Chapter 4 Software

Part 1 Application Software

Outline
• What is Software?
• Application Software
• Mobile Applications
• Web Applications
• Software Common Issues
• Software Piracy

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What is Software?

• Software enables people to communicate certain types of

problems to the computer.

• A set of instructions that tells a computer:

 What to do
 How to do it
 Where to send the results 4
Types of Software

Desktop Apps

Applications Web Apps

Mobile Apps
Software

Operating Systems
System Software

Utility Programs

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Application Software
• Any software designed to perform a group of
functions or tasks for the benefit of the user.

• Examples of applications:
 Word processor
 Spreadsheet program
 Accounting application
 Web browser
 Media player
 Console game
 Photo editor

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Application software
Classified as:

 Desktop Application:
 An application that runs stand-alone on a desktop or laptop
computer.

 Web Application:
 Applications that are accessible via web browsers.

 Mobile Application:
 Application software designed to run on
smartphones and tablets

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 Smartphones vs Desktop

Criteria Smartphones Desktop PCs

Processing Power Lower Higher
Screen Size Smaller Bigger
Portability Yes No
Limited Battery Life (Extend using
Power Unlimited AC connection
Power Banks)
Storage ~ 16 GB to 512 GB Over 1 TB
Sensors GPS, motion, temp, pressure, etc Limited
Minimal dependence on the
Internet Usage Most apps depend on the internet
internet

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Why Smartphones?
Sensors:
- Accelerometer:
Measuring Speed
- Gyroscope:
Measuring Orientation
- Magnetometer:
Detecting Directions
- Barometer: Measuring
atmospheric pressure
- Proximity: Detect the
presence of nearby objects

- NFC:
Near field communication
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Mobile Applications
• Smartphone and tablet applications developed precisely for a
specific mobile operating system.
• A native app developed for iOS won’t work on Android devices,
and vice-versa.

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 Web Applications
• They are actually websites that look and feel like native
applications.
• They are run by a browser and typically written in
HTML.
• Common features:
 Easy access as long as you have internet
 Doesn’t need to use CPU power from your machine
 Enables online collaboration
 Updates usually done on the server side
 Accessible on a wide range of devices

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 Installed vs Web

Advantages Disadvantages
• Best performance and provides • Higher development costs,
Installed Apps full access to underlying maintaining multiple code
hardware bases.
• User Interface elements are • More developers needed, due
guaranteed to be consistent with to specific requirements
the platform look and feel

• No need to distribute using App • Browser based user experience

store or Google Play Store • Internet connection is required
• Multi-functionality • Slower performance, not
Web Apps • Lower deployment costs device optimized

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Common Software Issues
1. From where to get the software?
2. What is the cost of the software?
3. Is it compatible with system?
4. How to maintain the software?
5. How to fix software errors or problems?
6. Understanding privacy and security issues.
7. Are there any copyrights associated with your
software?

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 Software Distribution
• From where do you get your application?

 Applications could be pre-installed in the operating system of your device.

 You can download and install it from any digital distribution platforms, e.g.
 Google Play Store
 App Store
 Microsoft Store

 Applications could be delivered as web applications using server-side software.

(Software as a service)

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 Software Revenue Models

• What is the cost behind your software?

 Applications are either free of charge or at a cost.

 A new concept of free apps (Freemiums) or in-

app purchases which makes lots of money
through them:
 Candy Crush Saga

 Many free applications use advertisements

 Subway Surfers

 Other applications could have subscription based

services, such as news apps
 Gulf News

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Software Issues
• Compatibility
 Softwares are designed to run on specific OS
 If a software can run on more than one OS it is labeled as
cross-platform

• Minimum Requirements
 Software will not be installed or won’t work properly, if
minimum requirements are not met
 Such as:
Requires Windows 10 with 4GB of RAM to run

• Recommended Requirements
 Allows you to enjoy the full capabilities of your software,

e.g. play game with suitable graphics without any lag

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Example: Minimum vs Recommended Requirements

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 Software Maintenance
• Updating
 Usually free minor enhancements & bug fixes;
e.g. Software 1.0 to Software 1.1 to Software 1.1.2
 Done frequently – e.g. Windows Update.

• Upgrading
 Significant new features or improvements
e.g. Win 7  Win 8.1  Win 10
 Every year or two e.g. Software 1.0 to Software 2.0
 Usually not free

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Performance Issues
• Network Issues
 Slow Internet connection can drag down your app
performance.
 Back-end systems on the developer’s servers
 If the server is down, web based apps can’t run
 Assuming always-on data connection
 Issues when you are far from a network coverage

• Smartphone Issues
 Poor Battery
 Low RAM/Storage
 Multiple apps running in the background

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How to fix software problems
• Restart the software.
• Shut down and restart your computer.
• Uninstall the software, then reinstall it.
• Free up RAM by closing other open programs.
• Use the Internet to find help.
• Undo any recent hardware or software changes.
• Look for software patches.
• Scan for viruses and malware.

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Application Permissions
• Usually these are associated with smart devices
• A way to limit applications' access to sensitive information, for
example sound recorded by microphone, camera, contacts, etc.

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 Application Permissions
Possible Risks

 Accessing the user contacts on a

smartphone (including contact
information that may come from email
that syncs to the phone)
 Accessing the user's calendar
information
 Determining the user's location and
tracking his movements
 Passing along any or all of this
information to ad/analytics companies

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 Security & privacy
Ways to protect yourself against
harmful apps

 Only download apps from

official app distributers
 Check suspicious
app permissions
 Beware of app advertisements
 Switch off permissions for
apps you do not use
 Update your device firmware

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Mobile Apps Permissions
• iOS Jailbreaking - Process of removing software restrictions
imposed by iOS

 Allowing download of additional applications and themes that are

unavailable through the official App Store

 Jailbreaking violates your End User License Agreement; it also

exposes your phone to security vulnerabilities and puts your personal
data at risk.

• Rooting Android - Process of allowing users running the

Android operating system to attain privileged control (root
access)

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 Software Licensing & Copyrights
• License – agreement to use the software
 Single-user/device license
 Volume license for families, schools and organizations

• Copyright (to protect software owner rights)

 Is the legal right to copy, distribute, modify and sell an
original work

• Types:
1. Closed Source Code – not permitted to modify the
code
2. Open source code - right to use, modify and
redistribute

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Software Piracy

• Is the illegal copying, distribution, or use of software.

 Billions of Dollars Lost
 1/3 of software is illegally copied

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UAE Copyrights Law
UAE Federal Law No. 38 of the Year 2021
Penalties for using computer programs, smart applications, or databases
without permission start from a minimum of 30,000 AED up to
100,000 AED

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