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1 - 2software: : Software Is (1) Instructions (Computer

The document discusses different types of software. It describes software as computer programs, data structures, and documentation. It then covers software characteristics like being logical not physical, and needing to satisfy operational, transitional, and maintenance qualities. The document outlines various applications of software including system software, real-time software, business software, engineering/scientific software, embedded software, personal computer software, web-based software, and artificial intelligence software.

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26 views

1 - 2software: : Software Is (1) Instructions (Computer

The document discusses different types of software. It describes software as computer programs, data structures, and documentation. It then covers software characteristics like being logical not physical, and needing to satisfy operational, transitional, and maintenance qualities. The document outlines various applications of software including system software, real-time software, business software, engineering/scientific software, embedded software, personal computer software, web-based software, and artificial intelligence software.

Uploaded by

vvsprasad
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 18

1 .

2SOFTWARE

: Software is (1) instructions (computer


programs) that when executed provide desired
function and performance, (2) data structures
that enable the programs to adequately
manipulate information, and (3) documents
that describe the operation and use of the
programs.
1.2.1 Software Characteristics

Software is a logical rather than a physical


system element
A software product can be judged by what it
offers and how well it can be used. This
software must satisfy on the following
grounds:
1 Operational
2 Transitional
3. Maintenance
Operational
 This tells us how well software works in
operations. It can be measured on:
 Budget
 Usability
 Efficiency
 Correctness
 Functionality
 Dependability
 Security
 Safety
Transitional
This aspect is important when the software is
moved from one platform to another:
 Portability
 Interoperability
 Reusability
 Adaptability
Maintenance
This aspect briefs about how well a software
has the capabilities to maintain itself in the
everchanging environment:
 Modularity
 Maintainability
 Flexibility
 Scalability
Software does not wear out
Figure 1.1 depicts failure rate as a
function of time for hardware
bathtub curve
indicates that hardware exhibits relatively high
fail-ure rates early in its life (these failures are
often attributable to design or manufac-turing
defects); defects are corrected and the failure
rate drops to a steady-state level (ideally, quite
low) for some period of time
“idealized curve” figure 1.2
• Software engineering methods strive to
reduce the magnitude of the spikes and the
slope of the actual curve in Figure 1.2.
• Although the industry is moving toward
component-based assembly, most software
continues to be custom built
• Software is developed or engineered, it is not
manufactured in the classical sense.
•
• 1.Software is developed or engineered, it is
not manufactured in the classical sense.
• 2.Software doesn't "wear out.”
• 3.Although the industry is moving toward
component-based assembly, most software
continues to be custom built.
•
1.2.2 Software Applications

• Software may be applied in any situation for


which a pre specified set of procedural steps
(i.e., an algorithm) has been defined (notable
exceptions to this rule are expert system
software and neural network software).
• Information determinacy refers to the
predictability of the order and timing of
information
The following software areas indicate
the breadth of potential applications:
• System software. System software is a
collection of programs written to service other
programs. Some system software (e.g.,
compilers, editors, and file management
utilities) process complex, but determinate,
information structures. Other sys-tems
applications (e.g., operating system
components, drivers, telecommunications
processors)
Real-time software. Software that
monitors/analyzes/controls real-world events
as they occur is called real time
Business software. Business information
processing is the largest single software
application area. Discrete "systems" (e.g.,
payroll, accounts receivable/payable, inven-
tory
•
• Engineering and scientific software. Engineering and
scientific software have been characterized by
"number crunching" algorithms. Applications range
from astron-omy to volcanology, from automotive
stress analysis to space shuttle orbital dynam-ics, and
from molecular biology to automated manufacturing.
And away from conven-tional numerical algorithms.
Computer-aided design, system simulation, and other
interactive applications have begun to take on real-
time and even system software characteristics.
• Embedded software. Intelligent products have
become commonplace in nearly every consumer
and industrial market. Embedded software
resides in read-only mem-ory and is used to
control products and systems for the consumer
and industrial mar-kets. Embedded software can
perform very limited and esoteric functions (e.g.,
keypad control for a microwave oven) or provide
significant function and control capability (e.g.,
digital functions in an automobile such as fuel
control, dashboard displays, and braking
systems).
•
• Personal computer software. The personal
computer software market has bur-geoned over
the past two decades. Word processing,
spreadsheets, computer graph-ics, multimedia,
entertainment, database management, personal
and business financial applications, external
network, and database access are only a few of
hundreds of applications.
• Web-based software. The Web pages
retrieved by a browser are software that
incorporates executable instructions (e.g., CGI,
HTML, Perl, or Java), and data (e.g.,hypertext
and a variety of visual and audio formats). In
essence, the network becomes a massive
computer providing an almost unlimited
software resource that can be accessed by
anyone with a modem.
• Artificial intelligence software. Artificial
intelligence (AI) software makes use of
nonnumerical algorithms to solve complex
problems that are not amenable to
computation or straightforward analysis.
Expert systems, also called knowledge-based
systems, pattern recognition (image and
voice), artificial neural networks, theorem
proving, and game playing are representative
of applications within this category

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