Foundations of information systems IT COMPONENT OF IS Software

Learning Objectives 1. Describe several important trends occurring in computer software. 2. Give examples of major types of application and system software. 3. Explain the purpose of several popular software packages for end user productivity and collaborative computing. 4. Define and describe the functions of an operating system. 5. Describe the main uses of computer programming software, tools, and languages. BIS1202

System Software Outline  Application Software  Systems Software  Operating Systems BIS1202

Types of software by function BIS1202

Software types  Application software  Performs information processing tasks for end users  System software  Manages and supports operations of computer systems and networks BIS1202

Software classifications by development  Classify based on how it was developed  Custom software / bespoke  Software applications that are developed within an organization for use by that organization  COTS software  Commercial Off-the-shelf (COTS)  Software developed with the intention of selling the software in multiple copies  Why would you choose Custom over COTS?  Why would you choose COTS over Custom? BIS1202

Software classifications by user  Personal  Workgroup  Two or more people who work together to achieve a common goal  enterprise BIS1202

A. Application Software  Gives users the ability to solve problems and perform specific tasks  Interact with systems software  Systems software then directs the hardware to perform tasks BIS1202

Application Software  General purpose  Programs that perform common information processing jobs for end users  E.g., word processing, spreadsheet, etc.  Also called productivity packages  Application-specific  Programs that support specific applications of end users  E.g., electronic commerce, customer relationship management, etc. BIS1202

Types (by Functions) of Application Software  Proprietary software / bespoke soft ware  One-of-a-kind program for a specific application  Off-the-shelf software  Existing software program that can be purchased  Application service provider (ASP)  Provides the software, support, and computer hardware on which to run the software  Software as a service (SaaS)  Businesses subscribe to Web-delivered business application software by paying a monthly service charge or a per-use fee BIS1202

Types and Functions of Application Software (continued) BIS1202

Types and Functions of Application Software (continued) BIS1202

a) Personal Application Software  Word Processing  Spreadsheet Analysis  Database Applications  Graphics Programs  Personal Information Managers  Software Suites and Integrated Software Packages BIS1202

Personal Application Software (continued) BIS1202

b) Workgroup Application Software  Workgroup application software  Designed to support teamwork Groupware Helps groups of people work together effectively BIS1202

Workgroup Application Software (continued) BIS1202

c) Enterprise Application Software  Software that benefits an entire organization  Enterprise resource planning (ERP) software  Programs that manage a company’s vital business operations for an entire multisite, global organization as one. BIS1202

Application Software for Information, Decision Support, and Specialized Purposes  Available in every industry  Example: Genetic researchers are using software to visualize and analyze the human genome BIS1202

Software Suites BIS1202

Software Suites  Software suites integrate software packages  Advantages: Cost less than buying individual packages All have a similar GUI Work together well  Disadvantages Features not used by all users Take a lot of disk space BIS1202

Web Browser  Software applications that support navigation through the point-and-click resources of the Web  Surfing the web  Becoming a universal software platform for Internet- based applications  Microsoft Explorer, Netscape Navigator, Firefox, Opera or Mozilla BIS1202

, Instant Messaging and Weblogs   Software to communicate by sending and receiving messages and attachments via the Internet, intranet or extranet  Instant messaging (IM)  Receive electronic messages instantly  Weblog or blog  A personal website in dated log format  Updated with new information about a subject or range of subjects BIS1202

Word processing and Desktop publishing  Word processing  Create, edit, revise and print documents  E.g., Microsoft Word, Lotus WordPro and Corel WordPerfect  Desktop Publishing  Produce printed materials that look professionally published  E.g., Adobe PageMaker, Microsoft Publisher and QuarkXPress BIS1202

Electronic Spreadsheets and Presentation Graphics  Electronic Spreadsheets  Worksheet of rows and columns  Used for calculations and charts  E.g., Lotus 1-2-3, Microsoft Excel, Corel QuattroPro  Presentation Graphics  Convert numeric data into graphics displays  Prepare multimedia presentations including graphics, photos, animation, and video clips  E.g., Microsoft PowerPoint, Lotus Freelance, Corel Presentations BIS1202

Personal Information Manager and Groupware  Personal Information Manager (PIM)  Software for end user productivity and collaboration  Store information about clients, schedules, manage appointments, manage tasks  E.g., Lotus Organizer, Microsoft Outlook  Groupware  Software that helps workgroups collaborate on group assignments  , discussion groups, databases, videoconferencing  E.g., Lotus Notes, Novell GroupWise, Microsoft Exchange BIS1202

Software alternatives  Outsourcing development and maintenance of software  Application service providers (ASPs)  Companies that own, operate and maintain application software and computer system resources  Use the application for a fee over the Internet  Pay-as-you-go BIS1202

Software Licensing  All software (COTS, ASP) is licensed  You don’t buy software: you buy a license to use the software under the terms of the licensing agreement  Licensed to protect the vendor’s property rights BIS1202

B. Systems Software  Definition:  a type of computer software designed to operate the computer hardware and to provide and maintain a platform for running application software.  Critical function of systems software  Controlling operations of computer hardware  Supports the application programs’ problem-solving capabilities BIS1202

System software  Software that manages and supports a computer system  System management programs  Programs that manage hardware, software, network, and data resources  E.g., operating systems, network management programs, database management systems, systems utilities  Systems development programs  Programs that help users develop information system programs BIS1202

