Kenneth J. Sousa Effy Oz

MANAGEMENT

INFORMATION

SYSTEMS Seventh Edition

Chapter 5

Business Software

© Cengage Learning 2015

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

© Cengage Learning 2015 2

Objectives (cont’d.)

• 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

© Cengage Learning 2015 3

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

© Cengage Learning 2015 4

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 using “words” for commands

• High-level programming languages: use English-

like statements © Cengage Learning 2015 5

Programming Languages and Software

Development Tools (cont’d.)

• Software development kits (SDKs): tools to

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 ten assembly

language statements

© Cengage Learning 2015 6

Programming Languages and Software

Development Tools (cont’d.)

• 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

– Structured Query Language (SQL) is an example

• Debugging: process of locating and fixing

program errors

© Cengage Learning 2015 7

© Cengage Learning 2015 8

Figure 5.1 The evolution of programming languages © Cengage Learning 2015

© Cengage Learning 2015 9

Figure 5.2 Advantages and disadvantages of using higher-level programming languages © Cengage Learning 2015

Visual Programming

• Visual programming languages: create

graphical screen objects by selecting icons from

a palette

• Common visual programming languages

– Microsoft Visual Basic

– Embarcadero Delphi

– Micro Focus COBOL

– ASNA Visual RPG

– Visual C++

• Developer can still work at the code level © Cengage Learning 2015 10

Object-Oriented Programming

• Object-oriented programming (OOP)

languages provide a 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

object’s methods

© Cengage Learning 2015 11

© Cengage Learning 2015 12

Figure 5.3 Advantages of object-oriented programming (OOP) over procedural languages © Cengage Learning 2015

Object-Oriented Programming (cont’d.)

• Objects are reusable and are combined to

create complex programs

• Popular OOP languages include Java, C++/C#,

and Visual Basic

• Increasing amount of software developed for the

Web using languages such as Java, JavaScript,

and PHP

• Applet: code produced by a Web programming

language

– Runs same way on different operating systems

© Cengage Learning 2015 13

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

• Types of programming language translators

– Compilers

– Interpreters

© Cengage Learning 2015 14

Language Translation:

Compilers and Interpreters (cont’d.)

• 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

© Cengage Learning 2015 15

© Cengage Learning 2015 16

Figure 5.5 A compiler converts higher-level language code (source code) into machine language (object

code), which the computer can execute © Cengage Learning 2015

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

© Cengage Learning 2015 17

Office Productivity Applications

• Productivity tools assist normal office work

– Include word processors, spreadsheets,

presentation tools, file/database software,

graphics programs, desktop publishing tools, etc.

• Word processors create text documents

• Spreadsheets store numbers and perform

complex mathematical, statistical, and financial

analysis functions

© Cengage Learning 2015 18

Office Productivity Applications (cont’d.)

• 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.

© Cengage Learning 2015 19

Office Productivity Applications (cont’d.)

• Project management tools help plan projects

and track progress

• Suite: collection of various applications that

perform multiple interrelated functions

– Examples include Microsoft Office, IBM Lotus

SmartSuite, and the free Apache OpenOffice.org

© Cengage Learning 2015 20

Hypermedia and Multimedia

• Hypermedia: a feature that enables users to

access information by clicking text or graphics

• Web authoring tools enable hypermedia

features

– Often part of other applications such as word

processors and presentation tools

© Cengage Learning 2015 21

Hypermedia and Multimedia (cont’d.)

• Multimedia software handles many different

types of data

• Often used in:

– Education: lessons presented in multimedia

– Research: data compiled and integrated

– Training exercises: simulated real-world situations

– Business situations: compound documents filed

and used electronically; and interactive websites

© Cengage Learning 2015 22

Hypermedia and Multimedia (cont’d.)

• Mashup: an integrated application containing

some or all features from several applications

– Provides enhanced features for the end user

© Cengage Learning 2015 23

Web Site Design Tools

• Used to develop and change the content of Web

pages

• Popular packages include

– Microsoft SharePoint Designer and Expression

Web, Avanquest WebEasy Professional, and

Adobe CS2/Dreamweaver

• Newer software enables websites implemented

using a blog environment

© Cengage Learning 2015 24

Groupware

• An application that enables sharing of ideas and

information resources among group members

– Supports real-time collaboration via web

technologies

– Allows for remote collaboration

– Eliminates travel times and facilitates expression

and exchange of ideas

• Examples: Wiggio and Google Drive

© Cengage Learning 2015 25

3D Geographic Software

• 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

• Can create virtual existing tangible items or

create new ones

© Cengage Learning 2015 26

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

© Cengage Learning 2015 27

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” © Cengage Learning 2015 28

© Cengage Learning 2015 29

Figure 5.6 The operating system mediates the computer system’s resources and application software as

well as controls peripheral and network devices © Cengage Learning 2015

Operating Systems (cont’d.)

