Unit 04 - Introduction To Computer Software

Fundamentals of IT and Programming Unit 4
Unit 4 Introduction to Computer Software

Structure:
4.1 Introduction
Objectives
4.2 Computer Software
4.3 Overview of operating systems
Windows
Linux
Unix
Mac OS
Solaris
4.4 Overview of application software
Office tools – MS Office, Star Office
Graphic application software – CorelDraw
Engineering application software
Environmental Science application software
Medical Science application software
Software Legal Issues
4.5 Overview of proprietary software
4.6 Overview of open source technology
4.7 Summary
4.8 Terminal Questions
4.9 Answers
4.1 Introduction
As we discussed in the previous unit, computer, memory signifies the state
information of a computing system, as it is kept active in some physical
structure. The term "memory" is used for the information in physical systems
which are fast, as a distinction from physical systems which are slow to
access (i.e. data storage). In this unit, we will study the computer software,
various operating systems, application software, Overview of proprietary
software, open source technology & Computer software installation. In
general, computer software is created by computer programmers using a
programming language. The programmer writes commands in the
programming language that are related to what someone might use in
everyday speech. These commands are called source code. Another
Manipal University Jaipur B1475 Page No.: 75
computer program called a compiler is then used on the source code,

transforming the commands into a language that the computer can
understand. The result is an executable computer program, which is another
name for software.
Objectives:
After studying this unit, you should be able to:
 describe the Computer Software
 explain operating systems
 describe application software
 Discuss proprietary software
4.2 Computer Software

Computer Software is a general term for organized collections of computer
data and instructions, often broken into two major categories: system
software that provides the basic non-task-specific functions of the computer,
and application software which is used by users to accomplish specific
tasks. A computer program guides a computer to perform some processing
function or combination of functions. For the instructions to be carried out, a
computer must execute a program, that is, the computer reads the program,
and then follows the steps encoded in the program in a exact order until
completion. A program can be executed many different times, with each
execution yielding a potentially different result depending upon the options
and data that the user gives the computer.
Different kinds of computer software are designed to do a variety of tasks
including word processing, number crunching, image and video editing, data
storage, and home entertainment. There are three major types of computer
software:
1. System Software
System software is used to run the computer hardware. It includes mainly
the Operating system and device drivers. System software refers to the files
and programs that make up your computer's operating system. System files
include libraries of functions, system services, drivers for printers and other
hardware, system preferences, and other configuration files. The programs
that are part of the system software include assemblers, compilers, file
management tools, system utilities, and debuggers.

The system software is installed on your computer when you install your
operating system. You can also update the software by running programs
such as "Windows Update" for Windows or "Software Update" for Mac OS
X. Unlike application programs, however, system software is not meant to
be run by the end user. For example, while you might use your Web
browser every day, you probably don't have much use for an assembler
program (unless, of course, you are a computer programmer).
Subsequently system software runs at the most basic level of your
computer; it is called "low-level" software. It produces the user interface and
allows the operating system to interact with the hardware. Fortunately, you
don't have to worry about what the system software is doing since it just
runs in the background.
2. Programming Software
Programming software usually provides tools to assist a programmer in
writing computer programs and software using different programming
languages. Computer programmers are accountable for teaching computers
how to perform tasks and solve computational problems. They develop the
software that runs on computers using special software called a compiler. A
compiler is a computer program that decodes text written in a computer
language into another computer language.
A computer language is the language that computer understands and can
interpret. There are two main types of computer languages the High level
language and the Low level language or machine language. Since the
computer is a machine, it understands the machine language. Unfortunately,
the machine language is very difficult for human beings to understand,
hence the need of a compiler. Examples of computer languages include
Pascal, Basic, Java, C-Sharp, and Prolog.
3. Application Software
It allows end users to accomplish one or more specific tasks. Typical
applications include industrial automation, business software, educational
software, medical software, databases, and computer games.
Computer software works in a unique way. First, the program has to be
installed onto the computer using an installer program. The installation
process copies all the necessary files needed to run the program to the

