MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS

Computer Software

Compiled by Dr. Jennifer W, PhD, PMP® for Online Training

 Objectives
At the end of this lecture, you should be able to:
• Briefly explain the meaning and components of a software
system.
• Describe the main functions and reasons for choosing an
operating system.
• Explain types of computer languages, and reasons for choice of
programming languages.
• Discuss various types of database management programs.
• Describe types of application software, and there role in
processing tasks for end users.
 Software
• Computer software, or just software, is a collection of computer
programs and related data that provides the instructions for telling
a computer what to do and how to do it.
• Any set of instructions that guides the hardware and tells it how to
accomplish each task.
Types of Application & System Software
 System Software

• System software is computer software designed to

operate the computer hardware to provide basic
functionality and to provide a platform for running
application software.
• Refers to the operating system and all utility programs
that manage computer resources at a low level.
 Functions of an Operating System
(System software)
• Manages computer resources
– Processor management, Memory management, Device management, File management,
Application Interface, User Interface
– Allocate and coordinate time, memory, processing, storage, printers and monitors
– Monitor system performance
– Schedule tasks
– Provide security(password, firewall, antivirus)
– Start-up the computer
• Provides user interface
– Graphical user interface (GUI)
• Runs applications
– Multitasking
– Foreground and background applications
Functions of an Operating System
(System software)
Functions of an Operating System
 Categories of Operating Systems
• Three basic categories
– Embedded operating systems (handheld)
• Smartphones
• Cable TV tuner boxes
• Video game systems
– Network operating systems (linked computers)
• Windows Server, Linux, Unix, Mac OS X
• OS stored on network server which coordinates all communication
between the other computers
– Stand-alone operating systems (desktop)
• Also called client operating system
 Mobile Operating Systems
• Mobile OS
– Embedded operating system in every smartphone
• Some of the best known
– Android
– BlackBerry OS
– iOS
– WebOS
– Windows Phone
 Utilities
• Utility program is a system software that allows a user to
analyze, configure and Maintain the computer.
• It performs a specific task related to the management of
computer
• Usually used to recover the system, data or resources
• Most essential utilities
– Troubleshooting or diagnostic programs
– Antivirus programs
– Backup programs
– File compression programs
 Device Drivers
• A Device Driver is a computer program that operates or
controls a particular type of device that is attached to a
computer.
• Allow communication between a device and the computer
• Loaded into memory each time a computer is started
• When a new device is added, new device drivers must be
installed
– Add a Device Wizard – step-by-step
• Windows already has many drivers within
the system software
 Choice of a Computer Operating System
• What application software runs on the operating system?
• What kind of hardware does the operating system run on?
• How quickly does the operating system run?
• How easy is the operating system to learn and use?
• Is the operating system designed for single users or for multiple users on
networks?
• Does the operating system have strong multitasking capabilities?
• How reliable is the operating system?
• What about the cost to acquire and install?
• What technical support and assistance is required to install and run it? Where
is this support available?
 Programming Software
• Programming software include tools in the form of
programs or applications that software developers use to
create, debug, maintain or otherwise support other
programs and applications.
• The term usually refers to relatively simple programs such
as compilers, debuggers, interpreters, linkers and text
editors.
• Examples of Programming Language: C, C++, C#, BASIC,
JAVA, Visual Basic, Phyton, HTML, PHP etc.
 Language Translator Programs
• Translate instructions written in programming languages into
machine language
• Assembler
– Translates assembler language statement
• Compiler
– Translates high-level language statements
• Interpreter
– A compiler that translates and executes each statement in
a program, one at a time
Generation of Programming Languages
 Choice of Programming Languages
• Proprietary
– Microsoft Languages (C#, C++, Visual Basic)
– Oracle (Java)
• Open Source
– PHP
– Python
– Standardized Languages
– HTML
• Databases
– Microsoft SQL (Microsoft), MySQL (Open Source), NoSQL (now Apples)
• Choice of above depends on cost, ease of use, type of application, database required,
user interface needed, ease of upgrade, hardware requirements etc.
 Application Software
Performs information processing tasks for end users, usually in various Categories.
• General Purpose
– Perform common information processing
– Also called Productivity packages
– E.g. word processing, spreadsheet
• Custom Made Software
– Organization can develop their own software In-house development for use
• Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS)
– Third party vendor
• Open-source Software
– Developed by collaboration of developers, Application code available and free for use
• Function-Specific Application Software
– Thousands of these packages support specific applications of end users
– Examples: customer relationship management, enterprise resource planning, supply chain management,
Web-enabled electronic commerce
Components of Top Software Suites
 Web Browsers
• Software applications that support navigation through the point-and-click hyper-
linked resources of the Web
• Support navigation
– Internet and World-Wide Web
– Intranets
– Extranets
• Universal platforms for end user
– Information searches
– E-mail
– Multimedia file transfer
– Discussion groups
– Other Internet-based applications
 Search Engines
• Browsers are used to gain access to Internet search
engines
– Google, Ask Jeeves, Look Smart, Lycos, Overture,
Yahoo!
• Using search engines to find information has become an
indispensable part of Internet, intranet, and extranet
applications
 E-mail, Instant Messaging, and Weblogs

