Thương mại điện tử - Chapter 4: Computer software

Computer SoftwareChapter4Describe several important trends occurring in computer software.Give examples of several major types of application and system software.Explain the purpose of several popular software packages for end user productivity and collaborative computing.Learning ObjectivesLearning ObjectivesOutline the functions of an operating system.Describe the main uses of computer programming software, tools, and languages.What is Software?Definition:Various kinds of programs used to operate computers and related devicesCase #1: Writing Software for ProcessesMicrosoft’s Business Solutions Division:Teams formed for different industriesInjected industry-specific codes directly into its core software platformsHired business technology professionals steeped in sector-specific knowledgeCase #1: Writing Software for ProcessesMicrosoft’s New Strategy:Creating accelerators aimed at business processes common to companies in a given industryInserting industry-enabling layers to serve the needs of a broad base of companies in a particular sectorSeeking partnerships with vendors that have deep industry rootsCase #1: Writing Software for ProcessesA common phrase among IT professionals is “The world views its data through Windows”. Why does Microsoft dominate the desktop and networked software market? Visit its website at www.microsoft.com and review its broad range of software products and services to help with your answer.Case #1: Writing Software for ProcessesHow successful will Microsoft be in competing with software vendors who specialize in vertical market applications like health care, retail, and specialty services? Why?Do you agree with Microsoft’s strategy to develop industry-specific partners to capitalize on opportunities in both large and small business sectors? Is there an advantage or a disadvantage to being one of Microsoft’s partners in this type of relationship? Explain.Case #1: Writing Software for ProcessesDoes Microsoft’s entry into industry-specific applications signal the end for smaller industry-specific software developers? What changes in strategy by such developers are necessary to compete with Microsoft?Types of SoftwareTypes of SoftwareApplication Software - performs information processing tasks for end usersSystem Software – manages and supports operations of computer systems and networksApplication SoftwareGeneral-Purpose – programs that perform common information processing jobs for end usersApplication-Specific – support specific applications of end users in business and other fieldsHow is Software Developed?Custom Software – software applications that are developed within an organization for use by that organizationCommercial Off-the-shelf (COTS) Software – software that is developed by a software developer with the intention of selling the software in multiple copiesGeneral-Purpose Application SoftwareSoftware SuitesWeb BrowsersElectronic MailWord ProcessingSpreadsheetsDatabase ManagersPresentation GraphicsPersonal Information ManagersGroupwareSoftware SuitesIntegrated PackagesDefinition:Combine some of the functions of several programs into one software packageGraphical User Interface (GUI)Definition:Icons, tool and status bars, menus, and so on, which gives an application its look and feelWeb BrowserDefinition:Software interface used to point and click through the hyperlinked resources of the InternetWeb BrowserElectronic Mail & Instant MessagingElectronic Mail – software used to send and receive electronic messages and file attachments via the Internet, intranets or extranetsInstant Messaging (IM) – software used to send and receive electronic messages instantly to facilitate real time communication and collaborationE-mailWord Processing & Desktop PublishingWord Processing – software that supports the creation, editing, revision and printing of documentsDesktop Publishing (DTP) – software that supports the production of materials that look professionally publishedWord ProcessingElectronic SpreadsheetsDefinition:Software that supports the development of electronic worksheets consisting of rows and columns used for business analysis, planning and modelingSpreadsheetsPresentation GraphicsDefinition:Software that helps convert numeric data into graphics displays and prepare multimedia presentations including graphics, photos, animation, and video clipsPresentation SoftwareGraphics SoftwareVideo SoftwarePersonal Information Manager (PIM)Definition:Software for end user productivity and collaborationGroupwareDefinition:Software that helps workgroups and teams work together to accomplish group assignmentsSoftware AlternativesPurchase Commercial Off-The-Shelf softwareApplication Service Providers – companies that own, operate, and maintain application software and the computer system resources required to offer the use of the application software for a fee as a service over the InternetSoftware LicensingPurchasing the right to use specific software under the terms of the software licensing agreement Protects the vendor’s intellectual property rightCase #2: New Face of Web ServicesWeb Services:Provide third-party programmers and business partners with access to some data and basic website functionalityIndependent developers can build applications to satisfy market niches that customers wantC Case #2: New Face of Web ServiceseBay:40% of items listed for sale on eBay come through its APIAmazon:Product DetailsSearch CapabilitiesCustomer ReviewsSales RankingsWish ListsRegistriesCase #2: New Face of Web ServicesWhat are the purpose and business value of Web services?What are the benefits of Web services to Amazon, eBay and their developer partners?What are the business challenges of Web services? Visit the Web services websites of IBM and Microsoft to help with your answer.What can be done to improve the business use of Web services today?System SoftwareSystem Management Programs – programs that manage the hardware, software, network, and data resources of computer systems during the execution of various information processing jobs of end usersSystem Development Programs – programs that help users develop information system programs and procedures and prepare user programs for computer processingOperating SystemDefinition:An integrated system of programs that manages the operations of the CPU, controls the input/output and storage resources and activities of the computer system, and provides various support services as the computer executes the application programs of usersOperating System FunctionsUser InterfaceDefinition:The