Overview on Application Development and Emerging Technologies

Application Development

- The process of developing software applications for certain uses, such utility, entertainment, or
business productivity, is known as application development. It entails creating, writing, testing, and
implementing software that satisfies user needs and resolves specific issues. It uses both the
software and hardware of a computer to produce the said output.

Software

Software is more than just a

program code. A program is an
executable code, which serves
some computational purpose.
Software is considered to be
collection of executable
programming
code, associated libraries and
documentations. Software,
when made for a specific
requirement is
called software product.
- Software is more than just a program code. A program is an executable code, which serves some
computational purpose. Software is considered to be collection of executable programming code,
associated libraries and documentations. Software, when made for a specific requirement is called
software product.
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Classes of Software

System software: Helps

run the computer hardware
and computer system itself.
System software includes
operating systems, device
drivers, diagnostic tools and
more. System software is
almost always pre-installed
on your computer.
o System software: Helps run the computer hardware and computer system itself. System
software includes operating systems, device drivers, diagnostic tools and more. System
software is almost always pre-installed on your computer.
o Application software: Allows users to accomplish one or more tasks. It includes word
processing, web browsing and almost any other task for which you might install software.
(Some application software is pre-installed on most computer systems.)
o Programming software is a set of tools to aid developers in writing programs. The
various tools available are compilers, linkers, debuggers, interpreters and text editors.
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Software Technologies:

Operating System (OS): The software that manages computer hardware and provides services for
computer programs to execute. It acts as an intermediary between applications and hardware
resources.

Software Development: The process of designing, programming, testing, and maintaining software
applications. It involves writing code to create functional and efficient software solutions.

Software Architecture: The high-level structure of software systems, defining the components,
relationships, and interactions to ensure that the system meets functional and non-functional
requirements.

Software Engineering: The discipline of applying engineering principles to the development,

operation, and maintenance of software systems. It involves systematic approaches to software
development to ensure quality and reliability.

Database Management System (DBMS): Software that manages databases, allowing users to store,
retrieve, and manipulate data. It provides mechanisms for data organization, storage, and retrieval,
ensuring data integrity and security.

Networking Software: Software that facilitates communication and data exchange between
computers or devices in a network. It includes protocols, drivers, and applications for managing
network connections and data transfer.

Middleware: Software that acts as an intermediary between different applications, enabling

communication and data exchange between them. It provides common services and interfaces to
facilitate interoperability in distributed systems.

Application Software: Software designed for specific tasks or purposes, such as word processing,
spreadsheet analysis, or graphic design. It serves the needs of end-users to perform particular
functions or solve particular problems.

Embedded Systems: Computing devices with specialized functions, typically embedded within
larger systems or products. They often have dedicated hardware and software tailored to specific
tasks or environments.

Software Testing and QA: The process of evaluating software to ensure that it meets quality
standards and requirements. It involves identifying defects, verifying functionality, and validating
performance to improve software reliability and user satisfaction

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Hardware
- Computer hardware is a collective term used to describe any of the physical components of an
analog or digital computer. The term hardware distinguishes the tangible aspects of a computing
device from software, which consists of written, machine-readable instructions or programs that tell
physical components what to do and when to execute the instructions.
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CPU (Central Processing Unit): The CPU is often referred to as the brain of the computer. It performs
arithmetic, logic, control, and input/output (I/O) operations specified by instructions in the computer
program. CPUs contain one or more processing cores, allowing them to execute multiple tasks
simultaneously through techniques like multitasking and multithreading.

GPU (Graphics Processing Unit): While originally designed for rendering graphics, modern GPUs are
highly parallel processors capable of performing a wide range of tasks beyond graphics rendering. They
excel at handling large amounts of data simultaneously, making them useful for tasks such as scientific
simulations, machine learning, and cryptocurrency mining.

Memory (RAM - Random Access Memory): RAM is a type of volatile memory used by the CPU to
temporarily store data that is actively being used or processed. It provides fast access to data and
instructions, allowing the CPU to perform operations quickly. However, unlike storage devices, RAM loses
its contents when the power is turned off.

Storage Devices: Storage devices provide long-term or persistent storage for data and programs.
Common types include hard disk drives (HDDs), solid-state drives (SSDs), and optical drives. Storage
devices retain data even when the power is turned off, making them suitable for storing files,
applications, and operating systems.

Input/Output Devices (I/O): These devices allow users to interact with computers and receive output
from them. Examples include keyboards, mice, monitors, printers, scanners, speakers, and webcams.
Input devices enable users to input data or commands, while output devices display information or
produce output based on computer processing.

Motherboard: The motherboard is the main printed circuit board (PCB) in a computer, housing essential
components such as the CPU, RAM, GPU, storage devices, and other peripherals. It provides electrical
connections between these components and facilitates communication among them through buses and
interfaces.

Networking Hardware: Networking hardware encompasses devices used to facilitate communication

and data exchange between computers and other devices in a network. Examples include routers,
switches, modems, network interface cards (NICs), and wireless access points (WAPs). These devices
enable connectivity and data transfer over local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), and
the internet.

Embedded Systems: Embedded systems are specialized computing systems designed to perform specific
tasks within larger systems or devices. They typically consist of microcontrollers or microprocessors
embedded into hardware components such as appliances, automobiles, industrial machines, medical
devices, and consumer electronics. Embedded systems often operate in real-time and have limited
resources compared to general-purpose computers.

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