computer’s storage and may have to teach the OS how to run the program
by altering or configuring the OS as required. The most common method of
installing Software on a personal computer is by booting from a CD-ROM
that contains the installation program and installable software. Such a CD
can be burned.
After installing the program, the program can then be used by “loading” it
into the computer's memory. Once the software is loaded, the computer is
able to execute the software. Computers operate by executing the computer
program. This involves passing instructions from the application software,
through the system software, to the hardware which ultimately receives the
instruction as machine code. Each instruction causes the computer to carry
out an operation which may include moving data, carrying out a
computation, or altering the control flow of instructions. A program should be
“unloaded” from memory after use to allow other programs use the memory.
Self Assessment Questions
1. ______ is technically a set of instructions written in a computer language
that solves a computational task.
2. ______ is used to run the computer hardware.
3. __________ usually provides tools to assist a programmer in writing
computer programs and software using different programming
languages.
4. _______ allows end users to accomplish one or more specific tasks.
4.3 Overview of operating systems

An operating system is a computer program that accomplishes the hardware
and software resources of a computer. At the foundation of all system
software, the OS performs basic tasks such as controlling and allocating
memory, prioritizing system requests, controlling input and output devices,
facilitating networking, and managing files. It may also provide a graphical
user interface for higher level functions.
Examples of operating system are Windows Vista, WindowsXP,
Windows98, WindowsME, Windows95 etc, Linux family of operating
systems such as, Obuntu, RedHat, Mandrake, SuSE, Solaris, and UNIX.
The operating system is the most important software because it is
responsible for booting the computer. Every computer must have an
operating system installed on it. The Windows family of OS’s is the most
popular. A survey says 9 out of every 10 computers run Windows operating
system.
4.3.1 Windows
The term Windows collectively describes any or all of several generations of
Microsoft operating system products. The Microsoft Windows family of
operating systems originated as a graphical layer on top of the older MS-
DOS environment for the IBM PC. As of 2004, Windows held a near-
monopoly of around 90% of the worldwide desktop market share, although
some predict this to dwindle due to the increased interest in open source
operating systems.
The first Microsoft Windows, version 1.0, released in November 1985,
lacked a degree of functionality and achieved little popularity. Windows 1.0
did not provide a complete operating system; rather, it extended MS-DOS.
Modern versions are based on the newer Windows NT core that first took
shape in OS/2 and borrowed from Open Virtual Memory System.
Windows runs on 32-bit and 64-bit Intel and AMD processors, although
earlier versions also ran on the DEC Alpha, MIPS, and PowerPC
architectures (some work was done to port it to the SPARC architecture).
In August 1995, Microsoft released Windows 95, which made further
changes to the user interface and was the first Windows version to utilize
multitasking. In July 1993, Microsoft released Windows NT based on a new
kernel. NT was considered to be the professional operating system. NT and
the Windows non-professional line would later be fused together to create
Windows XP.
The next in line was Microsoft Windows 98 released in June 1998.
Substantially criticized for its slowness compared with Windows 95, many of
its basic problems were later rectified with the release of Windows 98
Second Edition in 1999.
As part of its professional line, Microsoft released Windows 2000 in
February 2000. The consumer version following Windows 98 was Windows
Me (Windows Millennium Edition). Released in September 2000, Windows
Me attempted to implement a number of new technologies for Microsoft:
most notably publicized was "Universal Plug and Play." However, the OS
was substantially criticized for its lack of compatibility and stability.

