Software Trends:

Two major software trends are taking place:

Trend away from:

1. Custom-designed programs developed by the professional programmers of an organization.
2. Technical, machine-specific programming languages using binary-based or symbolic codes
3. Pprocedural languages, which use brief statements and mathematical expressions to specify the sequence of instructions a computer must perform.

Trend towards:

1. Use of off-the-shelf software packages acquired by end users from software vendors.
2. (2)use of a visual graphic-interface for object-oriented programming, or toward nonprocedural natural languages for programming that are closer to human conversation.

Reasons for these trends are:

1. Development of relatively inexpensive and easy-to-use application software packages and multipurpose software suites for microcomputers.
2. Software packages are designed with networking capabilities and collaboration features that optimize their usefulness for end users and workgroups on the Internet and corporate intranets and extranets.
3. Creation of easy-to-use, nonprocedural fourth-generation languages (4GL).
4. Developments in object technology, graphics, and artificial intelligence produce natural language and graphical user interfaces (GUI) that make both programming tools and software packages easier to use.
5. Developments in a new generation of expert-assisted software packages that combine expert system modules and artificial intelligence features.

Application Software for End Users:

Application software consists of a variety of programs that can be subdivided into general-purpose and application-specific categories. These programs are called application packages because they direct the processing required for a particular use, or application, that end users want accomplished.

General purpose application programs are programs that perform common information processing jobs for end users. Examples include:

1. Word processing programs
2. Spreadsheets programs
3. Database management programs
4. Graphics programs.

Note: These programs increase the productivity (productivity packages) of end users.

Other examples include:

1. Web browsers
2. Electronic mail
3. Groupware

Note: These programs support communication collaboration among work groups and teams.

Software Suites and Integrated Packages

Software suites are a combination of the mode widely used productivity packages that come bundled together. They include suites such as Microsoft Office, Lotus SmartSuite, and Corel WordPerfect Office.

Advantages of software suites:

1. These software tools can be used to increase your productivity, collaborate with your colleagues, and access intranets, extranets, and the Internet.
2. Suites integrate software packages for web browsing, word processing, spreadsheets, presentation graphics, database management, personal information management, and more.
3. Suites cost a lot less than the total cost of buying their individual packages separately.
4. All programs use a similar graphical user interface which gives them the same look and feel, and make them easier to learn and use.
5. Suites also share common tools, such as spell checkers and help wizards to increase their efficiency.
6. Programs are designed to work together seamlessly and import each other’s files or transfer of data between applications.

Disadvantages of software suites:

1. Critics argue that many software suite features are never used by most end users.
2. Suites take up a lot of disk space and may require significant amounts of memory.
3. Suites may compromise on the speed, power, and flexibility of some of their functions to achieve integration

Integrated packages - the disadvantages of using software suites is one of the reasons for the continued use of integrated packages like Microsoft Works, Lotus Works, and Claris Works. Integrated packages combine some of the functions of several programs into one software package.

Disadvantage of integrated packages:

1. They cannot do as much as individual packages and software suites do.

Advantages of integrated packages:

1. They require a lot less disk space
2. Cost less than a hundred dollars

Web Browsers and More

The most important software component of many computer users today is the web browser. A browser like Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Explorer is the key software interface you use to point and click your way through the hyperlinked resources of the World Wide Web and the rest of the Internet, as well as corporate intranets and extranets.

Web Browsers are used to:

1. Surf the web
2. Launch information searches
3. E-mail
4. Multimedia file transfer
5. Discussion groups and workgroup collaboration
6. Many other Internet, intranet, and extranet applications.

E-Mail has changed the way people work and communicate. E-mail is used to send and receive electronic messages via the Internet or organizational intranets or extranets. Features of E-mail include:

1. Route messages to one or many individuals
2. Route messages to multiple end users based on predefined mailing lists
3. Provide password security
4. Automatic message forwarding
5. Remote user access
6. Allow users to store messages in folders with provisions for adding attachments to message files.
7. Edit and send graphics and multimedia as well as text
8. Provide bulletin board and computer conferencing capabilities
9. Filter and sort incoming messages and route them to appropriate user mailboxes and folders

Word Processing and Desktop Publishing

Word processing packages computerize the creation, editing, revision, and printing of documents by electronically processing text data. Some of the features of these packages include:

1. Desktop publishing capabilities
2. Convert documents to HTML format for publication as web pages on corporate intranets or the World Wide Web.
3. Advanced features such as spell checker, thesaurus, grammar and punctuation capabilities. As well as suggest possible improvements in your writing style with grammar and style checker functions.
4. Idea processor or outliner function which helps you organize and outline your thoughts. before preparing a document or developing a presentation.
5. Design and create pages from scratch for an Internet or intranet web site.

