1. Foundations of information systems system Software2
Foundations of information systems system Software
Chapter
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2. Learning Objectives
Describe several important trends occurring in computer software.
Give examples of major types of application and system software.
Explain the purpose of several popular software packages for end user productivity and collaborative computing.
Define and describe the functions of an operating system.
Describe the main uses of computer programming software, tools, and languages.
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3. System Software Outline
Application Software
Systems Software
Operating Systems
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4. Case 1: Microsoft is looking at how companies do business
Microsoft has started focusing on different industries and writing software products to support them
Examples, financial services, communications, government, education, automotive, retail and hospitality, health care, manufacturing, media
Vertical segments: a specific industry
Accelerators: software add-ons aimed at business processes common to a given industry
Software layers: software that serves the needs of a broad base of companies in a particular sector inserted into enterprise applications
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5. Case Study Questions
A common phrase among IT professionals is “The world views its data through Windows.” Why does Microsoft dominate the desktop and networked software market? Visit its website at and review its broad range of software products and services to help with your answer.
How successful will Microsoft be in competing with software vendors who specialize in specific market applications like health care, retail and other specialty services? Why?
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6. Case Study Questions
Do you agree with Microsoft’s strategy to develop industry-specific partners to capitalize on opportunities in both large and small business sectors? Is there an advantage or a disadvantage to being one of Microsoft’s partners in this type of relationship? Explain.
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7. Real World Internet Activity
Industry-specific software applications are everywhere. Despite this, many industries still do not have a wide variety of software applications to meet their needs. Using the Internet,
See if you can find one example of an industry that has a wide variety of vertical applications,
One industry that does not have a variety of software solutions to choose from.
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8. Real World Group Activity
Using the industries who do not have a wide variety of support applications that you found from the first activity, in small groups,
Discuss what types of applications would be valuable to your industries.
Why do you think the applications you came up with have not been developed?
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9. Types of software by function
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10. Software types Application software System software
Performs information processing tasks for end users
System software
Manages and supports operations of computer systems and networks
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11. 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?
Custom software: organization has full control on specifications, functionality, ownership
COTS: generally no control
Software is sold, leased or licensed
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12. Software classifications by user
Personal
Workgroup
Two or more people who work together to achieve a common goal
enterprise
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13. 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
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14. Application Software General purpose Application-specific
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.
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15. 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
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16. Types and Functions of Application Software (continued)
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17. Types and Functions of Application Software (continued)
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18. a) Personal Application Software
Word Processing
Spreadsheet Analysis
Database Applications
Graphics Programs
Personal Information Managers
Software Suites and Integrated Software Packages
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19. Personal Application Software (continued)
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20. b) Workgroup Application Software
Designed to support teamwork
Groupware
Helps groups of people work together effectively
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21. Workgroup Application Software (continued)
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22. 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.
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23. Enterprise Application Software (continued)
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24. 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
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25. Software Suites
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26. 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
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27. 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
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28. E-mail, 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
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29. Word processing and Desktop publishing
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
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30. Electronic Spreadsheets and Presentation Graphics
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
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31. 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
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32. 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
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33. 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
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34. Case 2: Open-Source Software – assignment 1 for BIS-2010 evening.
Also referred to as free software
Software can be modified
Typically acquired with a license
License grant you the right to run the software, own the source code, modify the source code and distribute copies of the software
Free but have to pay for training, support, documentation
Examples: Linux, Apache Web server, Sendmail, Perl scripting language
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35. Case Study Questions
What are the business benefits of adopting open- source software?
What are the risks associated with open-source software? How can these risks be addressed?
Do you see open-source software eventually replacing the current proprietary software model? Explain your answer.
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36. Real World Internet Activity
A wide variety of organizations have been formed to advance the open-source initiative. Using the Internet,
See if you can find information on these open-source advocate organizations.
A good place to start is
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37. Real World Group Activity – Group work for discussion
Supporters as well as detractors of open-source operating systems such as Linux are quite passionate about their feelings. In small groups,
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of open-source applications.
If any of your classmates have experience with systems such as Linux, ask them to explain their feelings and experiences.
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38. B. Systems Software Definition: Critical function of systems software
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
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39. 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
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40. 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
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41. Operating System basic functions
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42. 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)
The trend is to GUI interfaces.
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43. 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
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44. File management
Part of the operating system that controls the creation, deletion, and access of files of data and programs
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45. 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
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46. 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
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47. Systems Software Types of systems software Operating System (OS)
Utility Software
Device Drivers
Programming languages
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48. 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
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49. Operating Systems (continued)
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50. 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
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51. 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
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52. Operating Systems (continued)
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53. 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
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54. 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
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55. 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
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56. Current Operating Systems by user
Windows 7 Windows Server 2008 R2
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57. 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
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58. 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
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59. 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
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60. 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
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61. Utility Programs (continued)
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62. 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
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63. B4. Programming Languages
Sets of symbols and rules used to write program code
Programming
Translating what a user wants into instructions that the computer can understand and execute
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64. Programming Languages (continued)
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65. Programming Languages
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66. Language Translators Definition: It is also called a compiler.
