COMPUTER SOFTWARE

SOFTWARE
1. Software is a set of instructions, programs which
enable the computer to perform a specified task.
2. These are binary code instructions which control
the hardware.
3. Computer software –a collection of computer
programs and related data that provide the
instructions for telling a computer what to do and
how to do it.
4. software refers to one or more computer programs
and data held in the storage of the computer for
some purposes.
Qualities of good Software/Characteristics

• efficiency — does the software make good use of its

resources (memory, disk, CPU, network)?
• portability — can the software to easily ported
(moved) to other operating system (or in today’s
world, browser)?
• security — does the software protect the
information it is responsible for?
• Intuitive-spontaneous
• Minimum training and documentation needed to
use
• correctness — does the software do what it is
suppose to do (according to the design specs)?
• robustness — how does the software respond to
unexpected conditions (wrong input)?
• user-friendliness — is the software easy to use by
users from the intended audience?
• adaptability — how difficult is it to modify the
software to adjust to an ever-changing world?
• reusability — can parts of the software be easily
reused to build other software systems?
• interoperability — does the software interface with
other software systems?
Software can be classified into three different
categories.

1. Systems Software
2. Application Software
3. Development Software—(***)
Types of Software
 System Software
• System software is any computer software which
manages and controls computer hardware so that
application software can perform a task.
• Systems software consists of low-level programs
that interact with the computer at a very basic level.
• This includes operating systems, compilers, and
utilities for managing computer resources.
• General features of system software
– set of programs to control and manage the
operation of computer hardware
– provides a platform on which other software can
run
– required to allow hardware and software to run
without problems
– provides a human computer interface (HCI)
– controls the allocation and usage of hardware
resources.
 System software/operating system
Forms the largest component of Systems Software.
• OS is a system of programs that run or control the
execution of computer programs and act as an interface
with application programs.

• It is an integrated system of programs that manages the

operations of the CPU, controls the input, output, storage
resources and activities of a computer system.

• The primary purpose of the OS is to maximize the

productivity of a computer system and
• minimizes amount of user intervention required during
data entry and processing.
 Operating systems (OS)
• OS helps application programs perform common operations
such as entering data, saving, retrieving files, printing etc.
• Without an OS, a user cannot run an application program
on their computer, unless the application program is self
booting.

• For hardware functions eg I/O and memory allocation, the

OS acts as an intermediary between application programs
and the computer hardware.
• OS`s are found on almost any device that contains a
computer—from cellular phones. Egs --Microsoft
Windows , Linux , Unix, Mac OS X, MS DOS ,BIOS Software
etc
 Functions of an Operating System
Generally the operating system is expected to perform five
major basic functions.

(a) User Interfacing –

(b) Operating Environment Management –
(c) Resource Management-
(d) File Management-
(e) Task Management –
OS is made up of the following programs:

1. Language translators
2. Utility programs
3. Control programs
4. Communication programs
Language translators
• Non-machine languages must be converted into
machine language to be executed by the CPU. done
by systems software called language translators.
• A language translator converts a statement from a
high-level programming language into machine
language called source code .
• The translator converts the command given in
human language into the form the computer has
been programmed to understand before executing
the instruction.
• two types– Interpreters & Compilers
Interpreters
• This is a language translator that converts each statement
in a program into machine language and executes the
program statement one at a time.

Compilers
• This language translator translates a complete program into
a complete machine language program.
• The result is a program in machine language that can be
run in its entirety, with a compiler, program execution is a
two-stage process.
• Compilers run faster than interpreters so are more
preferred.
Utility programs
• It is a standard set of routines that assist the
operation of the computer system by performing
some frequently required processes such as to sort
and merge sets of data, copy and keep track of
computer jobs being run.
 Utility software (utilities)
• Computer users are provided with a number of
utility programs (often simply referred to as
utilities) that are part of the system
software.These include:
• virus checkers
• defragmentation software
• disk contents analysis and repair
• file compression and file management
• back-up software
• security
• screensavers.
 Control programs

• These are designed to manage the general

functions of the processor, memory and
terminal interface.
• The programs are arranged in a hierarchy and
controls the running of the other programs.
 Application Software/
end-user programs
• Application software- are programs that enable the
end-user to perform specific, productive tasks, such
as word processing or spreadsheets.
• help the user to perform singular or multiple
related specific tasks.
• includes database programs, word processors, and
spreadsheets.
• Figuratively speaking, applications software sits on
top of systems software because it is unable to run
without the operating system and system utilities.
• consists of programs written to solve particular
user-oriented problems.

