SOFTWARE  High-level Language: Third Generation

 Consists of computer programs that control the workings of the o Uses languages that are easier to learn than machine and
computer hardware, along with the program documentation used to assembly languages because it more closely resembles the level
explain the programs to the user. of everyday human communication and understanding.
 Computer programs o Comprised of High Level Languages such as:
o Are sets of instructions or statements to the computer.  BASIC
Ultimately, these statements direct the circuitry within the  COBOL
hardware to operate in a certain fashion.  FORTRAN
 Program documentation o Characteristics of High Level Programming:
o Is the collection of narrative descriptions designed to assist in the  Each statement in the language translates into several
program’s use and implementations. instructions in machine language
 The language is English like and uses abbreviations and
TYPES OF SOFTWARE words used in everyday communication
 System Software  Each programming language has characteristics that
o Is the set of programs designed to support the overall computer make it appropriate for each certain types of problems or
system by coordinating the activities of the hardware and various applications
computer programs.  The language is relatively independent of a given
 Application Software computer hardware
o Consists of programs written to solve particular user-oriented  Fourth-generation Languages (4GL)
problems. o Is a high level programming language that is less procedural and
more English like than third generation languages
PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES o It emphasizes what output results are desired more than how
 Sets of symbols and rules used to write program code. programming statements are to be written
Programming involves translating what a user wants to accomplish into a code o Some Features of 4GL’s:
that the computer can understand and execute.  Query and Database abilities
 Syntax  Code-generation abilities
o Set of rules that dictate how the symbols should be combined  Graphic abilities
into statements capable of conveying meaningful instructions to o One popular fourth-generation language is a standardized
the CPU. language called Structured Query Language (SQL), which is
often used to perform database queries and manipulations.
THE EVOLUTION OF PROGRAMMING LANGUAGE  Fifth-generation Languages (5GL’s)
 Machine Language: First Generation o Are used to create programs for artificial intelligence and expert
o Programmers wrote their instructions in binary code, telling the systems.
CPU exactly which circuits to switch on and off. o Fifth generation language are sometimes called natural
 Operation Code: 00100101 language because they use even more English like syntax than
 Address Location 1: 00000010 4GL’s.
 Address Location 2: 00001101
 Assembly Language: Second Generation CHARACTERISTICS OF HIGH-LEVEL PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES
o Uses codes like A for add, MVC for move, and so on.  Batch vs. Real Time Programming Language
o Batch Programming Languages are best suited to data that is
All languages beyond the first generation are called symbolic language because collected in a set, or batch, and processed at one time – a
their emphasis is on the use of symbols easily understood by humans. processing is called Batch Processing.
 o Other programming languages are better suited to developing o Is a procedure and business-oriented language, and can be batch
programs to be run one at a time, for immediate on-line or real- or real-time.
time processing. o Is designed to have the appearance and structure of a business
 Procedure vs. Problem Orientation report written in English – constructed for sentences, paragraphs,
o Procedure-oriented Languages sections, and divisions.
 which stress the actual manipulations performed by the o Has large files processing capabilities
computer, use statements such as READ o Can be run on many computer platforms.
HOURS_WORKED and PRINT GROSS PAY. They tend to  Pascal Programming Language
emphasize how to write program instructions. o Is a real-time, process-oriented, general-purpose language, and is
 Designed to solve particular types of user problems suited for both business and scientific applications.
 Business vs. Scientific Orientation o Is an excellent teaching tool in terms of presenting proper
o If a programming can handle large data files and business type programming technique.
applications, the language is a business-oriented language. Its  Report Program Generator (RPG)
strength is its ability to store, retrieve, and manipulate o Is a problem-oriented, general-purpose programming language,
alphanumeric character data. business oriented, and originally was implemented in the batch
o Languages excellent in performing sophisticated computations mode.
but not adept at handling large data files are scientific-oriented o Is used in small and medium-sized mainframe computer system
language. to create complex, detailed reports.
 General Purpose vs. Special Purpose  C Programming Language
o General-Purpose Languages intended to solve a number of o Is a real-time, procedure-oriented, general-purpose language
different types of problems, are flexible, but are usually difficult that can be used for business and scientific applications.
to learn and use. o Is somewhat unique because it allows the programmer great
o Special-Purpose Languages are designed for developing special access many of the inner working of the processor.
types of programs. o Well-suited for the writing of critical systems software.