A computer program which transforms source code into object code
Language Translators convert information from the human language to machine language which is the binary format.
It is also called a compiler.
Use the internet and various text books to get examples and read further
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67. Language Translators Definition: It is also called a compiler.
A computer program which transforms source code into object code
Language Translators convert information from the human language to machine language which is the binary format.
It is also called a compiler.
Use the internet and various text books to get examples and read further
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68. Language Translator Programs
Translate instructions written in programming languages into machine language
Assembler
translates assembler language statements
Compiler
translates high-level language statements
Interpreter
compiler that translates and executes each statement in a program one at a time
Java is interpreted
Assemblers and Compilers translate an entire program at once.
Java applets can be interpreted and executed on-the-fly
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69. Programming Tools
Help programmers identify and minimize errors while they are programming
Graphical Programming Interfaces
Programming Editors
Debuggers
CASE tools
A combination of many programming tools into a single application with a common interface
Used in different stages of the systems development process
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70. Machine Languages First-generation languages
All program instructions had to be written using binary codes unique to each computer
Programmers had to know the internal operations of the specific type of CPU
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71. Assembler Languages Second-generation languages
Symbols are used to represent operation codes and storage locations
Need language translator programs to convert the instructions into machine instructions
Used by systems programmers (who program system software)
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72. High-Level Languages Third-generation languages
Instructions that use brief statements or arithmetic expressions
Macroinstructions: each statement generates several machine instructions when translated by compilers or interpreters
Easier to learn than assembler
Machine independent
Less efficient than assembler
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73. Fourth-Generation Languages
Variety of programming languages that are nonprocedural and conversational
Nonprocedural – users specify results they want while computer determines the sequence of instructions that will accomplish those results
Natural Language – very close to English or other human language
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74. Object-Oriented Languages
Combine data elements and the procedures that will be performed upon them into Objects
E.g., an object could be data about a bank account and the procedures performed on it such as interest calculations

75. Object-Oriented Languages
Most widely used software development languages today
Easier to use and more efficient for graphics- oriented user interfaces
Reusable: can use an object from one application in another application
E.g., Visual Basic, C++, Java
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76. Web Languages
HTML
A page description language that creates hypertext documents for the Web
XML
Describes the contents of Web pages by applying identifying tags or contextual labels to the data in Web documents
Java
Object-oriented programming language that is simple, secure and platform independent
Java applets can be executed on any computer
J2EE - Java 2 Platform, Enterprise Edition - AllowS cross-platform communication, J2EE was created to simplify...
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77. J2EE versus .Net
Programming support for Web services
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78. Other types of system software
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79. Other system software Performance monitors Security 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
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80. 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
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81. 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
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82. How web services work BIS1202
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. 543.
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83. Case 3: Amazon and eBay New Face of Web Services
Amazon provides access to some of its data and website functionality
eBay opened up e-commerce software
Opened to programmers and any company interested in e-commerce
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84. Case Study Questions
What are the purpose and business value of Web services?
What are the benefits of Web services to Amazon, eBay, and their developer partners?
What are the business challenges of Web services? Visit the Web services websites of IBM ( and Microsoft ( to help with your answer.
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85. Real World Internet Activity
The concept of Web services and the opportunities they provide are growing everyday. Using the Internet,
See if you can find ways in which companies are using Web services beyond those listed in the case.
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86. Real World Group Activity
Being able to integrate one organization’s website with another’s poses some interesting questions of privacy, intellectual property protection and technical challenges. In small groups,
Discuss privacy, intellectual property protection and technical challenges issues.
Do you think there is any risk associated with this type of cooperation?
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87. Software Issues and Trends
Software bugs
Copyrights and licenses
Global software support
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88. Software Bugs
Defects in a computer program that keeps it from performing as it is designed to perform
Tips for reducing impact of software
Register all software so that you can receive bug alerts, fixes, and patches
Check the manual or read-me files for work-arounds
Access support area of the manufacturer’s Web site for patches
Install the latest software updates
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89. Copyrights and Licenses
Most software products
Protected by law using copyright or licensing provisions
Some software
Require that you register or activate it before it can be fully used
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90. Software Upgrades Software companies Software upgrades
Periodically revise their programs and sell new versions
Software upgrades
Usually cost much less than the original purchase price
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91. Global Software Support
Supporting local operations
Biggest challenge faced by IS teams when putting together standardized, companywide systems
In today’s computer systems
Software is an increasingly critical component
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92. Considerations in Purchasing Software
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93. Summary (continued) Application software Operating system (OS)
Applies the power of the computer to solve problems and perform specific tasks
Operating system (OS)
Set of computer programs that controls the computer hardware to support users’ computing needs
Approaches to developing application software
Build proprietary application software
Buy existing programs off the shelf
Combination of customized and off-the-shelf
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94. THE END
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95. The next topic is Database Systems & Business Intelligence
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