Applications: programs that contribute to productivity
Software: series of instructions to execute processes
Software categories:
Application software: enables task completion
System software: enables applications to run on computer
Programs needed for every computer operation
Programming: process of writing programs
Machine language: language hardware understands
0’s and 1’s
Assembly language: easier to program than machine language
Uses words
High-level programming language: English-like statements
Software development tools: develop software with little knowledge of programming languages
Third-generation languages known as “procedural” languages
Programmer must detail logical procedure
Fourth-generation languages closer to human language
Debugging: locating and fixing program errors
Visual programming languages: create graphics by selecting icons from palette
Microsoft Visual Basic
Borland Delphi
Micro Focus COBOL
ASNA Visual RPG
Visual C++
User can still work at the code level
Object-oriented programming: modular approach to programming
Ease of maintenance
Object contains data elements and methods that perform functions
Objects reusable and combined in complex programs
Include C++, Object Pascal, and Java
Increasing amount of software developed for Web
Web programming languages include Java, JavaScript, J2EE, and PHP
Applet: code produced by Web programming language
Runs same on different operating systems
Application can be software to let nonprogrammers develop their own tools
Application-specific software: performs specific jobs
General-purpose application software: serves multiple purposes
Usually comes as packaged software
Packaged software: ready to install from external storage medium
Productivity tools: assist normal office work
Word processors: type letters and articles
Spreadsheets: store numbers
Perform complex mathematical, statistical, and financial functions
Presentation tools: develop impressive presentations quickly
File management tools: create and manipulate local or shared databases
Graphics programs: create intricate graphics
Manipulate digital photographs
Desktop publishing tools:
Pamphlets
Cards
Calendars
Project management tools: plan projects and track progress
Suite: collection of various applications
Perform multiple interrelated functions
Hypermedia: enables user to access information by clicking text or graphics
Web page authoring tools: enable hypermedia features
Part of other applications
Word processors
Presentation tools
Multimedia software: handles many different types of data
Education: lessons presented in multimedia
Training exercises
Compiling and integrating data
Business situations
Groupware: enables workers to collaborate in real time over Web
Integration of multimedia technology and Web technology
Allows for remote collaboration
Eliminates travel times and facilitates expression of ideas
Virtual reality: mimic sensory reality
Senses movement, responds to signals, and provides feedback to user
Businesses use VR to decrease cost of planning buildings, machines, and vehicles
Similar to virtual reality
Develop three-dimensional models of geographic locations
Models created from land and aerial photographs
Helps with navigation
Often tied to global positioning system software
System software: deals with essential operations
User interface
Loading files
Copying files
Managing memory resources
Encompasses compilers and interpreters
Applications must be compatible with system software
Operating system: most important program
Recognizes input from keyboard
Sends output to computer display
Keeps track of files and directories
Runs applications
Operating system manages memory
Also known as “platform”
Interacts with user and CPU
Utilities: another OS functions
Hardware diagnostics
Disk check
File sorting
Operating system functions include user interface
Originally text prompts
Later graphical user interfaces
Operating system must allocate memory
Virtual memory: hard disk acts as RAM
Plug-and-play: run a device as soon as you physically attach it
Driver: enables OS to control device
Operating systems incorporating more services
Database management
Networking
Security
Current operating systems
Windows XP
Linux
Mac OS
Linux: Free OS
Based on UNIX
Some versions of Windows notoriously unstable
OS based on UNIX highly stable
Other system software
Compilers
Interpreters
Communications software
Utilities
Sometimes database management systems
Communications software supports transmission and reception of data across networks
Utilities include antivirus programs, firewalls, and spyware eliminators
Proprietary software: sold for profit
Private code
Developer retains rights to software
Open source software: free source code
Fewer bugs because many programmers review
Mozilla Firefox
Thunderbird
MySQL
PERL
Software is collective term for computer programs
Software classified as: system or application
Programming languages and software development tools help develop software
Increasing amount of software is linked to Internet
Some application programs custom designed, and many are packaged
Code must be translated with compiler and/or interpreter
Office productivity tools such as word processors and spreadsheets help worker efficiency
Hypermedia and multimedia technology are useful for training, education, research, and business
Groupware combines hypermedia and multimedia with Web
Three-dimensional geographic software helps model maps and locations
Most important system software is operating system
Open source software
Distributed freely
More reliable
Simulate sight, hearing, and touch
Uses equipment
Goggles
Gloves
Earphones
Moving bases
