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2Technology Briefing

Information Systems Software

COIS11011 P/O WEEK 4

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Learning Objectives

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Key IS Software Components• Software

o Programs o Sets of instructionso Allow the hardware components in the

computer system to communicate

• Two basic types:o Systems Software/Operating Systemo Application Software

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Systems Software• Controls the basic operations of computer

hardware

• Common functions:•Booting

•Reading programs into memory

•Managing program and file storage

•Maintaining the structure of directories

•Formatting disks

•Controlling the computer monitor

•Sending documents to the printer

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Operating System• Coordinates:

o peripheralso application softwareo users

• Also used in embedded devices

• Written in assembly language

• Performs day-to-day operations

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The OS Acts as a Manager

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Interfaces: Command vs. GUI• Provided by operating system

• Interface Types:o Command-based interface o Menu interface

• list of options

o Graphical user interface (GUI)

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Graphical User Interface

• Examples:o Windows Vista

o Mac OS X

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Common Operating Systems

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Utility Programs

•Manage computer resources and files

•Examples:oBackup

oData compression

oAntivirus

oMedia players

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Learning Objectives

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Application Software• For performing specific user tasks

o Writing a business letter o Processing payroll

• Two Typeso Customized (proprietary) software

•Developed specifically by or for a particular organization

o Commercial software •Purchased off the shelf

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Customized Application Software

• Software developed “in-house”

• Advantages:o Customizability

•A kiosk in a retail store to help shoppers o Problem specificity – the company pays only

for specific features •Unique types of required reports

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Off-the-Shelf Application Software

• A.K.A. packaged software

• Support common business processes

• Advantages:o Less costly

o Faster to produce

o Higher quality

o Less risky

• Customized and off-the-shelf applications can be combined

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Examples of IS Application Software

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Productivity Software• Word Processor

o MS Word, OpenOffice Writer

• Spreadsheeto MS Excel, OpenOffice Calc

• Database management o MS Access, OpenOffice BASE

• Presentation Softwareo MS PowerPoint, OpenOffice Impress

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Productivity Software (II)• Email

o MS Outlook, Mozilla Thunderbird

• Web browsero MS Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox

• Chato MS Live Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger

• Calendar and contact managemento Lotus Notes, MS Outlook

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Open-Source Software• Source code is freely available for

o use and/or o modification

• Examples:o Operating systems – Linuxo Web browsers – Firefoxo Secure connection standard – OpenSSLo Personal productivity software – OpenOffice

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OSI Certification• Author of source code cannot collect royalties

• Source code accessible to users

• Modifications under original name allowed

• No one denied access to program

• Rights attached to program must not depend on it being part of a particular software distribution

• Software cannot place restrictions on other software that is distributed with it