2. When selecting an operating system, you must consider the current and future requirements for application software to meet the needs of the organization. In addition, your choice of a particular operating system must be consistent with your choice of hardware.
Identify and briefly describe the functions of the two basic kinds of software
Outline the role of the operating system and identify the features of several popular operating systems
Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition

3. Do not develop proprietary application software unless doing so will meet a compelling business need that can provide a competitive advantage
Discuss how application software can support personal, workgroup, and enterprise business objectives
Identify three basic approaches to developing application software and discuss the pros and cons of each
Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition

4. Choose a programming language whose functional characteristics are appropriate for the task at hand, taking into consideration the skills and experience of the programming staff
Outline the overall evolution of programming languages and clearly differentiate among the five generations of programming languages
Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition

5. The software industry continues to undergo constant change; users need to be aware of recent trends and issues to be effective in their business and personal life
Identify several key issues and trends that have an impact on organizations and individuals
Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition

6. An Overview of Software
Computer programs: sequences of instructions for the computer
Documentation: describes program functions to help user operate computer system
Systems software: set of programs that coordinates the activities of hardware and programs
Application software: programs that help users solve particular problems
Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition

7. Table 4.1: Classifying Software by Type and Sphere of Influence
Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition

8. Systems Software: Operating Systems
Operating system (OS): a set of computer programs that controls the computer hardware and acts as an interface with application programs
Kernel: ties all of the components of the OS together and regulates other programs; controls the most critical processes
Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition

9. Operating Systems (continued)
Activities performed by the operating system:
Perform common computer hardware functions
Provide a user interface and input/output management
Provide a degree of hardware independence
Manage system memory
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10. Operating Systems (continued)
Activities performed by the operating system:
Manage processing tasks
Provide networking capability
Control access to system resources
Manage files
Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition

11. Figure 4.2: Operating system as interface between application software and hardware
Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition

12. Operating Systems (continued)
Common hardware functions
Get input from the keyboard or some other input device
Retrieve data from disks
Store data on disks
Display information on a monitor or printer
Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition

13. Operating Systems (continued)
User interface and input/output management
User interface: allows individuals to access and command the computer system
Command-based user interface: requires that text commands be given to the computer to perform basic activities
Graphical user interface (GUI): uses icons and menus displayed on screen to send commands to computer system
Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition

14. Operating Systems (continued)
Application program interface (API): allows applications to make use of the operating system
Memory management: control how memory is accessed and maximize available memory and storage
Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition

15. Figure 4.3: Application Program Interface Links Application Software to the Operating System
Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition

16. Operating Systems (continued)
Processing tasks
Multitasking: capability allowing more than one program to run at the same time
Time-sharing: allows more than one person to use a computer system at the same time
Scalability: ability of the computer to handle an increasing number of concurrent users smoothly
Networking capability: features and capabilities of the OS that aid users in connecting to a computer network
Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition

17. Operating Systems (continued)
Access to system resources
Protection against unauthorized access
Logins and passwords
File management: ensures that files in secondary storage are available when needed and that they are protected from access by unauthorized users
Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition

18. Table 4.3: Popular Operating Systems Cross All Three Spheres of Influence
Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition

19. Current Operating Systems
Microsoft PC operating systems
Apple computer operating systems
Linux
Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition

20. Workgroup Operating Systems
Windows Server
UNIX
NetWare
RedHat Linux
Mac OS X Server
Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition

21. Enterprise Operating Systems
z/OS
MPE/iX and HP-UX
Linux
Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition

22. Operating Systems for Small Computers and Special-Purpose Devices
Palm OS
Windows Embedded
Windows Mobile
Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition

23. Utility Programs Utility programs are used to:
Merge and sort sets of data
Keep track of computer jobs being run
Compress data files before they are stored or transmitted over a network
Perform other important tasks
Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition

24. Utility Programs (continued)
Hardware utilities
Virus-detection and virus-recovery utilities
File-compression utilities
Spam and pop-up blocker utilities
Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition

25. Utility Programs (continued)
Network and Internet utilities
Server and mainframe utilities
Other utilities
Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition

26. Table 4.4: Examples of Utility Programs
Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition

27. Application Software
Primary function is to apply the power of the computer to give individuals, workgroups, and the entire enterprise the ability to solve problems and perform specific tasks
Application programs interact with systems software; systems software then directs the computer hardware to perform the necessary tasks
Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition

28. Types and Functions of Application Software
Proprietary software: a one-of-a-kind program for a specific application, usually developed and owned by a single company
Off-the-shelf software: existing software programs that are purchased
Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition

29. Table 4.5: A Comparison of Proprietary and Off-the-Shelf Software
Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition

30. Table 4.5: A Comparison of Proprietary and Off-the-Shelf Software (continued)
Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition

31. Personal Application Software
Serve the needs of an individual user
Include personal productivity software, which enable users to improve their personal effectiveness
Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition

32. Table 4.6: Examples of Personal Productivity Software
Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition

33. Table 4.6: Examples of Personal Productivity Software (continued)
Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition

34. Workgroup Application Software
Workgroup application software: designed to support teamwork, whether people are in the same location or dispersed around the world
Groupware: software that helps groups of people work together more efficiently and effectively
Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition

35. Table 4.8: Ernst & Young’s “Three Cs” Rule for Groupware
Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition

36. Enterprise Application Software
Software that benefits an entire organization
Enterprise resource planning (ERP) software: a set of integrated programs that manage a company’s vital business operations for an entire multisite, global organization
Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition

37. Table 4.9: Examples of Enterprise Application Software
Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition

38. Programming Languages
Programming languages: sets of keywords, symbols, and a system of rules for constructing statements
Allow humans to communicate instructions to be executed by a computer
Different languages have different characteristics
Syntax: a set of rules associated with a programming language
Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition

39. Table 4.11: The Evolution of Programming Languages
Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition

40. First Generation Machine language
Required use of binary symbols (0s and 1s)
Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition

41. Second Generation Assembly languages
Use symbols rather than binary digits
Assemblers: programs that translate assembly languages into machine code
Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition

42. Third Generation Greater use of symbolic code
Examples: BASIC, COBOL, C, and FORTRAN
Compiler: a software program that converts the programmer’s source code into the machine-language instructions consisting of binary digits
Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition

43. Figure 4.18: How a Compiler Works
Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition

44. Fourth Generation 4GLs: fourth-generation languages
Easier to use, and more English-like, than third generation languages
Programs tell the CPU the desired results, not how to get them
Examples: SQL, SAS
Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition

45. Languages Beyond the Fourth Generation
Artificial intelligence, visual, and object-oriented languages
Easier for nonprogrammers to use
Programming languages used to create artificial intelligence or expert systems applications are called fifth-generation languages (5GLs)
Visual languages use a graphical or visual interface for program development
Object-oriented programming languages are based on objects (data and the actions that can be performed on it)
Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition

46. Software Issues and Trends
Software bugs: defects in a computer program that keep it from performing in the manner intended
Copyrights and licenses
Open-source software: software that is freely available to anyone in a form that can be easily modified
Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition

47. Software Issues and Trends (continued)
Shareware and freeware: software that is very inexpensive or free, but whose source code cannot be modified
Multiorganizational software development
Software upgrades
Global software support
Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition

48. Summary Computer programs: sequences of instructions for the computer
Systems software: coordinates the activities of hardware and programs
Applications software: helps users solve particular problems
Operating system (OS): a set of computer programs that controls the computer hardware and acts as an interface with application programs
Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition

49. Summary (continued)
Graphical user interface (GUI): a user interface that uses icons and menus displayed on screen to send commands to the computer system
Time-sharing allows more than one person to use a computer system at the same time
Proprietary software: a one-of-a-kind program designed for a specific application, usually developed and owned by a single company
Off-the-shelf software: existing software program that is purchased
Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition

50. Summary (continued)
Enterprise resource planning (ERP) software: manages a company’s vital business operations for an entire multisite, global organization
Programming languages allow humans to communicate instructions to be executed by a computer
Programming languages can be classified as first generation, second generation, third generation, fourth generation, and languages beyond the fourth generation
Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition