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Copyright © 2006, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
4-1
Chapter
4
Computer Software
Copyright © 2006, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 4-2
Learning Objectives
1. Describe several important trends

occurring in computer software.
2. Give examples of several major types of

application and system software.
3. Explain the purpose of several popular

software packages for end user
productivity and collaborative computing.
Learning Objectives
4. Outline the functions of an operating

system.
5. Describe the main uses of computer

programming software, tools, and
languages.
What is Software?
Definition:
• Various kinds of programs used to operate
computers and related devices
Case #1: Writing Software for Processes
Microsoft’s Business Solutions Division:

• Teams formed for different industries
• Injected industry-specific codes directly

into its core software platforms
• Hired business technology professionals

steeped in sector-specific knowledge
Microsoft’s New Strategy:

• Creating accelerators aimed at business
processes common to companies in a given
industry
• Inserting industry-enabling layers to serve the

needs of a broad base of companies in a
particular sector
• Seeking partnerships with vendors that have

deep industry roots
1. A common phrase among IT

professionals is “The world views its
data through Windows”. Why does
Microsoft dominate the desktop and
networked software market? Visit its
website at www.microsoft.com and
review its broad range of software
products and services to help with your
answer.
2. How successful will Microsoft be in competing

with software vendors who specialize in
vertical market applications like health care,
retail, and specialty services? Why?
3. Do you agree with Microsoft’s strategy to

develop industry-specific partners to capitalize
on opportunities in both large and small
business sectors? Is there an advantage or a
disadvantage to being one of Microsoft’s
partners in this type of relationship? Explain.
4. Does Microsoft’s entry into industry-

specific applications signal the end for
smaller industry-specific software
developers? What changes in strategy
by such developers are necessary to
compete with Microsoft?
Copyright © 2006, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 4 - 10

Types of Software

Types of Software
• Application Software - performs

information processing tasks for end users
• System Software – manages and

supports operations of computer systems
and networks

Application Software
• General-Purpose – programs that perform

common information processing jobs for
end users
• Application-Specific – support specific

applications of end users in business and
other fields

How is Software Developed?
• Custom Software – software applications

that are developed within an organization
for use by that organization
• Commercial Off-the-shelf (COTS)

Software – software that is developed by
a software developer with the intention of
selling the software in multiple copies

General-Purpose Application Software
• Software Suites
• Web Browsers
• Electronic Mail
• Word Processing
• Spreadsheets
• Database Managers
• Presentation Graphics
• Personal Information Managers
• Groupware

Software Suites

Integrated Packages
Definition:
• Combine some of the functions of several
programs into one software package

Graphical User Interface (GUI)
Definition:
• Icons, tool and status bars, menus, and so
on, which gives an application its look and
feel

Web Browser
Definition:
• Software interface used to point and click
through the hyperlinked resources of the
Internet

Web Browser

Electronic Mail & Instant Messaging
• Electronic Mail – software used to send

and receive electronic messages and file
attachments via the Internet, intranets or
extranets
• Instant Messaging (IM) – software used to

send and receive electronic messages
instantly to facilitate real time
communication and collaboration

E-mail

Word Processing & Desktop Publishing
• Word Processing – software that supports

the creation, editing, revision and printing
of documents
• Desktop Publishing (DTP) – software that

supports the production of materials that
look professionally published

Word Processing

Electronic Spreadsheets
Definition:
• Software that supports the development of
electronic worksheets consisting of rows
and columns used for business analysis,
planning and modeling

Spreadsheets

Presentation Graphics
Definition:
• Software that helps convert numeric data
into graphics displays and prepare
multimedia presentations including
graphics, photos, animation, and video
clips

Presentation Software

Graphics Software

Video Software

Personal Information Manager (PIM)
Definition:
• Software for end user productivity and
collaboration

Groupware
Definition:
• Software that helps workgroups and
teams work together to accomplish group
assignments

Software Alternatives
• Purchase Commercial Off-The-Shelf

software
• Application Service Providers –

companies that own, operate, and
maintain application software and the
computer system resources required to
offer the use of the application software
for a fee as a service over the Internet

Software Licensing
• Purchasing the right to use specific

software under the terms of the software
licensing agreement
• Protects the vendor’s intellectual property

right

Case #2: New Face of Web Services
Web Services:
• Provide third-party programmers and
business partners with access to some
data and basic website functionality
• Independent developers can build

applications to satisfy market niches that
customers want

C Case #2: New Face of Web Services
eBay:
• 40% of items listed for sale on eBay come
through its API
Amazon:
• Product Details
• Search Capabilities
• Customer Reviews
• Sales Rankings
• Wish Lists
• Registries
Case #2: New Face of Web Services
1. What are the purpose and business value of

Web services?
2. What are the benefits of Web services to

Amazon, eBay and their developer partners?
3. What are the business challenges of Web

services? Visit the Web services websites of
IBM and Microsoft to help with your answer.
4. What can be done to improve the business

use of Web services today?

