CS101: Introduction to Computing Syed Raza Shahid 1 - UTM

CS101: Introduction to ComputingLecture 13:Computer SoftwareWhat is Software?• Software is the instructions that run on acomputer• Also known a computer program• Software is written in a computer programminglanguage such as Pascal, COBOL, C++, Java,BASIC etc.• There are two basic types of software1. System Software (Operating Software)2. Applications SoftwareWhy we need Software?• We known that the computer is composed ofvarious components of hardware• When the user wants to perform certain action,he/she gives instructions to computer HW throughcomputer SW• Generally, program (software) are written in highlevellanguages easily understood by humans andtranslated into machine language• The machine language is easily readable bycomputer microprocessorsApplicationSoftwareSystem SoftwareDeviceDriversHardwareSoftware Licenses and Software Piracy• The software is owned by the maker even it isused by millions of users• What we buy from the maker is the license oragreement of the software and it’s executableversion• Using a piece of copyrighted software in ways thatviolate the licensing agreement is called SoftwarePiracy and is against the law• However, there are certain variations in theagreement…Types of Software Distributions• Commercial Software (Proprietary License)– Created by a software house (Microsoft, Borland,Adobe, Mac OS, Norton Antivirus), typically by largeteams of programmers– The user will pay the licensing fee to the maker– The user is legally prohibited from making copies ofthe licensed software– Some commercial software is bundled with hardware– Evaluation versions may be free, low cost, or withlimited functionalitySyed Raza Shahid 1

CS101: Introduction to ComputingSome Specialized SoftwareSoftware Suites• Speech and Language Software– Speech Synthesis System– Speech Recognition System– Speech Activated Systems– Speaker Identification System for SecurityApplications– Text and Speech Summarization System– Machine Translation (translating one language intoother language)– Intelligent Searching (Syntactic and Semanticanalysis of text)• A set of stand-alone applications designed towork with each other• They share common features with each other• They are available as a bundle along withmany other utilities• Examples: MS Office, Perfect Office, LotusSmart Suite, Star OfficeDefinition of a Good SoftwareReading• Installer Application should have good userInterface• The application should be consistent andeasily configurable to the needs of the user• Tutorial Application• Help or Documentation or Reference Manual• Free from bugs• Good to have warranty• Technical Support• David Shepherd (2002)– Chapter 5: Computer Software: BasicApplications– Chapter 6: Computer Software SpecializedApplicationsSyed Raza Shahid 3