Upgrade paths: software frequently needs to be upgraded, sometimes because of necessity and to iron out bugs or include some new features. An upgrade depends on the original supplier still being in business, so any outside supplier of software should be carefully chosen.
Compatibility: new software may have to be compatible with existing software so that files and data can be transferred between packages. Compatibility not only matters with existing software but also with existing hardware. New software places greater demands on the hardware running it, so it is necessary to add extra memory, faster processor chips, etc. to the machines, which increase the overall cost of development.
Integrated applications and suites are any group of applications which are together and embrace more than one area of functionality. Most integrated packages consist of wordprocessor, spread sheet, database, and graphics packages. Example of this kind of application is Microsoft office pro. It has a number of advantages which one of them is that the modules are designed to work well together so that it is easy to transfer data between applications.
Vertical markets and custom software is software specially written for an application. The solution is a bit like buying a suit of clothes. It is usually produced when there is no suitable package available and is an expensive and time consuming approach, not to be undertaken by those without prior programming knowledge.
System software
System software is the program used to control the hardware of the computer directly. The purpose of the system software is to take control of the inputs, outputs, interrupts and storage. In most cases it does this efficiently, without us being aware of it.
System software is taken to include operating system and utility programs.
Operating system
Operating system (sometimes abbreviated as "OS") is the program that, after being initially loaded into the computer by a boot program, manages all the other programs in a computer. The other programs are called applications or application software. The application software makes use of the operating system by making requests for services through a defined interface. In addition, users can interact directly with the operating system through a user interface such as graphical user interface. The operating system does the following:
- In a multitasking operating system where multiple programs can be running at the same time, the operating system determines which applications should run in what order and how much time should be allowed for each application before giving another application a turn.
- It manages the sharing of internal memory among multiple applications.
- It handles input and output to and from attached hardware devices, such as hard disks, printers, and dial-up ports.
- It sends messages to each application or interactive user (or to a system operator) about the status of operation and any errors that may have occurred.
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It can offload the management of what are called batch jobs (for example, printing) so that the initiating application is freed from this work.
- On computers that can provide parallel processing, an operating system can manage how to divide the program so that it runs on more than one processor at a time.
Utility programs
A program that performs a specific task related to the management of computer functions, resources, or files, as password protection, memory management, virus protection, and file compression is referred to as utility program. A program designed for general support of the processes of a computer; "a computer system provides utility programs to perform the tasks needed by most users". Utility programs makes it easier for users to copy files between storage devices, damage repairs so that other programs can read them, they also protect the system from viruses and other threats. Compressing of files to save disk space is all under the responsibility of the utility program.
The user interface
A graphical user interface is used by many manufacturers with their operating systems. Microsoft, apple Macintosh etc all has GUIs. All these GUIs use a mouse to navigate around the screen; the mouse buttons are used to make selections from icons and buttons.
Dialogue boxes and pull-down menus are used as part of these interfaces. The work area is located in the center of the screen and users area usually able to choose which toolbars, rulers and icons are displayed around this area.
What makes windows-based software particularly easy to use is that the interface is standardized across different application packages. They all have similar icons, button bars, dialogue boxes and pull-down menus. The modern systems have a friendly user environment which makes learning packages much easier.
File management
File management system is referred to as simply file system. The system that an operating system or program uses to organize and keep track of files. For example, a hierarchical file system is one that uses directories to organize files into a tree structure.
Although the operating system provides its own file management system, you can buy separate file management systems. These systems interact smoothly with the operating system but provide more features, such as improved backup procedures and stricter file protection.
The file management utility lets users view, rename, copy, move and delete files and folders. Managing files from applications allows you to save a copy of a new or revised document. Four basic operations are usually supported, these are open, save as, save and close.
Use the open files to select a document that has been already created but saved till it is required to continue working on it or make changes. The save as is used when a new document is created and need to be saved on the hard disk. The save option allows users to save an existing document that has just been opened. Any enhancement from an existing document can be saved on the same document by just clicking the save button.
Software piracy and intellectual property laws
Software piracy the illegal copying of computer software and it is reckoned to cost billion of dollars a year. There are organizations against software theft which aims to prevent illegal use of software and has a policy of prosecuting anyone found to be breaching copyright law.
Reference:
- George Beekman (2005) computer confluence. Seventh edition.
- Stephen Doyle (2002) information and communication technology.
- www.webopedia.com (website)
- www.tldp.org (website)
- Computer Assisted Language Learning (journal)
- Australian Journal of Educational Technology (journal)