Chapter 4

Computer Software

McGraw-Hill/Irwin

Copyright 2011 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Application Software
General Purpose
Perform common information processing Productivity packages

Custom Software
In-house development and maintenance

Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS)

Third party vendor

Open-source Software
Application code available and free

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Types of Application & System Software

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Components of Top Software Suites

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Integrated Packages
Combine functions of several programs
Examples: Microsoft Works, AppleWorks

Advantages
Lower price Less disk space Pre-installed on microcomputers

Disadvantages
Limited functionality

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Web Browsers
Support navigation
Internet and World-Wide Web Intranets Extranets

Universal platform
Information searches E-mail Multimedia file transfer Discussion groups Other Internet-based applications

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Search Engines
Indispensable for finding information Popular engines
Google, Ask Jeeves, Look Smart, Lycos, Overture, Yahoo!

Universal client
On all computers of an enterprise

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E-mail, Instant Messaging, and Weblogs

E-mail Instant messaging (IM) Weblog or blog
Personal website in dated log format Updated with new information
Owner Gleaned from other sites Moderated discussion

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Word Processing/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

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Electronic Spreadsheets
Used by most businesses
Analysis, planning, modeling Microsoft Excel, Open Office Calc, Corel QuattroPro

Electronic Spreadsheet
Worksheet of rows and columns
Local computer or on network Formulas and functions

Charts and graphs

What-if questions
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Presentation Graphics Emphasize key points

Convert numeric data into graphics displays Create multimedia presentations
Microsoft PowerPoint, OpenOffice Impress, Lotus Freelance, Corel Presentations

Use predesigned templates Tailor files for HTML format in Web sites

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Personal Information Managers End user productivity and collaboration

Used in PDAs Information about clients

Schedules, appointments, tasks

Access the Web and e-mail Team collaboration
Lotus Organizer, Microsoft Outlook

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Software Alternatives
Outsourcing
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
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Software Alternatives
Cloud computing services over the internet
Natural step from grid computing (Chapter 3) Applications Virtualized hardware resources

Vendors of cloud services

SAP Business ByDesign, Salesforce.com, Google Apps, MidlandHRs iTrent as a Service

Advantages
Low barrier to entry Cost Savings More powerful software
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Software Licensing
All COTS and ASP software is licensed
Intellectual property rights Copyright Trademark Trade secrets Traditional contract law
Uniform Commercial Code (UCC)

You buy license, not software

Protect the vendors property rights

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Software Licensing
Can do
Sell software Dispose of rights

Cant do
Duplicate Resell multiple copies Reverse engineer Modifying Disclosing Transferring software

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Categories of Group Software System Management Programs

Manage the resources of a computer system Examples:
Operating systems Network management programs Database management systems System utilities

System Development Programs

Helps develop IS programs and procedures and then prepare them for processing
Language translators and editors
CASE and programming tools
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Operating Systems
Integrated system of programs that
Provides interface between user and computer Manages the operations of the CPU Controls the input/output, storage resources, and activities of the computer system Provides support for application programs

Loaded first before other tasks

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Interface Between End Users and Computer

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Operating System Basic Functions

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Popular Operating Systems

Windows
GUI, multitasking, networking, multimedia Microsofts operating system
NT, XP, 2003, Vista, Windows 7

Different versions manage servers

Windows Server 2008

Based on Vista Release 2 to correct performance and security issues

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Popular Operating Systems

Unix
AT&T Multitasking, multi-user, network-managing Portable across computer sizes

Linux
Low-cost, powerful, reliable Similar to Unix-like Open-source Flexible Multiple machines

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Open-Source Licensing Characteristics 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
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Open-Source programs
OpenOffice.org 2
Sun Microsystems Integrated office suite
File formats compatible with other major suites

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Popular Operating Systems

MAC OS X
Apple operating system for the iMac Based on UNIX GUI Multitasking Multimedia

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Application virtualization
Allows software to run on a different operating system.

Advantages
One machine acts like multiple machines
Reduces the number of computers needed

Energy savings
Use software from multiple vendors

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Other System Software

Utilities
Miscellaneous housekeeping functions Example: Norton Utilities includes data backup, virus protection, data compression, etc.

Performance Monitors
Keep computer running efficiently

Security Monitors
Prevent unauthorized use of resources

Middleware
Interface between an operating system and the application programs of users
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Programming Languages

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Object-Oriented Languages
Combines data elements and the procedures that will be performed upon them into objects
Data about a bank account and the procedures performed
Interest calculations

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Web Languages
HTML
Hypertext documents for the Web

XML
Identifying tags or contextual labels Digital publishing
Cheaper, faster

Java
Object-oriented Simple, secure, and platform independent Java applets on any computer

JEE6 Java Enterprise Edition 6 Microsoft .NET

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Programming Tools
Help identify and minimize errors
Graphical programming interfaces

Programming editors
Debuggers

CASE Tools
Help in the software development process.
Combine many programming tools into a single application with a common interface

Used in different stages of the systems development process

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