Management Information Systems,

Sixth Edition

Chapter 5:
Business Software

Objectives
Explain the difference between application
software and system software
Enumerate the different generations of
programming languages and explain how they
differ
Cite the latest major developments in application
and system software
Identify and explain the roles of Web
programming languages
Management Information Systems, Sixth Edition

Objectives (continued)
Explain the types and uses of Web site design
tools
Clarify the differences between proprietary
software and open source software
List characteristics that are important in
evaluating packaged software applications for
business use
Understand the problem of software piracy and
how it affects businesses and consumers
Management Information Systems, Sixth Edition

Software: Instructions to the Hardware

Applications: computer programs that
contribute to productivity
Software: a series of instructions to a computer
to execute processes
Two major categories of software:
Application software: enables task completion
System software:
Enables applications to run on a computer
Manages components and devices
Management Information Systems, Sixth Edition

Programming Languages
and Software Development Tools
Programs are needed for every computer operation
Programming: process of writing programs
Machine language: the only language that
hardware understands
Consists of long strings of 0s and 1s

Assembly language: easier to program than

machine language because it uses words for
commands
High-level programming languages: use Englishlike statements
Management Information Systems, Sixth Edition

Programming Languages and Software

Development Tools (continued)
Software development tools: develop software
with little knowledge of programming languages
Third-generation languages (3GLs): known as
procedural languages
Programmer must detail logical procedure
Includes languages such as COBOL, FORTRAN,
BASIC, RPG, Pascal, and C
One 3GL statement = five to 10 assembly
language statements
Management Information Systems, Sixth Edition

Programming Languages and Software

Development Tools (continued)
Fourth-generation languages (4GLs): use
more English-like statements

Speed up the development process

Built around database management systems
Include many preprogrammed procedures
One 4GL statement = several 3GL statements

Debugging: process of locating and fixing

program errors

Management Information Systems, Sixth Edition

Management Information Systems, Sixth Edition

Programming Languages and Software

Development Tools (continued)

Management Information Systems, Sixth Edition

Visual Programming
Visual programming languages: create graphical
screen objects by selecting icons from a palette
Common visual programming languages include:

Microsoft Visual Basic

Borland Delphi
Micro Focus COBOL
ASNA Visual RPG
Visual C++

Developer can still work at the code level

Management Information Systems, Sixth Edition

10

Visual Programming (continued)

Management Information Systems, Sixth Edition

11

Object-Oriented Programming
Object-oriented programming (OOP): modular
approach to programming
Advantages:
Ease of maintenance
Efficiency in application development

Object: contains data elements (data members)

and the methods to manipulate that data
Data members can only be accessed through the
objects methods
Management Information Systems, Sixth Edition

12

Object-Oriented Programming
(continued)
Objects are reusable and are combined to create
complex programs
Popular OOP languages include Smalltalk, C++,
Object Pascal, and Java
Increasing amount of software developed for the
Web using languages such as Java, JavaScript,
J2EE, and PHP
Applet: code produced by a Web programming
language
Runs same way on different operating systems
Management Information Systems, Sixth Edition

13

Object-Oriented Programming
(continued)

Management Information Systems, Sixth Edition

14

Language Translation:
Compilers and Interpreters
Source code: program as originally written by
the developer
Object code: program in machine language that
can be run by the computer
Procedural languages need programs to
translate source code to object code
Two types of language translators:
Compilers
Interpreters
Management Information Systems, Sixth Edition

15

Language Translation:
Compilers and Interpreters (continued)
Compiler: translates entire source code to
object code but does not execute the code
Scans for syntax errors
Generates error messages if syntax errors found

Interpreter: scans one statement at a time

If error-free, interprets and executes the
statement
Goes through the program until an error or end of
program is encountered
Management Information Systems, Sixth Edition

16

Language Translation:
Compilers and Interpreters (continued)

Management Information Systems, Sixth Edition

17

Application Software
Application software allows nonprogrammers to
develop their own tools
Application-specific software: programs
designed to perform specific jobs
General-purpose application software:
programs that serve multiple purposes
Usually comes as packaged software

