COMPUTER SOFTWARE

1. COMPUTER SOFTWARE EDIT Module 1: Introduction to Information Technology

2. Think of a computer as a robot. What do you want it to do?

3. We Want a Computer To: 1. Read input data from source documents or secondary storage. 2. Process the data. 3. Display the results. 4. Print the results. 5. Store the results. 6. Transmit the results. 7. Protect itself and the data. 8. Keep track of things that it is doing to restart. 9. Count things to reflect performance. 10. Do multiple things at the same time.

4. For the computer to be able to perform all these requires the user to instruct the computer software to control the machine

5. Why is this topic important • Hardware is the engine and software is the gas that makes it run. • To understand software concepts is to understand how real work gets done on computer-based systems within a business. • To understand software is to appreciate the specific details that must be addressed for a new computer-based application to be implemented.

6. Important Topics • Major categories of software. • The importance of operating systems and related systems software. • The increasing importance of application packages. • Challenges to implement application packages. • The evolution of programming languages and the reason for so many languages.

7. Computer Software The detailed instructions that control the operation of a computer system. • Provide tools to people. • Intermediary between people and data. • Manage the computer resources. • Selecting appropriate software for an enterprise is a key management decision.

8. Computer Software System Software Application Software General- Purpose Programs Application- Specific Programs System Management Programs System Development Programs Overview of Computer Software

9. Trends in Computer Software First Generation Second Generation Third Generation Fourth Generation Fifth Generation Trend: Toward Easy-to-Use Multipurpose Network-Enabled Application Packages for Productivity and Collaboration User-Written Programs Machine Languages Packaged Programs Symbolic Languages Operating Systems High-Level Languages DBMS Fourth- Generation Languages Microcomputer Packages Natural & Object-Oriented Languages Multipurpose Graphic- Interface Network-enabled Expert-Assisted Packages Trend: Toward Visual or Conversational Programming Languages and Tools

10. Application Software:End User Applications 1) General Purpose Application Programs • Software Suites – Microsoft Office • Word Processing - Word / Works / Claris • Spreadsheet – Excel / FoxPro / Lotus • Database Managers - Access / Dbase/Sybase • Web Browsers – Internet Explorer / Netscape • Electronic Mail – MS Outlook / Express / Eudora • Presentation Graphics – Power Point / Flash

11. Application Software:End User Applications 2) Application-Specific Programs • Application Software Packages support managerial and operational uses: • Accounting • Transaction Processing • Customer Relationship Management • Electronic Commerce

12. System Software:Computer System Management • 1) System Management Programs • Operating System • Resource Management • File Management • Task Management • Network Management Programs • Database Management Systems • System Utilities

13. System Software:Computer System Management • 2) System Development Programs • Programming Language • - BASIC / C++ / COBOL / JAVA/TURBO-PASCAL • Programming Translators • Assemblers – translates assembler language • Compilers – translates high level language [translate the program (source code) into machine code (object code), then execute the object code.]

14. Machine Languages Use binary coded instructions High Level Languages Use brief statements Markup Languages Use embedded control codes 1001 1001 1100 1101 <H1>First heading</H> <!ELEMENT Product (#Item | manuf)> Compute X = Y + Z Assembler Languages Use symbolic coded instructions Fourth Generation Languages Use natural statements Object-Oriented Languages Define objects that contain data and actions SUM THE FOLLOWINGNUMBERS LOD Y ADD Z Document.write (“Hi There”) Programming Languages

15. Software Application vs. System Application Software General purpose applications for end users System Software Manage hardware, software, network, data resources Operating Systems Five basic functions: User interface Resource Management File Management Task Management Utilities for support services Programming Languages Five major levels: Machine language Assembler language High-level language Fourth-Generation Object-Oriented In short:

16. Systems Software • Definition: • All programs related to coordinating computer operations • Components • Operating System • Utility programs • Program language translators

17. Operating SystemHidden Software • Definition – provides access to all resources • Kernel • Manages the operating system • Memory resident • Loads set of programs that lies between applications software and the hardware • Fundamental software that controls non-resident portions of the OS as needed • Booting – Loads the kernel into memory

18. Operating System A software program that acts as an intermediary between a user of a computer and the computer hardware. Exist because it is a reasonable way to solve the problem of creating a usable computer by better managing the computer resources. The basis for standardization of application software. (the platform)

19. User Interface Resource Management Task Management File (Data) Management Utilities and Other Functions Functions of an Operating System Use of hardware resources Managing the accomplishment of tasks Managing Data and Program Files Sort, Merge, Performance, etc.

