Software Solutions For Personal and Professional Gain

Chapter 03:
Software Solutions
for Personal and
Professional Gain
Objectives
• Discuss how software is created, distributed, installed,
and maintained
• Describe the functions of system software and
operating systems, and provide examples of operating
systems for PCs, larger computer systems, and mobile
devices
• Describe different types of productivity software and
explain how application software assists people at
home, at work, and in between
• List areas of research in artificial intelligence and tell
how AI is being used in everyday applications
Succeeding with Technology, Third Edition 2
Software
• Software has become more expensive than
hardware
– Advances in hardware technology has lowered
hardware prices
– Increasingly complex software requires more
development time
– Software developers are in high demand, and their
salaries have risen to reflect that

Software

System and Application Software
• Two basic types of software
– System software
• Coordinates hardware activities
– Application software
• Programs written to help users solve problems, perform
tasks, and help people and organizations achieve their
goals

How Software Works
• Software
– Usually consists of a number of files, ranging from a

few to dozens or more
– At least one file is an executable file with an .exe

extension
– Text file typically has a .txt extension
– Word processing files have a .doc extension

How Software Works

The Software Development Process
• Programming language
– Primary tool of computer programmers
– Program code
• Set of instructions that signal the CPU to perform circuit-
switching operations
– Programming language standard
• Set of rules that describes how programming statements
and commands should be written
• Source code and object code

The Software Development Process

Programming Languages
• Programming languages continue to evolve
– Thought of as generations
• Most software is developed using third-level
languages
• Fourth-generation used for database
manipulation and queries
• Fifth-generation (AI languages) are not
developed enough to provide the power and
control of third-generation languages

Visual Programming
• Visual programming
• Use a graphical or visual interface for program
development
• Visual Basic .NET, C++, Visual C#
• Allow the creation and interaction of programming objects
• Has become the dominant programming paradigm
• A true visual language uses no text-based language
commands
• Alice, Mindscript, Microsoft language for programming
robots

Integrated Programming Environments
• Integrated development environment (IDE)
– Combines all the tools required for software
engineering in one package
– Supports several visual programming interfaces and
languages
• Compiler and interpreter
• Programming automation tools
• Debugger
• Other tools that provide convenience to the developer

Object-Oriented Programming
• Object-oriented programming languages are
based on the creation and interaction of
reusable programming objects
• Data, instructions, procedures are grouped
together into reusable objects
– Visual Basic .NET, C++, Visual C#, Java, Perl, Python

Object-Oriented Programming

Web Services
• Web service
– Software system that automates tasks by controlling
communication between computers over the
Internet

Software Copyrights and Licenses
• Software, once created, is considered intellectual
property
– Copyright
• Defines exclusive rights legally granted to the owner
– Software license
• Defines the permission, rights, and restrictions for the
person who buys the software
– Single-user license
• Permits the user to install the software on a single
computer, sometimes two computers if used by one
person
Freeware, Open-Source Software,
and Alternative Licensing
• Freeware
– Software made available to the public for free
• Public domain
– Anyone can use this software for free, as it has
reached the end of its copyright term
• Open-source software
– Distributed with source code to be studied and
improved by users
– General Public License (GPL)

• Creative Commons license
– Allows creators if intellectual property to grant
certain freedoms to users while still controlling the
property and the ability to make money using it


Off-the-Shelf software
• New PCs come equipped with essential software
– Operating system, Web browser, media software,
word processor, security, assorted accessories
• Additional software must be purchased and
installed
– Off-the-shelf software
• Purchased in a store or online
– System requirements
• Memory, storage, and system requirements to run the
software

