Overview of Computer Software
1) Types of Software
2) Types of Software Environments
3) Web Applications or Web Apps
4) Mobile Applications or Mobile Apps
1) Types of Software
a) Computer Software:
> Set of instructions that directs a computer to perform specific operations.
> Software takes input, process the input and provides Output.
> Computer hardware and software require each other, without hardware we can’t use Software and vice versa.
b) Types of Software
We have thousands of Software available in the IT Industry, but we segregate them in to three categories.
i) System Software:
> Software that operates the computer hardware, to provide basic functionality needed by users and other software.
Ex: Operating Systems, Device Drivers etc…
MS Windows, UNIX, Linux, Macintosh etc…
Printer drivers, etc…
ii) Application Software
> Software that used for automating Business operations.
Ex: Banking Applications, Insurance Applications, ERP, and ECommerece Apps etc…
iii) Programming Software
> Software that used to develop System Software and Application Software.
Ex: Editors, Compilers etc…
C, Java, .NET, etc…
c) Classification of Software
i) Operating Systems
Examples: DOS, MS Windows, UNIX/Linux/Solaris, Macintosh, OS2, OS400, Novel Netware etc…
ii) Programming Languages
Examples: COBOL, C, C++, Java, VB, VC++ etc…
iii) Database Management Systems
Examples: Oracle, Sybase, MS Access, SQL Server, MySQL, DB2, DB400 etc…
iv) ERP Packages
Examples: SAP, People soft, Siebel, Oracle Applications etc…
v) Web Technologies
Examples: HTML, DHTML, CSS, Java Script, VBScript, XML, IIS, Apache web server, COM+, WebLogic Application Server etc…
vi) Accounting Packages
Examples: Tally, Gally, Focus, QuickBooks, Wings etc…
vii) Documentation Software
Examples: Notepad, WordPad, MS Office, Open Office, Star Office, Acrobat PDF Writer and Reader Etc…
viii) Application Software
BFSI (Banking, Financial services and Insurance) Applications
(Banking Applications, Insurance Applications and Financial Applications)
ERP (Enterprise Resources Planning) Software
Healthcare Applications
Telecom Applications
Ecommerce Applications
Retail Market Applications
Etc…
2) Types of Software Environments
> Software Environment consists of Presentation Layer, Processing Layer and
Data Storage Layer.
a) I-Tier Applications
> I-Tier or Standalone Application having only single layer, presentation and
processing layers both reside in the same layer.
> Data can be stored in a file format.
Ex: Notepad, Word pad, MS Word, Acrobat Writer etc…
b) II-Tier Applications
> In 2 tier Architecture, presentation layer or interface runs on a client,
and data gets stored on a server.
c) III-Tier Applications
> In 3 tier Architecture, process logic, data access, computer data storage and user interface are developed and maintained as independent modules on separate platforms.
Ex: http://www.indiacements.co.in
d) N-Tier Applications
> A multi-tier application is developed and distributed among more than one layer. It logically separates the different application-specific, operational layers.
Ex: Internet Banking Applications
3) Web Applications or Web Apps
> A Software Application that is accessed over a network either Internet or
Intranet through a web browser.
Types of Web Applications
Technical classification:
a) Intranet Applications
> An intranet application is a private software application used primarily on the
internal network of an organization.
b) Internet Applications
> An internet Application is a public or private software application on the
wide area network.
Business Classifications
a) Websites
> Basically Website is an Information provider, provides information globally using internet protocols.
Ex: http://www.pennacement.com/
b) Web Portals
Web Portal is a business gateway, It organizes business operations.
Ex: www.naukri.com, www.ebay.in etc…
c) Web Applications
Web Applications provide information as well as services(Paid or Free).
Ex: www.icicibank.com
d) Social Networking Applications
Ex: www.facebook.com, www.twitter.com, www.linkedin.com etc…
e) Email Service providers
Ex: www.gmail.com, www.rediffmail.com etc…
f) Discussion Forums
g) ECommerece Applications etc…
4) Mobile Applications or Mobile Apps
A Mobile Application or Mobile App is a software application developed specifically for use on Smartphones and Tablets, rather than Desktop or Laptop computers.
Types of Mobile Applications
a) Native Applications
> A Native application (native app) is an application program that has been
developed for use on a particular platform or device.
> We download Native apps from the App Store or Google Play, they sit within our device’s applications and you launch them by tapping their icon.
b) Web Apps
> Mobile Web apps are web apps accessed using a Mobile Browser.
c) Hybrid Apps
> A hybrid application (hybrid app) is one that combines elements of both native and Web applications.
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