1.7 selection and use of appropriate software

INFO 11.7 Selection and use of appropriate software

Throughout the lesson you are to tweet on the content covered including:Key conceptsKeywordsQuestionsOpinionsThoughtsUse the hastag #dbs12twitter

What is Software and why is it needed?What are the two main types of software?What are the sub categories of each type of software?What is the purpose of Utilities?Name a least 5 utilitiesThoroughly explain the purpose of ‘Device Drivers’Why might a Device Driver fail to function?What is a compiler and how does it work?What is an Interpreter and how does it work?What is an operating system and what is it’s purpose and function?Name 3 operating systemsExplain the difference between single and multi tasking operating systems and give examplesExplain the purpose of Applications softwareWhat are the 3 main categories of software applications?Name 6 common ‘general’ applicationsState two appropriate uses for each applications softwareState three features found in each applications softwareGive examples of 2 specialist applicationsWhat is meant by Bespoke?What are 2 advantages of investing in bespoke software?What are 2 disadvantages of investing in bespoke software?State 2 advantages of purchasing off the shelf applicationsState 2 disadvantages of purchasing off the shelf applicationsExplain what integrated software packages areWhat are the benefits and drawbacks of open source software?Explain what is meant by Proprietary SoftwareWhy do software manufactures upgrade their software?What must a company consider before upgrading their software?Learning objectives with a TWIST

Hardware refers to the physical components that make up the computerSoftware?Software refers to the computer programs that make the hardware do something usefulSoftware can divided into main two categoriesSoftware TypesSystemsSoftwareApplicationsSoftwareSystems software describes the programs which help the user control and make best use of the hardware

Applications software describes programs that have been written to perform a specific taskTwo categories of systems softwareSystems SoftwareSystems SoftwareOperating SystemsOther Systems SoftwareUtilitiesDriversCompilers &Interpreters

The purpose of utilities are to analyze, configure and maintain the computerSome common utilitiesAnti-VirusCompressionBackup/RestoreRegistry CleanupScan disk/disk repairHardware diagnosticsEncryption/decryptionSometimes included with the Operating SystemSometimes bundled/sold together in a separate packageUtility Programs only do one or perhaps two tasksSystems Software - Utilities

Used to configure hardware e.g. scanners, printers etc.

A Printer driver formats the output for a particular printer

Translates software instructions into a format hardware can understand and vice versaSystems Software - Drivers

Exam Revision!!! What is a device driver?A devicedriveris a specific type of computer software, developed to allow interaction with hardware devices. This usually constitutes an interface for communicating with the device, through the communications subsystem, providing commands to and/or receiving data from the device.It is a specialised hardware-dependent computer program, which is also operating system specific, that enables another program, typically an operating system or applications software, to interact transparently with the given device. Systems Software – Drivers 2the crucial point in achieving transparent interaction is the ongoing development of unconscious operations, embedded in the process of use.

Choose 3 utilities NOT listed on slide 5 and explain their function/purposeGive two reasons why a printer driver may fail to function or function as expectedHINT: Look at slide sevenResearch/Tasks

When computer programs are written they need to be converted into machine code. This binary code is the language which the computer understands. Compilers and Interpreters 1Computer ASourceFileCompilerSoftwareComputer BA compiler converts the program code into machine code and saves the machine code into a file which can be executed. This program can then be transferred to other PCs and used without the need for a compiler. ExecutableFileExecutableFileOutput

An Interpreter works in a similar manner but code is executed straight away without being stored. Compilers and Interpreters 2Macros, mini programs which can record & playback keystrokes and mouse clicks in applications, are interpreted each time they are run and so need an Interpreter. Example Exam QuestionsINFO 1 Jan 10

An Operating system is the core software that allows a computer to run as a useful device.It manages the hardware, the user interface and all other software running on the computerOperating Systems

There are a number of Unix-like operating systems based on or descended from the Berkeley Software Distribution (BSD)Examples

Today most operating systems perform the following important functions:Processor management, that is, assignment of processor to different tasks being performed by the computer system.Memory management, that is, allocation of main memory and other storage areas to the system programmes as well as user programmes and data.Input/output management, that is, co-ordination and assignment of the different output and input device while one or more programmes are being executed.File management, that is, the storage of file of various storage devices to another. It also allows all files to be easily changed and modified through the use of text editors or some other files manipulation routines.Interpretation of commands and instructions.Coordination and assignment of compilers, assemblers, utility programs, and other software to the various user of the computer system.Facilitates easy communication between the computer system and the computer operator (human) by providing a UI that is easily accessible e.g. WIMP interface.Functions of an Operating System