 Object-oriented Programming Language
TRADITIONAL HIGH-LEVEL PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES o Allows the interaction of Programming objects, where data,
 Beginners All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code (BASIC) instructions, and other programming procedures are grouped
o Is a real-time, procedure-oriented, general-purpose language together
used for both business and scientific applications, o It includes:
o Is easy to use for simple programming tasks.  C++ Programming Language
o Is not effective language for handling large amount of data.  Smalltalk
o Does very few things exceptionally well.  Visual Programming Languages
o Is seldom used for programs directing critical business process. o Uses mouse, icons, or symbols on the screen, and pull-down
menus, which makes programming easier and more intuitive.
 Formula Translator (FORTRAN)
o Is a procedure-oriented, general-purpose language, and can be SYSTEMS SOFTWARE
processed using either the batch mode or real-time mode on  Is a collection of programs that interacts with the computer’s hardware
terminals. and application software programs, creating a layer of insulation
o Its original purpose was to solve scientific problems but it also between the two.
has been used for business applications, such as performing  One of its most critical functions is controlling the operations of
payroll or inventory control. computer hardware.
 Common Business Oriented Language (COBOL)  Types of System Software:
o Language Translation Programs
  Converts a statement from a high-level programming o Meets plug and play (PnP) compatibility standards to allow for easy
language into machine language. setup, expansion, and connection to input, output, and storage devices.
 Source Code  Apple Computer Operating System (System 7.5)
 The high-level program code o Offer many outstanding graphics and color abilities, virtual memory,
and multitasking functions. They also have “toolbox” of features that
 Object Code
can be accessed by clicking icons with a mouse, including database
 The machine language code
access facilities.
 Interpreter o It includes a simple graphical user interface and is easy to learn and use.
 Is a language translator that converts each  Unix
statement in a program into machine language o Is a powerful operating system developed by AT&T for mini-computers.
and executes the statement o Today, it is the leading portable operating system; it can be used on
Program Statement Interpreter Machine Language Statement Statement Execution many computer system types and platforms from personal computers
to mainframe systems. It benefits companies using both small and large
computer systems, because it is compatible with different types of
TYPES OF SYSTEM SOFTWARE hardware and users only have to learn one operating system.
 Compiler
o Is a language translator that translates a complete program into a APPLICATION SOFTWARE
complete machine language program  Is used to apply the power of the computer to give people, groups, and
 Stage 1: Convert Machine Language Program organization the ability to solve problems and perform specific activities or tasks.
Computer Program Compiler Machine Language Program
 Stage 2: Execute machine language program CUSTOMIZED APPLICATION SOFTWARE (Proprietary Software)
Machine Language Program Program Execution  Application software that is developed and customized to deliver a specific
problem solution.
 Utility Program
 Advantages:
o Are used to merge and sort sets of data, keep track of computer
o The software usually meets user requirements
jobs being run, and perform other important routine tasks. o More flexible
 Operating System o Problem specificity
o Is a set of computer programs that runs or controls the computer
hardware and acts as an interface with application program. OFF-THE-SHELF APPLICATION SOFTWARE
 Software that was purchased, leased, or rented from a software company that
Users Application Software Operating and System Software Hardware develops programs.
 Also called “general software” since these programs can literally be purchased
in packages “off-the-shelf” in a store.
POPULAR OPERATING SYSTEM  Advantages:
 Multiple Virtual Storage/ Enterprise System Architecture (MVS/ESA) o Lower costs
o Are operating systems used on larger IBM mainframe computer. o Less risks
 Control Program for Microcomputer (CP/M) o High quality
o Is one of the operating systems (and the primary OS) for personal o Less time
computers in the 1970’s. o Fewer resources needed
 Microsoft Disk Operating System (MS-DOS)
o Are command-based operating systems
 Operating System 2 (OS/2)
o Has function like system monitoring, multitasking, and virtual memory.
o Also features GUI shell and some communications and database
functions.
 Windows XP, etc.