Packaged software: software that is ready to

install from external storage media such as CDs
Management Information Systems, Sixth Edition

18

Office Productivity Applications

Productivity tools: assist normal office work
Include word processors, spreadsheets,
presentation tools, file/database software,
graphics programs, desktop publishing tools, and
project management applications

Word processors: used to create text

documents
Spreadsheets: store numbers and perform
complex mathematical, statistical, and financial
analysis functions
Management Information Systems, Sixth Edition

19

Office Productivity Applications

(continued)
Presentation tools: develop impressive
presentations quickly
File/database management tools: create and
manipulate local or shared databases
Graphics programs: create intricate graphical
images and manipulate digital photographs
Desktop publishing tools: develop items for
publication, such as pamphlets, newsletters,
cards, calendars, etc.
Management Information Systems, Sixth Edition

20

Office Productivity Applications

(continued)
Project management tools: help plan projects
and track progress
Suite: collection of various applications that
perform multiple interrelated functions
Includes Microsoft Office, Lotus SmartSuite,
OpenOffice.org, ThinkFree

Management Information Systems, Sixth Edition

21

Hypermedia and Multimedia

Hypermedia: a feature that enables users to
access information by clicking text or graphics
Web page authoring tools: enable hypermedia
features
Often part of other applications such as word
processors and presentation tools

Management Information Systems, Sixth Edition

22

Hypermedia and Multimedia

(continued)
Multimedia software: handles many different
types of data
Often used in:
Education: lessons presented in multimedia
Training exercises
Compiling and integrating data for business
situations

Management Information Systems, Sixth Edition

23

Mashups
Mashup: an integrated application containing
some or all features from several applications
Provides enhanced features for the end user

Web site design tools: used to change the

content of Web pages
Includes FrontPage, SharePoint Designer,
Expression Web from Microsoft, Adobe
Dreamweaver, and GoLive

Management Information Systems, Sixth Edition

24

Groupware
Groupware: an application that enables workers
to collaborate in real time over Web
Integration of multimedia technology and Web
technology
Allows for remote collaboration
Eliminates travel times and facilitates expression
and exchange of ideas

Management Information Systems, Sixth Edition

25

Virtual Reality
Virtual reality (VR): an application that mimics
sensory reality using software
Simulates sight, hearing, and touch
Uses equipment such as goggles, gloves,
earphones, and moving bases

VR devices provide two elements:

Immersion: user senses that she/he is
surrounded by the simulated environment
Interaction: allows users to simulate changes in
the environment using VR devices
Management Information Systems, Sixth Edition

26

Virtual Reality (continued)

VR environment senses movement, responds to
signals, and provides feedback to user
Businesses use VR to decrease cost of planning
buildings, machines, and vehicles
Avatar: an imaginary figure used to represent
real person
VR on the Web includes public gathering
applications
Second Life: an imaginary world using avatars to
allow real people to meet and communicate
Management Information Systems, Sixth Edition

27

3D Geographic Software
Similar to virtual reality
Used to develop three-dimensional models
of geographic locations
Models are created from land and aerial
photographs
Helps with navigation when tied to global
positioning system software
Useful for city planners, service agencies,
tourism, and travel agencies
Management Information Systems, Sixth Edition

28

System Software
System software: deals with essential
operations between the user and computer such
as:

Loading, copying, and deleting files

Managing memory resources
Operating peripheral equipment
Encompasses compilers and interpreters

Applications must be compatible with system

software
Management Information Systems, Sixth Edition

29

Operating Systems
Operating system (OS): most important program
on the computer

Recognizes input from keyboard and mouse

Sends output to computer display
Keeps track of files and directories
Runs applications
Manages memory

Usually developed using low-level programming

languages such as assembly languages
Also known as platforms
Management Information Systems, Sixth Edition

30

Management Information Systems, Sixth Edition

31

Operating Systems (continued)

Application program interfaces (APIs):
software included in the OS that can be used by
application program developers
Utilities: perform other OS functions such as:
Hardware diagnostics
Disk check
File sorting