Example Exam QuestionsINFO 1 Jan 11

Single ApplicationOne user running one application e.g. Found on a mobile phone, iPad etc. (ios 4 not necessarily the same now as there is multi tasking)Multi TaskingOne user running many applications e.g. Personal computers (Windows 7, Mac OSX)Ram requiredSingle and Multi User Operating Systems

Applications SoftwareApplications software is written to improve our productivity i.e. it does somethingIt can be classified under 3 main categories:General Purpose softwareSpecialist softwareTailor made (bespoke) software

General Vs SpecialistGeneralThese applications can be used for a wide variety of tasks e.g. spreadsheets can be used for accounts, sales analysis, forecasting and many others. SpecialistThis type of software lacks the flexibility of generic software and is only capable of doing a single task. Accounting software is capable of doing only accounts and so is more restrictive than a spreadsheet.

Common General SoftwareGeneric software includes:Word processing Spreadsheets Database management Graphics Desktop Publishing (DTP) PresentationWeb page authoringWeb browsingEmail

Appropriate uses of General Application SoftwareWord Processing ApplicationsWriting reports, memos, letter to customersSpreadsheet ApplicationsKeeping simple company accounts, calculating employee payments, simple stock control, modelling, simple invoice systemDatabase ApplicationKeeping customer records, sales records, appointments systemDesktop Publishing ApplicationCreating leaflets, posters, business cardsPresentation SoftwareCreating presentations to show customers or staffGraphics ApplicationManipulating images that can be used at home, school or businessWeb Design (authoring) ApplicationCreating, maintaining personal or business websites

Features available in General Application SoftwareWord Processing ApplicationsMail Merge, Spell Check, Find and Replace, Dictionary, ThesaurausSpreadsheet ApplicationsConditional Formatting, creating graphs, charts and tables, Absolute and Relative cell referencingDatabase ApplicationReporting, sorting, filtering, querying data, Relational databases (many tables)Desktop Publishing ApplicationTemplates for popular documents, change page size and orientation, WordArt, shapes and objectsPresentation SoftwareCGraphics ApplicationMWeb Design (authoring) ApplicationC

Common Specialist SoftwareCommon specialist software include:PayrollSchool AdministrationBooking systemsStock control/warehousingBoth generic and specialist applications can be bought bespoke or off-the-shelf

Bespoke (Custom) SoftwareAdvantages:Meets purpose exactlySoftware will only have the features business requireSource code accessible for future developmentsDisadvantages:More expensive than off-the shelfMay have mistakes in code (untested) which will cost money to correctNot immediately availableVery limited overall backup and support – no books, etc

Off-the-Shelf SoftwareAdvantages:Usually cheaper than custom-written Already been testedChoice of brandsImmediately available no time delay in implementingSupport from a variety of sources: e.g. Internet sites, Books, etc.Disadvantages:Many features not requiredNot completely suited to purpose

Integrated Package vs. SuiteSoftware SuiteContain common productivity tools in ONE packageLimited functionalityUsually cheaper than integrated packageOften “bundled” with new PCsIntegrated PackageSeparate productivity applications that are bundled together and sold at a discount

The applications are "integrated" i.e. have a common interface and can export/import data between appsOpen Source vs. ProprietaryApplies to all software

Some software vendors / communities licence their software as open-source

Anybody can develop the source code i.e. customise/improve the application

Often but not always freeProprietary Software: Exclusive property of their developers

Example Exam QuestionsINFO 1 Jun 09

Example Exam QuestionsINFO 1 Jan 09

OverviewNew software versions are released every few years by many software manufacturersVersion numbers (or years) are used to distinguish the versionsMajor revisions usually labelled as integersMinor changes usually labelled as decimals

Pros/ConsUpgrades will usually offer new functions or will be designed to make tasks easierWord 2007 puts 80% of the commonest used functions no more than two clicks away from the user after criticism that Word 2003 had too many functions (“improved” UI)However there are technical and human considerations that the organisation needs to take into account when upgrading software

Hardware ConstraintsThe new software may require more memory, a faster processor etc. This means that hardware needs to be upgraded (often at great expense)

CompatibilityThe upgraded software needs to be compatible with existing systems. New versions of the software will usually open files created in older versions – backwards compatibilityThe reverse isn’t always true i.e. files created in new versions may not be usable (directly) with earlier versions – downwards compatibility

1.7 selection and use of appropriate software

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1.7 selection and use of appropriate software