Computer Software Chapter 4 McGraw-Hill/IrwinCopyright © 2011 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

4-2 Learning Objectives Describe several important trends occurring in computer software. Give examples of several major types of application and system software. Explain the purpose of several popular software packages for end user productivity and collaborative computing.

4-3 Define and describe the functions of an operating system. Describe the main uses of computer programming software, tools, and languages. Describe the issues associated with open-source software. 4-3 Learning Objectives

4-4 Application Software General Purpose – Programs that perform common information processing jobs for end users – E.g., word processing, spreadsheet – Also call productivity packages Custom Software – Software applications developed within an organization for use by that organization

4-5 Application Software Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) – Many copies sold – Minimal changes beyond scheduled upgrades – Purchasers have no control over specifications, schedule, or evolution, and no access to source code or internal documentation – Product vendor retains the intellectual property rights of the software

4-6 Application Software Open-source Software – Developers collaborate on the development of an application using programming standards which allow anyone to contribute to the software – As each developer completes a project, the application code becomes available and free to anyone who wants it

4-7 Business Application Software Function-Specific Application Software – Thousands of these packages support specific applications of end users – Examples: customer relationship management, enterprise resource planning, supply chain management, Web-enabled electronic commerce

4-8 Software Suites, Integrated Packages Most widely used productivity packages are bundled together as software suites Advantages – Cost less than buying individual packages – All have similar GUI – Work well together Disadvantages – All features not used – Takes a lot of disk space (bloatware)

4-9 Components of Top Software Suites

4-10 Integrated Packages Integrated packages combine the functions of several programs into one package – E.g., Microsoft Works, AppleWorks Advantages – Many functions for lower price – Uses less disk space – Frequently pre-installed on microcomputers Disadvantages – Limited functionality

4-11 Web Browsers Software applications that support navigation through the point-and-click hyper-linked resources of the Web Becoming the universal platform from which end users launch… – Information searches – – Multimedia file transfer – Discussion groups – Other Internet-based applications

4-12 Search Engines Browsers are used to gain access to Internet search engines – Google, Ask Jeeves, Look Smart, Lycos, Overture, Yahoo! Using search engines to find information has become an indispensable part of Internet, intranet, and extranet applications

4-13 , 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

4-14 Integrated Packages Combine functions of several programs –Examples: Microsoft Works, AppleWorks Advantages –Lower price –Less disk space –Pre-installed on microcomputers Disadvantages –Limited functionality

4-15 Groupware Collaborate on group assignments – , discussion groups, databases, video conferencing Lotus Notes Novell GroupWise Microsoft Exchange –Some allow teams to create websites Windows SharePoint Services, WebSphere

4-16 Software Alternatives Outsourcing –Domestic –Offshore 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 –Use expected to accelerate

4-17 Software Alternatives Cloud computing – services over the internet –Natural step from grid computing (Chapter 3) –Applications –Virtualized hardware resources Vendors of cloud services –SAP Business ByDesign, Salesforce.com, Google Apps, MidlandHR’s “iTrent as a Service” Advantages –Low barrier to entry –Cost Savings –More powerful software

4-18 Categories of Group Software System Management Programs –Manage the resources of a computer system –Examples: Operating systems Network management programs Database management systems System utilities System Development Programs –Helps develop IS programs and procedures and then prepare them for processing Language translators and editors CASE and programming tools

4-19 Operating Systems Integrated system of programs that… –Provides interface between user and computer –Manages the operations of the CPU –Controls the input/output, storage resources, and activities of the computer system –Provides support for application programs Loaded first before other tasks

4-20 Popular Operating Systems Windows –GUI, multitasking, networking, multimedia –Microsoft’s operating system NT, XP, 2003, Vista, Windows 7 –Different versions manage servers Windows Server 2008 –Based on Vista –Release 2 to correct performance and security issues

4-21 Popular Operating Systems Unix –AT&T –Multitasking, multi-user, network-managing –Portable across computer sizes Linux –Low-cost, powerful, reliable –Similar to Unix-like –Open-source –Flexible –Multiple machines

4-22 Open-Source Licensing Characteristics The Program –Must allow distribution of Source code Compiled form The License –Shall not restrict selling or giving away –Must allow modifications –Must allow distribution –May restrict modified source code –Must not discriminate –Must not restrict other software distributed along with the licensed software

4-23 Application virtualization Allows software to run on a different operating system. Advantages –One machine acts like multiple machines Reduces the number of computers needed Energy savings Use software from multiple vendors

4-24 Web Languages HTML –Hypertext documents for the Web XML –Identifying tags or contextual labels –Digital publishing Cheaper, faster Java –Object-oriented –Simple, secure, and platform independent –Java applets on any computer JEE6 – Java Enterprise Edition 6 Microsoft.NET

4-25 Programming Tools Help identify and minimize errors –Graphical programming interfaces –Programming editors –Debuggers CASE Tools –Help in the software development process. Combine many programming tools into a single application with a common interface Used in different stages of the systems development process