• applies the power of the computer to give

individuals, groups and organizations the ability to
solve problems and perform specific activities or
tasks -

• e.g. Accounts receivable, accounts payable,

automatic teller machines, inventory control, library
operations and control, invoicing etc
 Criteria for selecting applications software
-Accuracy - it must be free from errors.
-Flexibility - must be able to adapt to changing environment.
-Compatibility - it must be compatible with available h/ware.
-Recency - it must be current.

-Cost - it must have reasonable cost.

-Originality - It must be original.

-Support - consider continued support from the supplier.

-Ease of use - it must be user friendly.
-Performance - it must have efficiency in both response time
and run time.
 Acquiring Software
1. Freeware
– Free to all
– Copyrighted
– Distributed in machine-readable format

2. Shareware
– Freely distributed for a trial period
– Pay a nominal fee to register with the author
 Acquiring Software

3.Public-domain software
– Un-copyrighted
– Generally developed under government grants
– can be modified, changed, redistributed or used
without restrictions.

4.Open-source
– Free to all
– Source code is distributed
– May be used or altered
– Popular under the LINUX OS
 Acquiring Software

5.Commercial software
– Used most often
– Copyrighted
– Generally costly
– May not be copied without permission of the
manufacturer
 Word Processing
• Uses
– Memos
– Reports
– Correspondence
– Minutes of meetings
– Anything to be typed

• Functions
– Create
– Edit
– Format
– Store
– Print text and graphics
 Desktop Publishing
• Uses
– Newsletters
– Reports
– Brochures

• Functions
– Handles high-level publishing needs
 Electronic Spreadsheets
• Uses
– Comparing mortgage interest rates
– Preparing budgets
– Tracking weight loss

• Functions
– Manipulates numbers in rows and columns
– Recalculates the results when a number is changed
– What if?
Electronic Spreadsheets
 Database Management
• Uses
– Keep track of a large number of related facts
– Query the data for specific information
– Retrieve information in a variety of ways
• Functions
– Store data
– Update data
– Manipulate data
– Retrieve data
– Print data in many forms
– Report on data in a variety of ways
 Graphics
• Uses
– Maps
– Graphs
– Charts

• Helps to
– Compare data
– Spot trends
– Make decisions

• Visual information is more compelling

 Presentation Graphics
• Uses
– Sales tool
– Demonstrate a product
– Show cost/benefit projections on charts
– Present audio/video testimonials from satisfied customers

• May contain
– Text
– Graphics
– Audio
– Video
 Computer Art
• Use software to
– Produce art
– Express ideas

• Graphic artist
– Artistic ability
– Computer skills
– Produces computer art
 Communications-internet
• Communicate from home with computer at
office.

• Access data stored in another computer in

another location.

• Stock exchange updates.

• Weather information.
Application Software Ethics

What is legal?
 a. Software Piracy
• Making illegal copies of copyrighted software

Why the fuss?

– Very easy to duplicate software vs. a text book
– Software company may lose hundreds of dollars per
pirated copy

Prosecution
– Yes: Small-medium sized business who purchase a
few copies and distribute to many users

– No: Individual users who probably would not have

purchased software on their own anyway
 b.Counterfeiting
• Software is copied onto CD-ROMS / DVD-
ROMS
• Package duplicates the original
• Sold in flea markets or small stores
• Cheaper price or even same price with og
• Occurs more in developing countries
 c. Copying Software

• Legitimate reasons
– Backup copy
– Copy to hard disk

• Illegitimate reasons
– Obtain software without paying for it
 Examples of computer software
Computer software

UNIX System V, IBM AIX, HP-UX,

Unix and BSD Solaris (SunOS), IRIX,
List of BSD operating systems

List of Linux distributions,

GNU/Linux
Comparison of Linux distributions

Operating system Windows 95, Windows 98,

Windows NT, Windows 2000,
Microsoft Windows
Windows XP, Windows Vista,
Windows 7
86-DOS (QDOS), PC-DOS, MS-DOS,
DOS
DR-DOS, FreeDOS
 Word processing, Desktop publishing, Presentation program,
Office suite Database management system, Scheduling & Time management,
Spreadsheet, Accounting software

