microsoft
 Has developed operating systems for small
computers and devices
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Utility Programs

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Used to
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Merge and sort sets of data
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Keep track of computer jobs being run
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Perform other important routine tasks
Often come installed on computer systems
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Utility Programs (continued)

Popular utility program features

Virus detection and recovery

File compression

Spam and pop-up-ad guards

Hardware and disk utilities

Disk backup

Transferring files

Search utilities
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Application Software - Productivity
Software

Word-processing Applications

Most highly used application software for individuals

Microsoft Word


Most popular word-processing program

Available on both PCs and Macintosh computers
Features include
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Easy entry of text and formatting

Spelling and grammar checking
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Productivity Software (continued)

Spreadsheet Applications
 Support complicated numerical analysis and
calculation
 Contain numbered rows and lettered columns
 Have built-in functions for
 Science and engineering, statistics, and
business
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Productivity Software (continued)
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Presentation Graphics software
 Supports formal presentations
Database Management Programs
 Used to store, manipulate, and manage data
Personal Information Managers
 Helps individuals store useful information
Software Suites
 A collection of application software packages placed
in a bundle
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Additional Application Software for
Individuals

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GarageBand
 Macintosh software that allows people to create
their own music
Pro Tools
 Software program used to edit digital music
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Application Software for Groups and
Organizations


Can be used to

Process routine transactions

Provide information to help people make better
decisions

Perform a number of specialized functions
Routine Transaction Processing Software

Can be developed or purchased
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Software Issues and Trends Acquiring Application Software

Customized Application Software
 In-house developed software
 Can also be obtained from external vendors
 Advantages
Software usually meets user requirements
 Software has more flexibility
Disadvantages
 Organization must acknowledge the time it takes to
develop required features
 Can be very expensive to develop

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Acquiring Application Software
(continued)

Off-the-Shelf Application Software
 Software programs developed for a general market
 Advantages

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

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Lower costs
Less risk
High quality
Less time
Fewer resources
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Installing New Software, Handling
Bugs, and Removing Old or
Unwanted Software

To install most software

Check the documentation

Place the CD that contains software in the
computer’s CD drive

Follow installation instructions

Register software once installed

Check for updates
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Handling Software Bugs

To overcome pesky software bugs

After you install software, check the readme files

Register software with the software maker

Check the Web site of the software vendor often

Check with popular PC magazines and journals
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Removing (Uninstalling) Software


Most operating systems
 Have an Add/ Remove Program feature
Trying to remove program files and icons manually
 Can be a problem with some programs and
operating systems
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Shareware, Freeware, Open Source,
and Public Domain Software

Shareware
 Software distributed under a “try before you buy”
business model

Freeware

Software made available to the public for free

Examples: Thunderbird, Adobe Reader, WinPatrol
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Shareware, Freeware, Open Source,
and Public Domain Software
(Continued)

Open-source software
 Makes the source or machine code available to
public
 Can be modified by public
 You can develop your own software that integrates
with the open-source software
 Linux

An example of an open-source operating system
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Summary



Software consists of programs that
 Control the workings of the computer hardware
All software programs
 Written in coding schemes called programming
languages
Programming languages
 Have gone through several generations
 Each generation makes writing software easier and
faster (sic)
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Summary (continued)


System software
 A collection of programs that interacts with hardware
and application software
Organizations can
 Customize application software
 Buy existing programs off the shelf, or
 Use a combination of customized and off-the-shelf
application software
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Summary (continued)

Software issues and trends include
 Acquiring software
 Installing new software
 Handling software bugs
 Removing software
 Copyrights and licenses
 The use of shareware, freeware, and open-source
software
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