SOFTWARE
 Consists of computer programs that control the workings of the
computer hardware, along with the program documentation used to
explain the programs to the user.
 Computer programs
o Are sets of instructions or statements to the computer.
Ultimately, these statements direct the circuitry within the
hardware to operate in a certain fashion.
 Program documentation
o Is the collection of narrative descriptions designed to assist in the
program’s use and implementations.
TYPES OF SOFTWARE
 System Software
o Is the set of programs designed to support the overall computer
system by coordinating the activities of the hardware and various
computer programs.
 Application Software
o Consists of programs written to solve particular user-oriented
problems.
PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES
 Sets of symbols and rules used to write program code.
Programming involves translating what a user wants to accomplish into a code
that the computer can understand and execute.
 Syntax
o Set of rules that dictate how the symbols should be combined
into statements capable of conveying meaningful instructions to
the CPU.
THE EVOLUTION OF PROGRAMMING LANGUAGE
 Machine Language: First Generation
o Programmers wrote their instructions in binary code, telling the
CPU exactly which circuits to switch on and off.
 Operation Code: 00100101
 Address Location 1: 00000010
 Address Location 2: 00001101
 Assembly Language: Second Generation
o Uses codes like A for add, MVC for move, and so on.
All languages beyond the first generation are called symbolic language because
their emphasis is on the use of symbols easily understood by humans.
 High-level Language: Third Generation
o Uses languages that are easier to learn than machine and
assembly languages because it more closely resembles the level
of everyday human communication and understanding.
o Comprised of High Level Languages such as:
 BASIC
 COBOL
 FORTRAN
o Characteristics of High Level Programming:
 Each statement in the language translates into several
instructions in machine language
 The language is English like and uses abbreviations and
words used in everyday communication
 Each programming language has characteristics that
make it appropriate for each certain types of problems or
applications
 The language is relatively independent of a given
computer hardware
 Fourth-generation Languages (4GL)
o Is a high level programming language that is less procedural and
more English like than third generation languages
o It emphasizes what output results are desired more than how
programming statements are to be written
o Some Features of 4GL’s:
 Query and Database abilities
 Code-generation abilities
 Graphic abilities
o One popular fourth-generation language is a standardized
language called Structured Query Language (SQL), which is
often used to perform database queries and manipulations.
 Fifth-generation Languages (5GL’s)
o Are used to create programs for artificial intelligence and expert
systems.
o Fifth generation language are sometimes called natural
language because they use even more English like syntax than
4GL’s.
CHARACTERISTICS OF HIGH-LEVEL PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES
 Batch vs. Real Time Programming Language
o Batch Programming Languages are best suited to data that is
collected in a set, or batch, and processed at one time – a
processing is called Batch Processing.
 o Other programming languages are better suited to developing
programs to be run one at a time, for immediate on-line or real-
time processing.
 Procedure vs. Problem Orientation
o Procedure-oriented Languages
 which stress the actual manipulations performed by the
computer, use statements such as READ
HOURS_WORKED and PRINT GROSS PAY. They tend to
emphasize how to write program instructions.
 Designed to solve particular types of user problems
 Business vs. Scientific Orientation
o If a programming can handle large data files and business type
applications, the language is a business-oriented language. Its
strength is its ability to store, retrieve, and manipulate
alphanumeric character data.
o Languages excellent in performing sophisticated computations
but not adept at handling large data files are scientific-oriented
language.
 General Purpose vs. Special Purpose
o General-Purpose Languages intended to solve a number of
different types of problems, are flexible, but are usually difficult
to learn and use.
o Special-Purpose Languages are designed for developing special
types of programs.
TRADITIONAL HIGH-LEVEL PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES
 Beginners All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code (BASIC)
o Is a real-time, procedure-oriented, general-purpose language
used for both business and scientific applications,
o Is easy to use for simple programming tasks.
o Is not effective language for handling large amount of data.
o Does very few things exceptionally well.
o Is seldom used for programs directing critical business process.
 Formula Translator (FORTRAN)
o Is a procedure-oriented, general-purpose language, and can be
processed using either the batch mode or real-time mode on
terminals.
o Its original purpose was to solve scientific problems but it also
has been used for business applications, such as performing
payroll or inventory control.
