Lesson 5

System and Application Software

 Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion of this chapter, you will be
able to:
• Define the term software
• Describe the two primary categories of software
• Describe the role ERP software plays in an organization
• Describe cloud computing and its
advantages and disadvantages for
use in an organization
• Define the term open source and
identify its primary characteristics
 Types of Software
Software is the set of instructions that tells the
hardware what to do
Two main types of software:
1. Operating Systems
2. Application Software
1. Productivity software
2. Utility software
3. Programming software
4. Applications for the Enterprise (ERP)
 Operating Systems
• All devices have an operating system
• Software which manages the hardware
• Creates the interface between the
hardware and the user
• Functions performed by the
operating systems:
– Managing the hardware resources of the
computer
– Providing the user-interface components
– Providing a platform for software developers
to write applications
• Most popular are Microsoft Windows,
Apple Mac OS, and Linux
 Types of Operating Systems
• Personal Operating Systems
– Also known as Desktop Operating Systems
– Used to be installed on a single computer

• Server Operating Systems

– Also known as Network Operating Systems
– Nestled on a network server to have multiple
users access a network and the resources.
Personal Operating Systems
Server Operating Systems
 What is an Application
• An app, short for "application," is software
that can be installed and run on a computer,
tablet, smartphone, or other electronic
devices. An app most frequently refers to a
mobile application or a piece of software that
is installed and used on a computer.
 Types of Application
• Web-based app - A web-based app is an application that
requires internet access for full use. Examples of web-
based apps include Netflix, Google Docs, and Dropbox.
• Native app - Apps created for a particular mobile platform
are known as native applications. For example, an app
made for an Apple iPhone will only be usable on Apple
devices and would not work on other types of mobile
phones, such as Android. An example of a native app is
the calculator application on the iPhone.
• Hybrid app - A hybrid app is an app that is made to
support both native and web-based technologies and is a
combination of both web-based and native applications.
 Application Software
• Software that allows users to accomplish some goal or
purpose
• Categories:
– Productivity software to help employees complete their job
duties such as Microsoft Office
– Utility software allows you to fix or modify your computer
• For example, antivirus software
– Programming software makes more software
• Programmers can code, test, and convert into a format that the
computer will understand
• CIS students typically use Visual Studio
 Productivity Software
• Word Processing
– Used to create and manipulate documents.
• Presentation
– It is used to create visual aids for presentations.
• Spreadsheet
– They formulate and organize data in rows and
columns and can perform calculations.
• Database
– It is used to collect data and organized to allow
access, retrieval, and use of the collected data.
• Note Taking
– Used to write notes, draw or sketch anywhere
on a page.
 Productivity Software
• Project Management
– Used to plan, schedule, monitor, and analyze events,
resources, and project costs.

• Accounting
– They are used to help businesses record their financial
transactions.

• Personal Finance
– An uncomplicated accounting application helps users
balance their checkbooks, pay bills, track personal
income and expenses, check account balances, transfer
funds, track investments, and evaluate financial plans.
 Productivity Software
• Legal
– It prepares legal documents and provides legal
information to individuals, families, and small businesses.

• Tax Preparation
– Used to guide users in filing federal taxes.

• Document Management
– An application helps users share, distribute, and search
through documents by converting them into a user's
format.
Productivity Software
 Utility Software
a. Search Tools - Used to search for files on the user's storage
device
b. Diagnostic Programs - Used to evaluate the computer
system and recommend fixing the errors found.
c. Disk Management Programs - Used to diagnose and repair
problems related to the user's hard drive
d. File Compression Programs -Used to reduce the size of files
to utilize the space on a storage medium. - Used to zipping and
unzip files
e. Uninstall Utilities - Used to remove programs from the user's
hard drive
f. Cleanup Utilities - Used to delete temporary files
g. Backup and Recovery Utilities - Used to backup and restore
processes
Utility Software
Programming Software
 Enterprise Application Software
• Early applications were often independent from other
applications
• Consequently, information from one application did not
always correlate to information from another application
• Enterprise Resource Applications (ERP) were developed to
provide a common application that supports functions
across the entire enterprise for the company’s employees
– For example, an ERP can contain the
general ledger and its subsidiary ledgers
such as accounts payable, accounts
receivables, etc.
– Builds in best business practices for an
enterprise
 Enterprise Application Software
– SAP is the most popular
– Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
• Manages an organization’s customers
• Personalize your relationship with the customer
• An example is Salesforce
– Supply Chain Management (SCM) manages an
organization’s
Manufacturing
Suppliers Distributors
Facilities
Enterprise Application Software
 Mobile Applications
• Operate on tablets and smartphones
• Each device has its own operating system
(e.g., Android or iOS)
• Each application is developed for the specific
mobile device’s operating system
• Websites are now offering mobile friendly
interfaces to run on mobile devices
– Independent of the mobile devices’
operating system
 Communications Applications
• Blogging
• Browsing
• Chat Room
• Discussion Forum
• E-mail
• FTP (File Transfer Protocol)
• Instant Messaging
• Videoconference
• VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)
• Web Feeds
• Wireless Messaging
Communications Applications
 Cloud Computing
• Internet-based applications, services,
and data storage
• Advantages:
– No software to install or upgrade
– If you have Internet access, you can always use it
– No restrictions on how much you store and don’t have to worry
about losing it
• Disadvantages:
– Your information is stored on someone else’s computer – how
safe is it?
– Internet access is required
– Relying on someone else to provide these services
 Business Cloud Usage
• Private Cloud
– Still uses cloud concepts but allows the business
to control over that space
– Improves who can access it and how it is secured
• Virtualization
– Using software to simulate a computer or some
other device
– Can create a server without
actually purchasing a server
 Software Creation
• Software is written in a programming language
– Consists of commands organized logically to execute specific
functions
– Written in human-readable format (source code) and converted
to machine-readable format (object code)
– Object code can be interpreted by the computer to allow
interaction with the hardware
• Usually done in pieces so several programmers can work together
• Closed-Source Software – only object code is available for purchase
• Open-Source Software:
– Code is shared with everyone to use and
add features or fix bugs
– Examples are Firefox browser and Linux
operating system
 Open vs. Closed Source Software
• Open-Source Software:
– Software is available for free
– Source code can be reviewed prior to installing
– Large programmer groups can fix bugs and add feature
– May increase risk of attack as everyone knows how your
software works
• Closed-Source Software:
– Company that developed the software
provides technical support
– Employs large number of programmers
to enhance the product
Open vs. Closed Source Software
 Summary
• Defined the term software
• Described the two primary categories of software
• Described the role ERP software plays in an
organization
• Described cloud computing and its advantages
and disadvantages for use in an
organization
• Defined the term open source and
identify its primary characteristics
Thank you and God Bless You All :)