14. Need for different types of software systems Flashcards
What is open-sourced software?
The source code of the software is released under free or general public licence, meaning copyright restrictions are either relaxed or non existent and therefore anyone can view or edit it. This often makes it more reliable as there is a high number of developers working on the code.
What is off the shelf and bespoke software?
Off the shelf software is premade software that can be bought by many companies and tailors to a large user base, whereas bespoke software is software that is custom made for the customer.
What are the advantages of off the shelf software?
- it is cheaper than bespoke as the development costs are spread across a large number of users
- it is available immediately as it is already premade
- lower training costs as if it is a commonly used software, staff may already be acquainted with it, and there will also be tutorials available online
- there will be community support
- it will have more functionality as the developers will try and meet the needs of as many users as possible
- it will be continually upgraded
What are the disadvantages of off the shelf software?
- you may have to compromise on your requirements as the software is unlikely to have everything you need
- it may include functionality that you don’t need and therefore be overly complicated
- you are not in control and the developers may make changes that you dislike and you may not be able to get features you want implemented
What are the advantages of bespoke software?
- it is tailored to you and can work exactly how you want it to
- it is flexible and can change over time to meet your changing requirements
- there are no per user fees, so you won’t have to pay more if your company grows
- you are not tied in to a specific vendor as you own the intellectual property
- you have a competitive advantage over businesses that don’t have the same software
What are the disadvantages of bespoke software?
- the initial costs are higher than off the shelf software
- depending on the size and complexity of the software, it can take a long time to develop
What is the role of computers in weather forecasting?
The computer gathers inputs from thousands of weather stations across a huge geographical area. It also requires comparison with huge amounts of historical data. Large, complex programs and calculations are used to make the most accurate prediction, although predictions are never 100% accurate as weather is often extremely unstable. These processes must be done quickly as weather forecasts are no use if they are out of date.
What are the benefits of using computers in robotics in manufacturing?
- consistent quality as they can accurately assemble products
- can carry out dangerous and unhealthy activities
- can do repetitive tasks
- lower prices due to reduced manufacturing costs
- quicker innovation for new products’
- can work 24/7
- will make fewer mistakes and never get tired
What are the drawbacks of using computers in robotics in manufacturing?
- the workforce will have to be frequently retrained to keep up with new technology
- cost of specialist technicians and programmers
- cost of adapting the factory for automation
- potential loss of human jobs
What is computer aided design (CAD)?
Specialist graphics software that can accurate create 2D and 3D screen representations and models that can be viewed from many angles. This improves the efficiency of the design process as accurate models can be created early in the process.
What are examples of computer generated animation?
Medical animations: physiological or surgical 3D rendered animations that can be used as an instructional tool for medical professionals and patients
Education and training: use of animation in classroom teaching and work related training can increase interest and motivation in learning
Forensic animation: the use of computer animation to recreate incidents to help investigators solve cases
What is an expert system and what are it’s benefits?
A piece of software that models the knowledge of a human expert.
- available 24/7
- allows access to an expert when one might not locally be available
- can store more knowledge than one person
- can easily be kept up to date
- allows broader distribution of expertise throughout a company
What are the 3 components of an expert system?
Knowledge base: A detailed database that contains enough data to allow the expert system to come to a firm conclusion.
Inference engine: Consists of a set of rules that determines the next question based on the user’s previous answers and on searching the knowledge base.
User interface: Presents the user with questions and feedback and accepts inputs from the user in the form of answers.