In October 2001, Microsoft released Windows XP, a version built on the

Windows NT kernel that also retained the consumer-oriented usability of
Windows 95 and its successors. This new version was widely praised in
computer magazines. It shipped in two distinct editions, "Home" and
"Professional", the former lacking many of the superior security and
networking features of the Professional edition. Additionally, the "Media
Center" edition was released in 2003, with an emphasis on support for DVD
and TV functionality including program recording and a remote control.
In April 2003, Windows Server 2003 was introduced, replacing the Windows
2000 line of server products with a number of new features and a strong
focus on security; this was followed in December 2005 by Windows Server
2003 R2.
Windows Vista, the successor to Windows XP, is due to be released on
January 30, 2007. It was released to business consumers on November 30,
2006. Windows Vista introduces a breakthrough user experience and is
designed to help you feel confident in your ability to view, find, and organize
information and to control your computing experience.
The visual sophistication of Windows Vista helps streamline your computing
experience by refining common window elements so you can better focus
on the content on the screen rather than on how to access it. The desktop
experience is more informative, intuitive, and helpful. And new tools bring
better clarity to the information on your computer, so you can see what your
files contain without opening them, find applications and files instantly,
navigate efficiently among open windows, and use wizards and dialog boxes
more confidently. Windows Server 2003's successor will be Windows Server
"Longhorn", and has a planned release date in the second half of 2007.
4.3.2 Linux
Linux operating system is one of the most prominent examples of open
source development and free software; its underlying source code is
available for anyone to use, modify, and redistribute freely. Originally
developed and used primarily by individual enthusiasts on personal
computers, Linux has since gained the support of corporations such as IBM,
Sun Microsystems, Hewlett-Packard, and Novell, Inc., and has risen to
importance as an operating system for servers; eight of the ten most reliable
internet hosting companies now run Linux on their web servers.

Linux has been more commonly ported to different computing platforms than
any other operating system. It is used in devices ranging from
supercomputers to mobile phones, and is gaining popularity in the personal
computer market. Linux's roots in the Unix operating system mean that in
addition to graphical configuration tools and control panels available for
many system settings and services, plain-text configuration files are still
commonly used to configure the operating system and can readily be made
accessible (or not) to users, at the administrator's will.
4.3.3 Unix
UNIX is an operating system is to coordinate the various parts of the
computer the processor, the on-board memory, the disk drives, keyboards,
video monitors, etc. to perform useful tasks. The operating system is the
master controller of the computer, the glue that holds together all the
components of the system, including the administrators, programmers, and
users. When you want the computer to do something for you, like start a
program, copy a file, or display the contents of a directory, it is the operating
system that must perform those tasks for you.
More than anything else, the operating system gives the computer its
recognizable characteristics. It would be difficult to distinguish between two
completely different computers, if they were running the same operating
system. Conversely, two identical computers, running different operating
systems, would appear completely different to the user. UNIX was created
in the late 1960s, in an effort to provide a multiuser, multitasking system for
use by programmers. The philosophy behind the design of UNIX was to
provide simple, yet powerful utilities that could be pieced together in a
flexible manner to perform a wide variety of tasks. The UNIX operating
system comprises three parts: The kernel, the standard utility programs, and
the system configuration files.
The kernel is the core of the UNIX operating system. The kernel is a large
program that is loaded into memory when the machine is turned on, and it
controls the allocation of hardware resources from that point forward. The
kernel knows what hardware resources are available (like the processor(s),
the on-board memory, the disk drives, network interfaces, etc.), and it has
the necessary programs to talk to all the devices connected to it.

