Chapter 3: Software Solutions for Personal and Professional Gain

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Chapter 3 Software Solutions for Personal and
Professional Gain

• Chapter 3 - Software

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Learning Objectives

• Discuss the importance and types of software
• Discuss the functions of some important
  programming languages
• Describe the functions of systems software and
  operating systems
• Describe the support provided by applications
  software
• Discuss how software can be acquired, customized,
  installed, removed, and managed

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Systems and Application Software

• Two basic types of software
• Systems software
• Application software

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How Software Works

• Software
• Usually consists of a number of files,
• At least one file is an executable file with an
  .exe extension
• Programming languages
• Primary function Program code
• Syntax Standard

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Programming Languages

• Machine Language The First Generation
• Assembly Language The Second Generation
• High-level Languages The Third Generation
• Fourth-Generation Languages
• Languages beyond the fourth generation include
• Fifth-generation languages (5GLs)

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Languages Beyond the 4th Generation (Cont.)

• 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

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Programming Language Translators

• Language translator
• Source code
• Object code
• Interpreter
• Compiler

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Operating Systems

• Operating system
• Set of computer programs
• Combinations of operating systems, computers, and
  users include

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Figure 3-10 Contemporary Operating Systems
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Operating System Functions

• Hardware Independence
• Memory Management
• Processor Management
• Input, Output, Storage, and Peripheral Management
• File Management Network Management
• Providing a User Interface

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Advantages of a Graphical User Interface

• Performing tasks in a GUI environment is
  intuitive
• The application interfaces are consistent
• The applications are flexible
• GUI supports multitasking
• The applications can be easy to use
• Mistakes can be correctly easily
• Confirmation is requested as a safeguard
• Windows OS allows object linking and embedding
  (OLB)

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Utility Programs

• Merge and sort sets of data
• Keep track of computer jobs being run
• Perform other important routine tasks

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Application Software

• Application software consists of programs that
  perform a business function.
• Some application programs are general purpose,
  such as Excel or Word.
• Other application programs are specific
• QuickBooks, for example, is an application
  program that provides general ledger, and other
  accounting functions.

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Application Software for Groups and Organizations

• Transaction processing systems (TPS)
• Management reporting software (MIS)
• Decision support software (DSS)
• Executive support (information) systems (EIS)
• Expert systems
• Group systems
• Groupware

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Acquiring Application Software

• Customized Application Software
• Off-the-Shelf Application Software
• Combining Customized and Off-the-Shelf
  Application Software
• Shareware and freeware
• Public domain software
• Open-source software

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Software Sources and Types
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Application Software (Continued)

• Sources
• You can buy computer software several ways
• Off-the-shelf
• Off-the-shelf with alterations
• Tailor made
• Horizontal-Market Applications Software
• Horizontal-market application software provides
  capabilities common across all organizations and
  industries.
• Word processor, graphics programs, spreadsheets,
  and all presentation programs are all
  horizontal-market application software.

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Application Software (Continued)

• Vertical-Market Applications Software
• Vertical-market application software serves the
  needs of a specific industry.
• Examples of such programs are
• Those used by dental offices to schedule
  appointments and bill patients
• Those used by auto mechanics to keep track of
  customer data and customers automobile repairs
• Those used by parts warehouses to track
  inventory, purchases, and sales

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Application Software (Continued)

• Custom-Developed Software
• Sometimes organizations develop custom
  application software.
• They develop such programs themselves or hire a
  development vendor.
• Custom development is difficult and risky.
• Every application program needs to be adapted to
  changing needs and changing technologies .

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Firmware

• Firmware is computer software that is installed
  into devices like printers, print servers, and
  various types of communication devices.
• The software is coded just like other software,
  but it is installed into special, read-only
  memory of the printer or other device.
• Users do not need to load firmware into devices
  memory.
• Firmware can be changed or upgraded, but this is
  normally a task for IS professionals.

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Application Software for Individuals

• Software Suites (PC)
• Word-processing
• Spreadsheet
• Presentation Graphics
• Database Management
• Personal Information Managers

• Other types of PC software
• Project management
• Financial management and Tax preparation
• Web authoring and desktop publishing
• Music
• Photo and video editing
• Entertainment
• Educational and reference
• Statistical
• Computer-Aided Design

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Summary

• Computer software consists of the operating
  system and application software.
• Software consists of
• Programs that control the workings of computer
  hardware
• Documentation to explain the programs
• Programming languages
• First generation programming languages
• Second generation languages
• Third generation languages
• Fourth-generation language (4GL)
• Object-oriented programming languages

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Summary (Continued)

• Systems software
• Collection of programs that interacts with
  hardware and application software
• Four popular operating systems are Windows, Mac,
  OS, Unix, and Linux.
• Software can be purchased off-the-rack, purchased
  off-the-rack and then altered, or tailor-made.
• Software issues and trends include
• Acquiring software
• Installing new software
• Handling software bugs

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Summary (Continued)

• Types of software include horizontal, vertical,
  and custom.
• Firmware is program code installed in read-only
  memory of printers or communications devices.