System and Application Software

what is systems software?

software that controls the hardware and runs application software, such as operating systems and utility programs.

what is utility software?

system software that is designed to optimise the performance of the computer or perform tasks such as backup or encryption

what is a disk defragmenter?

• large files that are stored on a magnetic hard drive may be split up and stored across several physical disk locations

• a disk defragmenter reorganises the hard drive so that where possible, files are stored in sequential blocks

• so that files can be read more quickly because the read/write head has to move around less when reading from the hard disk

what is automatic backup software?

• allows user to specify where, what, how and when the backup is being run

• backups can be run manually or scheduled automatically

what are automatic software updaters?

• ensures that all software installed on the computer is up-to-date

• regularly checks internet for updates, which will be downloaded and installed if they are newer than the current software version

• as new viruses/threats are constantly being devised/discovered, firewalls and antivirus software needs regular updates

• application software needs to be updated to fix bugs and make improvements

what is a virus checker?

• scans permanent storage for viruses by comparing files to known virus definitions

• may also scan email attachments and internet downloads

what is compression software?

• reduces the size of files so they can be transmitted over the internet quicker, saves storage space on device, and so that they meet email attachment limits

what is application software?

software that performs a task to benefit the end-user, eg word processing software

what is general purpose software?

can be used for many different purposes, eg a graphics package could be used for photo manipulation, or to produce adverts or animations

what is special purpose software?

• performs a single specific task or set of tasks

• eg payroll software, hotel booking software, fingerprint scanning software

what is off-the-shelf software?

• software that is ready to use/ready-made and that does not cater to a specific user or company

• less expensive because cost is shared among all other people buying package

• may contain a lot of unwanted features or might not contain some non-essential, desirable features

• ready to be installed immediately

• well documented, well-tested and error free

what is bespoke software?

• software specically written by a group of programmers to suit a particular organisation/individual’s requirements

• more costly and requires more expertise to analyse requirements

• features customised to user requirements and other features can be added as needs arise

• may take longer to develop

• may contain errors which do not surface immediately

what is open source software?

• free to use and anyone can use it

• must be distributed with source code so anyone can modify it

• developers can sell software they have created

• any new software created from open source software must also be open, so source code must be distributed

• changes over time as developers modify source code and distribute new versions

what is freeware?

free to use software but user doesn’t get access to source code, and use has restrictions

what is closed source/proprietary software?

• user must purchase licence to use it

• restrictions on how software can be used, eg maximum number of users on one site or only one concurrent user

• copyright is held by the company/person who wrote the software

• users don’t have source code access and can’t modify and sell the package to other people

• regular updates available and technical support lines, large user base

what requirements are there for selecting application software?

• functionality

• availability

• reliability

• cost

• (whether it runs on the) hardware