4.3.4 Mac OS
Mac OS was named by the Apple company as "Mac System Software" in
the beginning, a specially designed operating system only for 68K first
Motorola processors with own Macintosh hardware, Mac OS takes up a
special role in the world of desktop systems. The first version was "System
1" and appeared bundled with the Mac in 1984. The classic desktop is
designed as a single user operating system and almost completely hides the
full path to files and directories. The graphic representation is condensed to
the essence. Whole interface is very easy to use and does not need the
right mouse button for user interaction. Mac OS does not include a
command line interface.
Starting with System 3.0, the used file system HFS was used officially,
which does not different between uppercase and lowercase letters. System
5.0 was the first release to run several programs with the integrated
MultiFinder at the same time. The operating system was programmed up to
system 6.0 mostly in assembler and partially in Pascal and used a 24-bit
addressing mode. Cooperative Multi-tasking could optionally be enabled in
System 6. System 7.0 first supported 32-bit addressing. Thus allow the
operating system can use more memory and more powerful programs.
Since 1994 System 7.5 supported for the first time the PowerPC
architecture and is optimized with the following Mac OS versions further on
this architecture. With System software 7.6 the name was changed to Mac
OS in January 1997.
The optimization of the operating system to the hardware has the
disadvantage that the system software cannot be installed on every Mac.
Application compatibility to the Mac systems may also vary with each
version. 2006 MacOS X was presented for the first time publicly on x86
hardware, Apple allows the use of Mac OS X only on specific intel-
Macintosh systems. According to Steve Jobs Mac OS X have been
developed since 2000 internally parallel for Intel and PowerPC processors.
The version of Mac OS X 10.6.0 raised the optimization to Intel-based
processors further, the new operating system is no longer available for
PowerPC Macintosh or pure 32-bit Intel processors. In return the user
receives a pure 64-bit operating system optimized for performance on
multiple processors. Even the GPU computing power itself can be used with
specific applications. The selection of software is focused on the creative
industry and enables such as the professional graphic, audio and video
editing. Office applications such as MacWrite, Microsoft Office, OpenOffice
and 3D games are also available. The choice of browsers is large with iCab,
Microsoft Internet Explorer, Netscape, Opera and Mozilla Firefox.
4.3.5 Solaris
This is the operating system developed by Sun Microsystems. It is certified
against the Single UNIX Specification as a version of UNIX. Although
Solaris proper is still proprietary software, the core operating system has
been made into an open source project, Open Solaris. Solaris is considered
to be the SunOS operating system plus a graphical user environment,
ONC+, and other components. OpenSolaris was seeded on June 14, 2005
from the then-current Solaris development code base; both binary and
source versions are currently downloadable and licensed without cost.
The fundamental Solaris codebase has been under continuous development
since work began in the late 1980s on what was eventually released as
Solaris 2.0. The Solaris version under development by Sun is codenamed
Nevada, and is derived from what is now the OpenSolaris codebase.
5. An operating system (OS) is a computer program that manages the
hardware and software resources of a computer. (True/False)
6. UNIX is an operating system. (True/False)
4.4 Overview of application software

Application software is the computer software designed to help the user to
perform a singular or multiple related specific tasks. Typical examples are
word processors, spreadsheets, media players and database applications.
Application software is a subclass of computer software that employs the
capabilities of a computer directly and thoroughly to a task that the user
wishes to perform. This should be contrasted with system software which is
involved in integrating a computer's various capabilities, but typically does
not directly apply them in the performance of tasks that benefit the user. In
this context the term application refers to both the application software and
its implementation. A simple, if imperfect analogy in the world of hardware
would be the relationship of an electric light bulb (an application) to an
electric power generation plant (a system). The power plant merely

generates electricity, not itself of any real use until harnessed to an

application like the electric light that performs a service that benefits the
user. Typical examples of software applications are word processors,
spreadsheets, and media players. Multiple applications bundled together as
a package are sometimes referred to as an application suite.
Some might bundle together a word processor, a spreadsheet, and several
other discrete applications. The separate applications in a suite usually have
a user interface that has some commonality making it easier for the user to
learn and use each application. And often they may have some capability to
interact with each other in ways beneficial to the user. For example, a
spreadsheet might be able to be embedded in a word processor document
even though it had been created in the separate spreadsheet application.
User-written software tailors systems to meet the user's specific needs.
User-written software includes spreadsheet templates, word processor
macros, scientific simulations, graphics and animation scripts.
Even email filters are a kind of user software. Users create this software
themselves and often overlook how important it is. In some types of
embedded systems, the application software and the operating system
software may be indistinguishable to the user, as in the case of software
used to control a VCR, DVD player or Microwave Oven.
4.4.1 Office tools – MS Office
Microsoft Office is a software package that consists of different software
applications that complete different activities. Microsoft office is both for
home use and for business. Microsoft Office is by far the most widely
recognized software suite in the world with about 600 million users
worldwide. Microsoft Office among many others includes the following:
Word processor: It is a computer application used for the production
(including composition, editing, formatting, and possibly printing) of any sort
of printable material. A word processor may also refer to a stand-alone
computer unit similar to a typewriter, but frequently including technological
advancements such as a screen, advanced formatting and printing options,
and the ability to save documents onto memory cards or diskettes. Word
processors almost invariably allowed the user to choose between standard
typing and word processing modes by way of a switch. Such word

