W2 - Types Of Software Flashcards
What is system software?
System software is a type of software that helps the computer’s hardware run and is also used for management.
What are examples of system software?
Disk defragmenter, task manager, the operating system, compression software etc
What are the types of system software?
Operating Systems - Manages computer hardware and software, provides a Ui, security etc
Utilities - Programs designed to help analyse, configure, optimise or maintain a computer ( like a firewall, task manager etc). It can also be software delivery platforms like Steam or App Store
Device Drivers - Programs that control a particular type of device attached to a computer
Translators - A program (assembler, compiler or interpreter) that translates a program into another language
What is application software?
Application software is a type of software designed for end users (people need to click/run them for them to be used).
What are the types of Application software?
General purpose - Photoshop, spreadsheet (off the shelf and cheap)
Special purpose- Video Games, CAD applications, IDEs (more expensive as it has smaller user bases)
Bespoke - Made specifically for the customer so it is usually a lot more expensive.
What is open source code?
Code that is available for all. Large community’s work together to develop these software but there is still a risk of abandonment. They are also essentially free so the developers can’t make much money of them.
What are examples of open source code?
Linux, chromium (earlier version of chrome), unreal engine etc
What are the positives for Open Source software?
Large community of developers (bugs are spotted quicker)
Users can modify source code for their own needs
What is closed source code?
Closed source code means you likely need a licence to own it which costs money so developers can actually make a lot off money off their code. Thais also means the developers are in complete control of this code so it is usually less customisable.
What are the negatives of Open Source Software?
Risk of abandonment Hidden costs More difficult to make a profit Code could be “stolen” Question on reliability and quality of code
What are examples of closed source code?
Windows, Facebook, IOS etc
What are the positives for Closed Source software?
Profitable - especially if you have a monopoly on and idea or technology
Protection of intellectual property
Control over what you want to do with the software
What are the negatives for Closed Source software?
Locked in my to one platform Limited customisation Expensive for end users Compatibility may be an issue Hidden weaknesses as the developer base is smaller
What is a low level language?
A machine-oriantated language which has instructions specific to a family of CPUs meaning it is close to what the processor executes
What are examples of low level languages?
Assembly language and machine code
What are the positives of low level languages?
Programmes are efficient and quick to run
Assemblers are simple to write
What are the negatives of low level languages
Difficult to read, write, maintain and debug
It is processor specific so detailed knowledges of the processor is first needed
What is a high level language?
A programming language which is further from what the processor executes, a line of code results in a large number of processor instructions being executed
What are the positives of high level languages?
Quicker and easier to write, read, debug and maintain as it uses natural language elements
Code is independent of CPU instruction set so the program is portable
What are the negatives of high level languages
Need translation software (interpreter or compiler) that is more complex than and assembler
What is a translator?
A price of system software that converts source code into executable code
What are examples of high level languages?
JavaScript, Java and Python
What is a compiler?
A translator that is designed to go from high level languages to executable code. This include C#, Javan and C++
What is an interpreter?
A translator that checks lines of source code one at a time instead of translating the whole file at once. Works for high level languages like Python, JavaScript and Ruby
What is an assembler?
A translator that checks and transforms low level language (assembly language) into executable code (machine code)
What are the positives of compilers?
Runs a lot faster as translating is done in advanced
Once compiled, it can run without extra software
What are the negatives of compilers?
Won’t compile unless no errors at all in source code
Need to wait for a program to compile before running (long for large programs)
What are the positives of interpreters?
Can run with errors which makes debugging easier
What are the negatives of interpreters?
Source code is visible to the users
Might be errors the programmer hasn’t spotted (causing issues for the users)
Code can run without the interpreters
