4.

Install Software Application

Introduction to Computer Software
• Computer software is a collection of computer
programs and related data that provide the
instructions for telling a computer what to do and
how to do it.
• In other words software is a set of programs,
procedures, algorithms and its documentation.
Examples of the different kinds of software
I. Application Software:
• which is designed for the end-users and hence known as end-user
programs
II. Educational Software:
• used to deliver tests and track progress.
• used for educational purposes
• Training management and classroom management software are some
examples of educational software
III. Enterprise Software:
• It caters to the needs of organization processes and data flow
• Examples: Customer relationship management and supply chain
management software
IV. Information Worker Software:
• It caters to the needs of an individual to
manage information pertaining to a project or
a single department.
• Example: Resource management software
V. Media Development Software:
• Used for the generation of print and electronic
media in the educational and commercial
sector.
• Example: Animation software like Flash, audio
and video editors, web development software
VI. Product Engineering Software:
• used in the development of hardware and
software products.
• Example: API and integrated development
environments
VII. Simulation Software:
• Used for the simulation of physical and abstract
systems.
• Computer simulators that are used for simulating
scientific concepts and social ideas, battlefield,
vehicle and flight simulators are some of the
popular examples of simulation software.
VIII. Programming Software:
• Programming Languages are used to write
programs that control the functioning of a
computer system.
• They are the building blocks of computer
applications.
IX. System Software:
• It is computer software that manages and controls
hardware in order to enable application software to
perform its tasks.
• System software performs the functions like
transferring data from memory to the disk or
delivering text onto a display device
X. Device Drivers:
• They are computer programs, which facilitate the
interaction of high-level computer programs with
the hardware devices.
• Drivers also provide interrupt-handling
mechanisms.
XI. Network Managers:
• They check computer networks, data transfers and
log events.
XII. Virus Scanners:
• They scan for viruses on a computer system.
• They are widely known as antivirus software.
XIII. Content-Control Software:
• Designed for controlling the content that is permitted for
the user to access.
• It can determine what content will be available on a
particular machine or network.
• Is commonly used at homes and in schools to restrict the
content that can be accessed over the net by the students.
XIV. Data Recovery Software:
• Apart from the facilities of copying of data files, data
recovery software supports the user needs of backing up
important computer data.
• It allows the user to specify what is to be backed up and
when
 Types of Computer Software
1. System Software: helps to run the computer
hardware and computer system. It includes
operating systems, device driver, diagnostic tools,
Server utilities and more. System software serves as
the interface between the users, The application
software and the computer’s hardware such as
accessory devices as communication, printers,
readers, displays, keyboard
2. Application software: Is computer software
designed to help the user to perform specific task
on computer.
 Types of Application software
i. Word Processing Software:
• This software enables the users to create and edit documents.
• Examples of this type of software are MS-Word, WordPad,
Notepad and some other text editors.
ii. Database Software:
• Database is a structured collection of data.
• A computer database relies on database software to organize
the data and enable the database users to achieve database
operations.
• Database software allows the users to store and retrieve data
from databases.
• Examples are Oracle, MS Access, etc.
iii. Spreadsheet Software:
• Allows users to perform calculations.
• They simulate paper worksheets by displaying
multiple cells that make up a grid.
• Excel, Lotus 1-2-3 and Apple Numbers are some
examples of spreadsheet software.
iv. Multimedia Software:
• They allow the users to create and play audio and
video media.
• They are capable of playing media files. Audio
converters, players, burners, video encoders and
decoders are some forms of multimedia software.
• Example: Real Player and Media Player.
v. Presentation Software:
• Used to display information in the form of a
slide show.
• This type of software includes three functions,
namely, editing that allows insertion and
formatting of text, methods to include
graphics in the text and a functionality of
executing the slide shows.
• Example: Microsoft PowerPoint
 System Requirements for Software
Installation
• To be used efficiently, all computer software needs certain
hardware components or other software resources to be present
on a computer.
A. Hardware Requirements
i. Architecture
• All computer operating systems are designed for particular
computer architecture.
• Most software applications are limited to particular operating
systems running on particular architectures.
• Although architecture-independent operating systems and
applications exist,
• most need to be recompiled to run on a new architecture
ii. Processing Power
• The power of (CPU) is a fundamental system requirement
for any software.
• Most software running on x86 architecture define processing
power as the model and the clock speed of the CPU.
iii. Memory
• All software, when run, resides in the Random Access
Memory (RAM) of a computer.
• Memory requirements are defined after considering
demands of the application, operating system, supporting
software and files, and other running processes.
• Optimal performance of other unrelated software running on
a multi-tasking computer system is also considered when
defining this requirement.
iv. Secondary Storage
• Hard-disk requirements vary, depending on the
size of software installation, temporary files
created and maintained while installing or
running the software, and possible use of swap
space (if RAM is insufficient).
v. Display Adapter
• Software requiring a better than average
computer graphics display, like graphics editors
and high-end games, often define high-end
display adapters in the system requirements.
vi. Peripherals
• Some software applications need to make
extensive and/or special use of some
peripherals, demanding the higher performance
or functionality of such peripherals.
• Such peripherals include CD-ROM drives,
keyboards, pointing devices, network devices,
etc.
B. Software Requirements
• Deal with defining software resource requirements
and pre-requisites that need to be installed on a
computer to provide optimal functioning of an
application.
i. Platform
• Describes some sort of framework, either in hardware
or software, which allows software to run.
• include a computer's architecture, operating system,
or programming languages and their runtime libraries.
