COMPUTER
SOFTWARE
SOFTWARE

Two types of software


Applications - useful to the user
Systems - in the background
APPLICATIONS SOFTWARE

-WORD-PROCESSING

create, manipulate, and print documents

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features

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especially text
word wrap
block/move/copy => cut and paste
spell check
thesaurus
mail-merge
e.g.

MSWord, WordPerfect, WordStar
APPLICATIONS SOFTWARE

SPREADSHEETS
 present and analyze numerical data
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columns, rows, and cells
 each cell can be addressed
use formulas
will recalculate
manipulate with "what if"
makes graphs from data
labeling with formats and fonts
e.g.

EXCEL, QUATTRO-PRO, LOTUS 1-2-3, VISI-CALC
APPLICATIONS SOFTWARE

DATABASE MANAGERS
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for a large collection of data
stores using records and fields
allows for retrieval, enter, delete, change, display
sorting and searching
some calculations
centered on Query Language
e.g.
 ACCESS, dBase IV, PARADOX
APPLICATIONS SOFTWARE

GRAPHICS

Analytical

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Presentation

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Charts - PIE, LINE, BAR
Communicate your ideas to an audience
make VU-GRAPHS
Drawing
e.g. Harvard Graphics, DrawPerfect, PowerPoint, WP
Presentations, Corel
APPLICATIONS SOFTWARE

COMMUNICATIONS SOFTWARE
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allows your PC to talk to other computers
needs a modem or access line
often need a service
 AMERICA ONLINE, PRODIGY, COMPUSERV, M/S NET
gives you access to the INTERNET
e.g.
 PROCOMM, SYMPHONY
APPLICATIONS SOFTWARE

UTILITIES

e.g.



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Virus Checker
Norton Utilities
WINDOWS 3.1
DISKLOCK (Password protection)
APPLICATIONS SOFTWARE
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OTHERS
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Desktop publishing (M/S Publisher, GEM)
Financial planning (QUICKEN)
Integrated Packages and Suites
Project management
Computer aided design (CAD)
Groupware
Multimedia
 text,
graphics, animation, video, music, voice
SYSTEMS SOFTWARE

The interface between Application
Programs and the hardware

There are four kinds of system programs
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Bootstrap Loader
Diagnostic Routines
Basic Input/Output System
Operating System
SYSTEMS SOFTWARE

BOOTSTRAP Loader


permanently stored in hardware
calls in the Operating System
SYSTEMS SOFTWARE

Diagnostic Routines

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also stored in hardware
run initial tests to see that all is well in RAM
and CPU, etc
SYSTEMS SOFTWARE

Basic Input/Output System

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interprets Keyboard Commands
transmits data to monitor or disk
SYSTEMS SOFTWARE

Operating System
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'helps the computer manage its resources'
Utility programs = housekeeping
 e.g. 'formatting', 'copy', 'rename'
There are FIVE primary MICROCOMPUTER Operating Systems:

DOS, Windows95, OS/2 Warp, Macintosh, and UNIX
Two competing systems
 IBM, and IBM compatibles, or clones
 APPLE, which uses Macintosh
OPERATING SYSTEMS


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DOS - Disk Operating System
 Original PC operating system FOR IBM, BY Microsoft -- many upgrades
- we now have version 6.2 - backward compatible
ADVANTAGES
 Popularity - 85% of all machines
 Applications - 35,000, like Wordperfect written to take advantage of DOS
commands
 Inexpensive H/W is used- $1000-3000 range
DISADVANTAGES
 Limited Primary Storage - 640 kb



This means a lot of Thrashing, and slow execution
Single Tasking Only - one user, one application
Character-based or command-line interface
OPERATING SYSTEMS

WINDOWS 95

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Windows 3.1 is an operating environment and requires DOS
Windows 95 is true operating system, does NOT require DOS
Windows 98 now available
Advantages
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Multi-processing - run 2 or more jobs at once
Flexibility - runs on wide range of computers
Internet Access - utilities built in
Easy H/W Upgrades - ‘Plug and Play’
OPERATING SYSTEMS

WINDOWS 95 (cont.)

Disadvantages


Minimum System Config
 Requires lots of disk, lots of mem, and big chip
Fewer Applications
 Not a lot specifically for W95, but can run older Windows and DOS
applications
OPERATING SYSTEMS

WINDOWS NT

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Not a competitor for Windows 95
Made for more sophisticated and powerful
hardware
Built to handle network interfaces
OPERATING SYSTEMS

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OS/2 Warp - Operating System/2
 developed jointly by IBM and Microsoft
 for more powerful computers
ADVANTAGES
 Multiprocessing - run several applications at the same time
 compatible with DOS - run most existing applications
 Graphical User Interface (GUI) - icons and menus
 Min Sys Config - less space and mem than W95
DISADVANTAGES
 few applications written yet
 less network capabilities than W95
 New H/W installation is more difficult
OPERATING SYSTEMS

MACINTOSH
the original GUI system
 internally, all work performed by routines found on 2 primary files
 System File and the Finder.
 built around the Motorola 68000, 68020, 68030 chips
 some IBM/DOS applications can now be run on MACs using a special 286 circuit
card or special s/w.
ADVANTAGES
 easy to learn and use (due to GUI)
 training costs are 1/2 that of DOS
 quality graphics
 multi-tasking in latest versions
 easy H/W upgrades - supports ‘Plug and Play’


OPERATING SYSTEMS

MACINTOSH (cont.)

DISADVANTAGES
 perception that it is not a serious business machine
 not compatible with DOS
 this is going away, also learning to network APPLES and DOS
 expense
 no CLONES or alternatives to drive the price down
 No multiprocessing
OPERATING SYSTEMS

UNIX
developed by AT&T for mini-computers
 scientific and technical orientation
 popular at universities
 getting into the business world via workstations
ADVANTAGES
 multi-tasking
 multi-user - good for mini's, but less so for PCs
 networking - allows links with diff kinds of equip
 multiprocessing


OPERATING SYSTEMS

UNIX (cont.)

DISADVANTAGES
 limited applications s/w
 No UNIX standard - lots of versions by different developers, such as
AT&T, Cal/Berkeley, SUN, MS/XENIX
 That means programs may not port.
 difficult to learn - commands are long and complex
OPERATING SYSTEMS

SUMMARY
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Expect DOS, Windows, and Mac to be around for long time
Expect serious upgrades to Windows and Mac
Expect new Operating Systems to be more powerful and easier to
use
Expect Mac machines to be more compatible with DOS machines