Desktop Publishing (DTP)

End users and organizations can use desktop publishing (DTP) software to produce their own printed materials such as newsletters, brochures, manuals, and books with several type styles, graphics, and colours on each page. Typically text material and graphics can be generated by word processing and graphics packages and imported as text and graphics files. Optical scanners may be used to input text and graphics from printed material. You can also use files of clip art, which are predrawn graphic illustrations provided by the software package or available from other sources.

The heart of desktop publishing is a page design process called page markup or page composition. The video screen becomes an electronic paste-up board with rulers, column guides, and other page design aids. Text material and illustrations are then merged into the page format you design. The software will automatically move excess text to another column or page and help size and place illustrations and headings.

Electronic Spreadsheets

Electronic spreadsheet packages are programs that are used for business analysis, planning, and modelling. They provide electronic replacement for more traditional tools such as paper worksheets, pencils, and calculators. They generate an electronic spreadsheet, which is a worksheet of rows and columns that can be stored on your PC, a network server, or converted to HTML format and stored as a web page or websheet on the World Wide Web. Data and formulas are entered into the worksheet via the keyboard. The computer performs the calculations based on the formulas entered. Most packages also have graphic capabilities.

A spreadsheet package can also be used as a decision support tool to perform what-if-analysis. For example: "What would happen - If you did something else".

Database Management

Database Management packages allow you to set up and manage databases on your PC, network server, or the World Wide Web. Most DBMS packages can perform four primary tasks (discussed in Chapter 4):

Database Development

Define and organize the content, relationships, and structure of the data needed to build a database.

Access the data in a database for information retrieval and report generation.

Add, delete, update, correct, and protect the data in a database.

Develop prototypes of data entry screens, queries, forms, reports, and labels for a proposed application. Or use a 4GL or application generator to develop program codes.

Presentation packages are used to convert numeric data into graphics displays such as line charts, bar graphs, pie charts, and many other types of graphics. Most of the top packages also help you prepare multimedia presentations of graphics, photos, animation, and video clips, including publishing to the World Wide Web.

Advantages of using graphics and multimedia:

1. They are easier to comprehend and communicate than numerical data
2. Use of multiple-colour and multiple-media displays can more easily emphasize key points, strategic differences, and important trends in the data.
3. Presentation graphics have proven to be much more effective than tabular presentations of numeric data for reporting and communicating in advertising media, management reports, or other business presentations.
4. Presentation graphics software packages give you many easy-to-use capabilities that encourage the use of graphics presentations (slide shows) which contain many integrated graphics and multimedia displays.

1. Graphics and multimedia presentations can be transferred in HTML format to web sites on corporate intranets or the World Wide Web.

Multimedia Technologies

Hypertext and hypermedia are foundation technologies for multimedia presentations. By definition hypertext contains only text and a limited amount of graphics. Hypermedia are electronic documents that contain multiple forms of media, including text, graphics, video, and so on. Key terms and topics in hypertext or hypermedia documents are indexed by software links so that they can be quickly searched by the reader.

Hypertext and hypermedia are developed using specialized programming languages like Java and the Hypertext Markup Language 9HTML), which create hyperlinks to other parts of the document, or to other documents and media.

Personal Information Managers (PIM)

The personal information manager is a popular software package for end user productivity and collaboration. They are used to help end users store, organize, and retrieve text and numerical data in the form of notes, lists, clippings, tables, memos, letters, reports, and so on. PIM are being used for:

1. Electronic calendar or list of appointments, meetings, or other things to do.
2. Timetable for a project
3. Display of key facts and financial data about customers, clients, and sales prospects
4. Accessing the World Wide Web
5. Provide E-mail capability.
6. Some PIMs use Internet and E-mail features to support team collaboration by sharing information with other networked PIM users.

Groupware is collaboration software that helps workgroups and teams work together to accomplish group assignments. Groupware is a fast growing category of general-purpose application software that combines a variety of software features and functions to facilitate collaboration.