Off-the-Shelf software
• Shareware
– Allows customers to use software for free for a limited time
(usually 30 days) in order to evaluate it and decide if they wish
to purchase it
– “Try before you buy” marketing method
– Most shareware is inexpensive, with registration fees ranging
from $15 to $80
• Subscription model
– New model for software distributors which charges a monthly
fee for use
• Web-based operating system
Custom Software
• Custom software
– When a company finds there is no off-the-shelf
software to meet a particular need, it must invest
time and money in creating custom software
– Essential to a business’s competitive strategy
• Value-added software vendor
– Third-party software firm, which develops or
modifies programs to meet special needs
• Contract software
– Developed for a specific company
Installing New Software

Handling Software Bugs
• Software bugs
– One or more defects in the program, which prevent
the software from working correctly
– Software can contain millions of lines of code, so
removing all bugs before releasing it to the public can
be difficult
• Patches or updates

Removing (Uninstalling) Software
• Operating systems provide a method for
removing software safely and completely
– Proper procedures should remove the entire
program
• Sometimes utilities must be used to properly
remove elements of the program and ensure
that your system runs smoothly
– Norton System Works, McAfee QuickClean, Windows
OneCare

Operating Systems (OS)
• The operating system is a set of programs that
controls the computer hardware and acts as an
interface between the hardware and the user

• Combinations of operating systems, computers,
and users include:
– A Single Computer with a Single User
– A Single Computer with Multiple Users
– Multiple Computers
– Special-purpose Computers

• Partitioning the hard disk makes it possible to
have two or more operating systems on one
computer
– Virtual machines
• The complete computer system is stored on the
hard drive
– Booting transfers the OS from the hard drive to RAM

Providing a User Interface
• Command-based user interface
– Requires that text commands be typed at a prompt in
order to perform a task
• Graphical user interface (GUI)
– Uses the keyboard and mouse to manipulate graphic
images on the display which issue commands to the
computer


• Features of a typical GUI
– Icons
– Desktop
– Windows
– Menus and dialog boxes
– Information bar
– Program launch area
– File viewer / organizer
– System viewer
– System settings
– Network resources
– Gadgets / Widgets

Controlling Common Computer
Hardware Functions
• Operating systems control many hardware functions
– Capturing input, providing output
– Managing the processor, memory, storage
– Formatting disks
– Communicating with peripheral devices
• Having an OS layer that adapts to new and varied
hardware allows engineers to develop thousands of
applications that can function on different hardware
– Hardware independence

Managing Memory
• Operating system controls how memory is
accessed
– Maximizes use of memory and storage
• Virtual memory or virtual storage
– Extends standard memory by treating a portion of
the disk drive as memory

Managing Processors
• Processor Management
– OS controls the operation of all processors within the
computer system
– OS makes sure that one program does not interfere
with the operation of another program
• Multitasking
• Time sharing

Managing Processors

Managing Storage
• Logical view of data
– The way a programmer or user thinks about data
• Physical view of data
– Includes the specific location of the data in storage
• File system
– Organizing how data and files are physically stored
and logically manipulated
• File allocation table (FAT)
• New Technology File System (NTFS)

Managing Input, Output, and Peripherals
• Managing Input, Output, and Peripherals
– OS uses a device driver to manage and coordinate the use of:
• Input and output devices
• Other peripheral equipment

Managing Files
• Operating systems provide tools for managing
files
– Windows Vista
• Documents
– Mac
• Finder
• Systems organize files into folders or directories
– Files can be viewed by size, type, date, title
– Files can be copied to external memory devices

Managing Network Functions
• Today’s operating systems allow computers to
be connected together in order to share
resources
– Disk space, printers, etc.
• Laptops/notebooks are usually equipped with
wireless network adapters

Other Operating System Functions
• Registry
– Windows database for storing information about hardware,
software settings, and user preferences
• Modification of OS
– Screen and mouse operations, printer or modem operations,
volume, tone of sound, management of battery power
• Software that is not part of the actual operating
system
– Word processors, games, media player, Internet browser

PC Operating Systems Today
• Microsoft Windows
– Most popular OS for PCs
– Windows Vista is the most recent version
• There are many versions of Vista for various computing
environments
• Several improvements over past versions