Operating System  Integrated system of programs that  Manages the operations of the CPU  Controls the input/output and storage resources and activities of the computer system  Provides support services as computer executes applications programs BIS1202

Operating System basic functions BIS1202

User Interface  Part of the operating system that allows you to communicate with it  Three main types:  Command-driven  Menu-driven  Graphical user interfaces (GUI) BIS1202

Resource management  Part of operating system that manages the hardware and networking resources of a computer system  Includes CPU, memory, secondary storage device, telecommunications, and input/output peripherals  Virtual memory  Swapping parts of programs and data between memory and magnetic disks BIS1202

File management  Part of the operating system that controls the creation, deletion, and access of files of data and programs BIS1202

Task Management  Part of the operating system that manages the accomplishment of computing tasks of the end users  Multitasking  Task management approach that allows for several tasks to be performed in a seemingly simultaneous fashion Assigns only one task to CPU but switches between tasks so quickly looks like executing all programs at once  Also called multiprogramming or time-sharing BIS1202

Popular Operating Systems  Windows  GUI, multitasking, networking, multimedia  Microsoft’s operating system  Different versions manage servers  Unix  Multitasking, multiuser, network-managing  Portable – can run on mainframes, midrange and PCs  Linux  Low-cost, powerful reliable Unix-like operating system  Open-source  MAC OS X  Apple operating system for the iMac  GUI, multitasking, multimedia BIS1202

Systems Software  Types of systems software  Operating System (OS)  Utility Software  Device Drivers  Programming languages BIS1202

B1. Operating Systems  Combinations of OSs, computers, and users  Single computer with a single user  Single computer with multiple users  Multiple computers  Special-purpose computers BIS1202

Operating Systems (continued) BIS1202

Operating Systems (continued)  Activities performed by the operating system include:  Perform common computer hardware functions  Provide a user interface and input/output management  Provide a degree of hardware independence  Manage system memory BIS1202

Operating Systems (continued)  Common hardware functions  OS acts as an intermediary between the application and the hardware  User interface and input/output management  User interface allows people to access and command the computer system  Hardware independence  Programmers can use APIs to create application software API –Application Programming Interface is an interface implemented by a software program which enables it to interact with other software BIS1202

Operating Systems (continued) BIS1202

Operating Systems (continued)  Memory management  OS controls how memory is accessed and maximizes available memory and storage  Processing tasks  Task management allocates computer resources  Networking capability  Computers can join together in a network to send and receive data – to share resources BIS1202

Operating Systems (continued)  Access to system resources and security  OS needs to provide a high level of security against unauthorized access to users’ data  File management  OS manages files to ensure that files in secondary storage are available when needed BIS1202

Current Operating Systems  Microsoft PC operating systems  Windows 7 released in 2009, less than three years after the release of its predecessor, Windows Vista. The OS was intended to be a more focused, incremental upgrade to the Windows line, with the goal of being compatible with applications and hardware with which Windows Vista is already compatible.  Apple computer operating systems  OSs have evolved and often provide features not available from Microsoft  Linux  An open-source operating system BIS1202

Current Operating Systems by user Windows 7 Windows Server 2008 R2 BIS1202

Workgroup Operating Systems  Definition:  A workgroup OS is one that allows a collection of individuals to work together on a task.  Examples Server 2008 R2 Windows Server UNIX NetWare Red Hat Linux Mac OS X Server BIS1202

Enterprise Operating Systems  Definition:  this is an OS that allows an organization to work as 1 regardless of the number of departments.  Examples :  z/OS IBM’s first 64-bit enterprise OS  HP-UX and Linux Robust UNIX-based OS Supports Internet database BIS1202

Operating Systems for Small Computers, Embedded Computers, and Special-Purpose Devices  Palm OS  Operating system used in over 30 million handheld computers and smart phones  Windows Embedded  Family of Microsoft OSs embedded into small computer devices  Windows Mobile  Operating system designed for smartphones and PDAs BIS1202

B2. Utility Programs  Miscellaneous housekeeping functions  Example, Norton utilities includes data backup, virus protection, data compression, etc.  Help to perform maintenance or correct problems with a computer system  Help to secure and safeguard data BIS1202

Utility Programs (continued) BIS1202

B3. Device Drivers  Definition:  a device driver or software driver is a computer program allowing higher-level computer programs to interact with a hardware device.  The function of a device driver is to allow the communication between the computer operating system and the device attached to it.  Read more: Device Driver Examples | eHow.com examples.html#ixzz0wnoOj6L6 BIS1202

Other types of system software BIS1202

Other system software  Performance monitors  Programs that monitor and adjust computer system to keep them running efficiently  Security monitors  Programs that monitor and control use of computer systems to prevent unauthorized use of resources BIS1202

Application servers  Provide an interface between an operating system and the application programs of users  Middleware  Software that helps diverse software applications exchange data and work together more efficiently BIS1202

Web Services  Software components  based on a framework of Web and object-oriented standards and technologies  for using the Web  to electronically link the applications of different users and different computing platforms BIS1202

How web services work Source: Adapted from Bala Iyer, Jim Freedman, Mark Gaynor and George Wyner, “Web Services: Enabling Dynamic Business Networks,” Communications of the Association for Information Systems, Volume11, 2003, p BIS1202

Considerations in Purchasing Software BIS1202

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