What is application software??
It is computer software designed to help the user to perform singular or multiple related specific tasks. It is also a subclass of computer software that employs the capabilities of a computer directly and thoroughly to a task that the user wishes to perform. It should be contrasted with system software and middle ware, which manage and integrate a computer’s capabilities, but typically do not directly apply them in the performance of tasks that benefit the user.
What are the types of application software??
It has two types of software :-
1) Written Software
2) Off the shelf software
- Written software is is a type of software that is developed either for a specific organization or function designed by a specialist or programmer that differs from or is opposite of other already available software. It is generally not targeted to the mass market, but usually created for companies, business entities, and organizations. Custom software also refers to when companies or governments pay for customized software for budget or project managing.
Advantages :-
• Meets purpose exactly
• Small hard disk footprint compared to off the shelf software
• Specialist backup
• Source code
Disadvantages :-
• More expensive than the off the shelf software
• May have mistakes in code (untested) which will cost money to money
• Not immediately available
• Very limited overall backup and storage
- Off the shelf software is a term defining technology which is ready-made and available for sale, lease, or license to the general public.
Advantages :-
• Usually cheaper than the written software
• Already been tested
• Choices of brand
• Immediately available, no time delaying in implementing
• Support from a variety of sources
Disadvantages :-
• Large memory footprint
• Many features are not required
• Not completely suited to purpose
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Friday, April 9, 2010
Topic 2: System Software
(a) Purpose of operating system
• To run other program
• Manage information on disk
• Control the hardware
• To handle resource allocation
• File management
• Memory management
• Handling interrupt
• Manage user account
(b) The characteristics of different types of operating system and their uses:-
1. Batch processing: it is a processor where a number of transactions are collected together where input are to be processed it together.
Uses: It allows sharing of computer resources among many users and programs. Also, it shifts the time of job processing to when the computing resources are less busy. On the other hand, it avoids idling the computing resources with minute-by-minute manual intervention and supervision. By keeping high overall rate of utilization, it better amortizes the cost of a computer, especially an expensive one.
2. Real-time processing: a method of processing data where each transaction is dealt with within a guaranteed time.
Uses: it is used in computer controlled systems where fast responses are needed e.g. controlling a robotic arm.
3. Single-user: application software which allows the access by one user only.
Uses: It is mainly used for maintenance of multi-user environments such as network servers. Some tasks may require exclusive access to shared resources and also for security purposes.
4. Multi-user: defines operating system or application software that allows concurrent access by multiple users of a computer.
Uses: if one computer breaks down, the others are still working. As a conclusion, data processed can be done with many computers.
5. Multi-tasking: a method by which multiple tasks are shared the common processing resources such as the CPU.
Uses: solves the problem by scheduling which task may be the one running at any given time, and when another waiting task gets a turn.
6. Network-system: operating system that contains components and programs that allow a computer on a network to serve requests from other computers for data and provide access to other resources such as printer and file systems.
Uses: Add, remove and manage users who wish to use resources on the network. It also allows the user to have access to the data on the network. This data commonly resides on the server.
(c) A range of applications requiring batch processing:
• Invoice payment
• Payroll system
• Infrastructure bill
A range of applications requiring real time response:
• Computer games
• Controlling the system of nuclear plant
(d) Describe different types of user interface:-
1. Forms: a formatted softcopy or hardcopy that needs to be filled in. In computing system, the forms are to be processed when it is done, and then stored into the computer.
2. GUI: a type of user interface item that allows people to interact with programs in more ways than typing such as computers; hand-held devices such as MP3 Players, Portable Media Players or Gaming devices; household appliances and office equipment with images rather than text commands
3. Natural language: any language which arises in an unpremeditated fashion as the result of the innate facility for language possessed by the human intellect. A natural language is typically used for communication, and may be spoken, signed, or written.
4. Command line: a mechanism for interacting with a computer operating system or software by typing commands to perform specific tasks. This text-only interface contrasts with the use of a mouse pointer with a graphical user interface (GUI) to click on options, or menus on a text user interface (TUI) to select options.