• Application program interfaces (APIs):

software included in the OS that can be used by

application program developers

© Cengage Learning 2015 30

Operating Systems (cont’d.)

• OS’s position in the computer’s logical operation

– User interacts with user interface using menus,

icons, and application commands

– Application converts user input into commands

– OS commands the CPU to carry out the operation

– OS allows applications to use the CPU, memory,

input and output devices, and the file system

• Utilities perform other OS functions, e.g.,

hardware diagnostics, file comparison, and file

sorting

© Cengage Learning 2015 31

© Cengage Learning 2015 32

Figure 5.7 Computer systems operate on a number of layers, beginning with the user interface and moving

into the computer’s hardware © Cengage Learning 2015

Operating Systems (cont’d.)

• 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

© Cengage Learning 2015 33

Operating Systems (cont’d.)

• Driver: software that enables OS to control a

device

• Additional OS services include:

– Database management

– Networking

– Security

© Cengage Learning 2015 34

Operating Systems (cont’d.)

• Different computers and types of

microprocessors use different OSs

• Popular PC operating systems

– Windows

– Linux

– Mac OS

• OSs for mobile environments used with

smartphones and tablets

• OSs noted for stability include UNIX, Mac OS X,

and Linux © Cengage Learning 2015 35

© Cengage Learning 2015 36

Figure 5.8 Popular operating systems for various hardware platforms © Cengage Learning 2015

© Cengage Learning 2015 37

Figure 5.8 (cont’d.) Popular operating systems for various hardware platforms © Cengage Learning 2015

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

other programs that detect and remove

unwanted files and applications © Cengage Learning 2015 38

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

– Reviewed by many programmers → fewer bugs

• Examples includes Mozilla Firefox, Drupal,

MySQL, PERL, and OpenOffice.org suite

© Cengage Learning 2015 39

Open Source Software (cont’d.)

• Linux: best known open source OS

– Includes free versions and versions that charge

for support and additional features

– Disadvantage: limited number of applications that

run on it

– Popular because of its stability and versatility

• Runs on mainframes, PCs, handhelds, and

electronic devices

© Cengage Learning 2015 40

Software Licensing

• Software is usually licensed

• Licensed software: provides limited permission

to use the software

– Time-limited license requires annual fees

© Cengage Learning 2015 41

Software Licensing

• Software 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

– Proprietary: code is owned by someone who has

the right to sell or license it to us

© Cengage Learning 2015 42

Software as a Service (SaaS)

• Provides application software developed and

maintained by a third-party provider

– Offered to organizations for a recurring fee

• Third-party provider: also referred to as

application service provider (ASP)

– Develops and maintains the software on their

hardware

– Provides maintenance, support, and hardware

operations

© Cengage Learning 2015 43

Considerations for Packaged Software

• Factors when purchasing large software

packages are complex, including:

– Cost

– Time to implement

– Cost of interrupting operations

– Modification costs to customize the software

© Cengage Learning 2015 44

© Cengage Learning 2015 45

Figure 5.9 Sample software evaluation form © Cengage Learning 2015

© Cengage Learning 2015 46

Figure 5.9 (cont’d.) Sample software evaluation form © Cengage Learning 2015

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

© Cengage Learning 2015 47

Summary (cont’d.)

• Some application programs are custom-

designed; 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

© Cengage Learning 2015 48

Summary (cont’d.)

• Groupware combines hypermedia and

multimedia with web technologies for

collaboration

• Three-dimensional geographic software helps

model maps and locations

• Many applications support web services and

access to information on the web

• Most important system software is operating

systems

© Cengage Learning 2015 49

Summary (cont’d.)

• Open source software is distributed freely via the

web

• Nearly all software is licensed; SaaS is an

alternative to traditional software licensing

• Ready-made software purchase decisions

should evaluate many factors, e.g., suitability,

ease of learning, ease of use, vendor reputation,

expected quality of vendor support, etc.

• Software piracy is still a significant problem

© Cengage Learning 2015 50

Kenneth J. Sousa Effy Oz

MANAGEMENT

INFORMATION

SYSTEMS Seventh Edition

Chapter 6

Business Networks and

Telecommunications

© Cengage Learning 2015

Objectives

• Describe business and home applications of

digital telecommunications

• Identify the major media and devices used in

telecommunications

• Explain the concept of network protocols

• Compare and contrast various networking and

Internet services

© Cengage Learning 2015 2

Objectives (cont’d.)