• For example, most software designed for Microsoft
Windows XP does not run on Microsoft Windows 98,
although the converse is not always true.
ii. APIs and Drivers
• Software making extensive use of special
hardware devices, like high-end display
adapters, needs special API or newer device
drivers.
• A good example is DirectX, which is a collection
of APIs for handling tasks related to multimedia,
especially game programming, on Microsoft
platforms
iii. Web Browser
• Most web applications and software depending
heavily on Internet technologies make use of the
default browser installed on system.
• Microsoft Internet Explorer is a frequent choice of
software running on Microsoft Windows, which
makes use of ActiveX controls
C. Other Requirements
• Some software also has other requirements for
proper performance.
• Internet connection (type and speed) and
resolution of the display screen are notable
examples.
 Determining Client Requirements
• The installation or upgrade of software needs:
o carefully planned activities and
o People who specialize in the installation of computer applications.
• Once the client's request has been evaluated, the computer
supports person first analyses:
o The system components including the capabilities of the client's
computer
o The processes that manipulate the data
o The current system deficiencies
o The system constraints
o The specific objectives and the performance requirements of the
new system
o The corporate desktop software used by the organization.
• The next step is to determine and recommend
hardware and software components that will
satisfy the client's information needs and comply
with the stated constraints.
• There are two questions that you must answer
before any recommendations can be made.
1. Is it possible to solve the problem?
2. Can the organization afford to solve the problem?
• Other things that need to be considered include
timeframe, cost, technical, legal, environmental,
hardware, software, human, organizational and
operational implications.
• Every client has different needs and will be considerable
variation in the factors which go towards installing new
software or software upgrade.
• Among these; variations are software, licensing, and
organizational considerations
I. Software
• Variables for new software and upgrade
requirements includes
– software versions,
– commercial software applications,
– organization-specific software,
– operating systems,
– network operating systems,
– stand-alone PC systems,
– word processing, spreadsheets, database,
– graphics, communication packages,
– software installation instructions and manuals and the
range of suppliers.
II. Licensing
• A supplier of software does not sell you the
software;
• you receive a to use the software only.
• Therefore you must determine if the client
has a current valid license to use the software.
• In some cases the organization may have a site
license, where any computer belonging to the
organization may use the software.
• In other cases there may be a limited number
of licenses for specific computers.
 Trial version and licensed version
• Trial version Software :
• Is computer software that can be run for a limited period of
time before it expires and stops working.
• The user gets a chance to try it out and then decide whether
he or she would like to buy its full version.
• It is actually a sample of original software that works for a
limited period of time.
• It may or may not have all the features of original software.
• Licensed version software :
• A software license is a legal agreement controlling the use of
a piece of computer software.
• And when we install any software or if the software ask for
upgrade or update, we should buy the original version of
software from market or online shopping.
III. Organizational Requirements
• Variables include
o contracting arrangements relating to IT,
o purchasing procedures,
o licensing requirements and supplier options,
o storage and retrieval of product licenses,
o storage of IT equipment and
• In addition:
o Hardware variables (disk space, RAM, CPU and the OS)
o Occupational health and safety standards will vary according
to company
o Organizational standards may be based upon formal, well-
documented methodologies
o Budget constraints will limit the options available for new
 Main participants in the installation of software
1. Client or End-Users
• Is a person for whom the software is being installed.
• We interview them to find out what software they
currently have, and their information needs.
2. Supervisor
• The person concerned with the overall management
• They allocate the support resources, and of all the
technical staff working on the project.
• They communicate with the clients and make sure
that they are happy with the service being provided.
• They are kept informed of the client's requirements.
3. Computer Support Officer
• The person who receives a technology-free statement
of user requirements from the client and transforms it
into a working computer system that will fulfill the
client's computer and business needs.
• Their role is to install and thoroughly test the software
and hardware before handing it over to the client.
4. Staff Trainer
• Responsible for training all the staff in the use of the
new software and for providing documentation for
users to support them with the ongoing use of the
software
5. Help Desk Staff
• Their main task is to provide timely advice (usually
over the telephone) to users in the operation of the
hardware and software in use.
6. Network Specialist
• The person involved with implementing and
maintaining the network.
Self-check-1: Answer all the questions listed below.
1. What is the recommended requirement of Processor (CPU) for
installing Windows 10?
A. 233 GHz B. 1 GHz C. 233 MHz D. 1 MHz
2. What is the minimum requirement of RAM for installing Windows 10
(32-bit)?
A. 64 MB B. 128 MB C. 1 GB D. 2 GB
3. Which one of the following is an example of computer software?
A. Educational Software B. Enterprise Software
C. Simulation Software D. All _____
4. Which one of the following is NOT an example of application software?
A. Word Processor B. Spreadsheet
C. Database D. Operating System
5. Which one of the following is an example of system software?
A. MS Excel B. MS Word
C. Operating System D. Media Player
6. Windows 10 is an example of ___________ software?
A. Device Driver B. Operating System
C. Application Software D. Server
7. The main participants in the installation of new software include:
A. Clients or End-Users B. Computer Support Officer
C. Supervisor D. All
8. Their main task is to provide timely advice (usually over the
telephone) to users in the operation of the hardware and software in
use.
A. Supervisor B. Clients or End-Users
C. Network Specialist D. Help Desk Staff
9. _________ are the people or group of people for whom the
software is being installed You interview them in order to find out
what software they currently have, and their information needs.
A. Clients or End-Users B. Computer Support Officer
C. Supervisor D. All