(e) Purpose of utility software:-
• Disk formatting: the initial part of the process for preparing a hard disk or other storage medium for its first use. The disk formatting includes setting up an empty file system. A disk formatting may set up multiple file systems by formatting partitions for each file system. Disk formatting is also part of a process involving rebuilding an entire disk from scratch.
• File handling: a place where information or data is stored. It is used to read or write a file without directly opening.
• Hardware drivers: a computer program allowing higher-level computer programs to interact with a hardware device. It communicates with the device through the computer bus or communications subsystem to which the hardware connects.
• Virus checker: it is used to prevent, detect, and remove malware, including computer viruses, worms, and trojan horses.
• To run other program
• Manage information on disk
• Control the hardware
• To handle resource allocation
• File management
• Memory management
• Handling interrupt
• Manage user account
(b) The characteristics of different types of operating system and their uses:-
1. Batch processing: it is a processor where a number of transactions are collected together where input are to be processed it together.
Uses: It allows sharing of computer resources among many users and programs. Also, it shifts the time of job processing to when the computing resources are less busy. On the other hand, it avoids idling the computing resources with minute-by-minute manual intervention and supervision. By keeping high overall rate of utilization, it better amortizes the cost of a computer, especially an expensive one.
2. Real-time processing: a method of processing data where each transaction is dealt with within a guaranteed time.
Uses: it is used in computer controlled systems where fast responses are needed e.g. controlling a robotic arm.
3. Single-user: application software which allows the access by one user only.
Uses: It is mainly used for maintenance of multi-user environments such as network servers. Some tasks may require exclusive access to shared resources and also for security purposes.
4. Multi-user: defines operating system or application software that allows concurrent access by multiple users of a computer.
Uses: if one computer breaks down, the others are still working. As a conclusion, data processed can be done with many computers.
5. Multi-tasking: a method by which multiple tasks are shared the common processing resources such as the CPU.
Uses: solves the problem by scheduling which task may be the one running at any given time, and when another waiting task gets a turn.
6. Network-system: operating system that contains components and programs that allow a computer on a network to serve requests from other computers for data and provide access to other resources such as printer and file systems.
Uses: Add, remove and manage users who wish to use resources on the network. It also allows the user to have access to the data on the network. This data commonly resides on the server.
(c) A range of applications requiring batch processing:
• Invoice payment
• Payroll system
• Infrastructure bill
A range of applications requiring real time response:
• Computer games
• Controlling the system of nuclear plant
(d) Describe different types of user interface:-
1. Forms: a formatted softcopy or hardcopy that needs to be filled in. In computing system, the forms are to be processed when it is done, and then stored into the computer.
2. GUI: a type of user interface item that allows people to interact with programs in more ways than typing such as computers; hand-held devices such as MP3 Players, Portable Media Players or Gaming devices; household appliances and office equipment with images rather than text commands
3. Natural language: any language which arises in an unpremeditated fashion as the result of the innate facility for language possessed by the human intellect. A natural language is typically used for communication, and may be spoken, signed, or written.
4. Command line: a mechanism for interacting with a computer operating system or software by typing commands to perform specific tasks. This text-only interface contrasts with the use of a mouse pointer with a graphical user interface (GUI) to click on options, or menus on a text user interface (TUI) to select options.
(e) Purpose of utility software:-
• Disk formatting: the initial part of the process for preparing a hard disk or other storage medium for its first use. The disk formatting includes setting up an empty file system. A disk formatting may set up multiple file systems by formatting partitions for each file system. Disk formatting is also part of a process involving rebuilding an entire disk from scratch.
• File handling: a place where information or data is stored. It is used to read or write a file without directly opening.
• Hardware drivers: a computer program allowing higher-level computer programs to interact with a hardware device. It communicates with the device through the computer bus or communications subsystem to which the hardware connects.
• Virus checker: it is used to prevent, detect, and remove malware, including computer viruses, worms, and trojan horses.
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