Groupware supports collaboration through:

1. Electronic Mail
2. Discussion groups and databases
3. Scheduling
4. Task management
5. Data, audio, and videoconferencing
6. Internet, corporate intranets, and extranets collaboration capabilities
7. Joint web page development
8. Project news and progress reports
9. Work jointly on documents stored on web servers

System Software Overview

System software consists of programs that manage and support a computer system and its information processing activities. These programs serve as a vital software interface between computer system hardware and the application programs of end users.

Two major functional categories of system software include:

System Management Programs

Programs that manage the hardware, software, and data resources of the computer system during its execution of the various information processing jobs of users. They include:

1. Operating Systems
2. Network Management Programs
3. Database Management Systems
4. System Utilities

System Development Programs

Programs that help users develop information system programs and prepare user programs for processing. Major development programs include:

1. Programming Language Translators and Editors
2. Programming Tools
3. CASE (Computer Aided Software Engineering) Packages

Operating Systems

The most important system software package for any computer is its operating system. An operating system is an integrated system of programs that:

1. Manages the operations of the CPU
2. Controls the input/output and storage resources and activities of the computer system
3. Provides various support services as the computer executes the application programs of users.

Primary purpose of the operating system is:

1. Maximize the productivity of a computer system by operating it in the most efficient manner.
2. Minimizes the amount of human intervention required during processing.

1. Helps your application programs perform common operations such as entering data, saving and retrieving files and printing or displaying output.

Operating System Functions:

An operating system performs five basic functions in the operation of a computer system. It provides:

1. User Interface
2. Resource Management
3. Task Management
4. File Management
5. Utilities and Support Services

The User Interface:

The user interface is the part of the operating system that allows the end user to communicate with the operating system so they can load programs, access files, and accomplish other tasks. Three main types of user interfaces are:

1. Command Driven
2. Menu Driven
3. Graphical User Interface (GUI)

The trend in user interfaces for operating systems and other software is away from the entry of brief end user commands and choices from menus of options. The trend is also towards an easy-to-use graphical-user interface (GUI) which uses icons, bars, buttons, boxes, and other images relying on pointing devices like the electronic mouse or trackball to make selections that help you get things done.

Resource Management:

An operating system uses a variety of resource management programs to manage the hardware and networking resources of the computer system, including its:

1. CPU
2. Memory
3. Secondary Storage Devices
4. Telecommunications processors
5. Input/Output Peripherals

Memory management programs:

1. Keep track of where data and programs are stored.
2. They may swap parts of programs and data between main memory and secondary storage, thus providing the computer system with a virtual memory capability that is larger than the actual main memory real memory of its primary storage unit.

File Management:

File management programs of an operating system:

1. Control the creation, deletion, and access of files of data and programs.
2. Keep track of the physical location of files on magnetic disks and other secondary storage devices.

Task Management:

Task management programs of an operating system:

1. Manage the accomplishment of the computing tasks of end users.
2. Allocate CPU time to tasks and interrupt tasks being executed to substitute other tasks.
3. May involve a multitasking capability where tasks of several programs can process at the same time. Multitasking may involve multiprogramming where the CPU can process the tasks of several programs at the same time, or time-sharing, where the computing tasks of several users can be processed at the same time. A single computer can act as it were several computers, or virtual machines, such each application program is running independently as the same time.

Popular Operating Systems

The most popular microcomputer operating systems are:

Network Management Programs

Today’s information systems rely heavily on the Internet, intranets, extranets, local area networks, and other telecommunications networks to interconnect end user workstations, network servers, and other computer systems. This requires a variety of system software for network management, including:

1. Network operating systems
2. Network performance monitors
3. Telecommunications monitors

Network management programs perform such functions as:

Database Management Systems

A database management system (DBMS) is a set of software programs that control the development, use, and maintenance of the databases of computer-using organizations. A database management system helps:

1. Organizations use their integrated collection of data records and files known as databases.
2. Allows different user application programs to easily access the same database.
3. Simplifies the process of retrieving information from databases in the form of displays and reports.
4. Enables end users to get information from a database using a query language.

Other System Maintenance Programs

System support programs are a category of software that performs routine support functions for the end users of a computer system. Examples are:

Utility programs

Programs that perform miscellaneous housekeeping and file conversion functions.

Performance Monitors

Programs that monitor the performance and usage of computer systems to help its efficient use.

Security Monitors

Programs that monitor and control the use of computer systems and provide warning messages and record evidence of unauthorized use of computer resources.

