Tutorial blog 1: application software

What is Application Software?

It consists of programs that meet the direct needs of people.  It helps make people more prdocutive to complete personal as well as business related tasks.
There are different types of applications such as horizontal and vertical:
Horizontal Applications is a software program that is used across different industries for different uses by different people.  It can be used for:

• word processing
• web browsing
• math (statistics)
• music software

Vertical applications is a software programs that is designed to meet the specific needs of one vertical business market. such as a: 

• Doctor practice management  
• CRM- customer relations management
• Field service
• Point - of - sale

You can click here to see more information about vertical and horizontal software and how they are used in everyday life.

There are many different types of software, some include the following:

• System software serves as the interface between the application software and the computer's hardware and the user.
• Business software assists people in becoming more effective in their business activites, making their time more productive and efficient.
• Spreadsheet software allows users to organize data in rows and columns and even perform calculations
• Database software allows users to create, acces and manage a database

There is also something called software suits, they are a collection of software programs that share common features and are used for greater interoperability

Afew examples include: Microsoft office, adobe creative suite, and a rational test suite

Software suites have many benefits including reduced training and support costs, easier development, reduced cost, better quality, shared interface and even simpler management!

The opposite of a software suite is a standalone application, unlike software suites, a standalone application runs on its own and is not integrated into a suite with other applications.  Some examples include Mozilla firefox and iTunes, applications that most people use multiple times a week, if not everyday

Analyzing Software 

The decision Making Process includes needs analysis, identity software, software features, value proposition, and increased  productivity.

When referring to needs analysis there are a few questions you should ask yourself:

1. what is the business need you need the software for?
2. how is this software going to benefit you? Will it be personally? or will it enhance your business?
3. What features do you need this software to be able to perform? what would you want it to be able to perform?

When dealing with Identifying software options you should first research potential software candidates and then list:  features, hardware and software requirements, compatibility options, training, help options, expandability/adaptability, ongoing development and support 

Next list the software features.

Then you should evaluate the value proposition, the application should reduce cost, and increase efficiency and productivity, you should evaluate the support and maintenance as well as the software requirements
Increasing productivity simply means there is more time for other things, they have the opportunity to expand and come up with better strategic decisions.

How is software licensed? 

Software licensing is another very important lesson

There are many different types of software licensing such as EULA, commercial licenses,and open source licenses

What does EULA stand for?

EULA is the End User License Agreement, it is a contract that defines how the software can be used. 

It defines legal and illegal uses of the software.  Fortunately you are not required to agree with these uses however if you don't you cannot use the software.  There is usually a box where you say whether or not you agree wtih the EULA stated above. http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/eula/home.mspx 

Or here is an example you can thoroughly read through.

There are different types of Commercial licenses.

1. Per seat license is for businesses who need to license many copies of common business programs, they are usually sold in bundles at a discounted price
2. Site license is for large businesses and runs on an application server wtih users connecting over the network.  It is usually expensive.
3. Per CPU license is usually expensive as well and is when users connect to the application server over the network.  It can require a specially trained IT staff because it is very complex
4. A trial license is one that is downlaoded from the internet and you can usually try it for free however it only supports limited features
5. A developer license is another trial license but you usually have to register it with the vendor to download software.  It only supports a limited amount of features for a limited period of time
6. Freeware is a completely free but copyrighted software.  It is available to be downloaded online but you still have EULA with restrictions
7. Shareware is a copyrighted software distributed at not cost for a trial period

An Open Source licenses gives access to application source codes, users can modify this code and it is supported through donations


Youre probably thinking, how do people enforce software licenses?
Luckily it is simple!
The software won't function until it is registered! And when the time is approaching for you to register, the software usually nags you to register and there is always a threat of legal action if you fail to comply


Software Lifecycle
Ever wonder what those numbers after a software program such as Java 6.2.25 mean? There is a certain way that people can keep track of software version numbers, there is a system!

1. The first number represents the major version
2. The second number is for the minor version
3. The third number is the revision number
4. The fourth number is the build number

There are also different ways of updating software

• patch creates a new revision number and is used to correct minor updates
• An update is a revision to a new minor version and usually includes new features or bug fixes
• An upgrade is a new major version or major update to a minor version.  It usually results in major new features and functionality