• List networking technologies and trends that are

likely to have an impact on businesses and

information management in the near future

• Discuss the pros and cons of telecommuting

© Cengage Learning 2015 3

Telecommunications in Business

• Telecommunications: the transmittal of data and

information from one point to another

– Allows communications over large distances

• Telephone, e-mail, and the web rely on fast,

reliable telecommunications

• Networking technologies have brought about

several improvements to business processes

© Cengage Learning 2015 4

Telecommunications in Business (cont’d.)

• Telecommunications-supported improvements

– Business communication, including e-mail, voice

mail, instant messaging, faxing, file transfer,

mobile telephony, and teleconferencing

– Greater efficiency: information delivery is

immediate and not constrained by geographical

distance

– Better distribution of data: central storage with

both local and remote access

© Cengage Learning 2015 5

Telecommunications in Business (cont’d.)

• Improvements (cont’d.)

– Instant transactions, using web and wireless

USEFUL NOTES FOR:

What are the advantages of developing a website using a tool such as Artisteer or Joomla? Are there any disadvantages. Explain?

Introduction

The world of web development is huge and ever changing. There are so many different tools, plugins, and platforms that it can be difficult to keep up with them all. One such tool is Joomla—an open source platform for building websites that has been around for more than 20 years (since 1999). It’s easy to learn if you’re new to coding and HTML but also powerful enough for advanced users who want something more robust than WordPress or Blogger could offer.

What is Joomla?

Joomla is a content management system (CMS) that allows you to create and manage your website. The software is free, open source, and well-known among webmasters. It’s been used by over 3 million websites around the world—and over 100,000 webmasters have turned to Joomla for their own sites!

Joomla has many advantages over other CMSes: it’s easy to use; it offers lots of features; there are no limits on what can be done with the software; there are many support options available if something doesn’t work as expected or if you need help with something specific; etcetera…

How do I build a web site with Joomla?

Install Joomla

Create a template. This can be done by clicking on the “Templates” tab at the top of your website, which will open up a list of templates with checkboxes for each one. Selecting one will open up its settings and options window, where you can customize it to meet your needs.

Add content by copying and pasting text from other sources or creating new content yourself (for example: blog posts) into these fields on this page: File > New File…

Then select Text Document as its type; click Save As…; choose whatever name you like for this file – it doesn’t matter if it’s long or short because we’ll be using only one file type anyway; save it somewhere safe where no one else has access to it except yourself! If necessary use FTP software such as FileZilla so that anyone else could upload files anywhere in their account directory but still keep track of who downloaded them through tracking numbers given out during installation process itself.”

Do I need to know HTML or other programming languages to create a web site with Joomla?

You do not need to know any programming languages in order to create a web site with Joomla. The software comes with a visual editor, which allows you to make changes on your website without having to learn HTML or other programming languages first.

If you want more information about web design and how it works, there are plenty of resources available online that will help explain everything from basic concepts like tags and backgrounds up through advanced techniques like responsive design (which allows websites adapt their appearance depending on the size of their viewport).

You can also hire professionals who specialize in designing custom sites for businesses or individuals who want something unique but don’t want all the hassle involved in developing one themselves – just remember:

Are there any disadvantages in developing a website using templates like Artisteer or Joomla?

The main disadvantage of using Artisteer or Joomla is that you cannot customize the templates. The template will be exactly as they are and there is no way to change any part of them.

If you want to add new features, then it is not possible because these tools don’t allow for adding new pages or changing the overall appearance of your website.

Joomla is a tool that can help you make a professional looking website without coding, but it is best for creating small sites.

Joomla is a popular open source content management system (CMS). It’s a great tool for creating simple websites, but it isn’t the best choice if you want to create complex sites.

Joomla was originally developed by Open Source Matters in 2002 and was later acquired by CNC Software Inc., who still maintains it today. The CMS has been around since 2000 and has seen many updates over time as well as new versions being released every few years or so when needed.

The main advantage of using Joomla is that you can customize your website with ease compared to other platforms like WordPress where there are no options for modification whatsoever except changing themes or adding plugins which may come at additional cost depending on what kind of features they have incorporated into their platform already built into its core functionality package which would make them incompatible with certain types of content management systems such as WordPress due

To allow users access through multiple devices such as tablets/phones etcetera 2) To provide better security measures 3) To improve performance speeds 4) Other reasons I’m sure there must be more reasons too!

Conclusion

Joomla is a great tool for beginners and experienced web developers alike. It’s easy to use and comes with a lot of features that make it easy to build a website without having to code. However, this doesn’t mean that there aren’t any disadvantages associated with using Joomla. If you want more control over how your site will look in the future then Artisteer may be better suited for you because it allows users to design their own templates from scratch!