1 Computing Platforms and Software Apps

Question 1

Define computing platforms.

Answer 1

A computing platform is the environment where the hardware and the software work together to run applications.

Question 2

List three types of common computing platforms.

Answer 2

Desktop, web-based, and mobile.

Question 3

Identify single- and cross-platform software.

Answer 3

Single-platform software: the programming code only works on one kind of computing platform. Cross-platform software: the programming code will work on multiple platforms.

Question 4

List Single Platform Pros

Answer 4

 Smaller, more focused app user base.
 Running on their native platform provides better performance and faster speeds.
 Easier to use since interface is designed for one OS.

Question 5

List Single Platform Cons

Answer 5

 High development cost.
 Longer development time.
 More specialized programming expertise is needed.
 Updates and maintenance are higher.

Question 6

List Cross Platform Pros

Answer 6

Lower cost of development over a shorter time.
Wider app user base and market reach.
More generalized programming expertise.
Update and maintenance are more readily available and affordable.

Question 7

List Cross Platform Cons

Answer 7

Difficult to make software function the same across different OS.
Performance and speed may vary.
User interface may vary.

Question 8

What are the concerns with cross-compatibility?

Answer 8

Compatibility concerns arise when a software does not function similarly or correctly across platforms and when the same options and commands are not available across platforms.

Question 9

What is commercial software?

Answer 9

Commercial software, also known as proprietary or closed source software, is copyrighted software with private source code that users cannot copy, modify, or redistribute.

Question 10

What is open source software?

Answer 10

Open source software is software with freely available source code that can be copied, modified, and redistributed without cost or restrictions.

Question 11

What is the main difference between commercial and open source software?

Answer 11

The main difference is that commercial software has private source code and is often developed for profit, while open source software has freely available source code that anyone can modify and redistribute.

Question 12

What is an End-User License Agreement (EULA)?

Answer 12

A EULA is a legal contract between the software developer and the user, specifying the terms under which the software can be used.

Question 13

How is commercial software usually certified as original?

Answer 13

Commercial software is certified as original through the issuance of a product key or serial number upon installation.

Question 14

Can commercial software include open source code?

Answer 14

Yes, commercial software can include open source code bundled with private source code

Question 15

Give some examples of commercial software.

Answer 15

Examples of commercial software include Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop, and Intuit QuickBooks.

Question 16

What is freeware?

Answer 16

Freeware is software that is free to use but not necessarily open source

Question 17

What are some examples of open source software?

Answer 17

Examples of open source software include Linux, Mozilla Firefox, and Apache OpenOffice.

Question 18

What is a key benefit of open source software?

Answer 18

A key benefit of open source software is that developers and users can contribute to and improve the software’s functionality.

Question 19

Do users of open source software need to agree to a EULA?

Answer 19

Yes, users of open source software must still agree to an End-User License Agreement.

Question 20

How can you tell if software is open source or closed source?

Answer 20

You can determine if software is open source or closed source by checking the “About” section or similar details in the software, or by searching trusted websites for information on the software’s source code.

Question 21

Can freeware be closed source?

Answer 21

Yes, freeware, like the Microsoft Edge browser, can be closed source.

Question 22

What is an example of software that combines open source and closed source code?

Answer 22

The Microsoft Edge web browser, which is based on the open source Chromium web browser, but includes proprietary closed source code, is an example.

Question 23

Is the Microsoft Windows operating system open source or closed source?

Answer 23

The Microsoft Windows operating system is closed source and commercial.