Management information system ralp 7e ch04

• When selecting an operating system, you must consider the current and future requirements for application software to meet the needs of the organization In addition, your choice of a particular operating system must be consistent with your choice of hardware • Identify and briefly describe the functions of the two basic kinds of software • Outline the role of the operating system and identify the features of several popular operating systems Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition • Do not develop proprietary application software unless doing so will meet a compelling business need that can provide a competitive advantage • Discuss how application software can support personal, workgroup, and enterprise business objectives • Identify three basic approaches to developing application software and discuss the pros and cons of each Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition • Choose a programming language whose functional characteristics are appropriate for the task at hand, taking into consideration the skills and experience of the programming staff • Outline the overall evolution of programming languages and clearly differentiate among the five generations of programming languages Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition • The software industry continues to undergo constant change; users need to be aware of recent trends and issues to be effective in their business and personal life • Identify several key issues and trends that have an impact on organizations and individuals Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition An Overview of Software • Computer programs: sequences of instructions for the computer • Documentation: describes program functions to help user operate computer system • Systems software: set of programs that coordinates the activities of hardware and programs • Application software: programs that help users solve particular problems Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition Table 4.1: Classifying Software by Type and Sphere of Influence Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition Systems Software: Operating Systems • Operating system (OS): a set of computer programs that controls the computer hardware and acts as an interface with application programs • Kernel: ties all of the components of the OS together and regulates other programs; controls the most critical processes Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition Operating Systems (continued) • Activities performed by the operating system: • Perform common computer hardware functions • Provide a user interface and input/output management • Provide a degree of hardware independence • Manage system memory Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition Operating Systems (continued) • Activities performed by the operating system: • Manage processing tasks • Provide networking capability • Control access to system resources • Manage files Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition 10 Enterprise Application Software • Software that benefits an entire organization • Enterprise resource planning (ERP) software: a set of integrated programs that manage a company’s vital business operations for an entire multisite, global organization Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition 36 Table 4.9: Examples of Enterprise Application Software Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition 37 Programming Languages • Programming languages: sets of keywords, symbols, and a system of rules for constructing statements • Allow humans to communicate instructions to be executed by a computer • Different languages have different characteristics • Syntax: a set of rules associated with a programming language Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition 38 Table 4.11: The Evolution of Programming Languages Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition 39 First Generation • Machine language • Required use of binary symbols (0s and 1s) Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition 40 Second Generation • Assembly languages • Use symbols rather than binary digits • Assemblers: programs that translate assembly languages into machine code Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition 41 Third Generation • Greater use of symbolic code • Examples: BASIC, COBOL, C, and FORTRAN • Compiler: a software program that converts the programmer’s source code into the machine-language instructions consisting of binary digits Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition 42 Figure 4.18: How a Compiler Works Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition 43 Fourth Generation • 4GLs: fourth-generation languages • Easier to use, and more English-like, than third generation languages • Programs tell the CPU the desired results, not how to get them • Examples: SQL, SAS Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition 44 Languages Beyond the Fourth Generation • Artificial intelligence, visual, and object-oriented languages • Easier for nonprogrammers to use • Programming languages used to create artificial intelligence or expert systems applications are called fifthgeneration languages (5GLs) • Visual languages use a graphical or visual interface for program development • Object-oriented programming languages are based on objects (data and the actions that can be performed on it) Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition 45 Software Issues and Trends • Software bugs: defects in a computer program that keep it from performing in the manner intended • Copyrights and licenses • Open-source software: software that is freely available to anyone in a form that can be easily modified Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition 46 Software Issues and Trends (continued) • Shareware and freeware: software that is very inexpensive or free, but whose source code cannot be modified • Multiorganizational software development • Software upgrades • Global software support Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition 47 Summary • Computer programs: sequences of instructions for the computer • Systems software: coordinates the activities of hardware and programs • Applications software: helps users solve particular problems • Operating system (OS): a set of computer programs that controls the computer hardware and acts as an interface with application programs Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition 48 Summary (continued) • Graphical user interface (GUI): a user interface that uses icons and menus displayed on screen to send commands to the computer system • Time-sharing allows more than one person to use a computer system at the same time • Proprietary software: a one-of-a-kind program designed for a specific application, usually developed and owned by a single company • Off-the-shelf software: existing software program that is purchased Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition 49 Summary (continued) • Enterprise resource planning (ERP) software: manages a company’s vital business operations for an entire multisite, global organization • Programming languages allow humans to communicate instructions to be executed by a computer • Programming languages can be classified as first generation, second generation, third generation, fourth generation, and languages beyond the fourth generation Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition 50 ... Information Systems, Seventh Edition Table 4.1: Classifying Software by Type and Sphere of Influence Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition Systems Software: Operating Systems • Operating system. .. of Information Systems, Seventh Edition 17 Table 4.3: Popular Operating Systems Cross All Three Spheres of Influence Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition 18 Current Operating Systems... Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition 20 Enterprise Operating Systems • z/OS • MPE/iX and HP-UX • Linux Principles of Information Systems, Seventh Edition 21 Operating Systems for