Browser, E-mail client, Web server, Mail transfer agent,

Internet Access
Instant messaging

Design and Computer-aided design, Computer-aided manufacturing, Plant

manufacturing management, Robotic manufacturing, Supply chain management

Raster graphics editor, Vector graphics editor, 3D modeler,

Graphics Animation editor, 3D computer graphics, Video editing,
Image processing

Digital audio editor, Audio playback, Mixing, Audio synthesis,

Audio
Computer music
 Compiler, Assembler, Interpreter, Debugger, Text editor,
Integrated development environment,
Software en
Software performance analysis, Revision control,
gineering
Software configuration management

Edutainment, Educational game, Serious game,

Educational
Flight simulator

Strategy, Arcade, Puzzle, Simulation, First-person shooter,

Games
Platform, Massively multiplayer, Interactive fiction

Artificial intelligence, Antivirus software, Malware scanner,

Misc
Installer/Package management systems, File manager
 Sources of Applications Software

There are three sources/types of applications

software;

• In-house /bespoke
• Off-the shelf
• From a contractor.
 1. Customized/bespoke/in-house

• This approach requires a development team from

within the organization.

• Takes a lot of time to write and test

• When specifications are unique

 Bespoke Software
• The term "bespoke" comes from England where it
originally referred to custom or tailor-made
clothing. It is software customized for a specific
purpose.
• Customer goes to software developers with his or
her specific needs or problems and a software will
be developed for him or her basing on his specific
needs .
• Most if not all developed bespoken softwares
include client details e.g company name, address.
• The team members should be of high calibre, highly
trained and reliable
 Advantages
1. Internal professionals understand operations
better and therefore can produce an accurate
solution.
2. The Software usually meets user requirements.
3. Management are in total control of the
development process
4. More flexibility - there is more flexibility in making
modifications.
5. Problem specificity - in-house developed software
can give an organization software programs that
are easily tailored to a unique problem or task.
 Disadvantages
1. Time and costs of developing the program may be
greater than other options.

2. In-house staff may lack the expertise needed for

the project

3. Reliability of the resultant software is highly

questionable.

4. In some cases the developers may attempt to gain

fraudulently from the system
 2.Packaged/Commercial/off-the shelf
• Sold in stores, catalogs, or downloadable from the
www.
• This is software that can be purchased, leased, or
rented from a software company that develops.
• Purchased from software publishers

• Must be installed
– Standard or custom installation
– The setup process copies some of all of the
software to the hard disk
– May require the CD-ROM to be in the drive to run
 Advantages
1. Cheaper - the software company is able to spread the
software development cost over a large number of
customers, hence reducing the cost any one customer
must pay.
2. Less risky - the software is existing, hence you can analyse
the features and performance of the package.
3. The program is a well-tried and tested product with few
errors.
4. Less time - Off-the -shelf software is often installed
quickly and easily.
5. The package is well documented
6. The packages require little maintenance
7. continued support from the supplier through upgrades.
 Disadvantages
• The organisation might need to pay for the features
that are not required and never used.

• Tie package may be for general needs and

therefore not ideal for the user.

• The user has no direct control over the package,

• can be highly complex and usually include large

sections that you will never use .
• It tends to be a compromise. By its nature it is
designed for many different types of users, each of
whom will have different requirements

• As the software tends to be large and complicated it

may take a long time to learn properly .

• You may have to alter the way that you work in

order to fit in with the way that the software has
been designed .
• There will probably be operations that you require that
you simply cannot do with the software.

• As one small voice amongst many others your requests

will not carry much weight .

• If you have problems you are usually at the mercy of a

large and faceless organization who may not be quite as
concerned as you are if you have a major problem that
absolutely MUST be fixed before tomorrow morning!

• As the same system can be bought by your competitors

it is very difficult to gain any competitive advantage
from its use.
 3.Software from a Contractor
• This involves contracting out software development
to a software house - -outsourcing esp where off-
the-shelf packages are not available.

Advantages
1. Software houses employ professionals and this
may benefit the organisation
2. Transfer of skills to the existing professionals in an
organisation
3. Organization can get support from the contractor.
 Disadvantages
• There could be breach of confidentiality.

• Contractor may go bankrupt and cease trading

leaving the user with no support.

• Contractor might not have sufficient experience or

understanding of the problem thus the solution
might not be satisfactory.

• It takes time for the contractor to understand the

user's business and operations this makes the
approach expensive.