• Mac OS
– Native OS for Mac PCs
– Easy to use graphical interface
– Outstanding graphic capabilities
• Popular with those working in the arts as well as
mathematicians and scientists
• Mac OS X
– Built on the UNIX OS
– Most recent update -- Leopard

• Linux
– Developed by Linus Torvalds in 1991
– Open-source software package
• Ubuntu
– Many free, open-source applications
• Fedora

Operating Systems for Servers,
Networks, and Large Mainframes
• Network operating systems
– Designed for larger systems that require servers
• Windows Server 2003, Linux, Novell NetWare, Sun
Microsystems Solaris
• Solaris is the most popular version of the UNIX OS
• Mainframe computer systems include:
– z/OS, MPE/iX, ESA/370, MVS/ESA

Operating Systems for Handheld
Computers and Special Purpose Devices
• Embedded operating systems
– Embedded in a chip
• Proprietary OS
– Created for and used by one specific device
• Portable OS
– Can be used on many devices

Operating Systems for Handheld
Computers and Special Purpose Devices

Utility Programs
• Utility programs are any system software,
besides the OS, that assists in maintaining,
managing, and protecting computer resources
– Merge and sort sets of data
– Keep track of computer jobs being run
– Perform other important routine tasks
• Often come installed on computer systems

Productivity Software
• Productivity software
– Designed to help users be more productive
• Word processors
• Spreadsheets and database management systems
• Presentation software
• Personal information management

Word-Processing Software
• Word-processing software
– Most highly used application software for individuals
– Microsoft Word
• Most popular word-processing program
• Available on both PCs and Macintosh computers
– Others include Apple Pages, Corel WordPerfect,
Lotus WordPro, Sun Microsystems Write

Word-Processing Software
• Word-processing software includes several
features
– Easy entry of text and formatting
– Spelling and grammar checking
– Table and chart creation
– Generation of footnotes and endnotes
– Generation of table of contents, index
– Wide variety of visual styles and layouts

Spreadsheet Software
• Spreadsheet Applications
– Support complicated numerical analysis and
calculation, including calculation of “what-if”
scenarios
– Contain numbered rows and lettered columns
– Have built-in functions for
– Science and engineering, statistics, and business
– Display data in a meaningful way
– Optimization

Spreadsheet Software

Presentation Software
• Presentation software
– Supports formal presentations
– Embellishes live presentations or presents
information without a human speaker by using
“slides”
• Almost essential for transmitting information to
professionals today
• PowerPoint, Keynote, Freelance Graphics,
Harvard Graphics

Database-Management Software
• Database Management Programs
– Used to store, manipulate, and manage data
– Can perform business functions for small business
• Payroll, inventory, order processing, bill paying, tax returns

Personal Information Management
• Personal Information Management (PIM)
– Allows users to store useful information
• To-do lists, appointments, contacts
– Information can be linked to other hardware
• Docking station

Software Suites
• Software suite
– Collection of application software packages sold
together
• Backward compatibility allows newer versions of a suite to
work with older versions

Software Suites

Integrated and Mobile Software Packages
• Integrated packages provide the functionality of
different types of software all in one program
– Microsoft Works, Apple NeoOffice
• Mobile software packages are usually included
with the device
– Allow users to take advantage of the unique features
of the device

Additional Application Software
for Individuals

Routine Transaction Processing Software
• Can be used to
– Process routine transactions
– Provide information to help people make better decisions
– Perform a number of specialized functions
• Routine Transaction Processing Software

– Can be developed or purchased
– Part of a larger transaction processing system (PTS)

Application Software for Businesses
and Organizations

Artificial Intelligence
• Artificial intelligence (AI)
– Computers with the ability to simulate human thought and
behavior
• Era of smart machines
– Computers can process information as fast as, or faster, than
the human brain
– The hard part is the software
• Technological singularity
– When computers exceed human intelligence
– Current prediction is 2060

