Scribd
Upload
26 views

Module 2: Computer Systems and The IT Industry: Cloud Computing-Software As A Service

This document provides an overview of computer systems and the IT industry. It discusses the different types of software used with computer systems, including applications software and support software. Applications software is used to accomplish business tasks like accounting, while support software allows applications software to run, with operating systems being a prime example. The document also covers topics like server operating systems, different generations of programming languages from machine language to object-oriented languages, and markup languages like HTML.

Uploaded by

asim
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
26 views

Module 2: Computer Systems and The IT Industry: Cloud Computing-Software As A Service

This document provides an overview of computer systems and the IT industry. It discusses the different types of software used with computer systems, including applications software and support software. Applications software is used to accomplish business tasks like accounting, while support software allows applications software to run, with operating systems being a prime example. The document also covers topics like server operating systems, different generations of programming languages from machine language to object-oriented languages, and markup languages like HTML.

Uploaded by

asim
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

Module 2: Computer systems and the IT industry

Readings
• Chapter 2 in Managing Information Technology, pp. 34-59
Kulkarni, G., Gambhir, J., & Palwe, R. (March, 2012). Cloud computing-software as a
service. International Journal of Cloud Computing and Services Science, 1(1), 11-16.

For Your Success & Learning Objectives


Check the Interactive Lecture in Schoology.

Enterprise Software Systems


There are two categories of software used with computer systems: applications
software and support software. Applications software consists of programs that are
written to accomplish particular business tasks such as accounting, payroll, sales
invoicing, etc. These software applications are very standardized and readily available
off the shelf by multiple vendors. Software applications specific for unique needs of
an organization are either developed internally or contracted to outside vendors for
custom development. An example of applications software is an accounting package.
There are many different commercial accounting software packages available for
small business. Most of these software packages include general ledger, accounts
receivable, accounts payable, inventory, payroll, time and billing, etc. The cost of such
a package ranges from $500 and goes up from there for a single user version.
Another example is personal productivity software. Software that includes word
processing spreadsheets, database management, presentation graphics, email, and
groupware is also considered applications software.

Web browsers are also considered applications software. Examples of browsers


currently in use include Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Chrome—all used to access
information on the internet. Browsers are like all other software products: Their
creators are constantly looking to enhance the products’ features and functionality.
Support software, on the other hand, allows applications software to be executed. It
also ensures that computer hardware and software are used efficiently. Support
software is typically purchased from a hardware or software vendor. A prime example
of support software is an operating system. Microsoft Windows, UNIX, Linux, and
MVS are examples of operating systems. You’ve most likely used Windows in one
shape or form—if you’ve been around computers long enough, you’ll remember the

Nahlah Hajla 1

day when there was no such thing as Windows and all computers ran using
something called “DOS” (disk operating system).

Operating Systems
Operating systems are often classified based on their ability to manage single or
multiple users and the techniques used by each operating system to manage users.
Examples of those techniques are as follows. Multiprogramming, i.e., programming
that allows overlap of input and output operations with processing time, is employed
on larger machines. Multitasking, which is similar to multiprogramming, is employed
on microcomputers. Multithreading is similar to multitasking, but multiple threads
within the same program are overlapped. Finally, multiprocessing is work that takes
place when two or more CPUs are installed on the same computer system. Virtual
memory permits multiprogramming to operate more efficiently.

Operating systems fall into two categories: proprietary and open systems. Proprietary
operating systems are written for particular hardware configurations. Mainframe
computer systems use a proprietary operating system, as does the Apple brand of
microcomputers. Essentially, proprietary operating systems can only run on the
hardware for which they were developed.

Open system operating systems can run on multiple vendor platforms. Examples of
open systems are UNIX, Linux, and Windows. To qualify as an open system, the
operating system must adhere to a set of standards that promote interoperability
between the basic hardware components: CPU, input and output devices, and files
and compatibility with applications software interfaces.

Server and network operating systems:


Server or network operating systems run on servers that manage network resources
and control the operations of a network. These enhanced operating systems allow for
sharing disk drives and printers, and handling the server side of client/server
applications. Some of the major server operating system players are UNIX and Linux
and Microsoft Windows Server.

Machine language:
The “codes” or languages used to write software have changed dramatically over the
past 50 to 60 years. In first-generation language—machine language—each instruction
was expressed in a unique form for each particular computer. A complete program
Nahlah Hajla 2

would consist of thousands of instructions—programming in machine language was an
extremely time-consuming, tedious process. Assembly language is considered a
second-generation language. Mnemonic operation codes were added to substitute
for some of the machine language codes. Assembler was used to convert mnemonic
codes to machine language code. Third-generation languages, also called
procedural languages, are expressed as step-by-step instructions. These programs
were typically machine-independent and easier for programmers to learn. The
program would need to be compiled or interpreted so it would be readable at the
machine language level. Fourth-generation languages are called nonprocedural
languages (4GL). They are much easier to program, but much less efficient for
computers to run. They use more English-like statements for program instructions.
They are often referred to as languages for business intelligence (BI) application
development—SAS, IBM Cognos, SAP business objects, etc.

Markup languages:
Another type of programming language is markup language. Markup language
employs “tags” to mark up documents. For example, HTML—hypertext markup
language—is used to create Web pages. XML is used to facilitate data interchange
among Web pages.

Object- oriented languages:


Object-oriented programming isn’t really 3GL or 4GL; it’s a new paradigm in
programming. It involves creating and reusing objects. For example, a checkbox or a
text box that you fill out on a form is a type of reusable object. Checkboxes are used
in all sorts of applications. When you “click” on one, it invokes some sort of action. No
two checkboxes are alike—but they ARE all checkboxes. Common object-oriented
programming languages include C++, Java, visual basic.Net and C#.

Nahlah Hajla 3

You might also like