Software
custom-written, off-the-shelf,
generic, system, applications,
utility, integrated
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Learning Objectives
Define the different types of software.
Describe the purpose of each of the
software types giving common examples
of applications for each type.
Discuss the relative advantages and
disadvantages of using off-the-shelf and
bespoke software packages.
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APPLICATION SOFTWARE
SYSTEM SOFTWARE
HARDWARE
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Difference between Hardware and
Software
Hardware:
Comprises the physical parts of the
computer system that are hard to touch.

Software:
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Makes a computer do something and are
written to run on the hardware.
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Watch a computer booting up or
logging onto a network.
• What is happening?
• How is it happening?
• How does the computer know what to
do?
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• What is software?
• How is it related to hardware?
Without software a computer
system could not function!
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Software
• Software is the general term used to
describe all the changeable programs,
routines or procedures that run on a
computer.
• Software makes a computer do
something and are written to run on the
hardware.
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Software
• What types of software have you
encountered? What were their
functions?
• What were their software names and
product names? (They are different!)
• The difference between generic and
product names is like the difference
between a 'car' and a make of car e.g.
'Fiat‘ or ‘Dacia’.
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Systems software
• Performs tasks needed to run the
computer system / hardware
• They help the computer run smoothly.
• Helps the user to control and make best
use of the computer hardware.
• Allows the user to carry out different tasks
with different programs rather than one
specific task with one program.
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There are 2 main types of
software
Software
System Software /
Operating System
Collection of system programs that:
Applications Software
Carries out some task/s for the user
allowing the user to produce
something useful.
• Control and manage the activities
of the computer system hardware
• Manage applications.
• Provide an interface between user
and
hardware.
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Applications Software
Software that
can be made to
do many
different tasks.
Off-the-shelf
Generic Software
/ General Purpose
Excel, Word,
PowerPoint etc..
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Custom-Written /
Bespoke
Special Purpose
Integrated
Software
Packages
Individual
Programs
Prewritten
ready to
buy
Software written to
the specification of a
particular
organisation or
customer.
Microsoft Office
Software to perform a
specific task e.g. payroll,
accounts, stock control,
fill in forms
A number of different pieces of software
that can share / merge data.
e.g.
1. A graph from a spreadsheet can be placed in a
report.
2. Common screen design / toolbars / icons
makes it simpler for people to learn.
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Advantages of off-the-shelf
packages
Immediately available, bespoke software takes
time to write.
Many users who share the development costs,
making it a cheaper alternative.
Thoroughly tested and so fewer bugs (due to the
number and variety of users).
More likely to be compatible with other
applications packages.
More likely that there are well established
training courses in the software.
User groups often available.
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Advantages of Bespoke Packages /
Custom Written Software
Will be tailored to the exact needs of the user.
Perhaps no off-the-shelf software fulfils the
system requirements as the application is a one
off.
There is a potential to work with the developers
to expand the marketplace for the new software.
Will not contain extra routines that will never be
used.
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Applications for which Common
Packages are not appropriate
Where the use is so specialised that the software will
need to be written (or at least tailored) for that particular
use.

E.g. Many uses of control software.
Robots used on production lines tend to be one-off machines,
designed for that particular purpose, consequently, the software that
would drive them would, similarly, be one-off.
A stock control system in a warehouse would have standard
modules, but would have other sections which would be for that
warehousing system alone.
How different from the standard design is the system for
which we want the software?

The further away from the standard, the more difficult it is to use
standard software, and the more likelihood there is that the
system will require software written specially for it.
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Used to control
communication between
computer and peripherals by
converting OS commands into
instructions that the peripheral
will understand. Supplied with
a new peripheral and needs to
be installed it can be used.
Part of OS
To protect files
from attack by
virus
Format Reduces size of files without loss of detail by
Deletes the contents of a
disk, divides the surface
of storage media into
tracks and sectors and,
produces an index before
being used.
Deleting
Files
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Designed to carry out
“housework” and
common tasks.
Anti virus software
File
Compression
Hardware
Drivers
Program
(Hard-Drive) Utilities
replacing all common letter combinations by
single characters and deleting redundant data
so that less storage space required and faster
transmission.
Library /
File-handling
Search
Sort
Copy /
Backup
Defragment
To keep files
sensibly arranged
on the hard drive
To manage the files
that are stored on a
computer system
(Organising)
New Folders
& Moving files
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Plenary
What are the different types of software?
What are they used for and can you give
examples?
What are the relative advantages and
disadvantages of using off-the-shelf and
bespoke software packages?
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