Management Information Systems, Sixth Edition

32

Operating Systems (continued)

OSs position in logical operation of the
computer:
User interacts with user interface using menus,
icons, and application commands
Application converts user input into OS
commands
OS commands the CPU to carry out the
operation

Management Information Systems, Sixth Edition

33

Operating Systems (continued)

Management Information Systems, Sixth Edition

34

Operating Systems (continued)

OS must manage the system by allocating
hardware resources to applications
OS provides several services, including:
User interface
Memory allocation, including the use of virtual
memory (hard disk used as an extension of
RAM)
Plug-and-play (PnP): recognize and run a device
as soon as it is physically attached
Management Information Systems, Sixth Edition

35

Operating Systems (continued)

Driver: software that enables OS to control a
device
Additional OS services include:
Database management
Networking
Security

Different computers and types of

microprocessors use different OSs

Management Information Systems, Sixth Edition

36

Operating Systems (continued)

Popular PC operating systems
Windows XP and Windows Vista
Linux
Mac OS

Popular network OSs that are compatible with

DOS, Windows, and MAC clients include:
Netware
Windows Server

Linux: a free OS based on UNIX

Management Information Systems, Sixth Edition

37

Operating Systems (continued)

Management Information Systems, Sixth Edition

38

Other System Software

Other types of system software include:

Compilers and interpreters

Communications software
Utilities
Database management systems

Communications software: supports transmission

and reception of data across computer networks
Utilities include antivirus programs, firewalls, and
antispyware/antiadware programs

Management Information Systems, Sixth Edition

39

Open Source Software

Proprietary software: sold/licensed for profit
Source code is private and not available
Developer retains all rights to the software; user
purchases a license to use the software

Open source software: free source code

Developed through voluntary collaboration of
programmers
Fewer bugs because many programmers review the
code

Popular open source software includes Mozilla Firefox,

Thunderbird, MySQL, and PERL
Management Information Systems, Sixth Edition

40

Open Source Software (continued)

Not all free software is open source
Microsoft Internet Explorer is free but proprietary

Linux: best known open source OS

Includes free versions and versions that charge
for support and additional features
Popular because of its versatility, but has limited
number of applications that run on it
Runs on mainframes, PCs, handhelds, and
electronic devices
Management Information Systems, Sixth Edition

41

Software Licensing
Software is usually licensed
Licensed software: provides limited permission to
use the software
Time-limited license requires annual fees

Several licensing models

Permissive model: anyone can use and sell
modified versions of the software
General public license (GPL): anyone can use and
make modified versions, but cannot sell modified
versions for profit
Management Information Systems, Sixth Edition

42

Considerations for Packaged Software

Many goals and custom requirements are
considered during development process of inhouse software
Factors when purchasing large software
packages are more complex, including:

Cost
Time to implement
Cost of interrupting operations
Modification costs to customize the software

Management Information Systems, Sixth Edition

43

Management Information Systems, Sixth Edition

44

Summary
Software: a collective term for computer
programs
Two categories of software: system or application
Programming languages and software
development tools are used to develop software
Increasing amount of software is linked to the
Internet
Code written in non-machine language must be
translated by compilers or interpreters
Management Information Systems, Sixth Edition

45

Summary (continued)
Some application programs are custom
designed, and many are packaged
Office productivity tools such as word
processors and spreadsheets help improve
worker efficiency
Hypermedia and multimedia technology are
useful for training, education, research, and
business

Management Information Systems, Sixth Edition

46

Summary (continued)
Groupware combines hypermedia and
multimedia with Web technologies for
collaboration
Virtual reality tools help build models of products
and structures
Three-dimensional geographic software helps
model maps and locations
Many applications support Web services and
access to information on the Web
Management Information Systems, Sixth Edition

47

Summary (continued)
Most important system software is operating
system
Open source software is distributed freely via the
Web
Software is either purchased or licensed
Purchase decisions should evaluate suitability,
ease of learning, ease of use, vendor reputation,
expected quality of vendor support
Software piracy is still a significant problem
Management Information Systems, Sixth Edition

48