processors should not be confused with an electric typewriter. Figure 4.1

shows the graphical user interface of the Microsoft Word 2007.
Fig. 4.1: Microsoft Word 2007
Word processors are descended from early text formatting tools (sometimes
called text justification tools, from their only real capability). Word processing
was one of the earliest applications for the personal computer in office
productivity. Microsoft Word is the most widely used computer word
processing system. There are also many other commercial word processing
applications, such as WordPerfect. Open-source applications such as
OpenOffice's Writer and KWord are rapidly gaining in popularity.
Word processing typically refers to text manipulation functions such as
automatic generation of:
 Batch mailings using a form letter template and an address database
(also called mail merging);
 Directories of keywords and their page numbers;
 Tables of contents with section titles and their page numbers;
 Tables of figures with caption titles and their page numbers;
 Cross-referencing with section or page numbers;
 Footnote numbering
Other word processing functions include "spell checking" (actually checks
against wordlists), "grammar checking" (checks for what seem to be simple
grammar errors), and a "thesaurus" function (finds words with similar or
opposite meanings). In most languages grammar is very complex, so

grammar checkers tend to be unreliable and also require a large amount of

memory.
Spreadsheet: Spreadsheet applications are computer programs that let you
create and manipulate spreadsheets electronically. A spreadsheet is a table
of values arranged in rows and columns. Each value can have a predefined
relationship to the other values. If you change one value, therefore, you may
need to change other values as well. In a spreadsheet application, each
value sits in a cell. You can define what type of data is in each cell and how
different cells depend on one another. The relationships between cells are
called formulas, and the names of the cells are called labels.
Once you have defined the cells and the formulas for linking them together,
you can enter your data. You can then modify selected values to see how all
the other values change accordingly. This enables you to study various
what-if scenarios.
A simple example of a useful spreadsheet application is one that calculates
mortgage payments for a house. You would define five cells:
 total cost of the house
 down payment
 mortgage rate
 mortgage term
 monthly payment
Once you had defined how these cells depend on one another, you could
enter numbers and play with various possibilities. For example, keeping all
the other values the same, you could see how different mortgage rates
would affect your monthly payments.
There are a number of spreadsheet applications on the market, Excel being
among the most famous. The more powerful spreadsheet applications
support graphics features that enable you to produce charts and graphs
from the data.
Most spreadsheet applications are multidimensional, meaning that you can
link one spreadsheet to another. A three-dimensional spreadsheet, for
example, is like a stack of spreadsheets all connected by formulas. A
change made in one spreadsheet automatically affects other spreadsheets.

With Microsoft Excel, you can create detailed spreadsheets for viewing and
collaboration. Create customized formulas for your data and analyze it with
easy to construct charts. Figure 4.2 shows the graphical user interface of
the Microsoft Excel 2007.
Fig. 4.2: Interface of Microsoft Excel 2007
Microsoft PowerPoint: provides a comprehensive set of tools for creating

powerful presentations. Organize and format your material easily, illustrate
your points with your own images or clip art, and even broadcast your
presentations over the web. Figure 4.3 shows the graphical user interface of
the Microsoft PowerPoint 2007.

Fig. 4.3: Interface of Microsoft Power Point 2007
Microsoft Access: It provides advanced and powerful new tools for

managing your databases. Share your database with co-workers over a
network, find and retrieve information quickly, and take advantage of
automated, pre-packaged wizards and solutions to quickly create
databases. Figure 4.3 shows the graphical user interface of the Microsoft
Access 2007.

Fig. 4.4: Interface of Microsoft Access 2007
4.4.2 Graphic application software – CorelDraw

This is a class of software used for creating and editing images. They are
mainly used in manipulating images and for creating special graphic effects
used in making banners, vector shapes, calendars, T-shirts etc. A general
name for graphic and text creation and manipulation is Desktop Publishing.