An Overview of Artificial Intelligence
• AI refers to the science and engineering of
creating computer systems that simulate human
thought and behavior
– Computer scientists, psychologists, philosophers,
neuroscientists, engineers
• Cognition
– The process by which our brains process information
giving us the ability to learn and gather knowledge
– Sensory input is important in true cognition

• For computers to have intelligence, we must be
able to recognize the traits of intelligent human
behaviors so that we might recognize them in
computers
– Reach conclusions and establish new understanding by
combining information in new ways
– Assume
• Draw conclusions when not all of the necessary information is known
– Communicate and use language
• Turing Test


Teaching Computers to Think
• Uses for AI software
– Evaluating and interpreting large amounts of data
– Advisory assistance with difficult decisions
– Gaming
• To perform well, AI software requires
– Set of logical rules
– Instructions for handling unexpected input
– Ability to learn from experience
• Conventional AI
• Computational intelligence
Teaching Computers to Think

Expert Systems
• Expert System (ES)
– Functions like a human expert in a particular field
– Uses heuristics to arrive at conclusions
• Uses include
– Medical diagnoses
– Suggest causes for mechanical failure in engines
– Predict weather
– Design new products and systems

Case-Based Reasoning
• Case-based reasoning
– Computer uses a library of cases and solutions to
arrive at solutions for new cases
– The four Rs:
• Retrieve
• Reuse
• Revise
• Retain

Bayesian Networks and Behavior-Based AI
• Bayesian networks (belief networks)
– Graphic model that represents a set of variables and
their relationships and dependencies
• Behavior-based AI
– Simulates intelligence by combining many semi-
autonomous models, making the whole smarter than
its parts
– Popular for programming robots

Neural Networks
• Neural networks simulate the functioning of the
human brain in software
• Once a neural net is trained, it can process data
with impressive results
– Specific features include:
• Ability to retrieve information even if some nodes fail
• Fast modification of stored data using new information
• Discovery of relationships and trends in large databases
• Ability to solve complex problems when not all of the
information is present

Neural Networks

Fuzzy Systems
• Fuzzy systems
– Based on fuzzy logic
– Reasoning that is approximate rather than precise
– In the real world, cumulative probabilities don’t
always add up to 100%, and fuzzy systems attempt to
deal with those ambiguities
• Fuzzy control systems
– Anti-lock brakes

Evolutionary Computation
• Evolutionary Computation
– Genetic algorithm
• Form of evolutionary computation used to solve large,
complex problems where models change and evolve until
the best one emerges

AI Applications
• Applications include
– Robotics
– Computer vision
– Neural language processing
– Speech recognition
• Speech segmentation
• Ambiguity
• Voice variety

AI Applications
• Other AI applications
– Handwriting recognition
– Face recognition
– Intelligent agents (intelligent robot, bot)
– Artificial creativity

AI Applications

Virtual Reality
• Virtual reality
– Computer-simulated environment that can be
manipulated by the user
• Immersive virtual reality
– User is fully immersed in the 3-D world
– Could be used for gaming, training, touring buildings

Summary
• Software consists of the electronic instructions
and programs that govern the functions of a
computer system
– System Software
– Application software
• Software is written using programming
languages
• Copyright defines exclusive rights legally granted
to the owner

Summary
• Businesses sometimes must create custom software for
specific purposes
• System software and operating systems are necessary in
order for hardware to perform properly in assisting
users to meet their goals
• Software can be used by individuals, businesses, and
organizations to increase productivity in many areas
• Artificial intelligence is the science of creating computer
systems that simulate human thought, and is currently
used in several everyday applications

Software Solutions For Personal and Professional Gain

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Chapter 03:

Succeeding with Technology, Third Edition 3

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– Usually consists of a number of files, ranging from a

– At least one file is an executable file with an .exe

– Text file typically has a .txt extension

– Word processing files have a .doc extension

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• Often come installed on computer systems

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• Routine Transaction Processing Software

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