 Common Business Oriented Language (COBOL)
o Is a procedure and business-oriented language, and can be batch
or real-time.
o Is designed to have the appearance and structure of a business
report written in English – constructed for sentences, paragraphs,
sections, and divisions.
o Has large files processing capabilities
o Can be run on many computer platforms.
 Pascal Programming Language
o Is a real-time, process-oriented, general-purpose language, and is
suited for both business and scientific applications.
o Is an excellent teaching tool in terms of presenting proper
programming technique.
 Report Program Generator (RPG)
o Is a problem-oriented, general-purpose programming language,
business oriented, and originally was implemented in the batch
mode.
o Is used in small and medium-sized mainframe computer system
to create complex, detailed reports.
 C Programming Language
o Is a real-time, procedure-oriented, general-purpose language
that can be used for business and scientific applications.
o Is somewhat unique because it allows the programmer great
access many of the inner working of the processor.
o Well-suited for the writing of critical systems software.
 Object-oriented Programming Language
o Allows the interaction of Programming objects, where data,
instructions, and other programming procedures are grouped
together
o It includes:
 C++ Programming Language
 Smalltalk
 Visual Programming Languages
o Uses mouse, icons, or symbols on the screen, and pull-down
menus, which makes programming easier and more intuitive.
SYSTEMS SOFTWARE
 Is a collection of programs that interacts with the computer’s hardware
and application software programs, creating a layer of insulation
between the two.
 One of its most critical functions is controlling the operations of
computer hardware.
 Types of System Software:
o Language Translation Programs
  Converts a statement from a high-level programming o Meets plug and play (PnP) compatibility standards to allow for easy
language into machine language. setup, expansion, and connection to input, output, and storage devices.
 Source Code  Apple Computer Operating System (System 7.5)
 The high-level program code o Offer many outstanding graphics and color abilities, virtual memory,
and multitasking functions. They also have “toolbox” of features that
 Object Code
can be accessed by clicking icons with a mouse, including database
 The machine language code
access facilities.
 Interpreter o It includes a simple graphical user interface and is easy to learn and use.
 Is a language translator that converts each  Unix
statement in a program into machine language o Is a powerful operating system developed by AT&T for mini-computers.
and executes the statement o Today, it is the leading portable operating system; it can be used on
Program Statement Interpreter Machine Language Statement Statement Execution many computer system types and platforms from personal computers
to mainframe systems. It benefits companies using both small and large
computer systems, because it is compatible with different types of
TYPES OF SYSTEM SOFTWARE hardware and users only have to learn one operating system.
 Compiler
o Is a language translator that translates a complete program into a APPLICATION SOFTWARE
complete machine language program  Is used to apply the power of the computer to give people, groups, and
 Stage 1: Convert Machine Language Program organization the ability to solve problems and perform specific activities or tasks.
Computer Program Compiler Machine Language Program
 Stage 2: Execute machine language program CUSTOMIZED APPLICATION SOFTWARE (Proprietary Software)
Machine Language Program Program Execution  Application software that is developed and customized to deliver a specific
problem solution.
 Utility Program
 Advantages:
o Are used to merge and sort sets of data, keep track of computer
o The software usually meets user requirements
jobs being run, and perform other important routine tasks. o More flexible
 Operating System o Problem specificity
o Is a set of computer programs that runs or controls the computer
hardware and acts as an interface with application program. OFF-THE-SHELF APPLICATION SOFTWARE
 Software that was purchased, leased, or rented from a software company that
Users Application Software Operating and System Software Hardware develops programs.
 Also called “general software” since these programs can literally be purchased
in packages “off-the-shelf” in a store.
POPULAR OPERATING SYSTEM  Advantages:
 Multiple Virtual Storage/ Enterprise System Architecture (MVS/ESA) o Lower costs
o Are operating systems used on larger IBM mainframe computer. o Less risks
 Control Program for Microcomputer (CP/M) o High quality
o Is one of the operating systems (and the primary OS) for personal o Less time
computers in the 1970’s. o Fewer resources needed
 Microsoft Disk Operating System (MS-DOS)
o Are command-based operating systems
 Operating System 2 (OS/2)
o Has function like system monitoring, multitasking, and virtual memory.
o Also features GUI shell and some communications and database
functions.
 Windows XP, etc.