part of the operating system that allows you to communicate with it so you can load programs, access files, and accomplish other tasksTypes of User InterfacesCommand-DrivenMenu-DrivenGraphical User InterfacesResource ManagementDefinition:Programs to manage the hardware and networking resources of a computer system, including its CPU, memory, secondary storage devices, telecommunications processors, and input/output peripheralsFile ManagementDefinition:Programs that control the creation, deletion, and access of files of data and programs as well as keeping track of the physical location of files on magnetic disks and other secondary storage devicesTask ManagementDefinition:Programs that control which task gets access to the CPU and for how much timeMultitasking – approach that allows for several computing tasks to be performed in a seemingly simultaneous fashionPopular Operating SystemsMicrosoft WindowsUNIXLinuxMac OS XOther System Management ProgramsPerformance Monitors – programs that monitor and adjust the performance and usage of one or more computer systems to keep them running efficientlySecurity Monitors – programs that monitor and control the use of computer systems and provide warning messages and record evidence of unauthorized use of computer resourcesApplication ServersDefinition:Software which provides an interface between an operating system and application programs of usersMiddleware – software that helps diverse software applications and networked computer systems exchange data and work together more efficientlyProgramming LanguageProgramming LanguagesMachine LanguagesAll program instructions had to be written using binary codes unique to each computerProgrammers had to have a detailed knowledge of the internal operations of the specific type of CPUAssembler LanguagesAlphabetic abbreviations and symbols are used to represent operation codes and storage locationsLanguage translator programs are required to convert the instructions into machine instructionsHigh-Level LanguagesInstructions that use brief statements or arithmetic expressionsEach statement generates several machine instructions when translated by compilers or interpretersFourth-Generation LanguagesNonprocedural – programmers specify results while computer determines the sequence of instructions that will accomplish those resultsNatural Language – very close to human languageObject-Oriented LanguagesTies together data element and the procedures or actions that will be performed upon themWeb LanguagesHTML – a page description language that creates hypertext or hypermedia documentsXML – describes the contents of Web pages by applying identifying tags or contextual labels to the data in Web documentsJava – an object-oriented programming language that is simple, secure and platform independentHTMLWeb ServicesDefinition:Software components that are based on a framework of Web and object-oriented standards and technologies for using the Web to electronically link the applications of different user and different computing platformsWeb ServicesLanguage Translator ProgramsAssembler – translates the symbolic instruction codes of programs written in an assembler language into machine language instructionsCompiler – translates high-level language statementsInterpreter – compiler that translates and executes each statement in a program one at a timeProgramming ToolsGraphical Programming InterfacesProgramming EditorsDebuggersCASE toolsCase #3: Growth of Linux in BusinessStatistics:Linux runs almost 15% of all serversGrowing at 23% per yearOver 10% of IBM mainframe sales run LinuxOnly 1% of PCs use Linux but 30% of chief technologists were considering moving their companies’ PCs to LinuxCase #3: Growth of Linux in BusinessHow did Linux get into the mainstream?Low-cost alternative in sagging economyIntel loosened its relationship with MicrosoftIBM made an effort to be Linux-compatibleFear of Microsoft gaining a stranglehold on corporate customersCase #3: Growth of Linux in BusinessOpen Source:FreeStableEasily fixed if bugs appearCase #3: Growth of Linux in BusinessShould businesses continue to switch to the Linux operating system on servers and mainframes? Why or why not?Should business and consumer PC users switch to Linux PC operating systems like Lindows and software suites like Sun’s Star Office? Why or why not?Case #3: Growth of Linux in BusinessShould the IT departments of companies like Merrill Lynch contribute their software improvements to the open-source community for products like Linux? Explain your reasoning.Case #4: Using Java in BusinessBenefits:Java can run on any hardware or operating systemsEasy to modify code as needs expandNetworking capabilities reduce the need for remote serversEasy to integrate with middleware and databasesCase #4: Using Java in BusinessWhat are the benefits of Java as a programming language for retail POS applications compared to other programming languages?What are the benefits of Java for the development of e-commerce portals for customers and suppliers like PartsEdge?Why do companies like Mark’s Work Wearhouse frequently team Java with the Linux operating system?SummaryComputer software consists of applications software that directs the performance of a particular use of computers to meet the information processing needs of users, and system software that controls and supports the operations of a computer system as it performs various information processing tasks.SummaryApplication software includes general-purpose and application-specific categories.General-purpose application programs perform common information processing jobs for end users.Application-specific programs accomplish information processing tasks that support specific business functions.SummarySystem software can be subdivided into system management programs and system development programs. System management programs manage the hardware, software, network, and data resources of a computer system during its execution of information processing jobs.System development programs help IS specialists develop computer programs to support business processes.SummaryAn operating system is an integrated system of programs that supervises the operation of the CPU, controls the input/output and storage functions of the computer system, and provides various support services.SummaryProgramming languages require the use of a variety of programming packages to help programmers develop computer programs, and language translator programs to convert programming language instructions into machine language instruction codes.End of ChapterChapter4