Fig. 4.5: Corel draw interface
4.4.3 Engineering application software

This is a class of software used by various specialists in achieving a high
degree of accuracy and precision. They are used for Computer Aided
Design (CAD). Popular software that fall into this category is AutoCAD and
Electronic workbench. AutoCAD is a suite of CAD software products for 2
and 3-dimensional design and drafting. Modern AutoCAD includes a full set
of basic solid modeling and 3D tools.
Electronic workbench is CAD software used in designing, testing, and
simulating electronic circuits.

Fig. 4.6: Screen shot of AutoCAD 2006
4.4.4 Environmental Science application software

These are software that can be useful to the environment as a whole. In the
area such as the oil industry there is software for monitoring of oil rigs. The
operator does not have to go to the site to monitor the rigs.
4.4.5 Medical Science application software
Medical and Agricultural software are used in the field of medicine and
agricultural science. They help to make work easier in the field in which the
software is applied. For example in the medical field during surgery the
software has been designed to simulate the operation to be carried out for
surgeons and waits for a confirmation from the computer that he or she is
eligible or ready to perform the operation on the patient. Just like we play
our car race games on a play station. Likewise we also have software
programs for agricultural science. The motive behind this software is to
avoid risk that occur during operation in a real life scenario. Also the
software can be used for educative purposes.

4.4.6 Software Legal Issues

Software is viewed as intellectual property. Just like a book or music it must
be respected and treated as such. This means that the permission of the
creator must be required before use or distribution. The ‘terms and
conditions of use’ are usually expressed in a license agreement (End User
License Agreement, EULA) which is a legal document that is binding
between the creator and the user of software. Different licensing schemes
exist for using software.
Proprietary software’s are developed for the purpose of making profit and
are usually very expensive. Open source software that are normally free but
may require a low fee for support services. Freeware are computer
programs given away free of charge. Shareware are computer software that
is distributed free of charge but is usually accompanied by a request for a
small payment from satisfied users to cover costs and registration for
documentation and program updates.
7. _________ is the computer software designed to help the user to
perform a singular or multiple related specific tasks.
8. Microsoft Access gives you powerful new tools for managing your
databases. (True/False)
4.5 Overview of proprietary software

Proprietary software has its own limitations on using and copying it, usually
enforced by a proprietor. The term's literal meaning covers software that has
an owner who exercises control over what users can do with it. The
adjective "proprietary" also avoids confusion with the phrase "commercial
software", since free software can also be sold and used for commercial
purposes. The risk involved with proprietary software is that if for any reason
the proprietor ceases, or decides to cease, or limit production or support for
a proprietary software product, previous licensees can be left at a
disadvantage and have no recourse if problems are found with the software.
The proprietor uses a temporary monopoly with copyright and sometimes
software patents that can make the software more expensive. A
dependency on future versions and upgrades can make the monopoly
permanent without the emergence of a competing software package.

Well known examples of proprietary software include Microsoft Windows,

RealPlayer, Adobe Photoshop, Mac OS, WinZip and some versions of
UNIX. Some free software packages are available under proprietary terms.
Examples include MySQL & Send mail.
Selected proprietary software comes with source code or provides offers to
the source code. Users are free to use and even study and modify the
software in these cases, but are restricted by either licenses or non-
disclosure agreements from redistributing modifications or sharing the
software. Shareware, like freeware, is proprietary software available at zero
price, but differs in that it is free only for a trial period, after which some
restriction is imposed for example, it is completely disabled.
9. __________software is that has restrictions on using and copying it,
usually enforced by a proprietor.
10. Some proprietary software comes with source code or provides offers
to the source code. (True/False
4.6 Overview of open source technology

It is computer software whose source code is available under a copyright
license that allows the users to study, change, and improve the software,
and to redistribute it in modified or unmodified form. It is the most prominent
example of open source development. In 1998, a group of individuals
advocated that the term free software be replaced by open-source software
(OSS) as an expression which is less ambiguous and more comfortable for
the corporate world. Software developers may want to publish their software
with an open-source software license, so that anybody may also develop the
same software or understand how it works. Open-source software generally
allows anybody to make a new version of the software, port it to new
operating systems and processor architectures, share it with others or
market it. The aim of open source is to let the product be more
understandable, modifiable, duplicable, reliable or simply accessible, while it
is still marketable.

