Platform Technology module 1

For midterm exam preparation

Platform Technology

A Structure of technology from which various products can emerge without the expense of a new process introduction. The purpose of this is to promote interoperability between existing, rather diverse platforms and legacy applications.

Platform

refers to the combination of hardware, software, and services that form the foundation for applications and services. Its core components typically include hardware infrastructure, operating systems, and application frameworks, all working together to enable seamless functionality.

Hardware Platforms

Types of Platform Technology.

is the physical foundation of a computing system, consisting of the tangible components that provide processing power, storage, and connectivity.

Operating Systems

Types of Platform Technology.

provide the basic services required to use hardware. These are the lowest level of platform. Almost all software runs on an operating system such as Linux with the only exceptions being low level firmware and embedded systems.

Application Platforms

Types of Platform Technology.

Are environments and toolkits for developing and deploying applications, a class of software that is primarily designed to be used by people. For example, a platform that allows developers to build dynamic web applications by executing code and integrating with databases, systems and APIs.

Cloud Platforms

Types of Platform Technology.

An online computing environment that provides infrastructure, services, and tools over the internet, allowing users to develop, deploy, and manage applications without needing to own or maintain physical hardware.

Mobile Platforms

Types of Platform Technology.

Mobile operating systems and environments for building mobile apps. They also include cloud platforms for building mobile backends that provide services to mobile apps. This may include specialized APIs that are useful for mobile app developers in areas such as location services and voice recognition.

Internet of Things

Types of Platform Technology.

include an operating system for devices and a cloud platform with specialized APIs. In areas such as device management, IoT security and analytics.

General-purpose platforms

Platform Categories

These are designed for a wide range of applications, making them suitable for everyday computing, software development, and enterprise use. They support diverse software applications and can run productivity tools, databases, multimedia programs, and even games.

Specialized platforms

Platform Categories

These are tailored for specific or niche tasks where performance, reliability, or unique functionality is prioritized. Unlike general-purpose systems, they have a limited scope of applications and are optimized to perform a dedicated purpose with maximum efficiency. These platforms often come with custom hardware and software integration to ensure seamless operation.

Open platforms

Platform Categories

These are community-driven and flexible systems that allow developers to freely modify, extend, and distribute the technology. Their source code is accessible to users, which encourages innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Because of this openness, they support a wide variety of applications and can be customized to meet different needs.

Closed platforms

Platform Categories

proprietary systems controlled by a single company, with restricted access to their source code and limited opportunities for customization. They are designed to provide a consistent, secure, and optimized environment, but developers must follow strict guidelines when creating applications.

Foundation Layer

Level of Abstraction

This is the physical layer, where the actual hardware components like processors, memory, and storage devices exist. It provides the basic physical resources that all other layers rely on.

Platform Layer

Level of Abstraction.

This layer sits on top of the hardware and includes the operating system, middleware, and core services that developers use to build applications. It abstracts the complexities of the hardware, providing a stable environment where developers can create software.

Application Layer

Level of Abstraction.

This is where the actual software applications live, like word processors, games, or mobile apps. It uses the tools and services provided by the platform layer to perform specific tasks for users.

User Interface Layer

Level of Abstraction

This is the layer that users interact with directly. It includes the graphical interface, buttons, menus, and any input/output mechanisms. It provides the means for users to interact with the applications.

Hardware Platforms

Components of an IT Infrastructure Ecosystem.

Provides the physical foundation of the ecosystem

Operating Systems Platforms

Components of an IT Infrastructure Ecosystem.

provide the basic services required to use hardware

Enterprise Software Applications

Components of an IT Infrastructure Ecosystem.

Ensures hardware can execute business processes.

Networking / Telecommunications

Components of an IT Infrastructure Ecosystem

Enables connectivity and data exchange across the ecosystem.

Consultants and System Integration

Components of an IT Infrastructure Ecosystem

Professionals or firms that provide expert advice, analysis, and recommendations on how organizations can best use IT to meet their business goals.

Data Management & Storage

Components of an IT Infrastructure Ecosystem

Central to decision-making, analytics, and business intelligence.

Internet Platforms

Components of an IT infrastructure Ecosystem

Act as foundations for online interaction, commerce, communication, and innovation, connecting businesses, developers, and end-users.

Computing Platforms

Platform is, in the most general sense, the pre-existing environment in which a piece of software is designed to run, following its constraints and making use of its facilities.

1st Generation

Evolution of Computing Platform

Vacuum tube computers, machine language. (1940s-1950s)

2nd Generation

Evolution of Computing Platform

Transistors, assembly language. (1950s - 1960s)

3rd Generation

Evolution of Computing Platform

Integrated circuits, mainframes, OS introduction. (1960s-1970s)

4th Generation

Microprocessors, personal computers, GUIs. (1970s - 1990s)

5th Generation

Mobile computing, cloud platforms, IoT, AI integration. (1990s - Present)