20. Functions of OS • Manage the computer’s resources • CPU • Memory • Disk drives • Printers • Establish a user interface • Execute and provide services for applications software • Carries out all input and output operation

21. Multiprogramming - executing two or more programs concurrently using the same computer. Multiprocessing - executing two or more instructions simultaneously in a single computer by using multiple central processing units. Graphical User Interface (GUI) - part of the operating system that uses graphic icons to issue commands and make selections. Operating System Functions

22. User Interface • Facilitates communication between the user and the operating system • Two forms • Command line • Text-based • Key commands • Examples: MS-DOS, Unix • Graphical user interface (GUI) • Visual images • Menus • Examples: Windows, Mac OS, Linux

23. UNIX Linux OS/2 Mac OS IBM MVS, VM Popular Operating Systems • DOS • Windows .X • Windows NT

24. OS is Hidden • User interested in application software to make the PC useful • Application software is platform specific • User must be aware of the type of OS • User should be aware of the functions of OS

25. What is the platform of your system? A common question posed to a system vendor, manufacturer or even the organization utilizing the system…..

26. Platform • Definition: Computer hardware and operating system software that dictate what other software can run • E.g. Wintel Intel-based PC running on Microsoft Windows

27. Types of OS Command line Single user PC Network Operating System (NOS)

28. Command-line: MS-DOS • Command-line interface • Prompt – system is waiting for you to do something • Key a command • Not user-friendly

29. Single-user PC: Microsoft Windows • Graphical user interface • Eases access to the OS • Most new computers come with Windows already installed

30. Network Operating System NOS • Designed to permit computers on a network to share resources • Examples • Windows 2000 Server • Novell Net Ware • Provides • Data security • Troubleshooting • Administrative control

31. NOS Functions • Split between client and server computers • Server • File management • Client • Requests to the server • Messaging • Has own local OS • Makes the resources appear as if they are local to the client’s computer

32. Early Days of Windows OS Operating environment for MS-DOS Shell – layer added between users and DOS

33. Windows Today • Home/consumer market • Windows 95 • Windows 98 • Windows Millennium Edition (ME) • Corporate market • Windows NT • Windows 2000 • Windows XP • Pocket computers and Internet appliances • Windows CE

34. What are the prominent features of Windows?

35. Prominent feature of Windows: GUI • On-screen pictures • Icons • Menus • Pull down • Pop up • Click to activate a command or function • Fast • Easy • Intuitive

36. Windows 95 and 98 • Self-contained OS • DOS commands still available • Start programs by • Start button • Double clicking the icon • Task bar permits movement between open programs • Long file names up to 255 characters • Plug and play • Object linking and embedding (OLE)

37. Windows 98 Additions • Internet / intranet browsing • Support for DVD and additional multimedia components • Support for large hard drives • TV viewer and broadcast ability • Wizards / Help Assistant

38. Improved Windows Features • Backup • Interfaces with other software • Networking features • Security • Dr. Watson

39. Windows Helps reduce the cost of owning and maintaining a PC

40. Windows MEMillennium Edition Multimedia support -- Windows Media Player 7 • Jukebox • Record music CDs as digital files • Windows Movie Maker • Basic video editing • Windows Image Acquisition • Scanner and digital camera

41. Windows MEMillennium Edition • Reliability Features • System File Protection • AutoUpdate • System Restore • Help Center • Home Network Support • Wizard for connecting multiple computers and peripherals • Multiple users can share a single Internet connection

42. Windows NTNew Technology • Engineered for stability • Strong security • Versions • NT Workstation • NT Server • Drawbacks • Lacks support for older Windows and MS-DOS software and hardware • Complex to learn and use • Requires more memory and processing power

43. Windows 2000 • Stability features • Security features • Uses simple approach to hardware setup from Windows 98 • Versions • Windows 2000 Professional for individual users • Windows 2000 for network servers • Was intended for both the corporate and home use, replacing Win NT and Win 98

44. Windows 2000 • Complex • Heavy demand for computer resources • Improvements over windows NT • Maintains user preferences • Self-healing applications software • Supports Windows 98 file structure • Uses plug and play • Provides improved support for laptops

45. Windows XP • Extends Windows ME and provides a more stable environment • Two categories • Network server • 3 versions based upon network complexity • Desktop computer • 2 versions • Professional Client • Personal Client

46. Windows CEConsumer Electronics Where used • Embedded systems • Industrial controllers • Robots • Office equipment • Cameras • Telephones • Home entertainment devices • Automobile navigation systems • Pocket PC • Internet appliance market

47. Windows CEConsumer Electronics Subset of Windows • Less memory • Smaller screens • Little or no file storage • Provides Internet connectivity

48. Mac OS • First commercially successful GUI (1984) • Served as a model to other GUI systems

49. UNIX • Supports • Multi-user • Time-sharing • Character-based system • Command-line interface • Runs on various processors and many types of computers • Primary OS used on Internet servers

50. LINUX • UNIX-like OS • Open-source software • Download it free • Make changes • Distribute copies • Restriction – any changes must be freely available to the public • PC Setup • PC comes with Windows installed • Install LINUX in a dual-boot configuration