Chapter

4
Computer Software

McGraw-Hill/Irwin Copyright © 2011 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Learning Objectives

• Describe several important trends

occurring in computer software.
• Give examples of several major types of
application and system software.
• Explain the purpose of several popular
software packages for end user
productivity and collaborative computing.

4-2
 Learning Objectives

• Define and describe the functions of an

operating system.
• Describe the main uses of computer
programming software, tools, and
languages.
• Describe the issues associated with
open-source software.

4-3
4-3
 Integrated Packages

• Combine functions of several programs

– Examples: Microsoft Works, AppleWorks
• Advantages
– Lower price
– Less disk space
– Pre-installed on microcomputers
• Disadvantages
– Limited functionality

4-4
 Groupware

• Collaborate on group assignments

– E-mail, discussion groups, databases, video
conferencing
• Lotus Notes
• Novell GroupWise
• Microsoft Exchange
– Some allow teams to create websites
• Windows SharePoint Services, WebSphere

4-5
 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

4-6
 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, MidlandHR’s “iTrent as a Service”
• Advantages
– Low barrier to entry
– Cost Savings
– More powerful software
4-7
 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
4-8
 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

4-9
 Popular Operating Systems

• Windows
– GUI, multitasking, networking, multimedia
– Microsoft’s 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

4-10
 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

4-11
 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
4-12
 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

4-13
 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
4-14
 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

4-15