The distribution terms of open-source software must comply with the

following criteria:
1. Free Redistribution
The license shall not restrict any party from selling or giving away the
software as a component of an aggregate software distribution containing
programs from several different sources. The license shall not require a
royalty or other fee for such sale.
Reason: By constraining the license to require free redistribution, we
eliminate the temptation to throw away many long-term gains in order to
make a few short-term sales dollars. If we didn't do this, there would be lots
of pressure for cooperators to defect.
2. Source Code
The program must include source code, and must allow distribution in
source code as well as compiled form. Where some form of a product is not
distributed with source code, there must be a well-publicized means of
obtaining the source code for no more than a reasonable reproduction cost
preferably, downloading via the Internet without charge. The source code
must be the preferred form in which a programmer would modify the
program. Deliberately complicated source code is not allowed. Intermediate
forms such as the output of a preprocessor or translator are not allowed.
Reason: We require access to un-complicated source code because you
can't evolve programs without modifying them. Since our purpose is to make
evolution easy, we require that modification to be made easy.
3. Derived Works
The license must allow changes and derived works, and must allow them to
be distributed under the same terms as the license of the original software.
Reason: The mere ability to read source isn't enough to support
independent peer review and rapid evolutionary selection. For rapid
evolution to happen, people need to be able to experiment with and
redistribute modifications.
4. License Must Be Technology-Neutral
No provision of the license may be predicated on any individual technology
or style of interface. This provision is aimed specifically at licenses which
require an explicit gesture of assent in order to establish a contract between
licensor and licensee. Provisions mandating so-called "click-wrap" may

conflict with important methods of software distribution such as FTP
download, CD-ROM anthologies, and web mirroring; such provisions may
also hinder code re-use. Conformant licenses must allow for the possibility
that (a) redistribution of the software will take place over non-Web channels
that do not support click-wrapping of the download, and that (b) the covered
code (or re-used portions of covered code) may run in a non-GUI
environment that cannot support popup dialogues.
5. Integrity of the Author’ Source Code
The license may restrict source-code from being distributed in modified form
only if the license allows the distribution of "patch files" with the source code
for the purpose of modifying the program at build time. The license must
explicitly permit distribution of software built from modified source code. The
license may require derived works to carry a different name or version
number from the original software.
Reason: Promising lots of improvement is a good thing, but users have a
right to know who is responsible for the software they are using. Authors
and maintainers have reciprocal right to know what they're being asked to
support and protect their reputations. Accordingly, an open-source license
must guarantee that source be readily available, but may require that it be
distributed as pristine base sources plus patches. In this way, "un-official"
changes can be made available but readily distinguished from the base
source.
6. No Discrimination against Persons or Groups
The license must not discriminate against any person or group of persons.
Reason: In order to get the maximum assistance from the process, the
maximum range of persons and groups should be equally eligible to
contribute to open sources. Therefore we forbid any open-source license
from locking anybody out of the process. Some countries, including the
United States, have export restrictions for certain types of software. An
OSD-conformant license may warn licensees of applicable restrictions and
remind them that they are obliged to obey the law; however, it may not
incorporate such restrictions itself.