Programming Languages

Programming languages are the languages which computer programs are written in. A programming language allows a programmer or end user to develop the sets of instructions that constitute a computer program. Programming languages can be grouped into five major categories:

1. Machine Languages
2. Assembler Languages
3. High-Level Languages
4. Fourth Generation Languages.
5. Object-Oriented Languages

Machine Languages:

Machine languages are the most basic level of programming languages. They were the first generation of machine languages.

Disadvantages of machine languages:

1. Programs had to be written using binary codes unique to each computer.

2. Programmers had to have a detailed knowledge of the internal operations of the specific type of CPU they were using.

3. Programming was difficult and error-prone.

Assembler Languages:

Assembler languages are the second generation of machine languages. They were developed to reduce the difficulties in writing machine language programs.

Advantages:

1. Uses symbolic coded instructions which are easier to remember

1. Programming is simplified as a programmer does not need to know the exact storage location of data and instructions.

Disadvantage:

1. Assembler languages are unique to specific types of computers.

High-level languages are the third generation programming languages. Include COBOL (business application programs), BASIC (microcomputer end users), and FORTRAN (scientific and engineering applications).

Advantages:

1. Easier to learn and understand than an assembler language as instructions (statements) resemble human language or the standard notation of mathematics.
2. Have less-rigid rules, forms, and syntaxes, so the potential for error is reduced.

1. Are machine-independent programs therefore programs written in a high-level language do not have to be reprogrammed when a new computer is installed.

4. Programmers do not have to learn a new language for each computer they program.

Disadvantages:

1. Less efficient than assembler language programs and require a greater amount of computer time for translation into machine instructions.

Fourth-generation languages (4GL) include a variety of programming languages that are more nonprocedural and conversational than prior languages.

Advantages:

1. Simplified the programming process.
2. Use nonprocedural languages that encourage users and programmers to specify the results they want, while the computers determines the sequence of instructions that will accomplish those results.
3. Use natural languages that impose no rigid grammatical rules

Disadvantages:

1. Less flexible that other languages
2. Less efficient (in terms of processing speeds and amount of storage capacity needed).

Object-oriented programming (OOP) languages tie data elements and the procedures or actions that will be performed on them, together into objects. Examples include Turbo C++, C++, Object C+, and Java.

Advantages:

1. OOP languages are easier to use and more efficient for programming the graphics-oriented user interface required by many applications.
2. Programmed objects are reusable.

HTML and Java

HTML and Java are two relatively new programming languages that which have become vital tools for building multimedia web pages, web sites, and web-based applications.

Characteristics of HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) include:

1. HTML is a page description language that creates hypertext or hypermedia documents.
2. HTML inserts control codes within a document at points you can specify that create links (hyperlinks) to other parts of the document or to other documents anywhere on the WEB.

3. HTML embeds controls in the ASCII text of a document which designate titles, headings, graphics, and multimedia components, as well as hyperlinks within the document.

Characteristics of JAVA include:

1. Java is an object-oriented programming language. Java is related to the C++ and Objective C programming languages, but is much simpler and secure, and is computing platform independent.
2. Java is specifically designed for real-time, interactive, web-based network applications.
3. Java applications consist of small application programs called applets which can be executed by any computer and any operating system anywhere in a network.
4. Applets can reside at web sites on a network server until needed by client systems, and are easy to distribute over the Internet or intranets and extranets.
5. Java is becoming the programming language choice for many organizations intent on capitalizing on the business potential of the Internet, as well as their own intranets and extranets.

Programming Packages

A variety of software packages is available to help programmers develop computer programs. For example, programming language translators are programs that translate other programs into machine language instruction codes that computers can execute. Other software packages such as programming language editors, are called programming tools help programmers write programs by providing program creation and editing facilities.

Language Translator Programs

Computer programs consists of sets of instructions written in programming languages that must be translated by a language translator into the computer’s own machine language before they can be processed, or executed by the CPU. Programming language translator programs are known by a variety of names.

Assembler

Translates the symbolic instruction codes of programs written in an assembler language into machine language instructions.

Compiler

Translates (compiles) high-level language statements (source programs) to machine language programs.

Interpreter

Translates and executes each program statement one at a time, instead of first producing a complete machine language program, like compilers and assemblers do.

Programming Tools:

Many language translator programs are enhanced by a graphical programming interface and a variety of built-in capabilities or add-on packages. Language translators provide editing and diagnostic capabilities to identify programming errors or bugs. Many language translator programs now include powerful graphics-oriented programming editors and debuggers. These programs help programmers identify and minimize errors while they are programming. The goal of such programs is to decrease the drudgery of programming while increasing the efficiency and productivity of programmers.