System Software
• System Management Programs – programs that

manage the hardware, software, network, and
data resources of computer systems during the
execution of various information processing jobs
of end users
• System Development Programs – programs that

help users develop information system
programs and procedures and prepare user
programs for computer processing

Operating System
Definition:
• An integrated system of programs that
manages the operations of the CPU,
controls the input/output and storage
resources and activities of the computer
system, and provides various support
services as the computer executes the
application programs of users

Operating System Functions

User Interface
Definition:
• The part of the operating system that
allows you to communicate with it so you
can load programs, access files, and
accomplish other tasks

Types of User Interfaces
• Command-Driven
• Menu-Driven
• Graphical User Interfaces

Resource Management
Definition:
• Programs to manage the hardware and
networking resources of a computer
system, including its CPU, memory,
secondary storage devices,
telecommunications processors, and
input/output peripherals

File Management
Definition:
• Programs that control the creation,
deletion, and access of files of data and
programs as well as keeping track of the
physical location of files on magnetic disks
and other secondary storage devices

Task Management
Definition:
• Programs that control which task gets
access to the CPU and for how much time
• Multitasking – approach that allows for

several computing tasks to be performed
in a seemingly simultaneous fashion

Popular Operating Systems
• Microsoft Windows
• UNIX
• Linux
• Mac OS X

Other System Management Programs
• Performance Monitors – programs that

monitor and adjust the performance and
usage of one or more computer systems
to keep them running efficiently
• 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
Application Servers
Definition:
• Software which provides an interface
between an operating system and
application programs of users
• Middleware – software that helps diverse

software applications and networked
computer systems exchange data and
work together more efficiently

Programming Language

Programming Languages

Machine Languages
• All program instructions had to be written

using binary codes unique to each
computer
• Programmers had to have a detailed

knowledge of the internal operations of
the specific type of CPU

Assembler Languages
• Alphabetic abbreviations and symbols are

used to represent operation codes and
storage locations
• Language translator programs are

required to convert the instructions into
machine instructions

High-Level Languages
• Instructions that use brief statements or

arithmetic expressions
• Each statement generates several

machine instructions when translated by
compilers or interpreters

Fourth-Generation Languages
• Nonprocedural – programmers specify

results while computer determines the
sequence of instructions that will
accomplish those results
• Natural Language – very close to human

language

Object-Oriented Languages
• Ties together data

element and the
procedures or actions
that will be performed
upon them

Web Languages
• HTML – a page description language that

creates hypertext or hypermedia documents
• XML – describes the contents of Web pages by

applying identifying tags or contextual labels to
the data in Web documents
• Java – an object-oriented programming

language that is simple, secure and platform
independent

HTML

Web Services
Definition:
• Software components that are based on a
framework of Web and object-oriented
standards and technologies for using the
Web to electronically link the applications
of different user and different computing
platforms

Web Services

Language Translator Programs
• Assembler – translates the symbolic instruction

codes of programs written in an assembler
language into machine language instructions
• Compiler – translates high-level language

statements
• Interpreter – compiler that translates and

executes each statement in a program one at a
time

Programming Tools
• Graphical Programming Interfaces
• Programming Editors
• Debuggers
• CASE tools

Case #3: Growth of Linux in Business
Statistics:
• Linux runs almost 15% of all servers
• Growing at 23% per year
• Over 10% of IBM mainframe sales run Linux
• Only 1% of PCs use Linux but 30% of chief

technologists were considering moving their
companies’ PCs to Linux
How did Linux get into the mainstream?

