Chapter 3: Software Solutions for Personal and Professional Gain Succeeding with Technology: Second Edition

Succeeding with Technology 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 Succeeding with Technology

Objectives (continued) Describe the support provided by application software Discuss how software can be acquired, customized, installed, removed, and managed Succeeding with Technology

An Overview of Software – System and Application Software Two basic types of software System software Coordinates hardware activities Application software Consists of programs written to Solve problems Help people and organizations achieve their goals Succeeding with Technology

Succeeding with Technology 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, …) Succeeding with Technology

Programming Languages 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 Succeeding with Technology

Succeeding with Technology

Newer Programming Languages Languages beyond the fourth generation include Artificial intelligence languages Visual languages Object-oriented languages Fifth-generation languages (5GLs) Used to create artificial intelligence or expert systems applications Sometimes called natural languages Succeeding with Technology

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 Succeeding with Technology

Succeeding with Technology

Succeeding with Technology

Programming Language Translators Converts a statement from a high-level programming language into machine language Source code High-level program code Object code Machine-language code Succeeding with Technology

Programming Language Translators (continued) Interpreter Language translator Converts each statement in a programming language into machine language Executes statements one at a time Compiler Translates complete program into complete machine-language program Succeeding with Technology

Succeeding with Technology

Succeeding with Technology

System Software – 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 Succeeding with Technology

Succeeding with Technology

Controlling Common Computer Hardware Functions Starting the computer, often called booting 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 Succeeding with Technology

Succeeding with Technology Managing Memory 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 Succeeding with Technology

Succeeding with Technology

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 Succeeding with Technology

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 Succeeding with Technology

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 Succeeding with Technology

Succeeding with Technology

Succeeding with Technology

Succeeding with Technology

Succeeding with Technology Operating Systems for Servers, Networks, and Large Mainframe Computer Systems 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 Succeeding with Technology

Operating Systems for Handheld Computers and Special- Purpose 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 Succeeding with Technology

Succeeding with Technology Utility Programs Used to Merge and sort sets of data Keep track of computer jobs being run Perform other important routine tasks Often come installed on computer systems Succeeding with Technology

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 Succeeding with Technology

Succeeding with Technology

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 Easy entry of text and formatting Spelling and grammar checking Succeeding with Technology

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 Succeeding with Technology

Productivity Software (continued) 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 Succeeding with Technology

Succeeding with Technology

Succeeding with Technology

Succeeding with Technology

Additional Application Software for Individuals GarageBand Macintosh software that allows people to create their own music Pro Tools Software program used to edit digital music Succeeding with Technology

Succeeding with Technology

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 Succeeding with Technology

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 Succeeding with Technology

Succeeding with Technology

Acquiring Application Software (continued) Off-the-Shelf Application Software Software programs developed for a general market Advantages Lower costs Less risk High quality Less time Fewer resources Succeeding with Technology

Succeeding with Technology 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 Succeeding with Technology

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 Succeeding with Technology

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 Succeeding with Technology

Succeeding with Technology

Shareware, Freeware, Open Source, and Public Domain Software Software distributed under a “try before you buy” business model Freeware Software made available to the public for free Examples: Thunderbird, Adobe Reader, WinPatrol Succeeding with Technology

Succeeding with Technology 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 Succeeding with Technology

Succeeding with Technology 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) Succeeding with Technology

Succeeding with Technology 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 Succeeding with Technology

Succeeding with Technology 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 Succeeding with Technology