2.3 Nature of Applications Flashcards
Categories of software
- OS
- Utility
- Library
- Translatros
- Off the shelf
- Custom written
- Proprietary
- Open source
Classifications of software
- System and application
System software
Software needed to run the computer’s hardware and application programs (translators, libraries etc.)
Operating system functions
- Resource management
- Provision of UI
Utility programs
Software designed to optimise performance of the computer
Disk defragmentation
Defragments and reorganises a magnetic hard disk so data will be recombined
Automatic backup/Automatic updating
- Where, what, how, when
Virus checker
Checks HDD and sometimes emails for viruses
Compression software
Can compress folders to zipped files, which makes it easier to send over the internet
Different types of application software
- General-purpose software
- Special-purpose software
- Off the shelf
- Bespoke
Open source
Code/program is free
Off the shelf
- Ready to use
- Less expensive than bespoke
- Ready to be installed immediately
- Well documented, tested and error free
Freeware
Free to use but user does not get access to the source code
Bespoke
- Customised software
- More expensive
- Longer time to develop
- May contain iceberg errors
Closed source/Proprietary software
Needs some form of license to use, and can have restrictions. Also no access to source code