• E-mail: 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
– Personal website in dated log format
– Updated with new information
• Moderated discussion
• Range of subjects
 Word Processing and Desktop Publishing
• Popular Word Processors
– Create, edit, revise, and print documents
– Microsoft Word, Lotus WordPro, Corel WordPerfect, OpenOffice Writer
• Desktop Publishing
– Produce printed materials that look professionally published
– Adobe InDesign, Microsoft Publisher, QuarkXPress
 Electronic Spreadsheets
• Used by most businesses
– Analysis, planning, modeling
– Microsoft Excel, Open Office Calc, Corel QuattroPro
• Electronic Spreadsheet
– Worksheet of rows and columns
– Stored on Local computer or on network
– Requires designing format and developing the relationships (formulas)
– Most help you develop charts and graphic displays of spreadsheet results
– Supports what-if questions
 Presentation Graphics
• Emphasize key points
• Convert numeric data into graphics displays
– Used to create multimedia presentations of graphics, photos,
animation, and video clips
– Microsoft PowerPoint, OpenOffice Impress, Lotus Freelance,
Corel Presentations
• Use predesigned templates
• Can tailor files for HTML format in Web sites
 Personal Information Managers(PIM)
• Software used by end user productivity and collaboration
– Stores information about clients
– Manages schedules, appointments, tasks
– Most include ability to access the Web and provide e-mail capabilities
– Some support team collaboration by sharing information with other PIM
users
E.g. Lotus Organizer, Microsoft Outlook
 Groupware
• Enable collaborate on group assignments
– E-mail, discussion groups, databases, video conferencing
• Lotus Notes
• Novell GroupWise
• Microsoft Exchange
– Some allow teams to create websites for information sharing
and document collaboration
• Windows SharePoint Services, WebSphere
 Software Alternatives
• Outsourcing development and maintenance of software
– Domestic
– Offshore
• 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
– Use expected to accelerate
 Software Alternatives (Cont.)
• Cloud computing – services over the internet
– Applications
– Virtualized hardware resources
• Vendors of cloud services
– Microsoft, SAP Business ByDesign, Salesforce.com, Google Apps,
MidlandHR’s “iTrent as a Service”
• Advantages
– Low barrier to entry
– Cost Savings
– More powerful software
 Database Managers
• Database software is…
– application software (like word processing and spreadsheet software)
– designed to maintain databases (collections of information)
– controls the organization, storage, management, and retrieval of data in a
database.
– Users can create tables, queries, forms and reports.
• A Database is…
– a collection of information stored in an organized form on a computer
 Software (Rights)
• Software can be classified according to the rights that come with
the software
• There are 4 main types of software in this category:
– Proprietary software: Re-sell, redistribution, modification not
allowed. E.g. Microsoft office, windows
– Shareware: can be downloaded and used for a trial period then
buy if you want to continue using. E.g. WinZip
– Freeware: completely free of charge to use but not sell or
modify E.g. Avast antivirus utility
– Open source software: give user all the rights. E.g open office
 Software Licensing
• All Commercial off-the-shelf and Application Service Providers software is licensed
to protect:
– Intellectual property rights
– Copyright
– Trademark
– Trade secrets
– Traditional contract law
• Uniform Commercial Code (UCC)
• You don’t buy software: you buy a license to use the software under the terms of
the licensing agreement
– Protect the vendor’s property rights
 Software Licensing (Cont.)
• Can do
– Sell software
– Dispose of rights
• Can’t do
– Duplicate
– Resell multiple copies
– Reverse engineer
– Modifying
– Disclosing
– Transferring software
 Open-Source and Licensing Characteristics
• Open source are software that are free for use without any restrictions. The programs are not copyrighted.
• The Program
– Must allow distribution of
• Source code
• Compiled form
• The License
– Shall not restrict selling or giving away
– Must allow modifications
– Must allow distribution
– May restrict modified source code
– Must not discriminate
– Must not restrict other software distributed along with the licensed software
• Examples: OpenOffice.org
• Sun Microsystems
• Integrated office suite
– File formats compatible with other major suites
 Issues to consider when acquiring software
• Is it better to buy proprietary software or open-source
software?
 Summary
• Operating system tasks and types
• Application software types and use
• Factors to consider when choosing operating system
• Licensing and software rights
• Database programs
 Summary Questions
• Describe system software. Discuss each of the system programs.
• Define operating systems. Describe the basic features and the
three categories of operating systems.
• What are mobile operating systems? Describe six leading mobile
operating systems. Discuss utilities. What are the most essential
utilities? What is a utility suite?
• Explain the role of device drivers. Discuss the Add a Device
Wizard and Windows Update.
• What are desktop operating systems? Compare Windows, Mac
OS, Linux and Chrome OS.