• Low-cost alternative in sagging economy
• Intel loosened its relationship with Microsoft
• IBM made an effort to be Linux-compatible
• Fear of Microsoft gaining a stranglehold on

corporate customers

Open Source:
• Free
• Stable
• Easily fixed if bugs appear

1. Should businesses continue to switch to

the Linux operating system on servers
and mainframes? Why or why not?
2. Should business and consumer PC

users switch to Linux PC operating
systems like Lindows and software
suites like Sun’s Star Office? Why or
why not?

3. Should the IT departments of companies

like Merrill Lynch contribute their
software improvements to the open-
source community for products like
Linux? Explain your reasoning.

Case #4: Using Java in Business
Benefits:
• Java can run on any hardware or
operating systems
• Easy to modify code as needs expand
• Networking capabilities reduce the need
for remote servers
• Easy to integrate with middleware and
databases

Case #4: Using Java in Business
1. What are the benefits of Java as a

programming language for retail POS
applications compared to other programming
languages?
2. What are the benefits of Java for the

development of e-commerce portals for
customers and suppliers like PartsEdge?
3. Why do companies like Mark’s Work

Wearhouse frequently team Java with the
Linux operating system?
Summary
• Computer software consists of

applications software that directs the
performance of a particular use of
computers to meet the information
processing needs of users, and system
software that controls and supports the
operations of a computer system as it
performs various information processing
tasks.

Summary
• Application software includes general-purpose

and application-specific categories.
• General-purpose application programs perform

common information processing jobs for end
users.
• Application-specific programs accomplish

information processing tasks that support
specific business functions.

Summary
• System software can be subdivided into system

management programs and system
development programs.
• System management programs manage the

hardware, software, network, and data
resources of a computer system during its
execution of information processing jobs.
• System development programs help IS

specialists develop computer programs to
support business processes.
Summary
• An operating system is an integrated

system of programs that supervises the
operation of the CPU, controls the
input/output and storage functions of the
computer system, and provides various
support services.

Summary
• Programming languages require the use

of a variety of programming packages to
help programmers develop computer
programs, and language translator
programs to convert programming
language instructions into machine
language instruction codes.

Chapter
4
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Copyright © 2006, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

1. Describe several important trends

2. Give examples of several major types of

3. Explain the purpose of several popular

4. Outline the functions of an operating

5. Describe the main uses of computer

Microsoft’s Business Solutions Division:

• Injected industry-specific codes directly

• Hired business technology professionals

Microsoft’s New Strategy:

• Inserting industry-enabling layers to serve the

• Seeking partnerships with vendors that have

1. A common phrase among IT

2. How successful will Microsoft be in competing

3. Do you agree with Microsoft’s strategy to

4. Does Microsoft’s entry into industry-

Copyright © 2006, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 4 - 10

Copyright © 2006, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 4 - 11

• Application Software - performs

• System Software – manages and

Copyright © 2006, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 4 - 12

• General-Purpose – programs that perform

• Application-Specific – support specific

Copyright © 2006, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 4 - 13

• Custom Software – software applications

• Commercial Off-the-shelf (COTS)

Copyright © 2006, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 4 - 14

Copyright © 2006, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 4 - 15

Copyright © 2006, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 4 - 16

Copyright © 2006, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 4 - 17

Copyright © 2006, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 4 - 18

Copyright © 2006, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 4 - 19

Copyright © 2006, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 4 - 20

• Electronic Mail – software used to send

• Instant Messaging (IM) – software used to

Copyright © 2006, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 4 - 21

Copyright © 2006, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 4 - 22

• Word Processing – software that supports

• Desktop Publishing (DTP) – software that

Copyright © 2006, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 4 - 23

Copyright © 2006, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 4 - 24

Copyright © 2006, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 4 - 25

Copyright © 2006, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 4 - 26

Copyright © 2006, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 4 - 27

Copyright © 2006, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 4 - 28

Copyright © 2006, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 4 - 29

Copyright © 2006, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 4 - 30

Copyright © 2006, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 4 - 31

Copyright © 2006, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 4 - 32

• Purchase Commercial Off-The-Shelf

• Application Service Providers –

Copyright © 2006, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 4 - 33

• Purchasing the right to use specific

• Protects the vendor’s intellectual property

Copyright © 2006, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 4 - 34

• Independent developers can build

Copyright © 2006, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 4 - 35

1. What are the purpose and business value of

2. What are the benefits of Web services to

3. What are the business challenges of Web

4. What can be done to improve the business

Copyright © 2006, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 4 - 37

• System Management Programs – programs that

• System Development Programs – programs that