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SoftwareSoftware

custom-written, off-the-shelf, custom-written, off-the-shelf, generic, system, applications, generic, system, applications,

utility, integrated utility, integrated

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Learning ObjectivesLearning Objectives

Define the different types of software.

Describe the purpose of each of the software types giving common examples of applications for each type.

Discuss the relative advantages and disadvantages of using off-the-shelf and bespoke software packages.

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HARDWARE

SYSTEM SOFTWARE

APPLICATION SOFTWARE

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Difference between Hardware and Difference between Hardware and SoftwareSoftware

Hardware: Hardware: Comprises the physical parts of the Comprises the physical parts of the

computer system that are hard to touch.computer system that are hard to touch.

Software:Software: Makes a computer do something and are Makes a computer do something and are

written to run on the hardware.written to run on the hardware.

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Watch a computer booting up or logging onto a network.

• What is happening?

• How is it happening?

• How does the computer know what to do?

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• What is software?

• How is it related to hardware?

Without software a computer system could

not function!

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• Software is the general term used to describe all the changeable programs, routines or procedures that run on a computer.

• Software makes a computer do something and are written to run on the hardware.

SoftwareSoftware

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• What types of software have you encountered? What were their functions?

• What were their software names and product names? (They are different!)

SoftwareSoftware

• The difference between generic and product names is like the difference between a 'car' and a make of car e.g. 'Fiat‘ or ‘Dacia’.

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• Performs tasks needed to run the computer system / hardware

• They help the computer run smoothly.

• Helps the user to control and make best use of the computer hardware.

• Allows the user to carry out different tasks with different programs rather than one specific task with one program.

Systems softwareSystems software

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There are 2 main types of There are 2 main types of softwaresoftware

There are 2 main types of There are 2 main types of softwaresoftware

Software

System Software /Operating System

Applications Software

Carries out some task/s for the user allowing the user to produce

something useful.

Carries out some task/s for the user allowing the user to produce

something useful.Collection of system programs that:

•Control and manage the activities of the computer system hardware

•Manage applications.

•Provide an interface between user and hardware.

Collection of system programs that:

•Control and manage the activities of the computer system hardware

•Manage applications.

•Provide an interface between user and hardware.

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Applications Software

Custom-Written / Bespoke

Off-the-shelf Prewritten ready to

buy

Prewritten ready to

buy

Excel, Word,PowerPoint etc..

Microsoft Office

Generic Software/ General Purpose

Special Purpose

Integrated SoftwarePackages

Individual Programs

A number of different pieces of software that can share / merge data.

e.g. 1. A graph from a spreadsheet can be placed in

a report.2. Common screen design / toolbars / icons

makes it simpler for people to learn.

A number of different pieces of software that can share / merge data.

e.g. 1. A graph from a spreadsheet can be placed in

a report.2. Common screen design / toolbars / icons

makes it simpler for people to learn.

Software that can be made to

do many different tasks.

Software that can be made to

do many different tasks.

Software to perform a specific task e.g. payroll, accounts, stock control,

fill in forms

Software to perform a specific task e.g. payroll, accounts, stock control,

fill in forms

Software written to the specification of a

particular organisation or

customer.

Software written to the specification of a

particular organisation or

customer.

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Advantages of off-the-shelf packages

IImmediately available, bespoke software takes time to write.Many users who share the development costs, making it a cheaper alternative.Thoroughly tested and so fewer bugs ewer bugs (due to the number and variety of users).More likely to be compatible with other applications packages.More likely that there are well established training courses in the software.User groups often available.User groups often available.

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Advantages of Bespoke Packages / Custom Written Software

Will be tailored to the exact needs of the user.

Perhaps no off-the-shelf software fulfils the system requirements as the application is a one off.

There is a potential to work with the developers to expand the marketplace for the new software.

Will not contain extra routines that will never be used.

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Applications for which Common Applications for which Common Packages are not appropriatePackages are not appropriate

Where the use is so specialised that the software will Where the use is so specialised that the software will need to be written (or at least tailored) for that particular need to be written (or at least tailored) for that particular use. use.

E.g. Many uses of control software. E.g. Many uses of control software. Robots used on production lines tend to be one-off machines, Robots used on production lines tend to be one-off machines, designed for that particular purpose, consequently, the software that designed for that particular purpose, consequently, the software that would drive them would, similarly, be one-off. would drive them would, similarly, be one-off. A stock control system in a warehouse would have standard A stock control system in a warehouse would have standard modules, but would have other sections which would be for that modules, but would have other sections which would be for that warehousing system alone. warehousing system alone.

How different from the standard design is the system for How different from the standard design is the system for which we want the software?which we want the software?

The further away from the standard, the more difficult it is to use The further away from the standard, the more difficult it is to use standard software, and the more likelihood there is that the standard software, and the more likelihood there is that the system will require software written specially for it.system will require software written specially for it.

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Anti virus software

(Hard-Drive) Utilities

Format

Program

Part of OS

Designed to carry out “housework” and common tasks.

Program

Part of OS

Designed to carry out “housework” and common tasks.

Library /File-handling

Search Sort Copy / Backup

File Compression

Defragment

Hardware Drivers

(Organising)New Folders

& Moving files

Deleting Files

To keep files sensibly arranged on the hard drive

To keep files sensibly arranged on the hard drive

To manage the files that are stored on a computer system

To manage the files that are stored on a computer system

Reduces size of files without loss of detail by replacing all common letter combinations by single characters and deleting redundant data so that less storage space required and faster transmission.

Reduces size of files without loss of detail by replacing all common letter combinations by single characters and deleting redundant data so that less storage space required and faster transmission.

To protect files from attack by

virus

To protect files from attack by

virus

Deletes the contents of a disk, divides the surface

of storage media into tracks and sectors and,

produces an index before being used.

Deletes the contents of a disk, divides the surface

of storage media into tracks and sectors and,

produces an index before being used.

Used to control communication between

computer and peripherals by converting OS commands into instructions that the peripheral will understand. Supplied with a new peripheral and needs to

be installed it can be used.

Used to control communication between

computer and peripherals by converting OS commands into instructions that the peripheral will understand. Supplied with a new peripheral and needs to

be installed it can be used.

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PlenaryPlenary

What are the different types of software?

What are they used for and can you give examples?

What are the relative advantages and disadvantages of using off-the-shelf and bespoke software packages?