Chapter 4: Software and Mobile Applications

Discussion Paper

Cruz, Glez Myant A.

Dellova, Ruel Jr. S.

BSA 2 -15

Mr. Mark Anecito Perlas

An Overview of Software

Software consists of computer programs that control the workings of computer

hardware. Software can be divided into two types: systems software and
application software. System software includes operating systems, utilities, and
middleware that coordinate the activities and functions of the hardware and other
programs throughout the computer system. Application software consists of
programs that help users solve particular computing problems. Examples include a
spreadsheet program or a program that captures and displays data that enables
monitoring of a manufacturing process.
Software Sphere of Influence
One useful way of classifying the many potential uses of information systems is
to identify the scope of the problems and opportunities that the software addresses.
This scope is called the sphere of influence.
Personal sphere of influence: the sphere of influence that serves the needs of an
individual user.
Personal productivity software: software that enables users to improve their
personal effectiveness, increasing the amount of work and quality of work they can
do.
Workgroup sphere of influence: The sphere of influence that helps workgroup
members attain their common goal.
Enterprise sphere of influence: the sphere of influence that serves the needs of
an organization in its interactions with its environment.
Operating Systems
An operating system (OS) is a set of programs that controls a computer’s
hardware and acts as an interface with application software. An operating system
can control one or more computers, or it can allow multiple users to interact with one
computer. The various combinations of OSs, computers, and users include the
following:
 Single computer with a single user. This system is commonly used in
personal computers, tablets, and smartphones that support one user at a
time. Examples of OSs for this setup include Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X,
and Google Android.
 Single computer with multiple simultaneous users. This type of system is
used in larger server or mainframe computers that support hundreds or
thousands of people, all using the computer at the same time.
 Multiple computers with multiple users. This type of system is used in
computer networks, including home networks with several computers
 attached as well as large computer networks with hundreds of computers
attached, supporting many users, who may be located around the world.
 Special-purpose computers. This type of system is typical of a number of
computers with specialized functions, such as those that control.
Functions Performed by the Operating System
The programs that make up the OS perform a variety of activities, including the
following:
 Control common computer hardware functions
 Provide a user interface and manage input/output management
 Provide a degree of hardware independence
 Manage system memory
 Manage processing tasks
 Provide networking capability
 Control access to system resources
 Manage files
User interface: the element of the operating system that allows people to access
and interact with the computer system.
Command-based user interface: a user interface that requires you to give text
commands to the computer to perform basic activities.
Graphical user interface (GUI) displays pictures (called icons) and menus that
people use to send commands to the computer system. GUIs are more intuitive
to use than command-based interfaces because they try to anticipate the user’s
needs and they provide easy-to-recognize options. Microsoft Windows is one
popular operating system with a GUI. As the name suggests, Windows is based
on the use of a window, or a portion of the display screen dedicated to a specific
application. The screen can display several windows at once.
Application Programming Interface (API): A set of programming instructions and
standards that enables one software program to access and use the services of
another software program.
Hardware independence: The ability of a software program to run on any
platform, without concern for the specific underlying hardware.

Processing Tasks
Operating systems use the following five basic approaches to task management
to increase the amount of processing that can be accomplished in a given
amount of time:
 Multiuser. Allows two or more users to run programs at the same time on
the same computer. Some operating systems permit hundreds or even
thousands of concurrent users. The ability of the computer to handle an
increasing number of concurrent users smoothly is called scalability.
 Multiprocessing. Supports running a program on more than one CPU.
 Multitasking. Allows more than one program to run concurrently.
application programming interface (API): A set of programming instructions
and standards that enables one software program to access and use the
services of another software program. hardware independence: The ability
of a software program to run on any platform, without concern for the
specific underlying hardware.
 Multithreading. Allows different threads of a single program to run
concurrently. A thread is a set of instructions within an application that is
independent of other threads. For example, in a spreadsheet program, the
thread to open the workbook is separate from the thread to sum a column
of figures.
 Real time. Responds to input instantly. To do this, the operating system
task scheduler can stop any task at any point in its execution if it
determines that another higher priority task needs to run immediately.
Realtime operating systems are used to control the operation of jet
engines, the deployment of air bags, and the operation of antilock braking
systems—among other uses.
 PERSONAL SOFTWARE
Spreadsheet Analysis
- Offer power tools for manipulating and analyzing numbers and alphanumeric data.
- Statistical analysis tools, built-in formulas, charts and graphic-creation tools.

Database Applications
- Ideal for storing, organizing and retrieving data.
- Indulge merging, editing and sorting data.

Presentation Graphic Program

- “a picture is worth a thousand words”
- Develop graphs, illustrations and drawings that help communicate important
information

Personal Information Managers

- Helps people, groups and organizations store useful information. (such as to-do list,
set of names and addresses)
Software Suite
- Set of software that are sold in bundle

WORK GROUP APPLICATION SOFTWARE

- designed to support teamwork, whether team members are in the same
location or dispersed around the world.

ENTERPRISE APPLICATION SOFTWARE

- Benefit an entire organization, can be developed specifically for the business
or purchased off the shelf.
APPLICATION SOFTWARE FOR TRANSACTION PROCESSING, BUSINESS
ANALYTICS, AND COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE
- Specialized software for learning enhancement and management, business
analytics, information, decision support, and competitive advantage.

PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES
- Sets of keywords, commands, symbols and rules for constructing statements
by which humans can communicate instructions to a computer.
Syntax – set of rules associated with a programming language.

SOFTWARE ISSUES AND TRENDS

1. Software Bugs
- Defect in a computer program that keeps it from performing as its user expect
to perform.

Reduce software bugs:

- Register all software so that you receive bug alerts, fixes and patches.
- Check the manual or, read-me files for solutions to known problems.
- Access the support area of the manufacturer’s Web site for patches.
- Install the latest software updates.
- Before reporting a bug, make sure that you can recreate the circumstances
under which it occurs.
- After you can recreate the bug, call the manufacturer’s teach support line
- Consider waiting before buying the latest release of software to let the vendor
a chance to discover and remove bugs.
2. Copyrights and Licenses
- Protection made to prevent copying software and giving it to others
3. Freeware and Open-Source Software
- Freeware vs. free software (open-source)
4. Software Upgrades
5. Global Software Support
Questions:

1. These are set of keywords, commands, symbols and rules, for constructing

statements by which humans can communicate instructions to a computer.

Programming Language

2. Set of rules associated with a programming language. Syntax

3. A defect in computer program that keeps it from performing as it is expected to

perform. Software Bug

4. Set of software that are sold in bundle. Software suite

5. It serves the needs of an individual user. Personal Sphere of Influence

6. An interface that displays pictures (icons) and menus that people use to send

commands to the computer system. Graphical User Interface (GUI)

7. Command-based interface is the element of the operating system that allows

people to access and interact with the computer system. False, User Interface

8. Give 2 Personal Computing Operating Systems

9. Windows, Apple, Linux, Google: Android and Chrome

10. A team of people can use this program to collaborate on a project. The authors

and editors who developed this book, for example, used the Track Changes and

Review features of Microsoft Word to track and make changes to chapter files.

Word Processing
11. Operating System is a set of computer programs that controls the computer

hardware and acts as an interface to application software. True

12. True or False, Personal Information Manager software helps people to organize

or store useful information like to-do list, contacts and addresses. True

13. True or False, software are beneficial to organization because it can help them in

decision making. True

14. True or False, freeware are software that is available for public for free. True

15. Memory Management allows the computer to execute program instructions

effectively and to speed processing. True