2.1 - Types of Software

Question 1

What is open source software?

Answer 1

It is written by programmers and users can edit and modify the code.

Example: Python.

Question 2

What are the uses/justification of open source software?

Answer 2

It is flexible, as it can be changed as required to meet specific needs.

Question 3

What are the benefits of open source software?

Answer 3

You can make changes - customise it, it is cheap, unwanted features can be removed, and it can be shared in a public domain.

Question 4

What are the disadvantages of open source software?

Answer 4

Security risks due to malicious code, prone to errors, difficulty in receiving support, and requires technical skills to maintain the code.

Question 5

What is closed software?

Answer 5

Proprietary software that belongs to someone else and requires you to buy the software.

Examples: Microsoft Office, Fortnite, and Spotify.

Question 6

What are the uses of closed software?

Answer 6

Used in home/business computers with technical support available and constantly updated to mitigate potential security breaches.

Question 7

What are the benefits of closed software?

Answer 7

Well tested with secure updates, and the company is held accountable if something goes wrong.

Question 8

What are the disadvantages of closed software?

Answer 8

Users rely on the company for updates, it can be expensive, and users cannot modify, debug, or improve the code.

Question 9

What is off the shelf software?

Answer 9

Made for general use with features used in different ways.

Example: Adobe Photoshop.

Question 10

What are the uses/justification of off the shelf software?

Answer 10

Used in homes/businesses for word processing, desktop publishing, and graphics.

Question 11

What are the benefits of off the shelf software?

Answer 11

Thoroughly tested with features that work well, regular updates, and cheaper than bespoke as it is not customised.

Question 12

What are the disadvantages of off the shelf software?

Answer 12

Can be expensive to purchase, additional features may slow performance, and costly yearly licenses for software like antivirus.

Question 13

What is bespoke software?

Answer 13

Custom made for specific organisations and their needs.

Examples: Cedar for schools/students, MFT for hospitals.

Question 14

What are the uses/justification of bespoke software?

Answer 14

Offers huge commercial and business benefits giving a competitive advantage.

Question 15

What are the benefits of bespoke software?

Answer 15

Built for the company’s requirements, unwanted features can be removed for faster performance, and design/layout is customised.

Question 16

What are the disadvantages of bespoke software?

Answer 16

Expensive to tailor make, training required, and original programmers need to be paid to fix errors.

Question 17

What are the characteristics of shareware?

Answer 17

Trial version of a program before you pay, giving you the opportunity to try it out.

Example: Netflix.

Question 18

What are the uses/justification of shareware?

Answer 18

It can be used by businesses so they can try it before they buy it.

Question 19

What are the characteristics of freeware?

Answer 19

Freely available to download and use.

Examples: Wix, Adobe Reader.

Question 20

What are the uses of freeware?

Answer 20

Useful for small/new businesses to use without additional expenses for software.

Question 21

What are the characteristics of embedded software?

Answer 21

Installed within a larger device with a dedicated purpose to control the machine and has small size due to memory/storage restrictions.

Example: Washing machine.

Question 22

What are the uses of embedded software?

Answer 22

Used in washing machines, GPS, aerospace, cars (anti-lock brakes), and elevators.