Fundamentals of Information Systems: Chapter 2

Reading Outline
Software (pp. 65!"#
$earning O%&e'ti(es
Identify and briefly describe the functions of the two basic
kinds of software.
Outline the role of the operating system and identify the
features of several popular operating systems.

Discuss how application software can support personal,
workgroup, and enterprise business objectives.
Identify three basic approaches to developing application
software and discuss the pros and cons of each.
Software Overview
Two main types systems software, application software
Spheres of influence personal, work group, enterprise
Operating Systems
!n operating system "OS# is a set of computer programs that controls the computer hardware
and acts as an interface with application programs. It plays a central role in the functioning of
the complete computer system and is usually stored on disk. It is also responsible for the
e$ecution of the following activities
%erforming common computer hardware functions
%roviding a user interface and input&output management
%roviding a degree of hardware independence
'anaging system memory
'anaging processing tasks
%roviding networking capability
(ontrolling access to system resources
'anaging files
)ppli'ation Software
%roprietary versus off)the)shelf software
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Advantages of
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Software more closely matches needs
Development results are more controllable
'ore fle$ibility in making changes

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Disadvantages
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Development is generally longer
It may be difficult for in)house system development staff to provide the
re*uired level of ongoing support and maintenance
+reater risk of performance problems

The purchase of off)the)shelf software also has its share of advantages and disadvantages,
among these are
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Advantages of
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-ower costs
-ower risks
.igher *uality

Disadvantages
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Organi/ation may be paying for features it doesn0t re*uire
Software may lack important features
1ork processes may need to be changed to match software
2ole of personal, workgroup, enterprise software applications
+roupware
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3nterprise 2esource %lanning software
,rogramming $anguages
3volution of programming languages
-ey .erms
)ppli'ation program interfa'e (),I#: The interface that allows applications to make
use of the operating system
)ppli'ation ser(i'e pro(ider ()S,#: ! company that provides software, end)user
support, and the computer hardware on which to run the software from the user0s
facilities
)ppli'ation software: The programs that help users solve particular computing
problems
Command%ased user interfa'e: ! user interface that re*uires that te$t commands be
given to the computer to perform basic activities
Computer programs: The se*uences of instructions for the computer
Contra't software: The software developed for a particular company
/nterprise resour'e planning (/R,#: ! set of integrated programs that manage a
company0s vital business operations for an entire multisite, global organi/ation
0raphi'al user interfa'e (01I#: !n interface that uses icons and menus displayed on
screen to send commands to the computer system
Offtheshelf software: !n e$isting software program that is purchased
Operating system (OS#: ! set of computer programs that controls the computer
hardware and acts as an interface with application programs
,ersonal produ'ti(ity software: The software that enables users to improve their
personal effectiveness, increasing the amount of work they can do and its *uality
,rogramming languages: The sets of keywords, symbols, and a system of rules for
constructing statements by which humans can communicate instructions to be e$ecuted
by a computer
,roprietary software: ! one)of)a)kind program for a specific application, usually
developed and owned by a single company
S'ala%ility: The ability to increase the capability of a computer system to process more
transactions in a given period by adding more, or more powerful, processors
Software %ug: ! defect in a computer program that keeps it from performing in the
manner intended
Software suite: ! collection of single application programs packaged in a bundle
Sphere of influen'e: The scope of problems and opportunities addressed by a particular
organi/ation
Systems software: The set of programs designed to coordinate the activities and
functions of the hardware and various programs throughout the computer system
.imesharing: The capability that allows more than one person to use a computer
system at the same time
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1ser interfa'e: The element of the operating system that allows individuals to access
and command the computer system
Workgroup application software: The software that supports
teamwork, whether in one location or around the world
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