1. Computer Software
Lecture 5

2. Business Information Systems- Computer Software
What is software
Software are programs (set of instructions) that interface with the computer to serve a specified function
Task specific series of instructions
What is the purpose of software
Provides the user with the interface to the computer
Manages resources of the computer
What is Firmware
This is software embedded in a chip; a combination of hardware and software
Business Information Systems- Computer Software

3. Business Information Systems - Computer Software
Types of Software
Application Software
Provides an interface and platform for end user tasks
Systems Software
Provides an interface to the management of the resources (computer systems and computer networks)
Business Information Systems - Computer Software

4. Business Information Systems - Computer Software
Kinds of Software
Proprietary Software versus Open Source Software
Proprietary software: this is commercial software developed for a specific task
Open source software: this is software developed for a specific task whose source code is available for use and for alteration
Off the shelf versus Be-spoke
Off the shelf: this is software that is premade for a specific purpose
Be-spoke: this is software that is custom made for a specific purpose
Business Information Systems - Computer Software

5. Business Information Systems - Computer Software
Application Software
General Purpose
Web browsers: Interfacing with the world wide web
Electronic mail: Online communication software
Word processing: Document production software
Spread sheet: Management of figures and numbers
Database management: Data and information management
Presentation Software: Lecture and presentations
Personal information managers?
Business Information Systems - Computer Software

6. Application Software – Software Suites
Provide a number of application software as one suite
Examples
Microsoft office
Lotus Smart Suite
Sun Star office
Apache Open Office
Coral WordPerfect Office
Advantages
Cost reduction
Compatibility of the programs within the suite
Same feel across the suite
Disadvantages
More programs than you need
Wastage of disk-space
Business Information Systems - Computer Software

7. Business Information Systems - Computer Software
Application Software
Application Specific Software
Business Related
Accounting
Transaction Processing
Customer relationship management
Enterprise Resource planning
Electronic Commerce
Science and Engineering
Education
Entertainment
Business Information Systems - Computer Software

8. Business Information Systems - Computer Software
Question Point
What is an ERP?
What are the advantages of an ERP?
What are the disadvantages of an ERP?
Discuss ERP in the context of a local company.
Business Information Systems - Computer Software

9. Business Information Systems - Computer Software
Systems Software
Systems Management Software
Operating systems
Network management
Database management
Application Servers Management
Performance and Security Monitors
Systems Development Software
Programming languages tools
Programming languages translators
CASE Tools
Business Information Systems - Computer Software

10. Systems Software - Operating Systems
The Software that manages your computer system
Network Operating Systems, Single User, Multi user, Distributed, Embedded
Aspects of computer system that are managed
Hardware Resources Management
CPU, Memory
Task Management
File Management
Utilities Management
Business Information Systems - Computer Software

11. Major kinds of Operating Systems and their use
Microsoft Windows
Most common DP
Mobile version
Linux – Open source
Many variants
Virus Free?
Servers
Mac OS
Apple Mac
Desktop Publishing
Mobile Phones OS
Windows, IOS, Android, Simbian, Ubuntu-Linux
Business Information Systems - Computer Software

12. Business Information Systems - Computer Software
Question Point
Discuss Open Source Software versus Proprietary Software as a competitive advantage tool for a growing business
Business Information Systems - Computer Software

13. Programming Languages
Programming is an organized way of giving the computer a set of instructions to carry out prescribed tasks.
Business Information Systems - Software Systems

14. Programming Languages
1GL Machine Languages – 0 & 1
2GL Assembler Languages – instruction set
3GL High Level languages – Mathematical & Procedural
4GL Fourth generation Languages - Conversational Statements
5GL Object oriented languages – Combination of data and instructions
Business Information Systems - Software Systems

15. Business Information Systems - Software Systems
Web Languages
HTML – Hypertext Markup Language
XML – eXtensible Markup Language
Java
Business Information Systems - Software Systems

16. Business Information Systems - Software Systems
The organization’s life is in its data and its livelihood is in its knowledge
Data
Information
Knowledge
Business Information Systems - Software Systems

17. Business Information Systems - Software Systems
Organization of data
Database
File
Record
Field
Character
Business Information Systems - Software Systems

18. Business Information Systems - Software Systems
Organization of data
Character – basic building block (alphanumerical or special character)
Field – a group of related characters
Record – related fields
File – a group of related records
Database – integrated collection of logically related data elements
Business Information Systems - Software Systems