Other programming tools include:

1. Diagramming packages

2. Code generators

3. Libraries of reusable objects and program code

4. Prototyping tools

Applet

A small limited-purpose application program, or small independent module of a larger application program.

Programs that specify the information processing activities required for the completion of specific tasks of computer users. Examples are electronic spreadsheet and word processing programs or inventory or payroll programs.

Application software packages that support specific applications of end users in business, science and engineering, and other areas.

A programming language that utilizes symbols to represent operation codes and storage locations.

A computer program that facilitates the storage, maintenance, and utilization of data in a database.

The use of microcomputers, laser printers, and page-makeup software to produce a variety of printed materials, formerly done only by professional printers.

The transmission, storage, and distribution of text material in electronic form over communications networks.

An application program used as a computerized tool for analysis, planning, and modelling that allows users to enter and manipulate data into an electronic worksheet of rows and columns.

File Management

Controlling the creation, deletion, access, and use of files of data and programs.

Programming languages that are easier to use then high-level languages high-level languages like BASIC, COBOL, or FORTRAN. They are also known as nonprocedural, natural, or very high-level languages.

Programs that can perform information processing jobs for users from all application areas. For example word processing programs, electronic spreadsheet programs, and graphics programs can be used by individuals for home, education, business, scientific, and many other purposes.

A software interface that relies on icons, bars, buttons, boxes, and other images to initiate computer-based tasks for users.

Software packages that support work activities by members of a work group whose workstations are interconnected by a local area network.

A programming language that utilizes macro instructions and statements that closely resemble human language or mathematical notation to describe the problem to be solved or the procedure to be used. Also, called a compiler language.

Is a page description language that creates hypertext or hypermedia documents.

Software that combines the ability to do several general-purpose applications (such as word processing, electronic spreadsheet, and graphics) into one program.

Is an object-oriented programming language created by Sun Microsystems .

Language Translator Program

A program that converts the programming language instructions in a computer program into machine language code. Major types include assemblers, compilers, and interpreters.

A programming language where instructions are expressed in the binary code of the computer.

The concurrent use of the same computer to accomplish several different information processing tasks. Each task may require the use of a different program, or the con-current use of the same copy of a program by several users.

A programming language that is very close to human language. Also called very high-level language.

Network management programs perform such functions as automatically checking client PCs and video terminals for input/output activity, assigning priorities to data communications requests from clients and terminals, and detecting and correcting transmission errors and other network problems.

Software that manages telecommunications in complex local area networks.

Programming languages that allow users and professional programmers to specify the results they want without specifying how to solve the problem.

An object-oriented programming (OOP) language used to develop programs which create and use objects to perform information processing tasks.

The main control program of a computer system. It is a system of programs that controls the execution of computer programs and may provide scheduling, debugging, input/output control, system accounting, compilation, storage assignment, data management, and related services.

A software package that helps end users store, organize, and retrieve text and numerical data in the form of notes, lists, memos, and a variety of other forms.

Using computer-generated graphics to enhance the information presented in reports and other types of presentations.

Software packages or modules which provide editing and diagnostic capabilities and other support facilities to assist the programming process.

An operating system function that controls the use of computer system resources such as primary storage, secondary storage, CPU processing time, and input/output devices by other system software and application software packages.

Are powerful software packages that combine several individual packages that share a common graphical interface and are designed to easily transfer data between them.

Operating system modules and other system programs that carry out the function of resource management.

Programs that control and support the operation of a computer system, including operating systems, database management systems, communications control programs, service and utility programs, and programming language translator programs.

Task Management

A basic operating system function that manages the accomplishment of the computer tasks of users by a computer system.

Trends in software are toward powerful, general-purpose, integrated packages with easy to use natural language interfaces.

That part of an operating system or other program that allows users to communicate with it to load programs, access files, and accomplish other computing tasks.

A standard set of routines that assist in the operation of a computer system by performing some frequently required process such as copying, sorting, or merging.

The use of secondary storage devices as an extension of the primary storage of the computer, thus giving the appearance of a larger main memory that actually exists.

A software package that provides the user interface for accessing Internet, intranet, and extranet web sites. Browsers are becoming multifunction universal clients for sending and receiving E-mail, downloading files, accessing Java applets, participating in discussion groups, developing web pages, and other Internet, intranet, and extranet applications.