7. Distribution of License
The rights attached to the program must apply to all to whom the program is
redistributed without the need for execution of an additional license by those
parties.
Rationale: This clause is intended to forbid closing up software by indirect
means such as requiring a non-disclosure agreement.
8. License Must Not Be Specific to a Product
The rights attached to the program must not depend on the program's being
part of a particular software distribution. If the program is extracted from that
distribution and used or distributed within the terms of the program's license,
all parties to whom the program is redistributed should have the same rights
as those that are granted in conjunction with the original software
distribution.
Rationale: This clause forecloses yet another class of license traps.
9. License Must Not Restrict Other Software
The license must not place restrictions on other software that is distributed
along with the licensed software. For example, the license must not insist
that all other programs distributed on the same medium must be open-
source software.
Rationale: Distributors of open-source software have the right to make their
own choices about their own software.
11. _________ is computer software whose source code is available under
a copyright license that permits users to study, change, and improve
the software, and to redistribute it in modified or unmodified form.
12. Open-source software generally allows anybody to make a new version
of the software, port it to new operating systems and processor
architectures, share it with others or market it. (True/False)
4.7 Summary
 A computer program directs a computer to perform some processing
function or combination of functions.
 System software is used to run the computer hardware.

 Programming software: usually provides tools to assist a programmer in

writing computer programs and software using different programming
languages.
 Application software: It allows end users to accomplish one or more
specific (non-computer related) tasks.
 Microsoft Office is a software suite that consists of different software
applications that complete different activities.
 Spreadsheet applications (sometimes referred to simply as
spreadsheets) are computer programs that let you create and
manipulate spreadsheets electronically.
 Freeware are computer programs given away free of charge.
 Proprietary software is that has restrictions on using and copying it,
usually enforced by a proprietor
4.8 Terminal Questions

1. What is computer software?
2. Define operating system.
3. What are the uses of application software’s?
4. Briefly explain proprietary software.
4.9 Answers
1. Computer software
2. System software
3. Programming software
4. Application software
5. True
6. True
7. Application software
8. True
9. Proprietary
10. True
11. Open-source software
12. True

Terminal Questions
1. Computer software (also computer program) is technically a set of
instructions written in a computer language that solves a computational
task. Refer section 4.2.
2. An operating system (OS) is a computer program that manages the
hardware and software resources of a computer. Refer section 4.3.
3. Application software is the computer software designed to help the user
to perform a singular or multiple related specific tasks. Refer section 4.4.
4. Proprietary software is that has restrictions on using and copying it,
usually enforced by a proprietor. Refer section 4.5.
Book References:
 The Secret Guide to Computers by Russ Walter - Russell Walter Pub ,
2003
 Tools and Utilities in Free Software by Jesus Corrius i Llavina - FTA ,
2010
 Software Requirements by Karl E. Wiegers
E-References
 www.opensource.org
 www.techterms.com
 www.lautech.edu
 www.operating-system.org

Unit 04 - Introduction To Computer Software

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Unit 04 - Introduction To Computer Software

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Fundamentals of IT and Programming Unit 4

Unit 4 Introduction to Computer Software

computer program called a compiler is then used on the source code,

4.2 Computer Software

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4.3 Overview of operating systems

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In October 2001, Microsoft released Windows XP, a version built on the

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4.4 Overview of application software

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generates electricity, not itself of any real use until harnessed to an

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processors should not be confused with an electric typewriter. Figure 4.1

Fig. 4.1: Microsoft Word 2007

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grammar checkers tend to be unreliable and also require a large amount of

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Fig. 4.2: Interface of Microsoft Excel 2007

Microsoft PowerPoint: provides a comprehensive set of tools for creating

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Fig. 4.3: Interface of Microsoft Power Point 2007

Microsoft Access: It provides advanced and powerful new tools for

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Fig. 4.4: Interface of Microsoft Access 2007

4.4.2 Graphic application software – CorelDraw

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Fig. 4.5: Corel draw interface

4.4.3 Engineering application software

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Fig. 4.6: Screen shot of AutoCAD 2006

4.4.4 Environmental Science application software

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4.4.6 Software Legal Issues

4.5 Overview of proprietary software

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Well known examples of proprietary software include Microsoft Windows,

4.6 Overview of open source technology

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The distribution terms of open-source software must comply with the

licensor and licensee. Provisions mandating so-called "click-wrap" may

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 Programming software: usually provides tools to assist a programmer in

4.8 Terminal Questions

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