Introduction to Software and Operating Systems

Chapter Introduction

• Computer hardware is information technology that can physically be touched
• Software makes computing happen by providing instructions to the hardware

Learning Objectives

• Define software
• Describe the two primary categories of software
• Cloud computing advantages and disadvantages for use in an organization are covered
• Ways to obtain software are listed
• Open-source definition and characteristics are identified

Operating Systems

• Software is divided into Operating Systems and Application Software
• Operating systems manage the hardware and create the interface between the user and the hardware
• These create a platform for programmers to write additional applications
• Application software performs specific tasks for the user

Operating System Functions

• Manage hardware resources
• Provide user-interface components
• Offering a platform for software developers to write applications

Operating Systems Examples

• Microsoft Windows, Apple’s Mac OS, and various versions of Linux are popular for personal computers
• iOS (Apple) and Android (Google) run smartphones and tablets

Microsoft and Apple

• Microsoft provided first OS for IBM-PC in 1981 and a GUI OS in 1985 known as Windows
• Apple introduced the Macintosh computer in 1984 with the first commercially successful GUI
• Apple’s OS is known as “Mac OS” and recent versions are named after California locations

Linux and Microsoft Dominance

• Linux is open source that runs on large and expensive minicomputers
• Linux was developed by Linus Torvalds and powers a large percentage of web servers
• Microsoft’s Windows controls 71% of the market, and their productivity software, Office 365, has 48% of the market share

Application Software

• Application software accomplishes specific goals such as word processing, or surfing the internet
• Software is divided into productivity, multimedia, home, or communication and collaboration

Productivity Software Functions

• Word processing creates and edits documents with text formatting, tables, and images
• Spreadsheet software does calculations and analysis displayed in charts and graphs
• Presentation software creates slideshows with text, images, audio, and video
• Database management systems serve as electronic filing cabinets for records

Productivity Software cont.

• Desktop publishing combines word processing, graphics, and page layout software to create documents
• Financial software compiles accounting and financial data and creates financial statements and reports
• Microsoft Office is a productivity bundle that dominates the market

The “Killer” App: Spreadsheets

• A killer application is essential and makes people buy a device to run that application
• The first spreadsheet was created by an MBA student at Harvard University and named Microsoft Excel

Collaborative Systems

• Systems began to allow employees to begin collaborating as organizations implemented networking technologies
• Video conferencing with Zoom or WebEx provide collaboration, document sharing with Microsoft SharePoint or Teams, and project management with SAP
• Google Drive offers a suite of office applications that can be shared between individuals

Utility Software and Programming Software

• Utility software fixes or modifies computer and includes software like anti-malware
• Programming software allows developers to write, test, and compile code, identified as the Integrated Development Environment (IDE)

Desktop and Enterprise Software

• Desktop software is installed on personal computers
• Enterprise software addresses the needs of multiple users in an organization
• Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software coordinates and integrates business functions and vendors include SAP and Oracle

Enterprise Software and DBMS

• Most enterprise software works with a database management system (DBMS)
• Many ERP systems and enterprise software programs share the same database system for a common data set

Mobile Software and Apps

• Smartphones and tablets use mobile apps which are software applications designed to run specifically on a mobile device
• The number of mobile apps in the Apple App Store has increased from zero in 2008 to over 2 million in 2017

Cloud Computing

• Cloud computing makes applications, services, and data storage accessible through the internet
• Software as a service (SaaS) is rented rather than purchased and allows companies to access software packages without investing in hardware to install and maintain software

Advantages of Cloud Computing

• No software to install or maintain, accessible from any computer with Internet, scalable, quick to set up, services can be leased for a limited time
• Information is not lost if hardware crashes, and not limited by computer memory/disk space

Disadvantages of Cloud Computing

• Information is stored on someone else’s computer, requires internet access, reliant on a third-party
• Automatic upgrades can cause user confusion and AWS is the largest on-demand services

Private Cloud and Virtualization

• For private cloud, a cloud service provider sections off web server space for a specific organization to have full control
• Virtualization is using software to simulate a computer, where a single physical computer can perform the functions of multiple virtual computers

Obtaining Software

• Software is developed internally as proprietary software, or purchased off-the-shelf as packaged software
• Proprietary software is for a specific problem and is owned by the company
• Off-the-shelf software is readily available and already developed

Proprietary Software Advantages

• Users get exactly what they need
• Control over the process

Proprietary Software Disadvantages

• Significant investment (time and money)
• Need to provide ongoing support and maintenance

Off-the-shelf Software Advantages

• Initial cost is lower
• Usually will meet the basic needs of the organization, and customize
• Support and training available

Off-the-shelf Software Disadvantages

• Might pay for features that are not needed or wanted
• Software may lack required features and customization can be costly

Software Creation and Ownership

• Software is created via programming or coding
• Modern software applications are written using Java, Visual C, C++, and Python programming languages
• Software is made available through restrictive software licensing, which requires payment for software
• When installing software, users are being given a license to use it, and agreeing to the terms of service or the license agreement

Open Source Software

• The source code is not available to others to use or copy with closed source software
• Open-source software makes source code available for anyone to copy, use, and is available in a compiled format for download/installation
• The open-source movement has led to software like Firefox, the Linux operating system, and the Apache web server

Advantages of Open-Source

• The software is available for free
• The software source code is available, and can be examined/reviewed before installed
• The large community of programmers provide quick bug fixes and feature additions

Disadvantages of Open-Source

• Technical support is not available similar to traditional software products
• Software companies provide updates when required
• The user interface may be more challenging to use

Summary Notes

• Software gives the instructions to tell the hardware what to do
• Two basic categories of software: operating systems and applications
• Operating systems interface with hardware and make system resources available
• Application software focuses on the work of a user or an organization
• Desktop applications are designed for a single user; enterprise software supports multiple users
• These are accessible from the interne via web browsers
• Cloud computing provides access to software and databases
• Service category that gives companies access to software packages without investing
• Functions shifted to the cloud including cost savings, speedy delivery of software, scalability, employee mobility, and a reduction in information technology staff
• Software can be built (proprietary) or purchased (off-the-shelf)
• Open source software makes the source code available for anyone to copy