Wednesday, September 29, 2010

September 29, 2010

*Consumer Applications
    -Many software companies have replaced their printed documentation with:
          >Tutorials
          >Reference materials
          >Help files
           >On-line help
    -Upgrading: Users can upgrade a program to the new version by paying an upgrade fee to the                  software manufacturer.
Ex of Bug: Clicking something in a software and it does something else
>Newer releases often have additional features and fewer bugs.
             


-Compatibility
         >It allows software to function properly with the hardware, operating system, and peripherals.
         >Programs written for one type of computer system may not work on another.

-Disclaimers
So that some people can't sue for their money back just because they don't "like" the product or it doesn't due exactly what they want.
>Software manufacturers limit their liability for software problems by selling software “as is.”
 
*Licensing: Commercial software is copyrighted so it can’t be legally duplicated for distribution to others. 
        -Software license
        -Volume licenses
*Distribution: Software is distributed via:
        -Direct sale
        -Retail stores 
        -Mail-order catalogs
        -Web sites 
        -Not all software is copyrighted.
             >Public domain software

 >Shareware



>Other Web applications support a more traditional form of information broadcasting.

Quick-time applications or flash web players are used on the web and can also be used on your stand-alone PC

Facebook, Myspace, Email, etc. 
>News-oriented Web applications provide up-to-the-minute reports on a myriad of subjects.
>Some Web applications support online business transactions.
Paypal, Ebay
>Many Web applications leverage the Web’s strength as a huge repository of information      >Most Web applications take advantage of the Web’s connectivity.
>Some simple Web applications perform simple data-processing tasks that could also be performed by traditional programs running on stand-alone PCs.

-Web applications fall into several categories:
        
        
        

Friday, September 24, 2010

Three major categories of software
  1. Programming Software -
  2. Software Applications- serve as productivity tools to help computer users solve problems
    1. Examples - Microsoft Word, Media Player, Photoshop
  3. System Software - Coordinates hardware operations and does behind the scenes work the computer user seldom sees.
    1. Utility Software
    2. Boot Loaders
    3. BIOS
Food for Thought
       The hardware in a computer system is equipped to produce whatever output a user requests
   

A fast, stupid machine
  • Programmers begin with an algorithm: a set of step-by-step instructions written in a natural language, e.g., English
  • The steps are often ambiguous, error-prone generalities
  • The steps are translated into the vocabulary of a programming language

Algorithm - A procedure or formula for solving a problem

>Machine Language: numeric codes that represent data
>High-level language: falls between machine language and natural human language
               -Compilers translate high-level language into machine language
>Natural Languages: resemble languages spoken by humans


Machine Languages
1.FASM
2.Unix
3.FORTRAN

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

September 22, 2010

Project Theory

*Introduction to Project cycle

A project is a temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product or service

SDLC(Software Develpment Life Cycle)

Project Identification and selection\/
                 /\Project Initiation & Planning\/
                                   /\Analysis
                                                 /\Logical Design\/
                                                             /\Physical Design\/
                                                                            /\Implementation \/
                                                                                           /\Maintenence


A project is a sequence of unique, complex, and connected activities having one goal or purpose and that must be completed by a specific time, within budget, an according to specifications.


Project Management Criteria
-Projects are oriented towards a goal.
-There is something unique  about every project.
-Projects have a finite  duration.
-Projects require coordination of interrelated  activities.
 
Project management is a set of principles and tools for
-Defining
-Planning
-Executing Controlling and completing a prioject                
What is project management? 
You are a system developer/software engineer. Customer asks for you to create a software that helps him with his business. You have to realize, if the customer is in the Medical Lever, you have to understand the medical terms/concepts. Must know what the things are about so that you can create a good system for the doctors needs. You have to think the way the customer thinks, so that you may deliver exactly what the client wants.
2. Planning
-Needs analyses   Why?
-Analysis of the organisation, its values, activities and releancy
-Own motivation
-Definition of aims (general) and concrete objectives

-Selection of methodology, activities
-Plan of activities -- schedule
-Resources: Human, financial, material, time
-Organisation of the project: team, partners
who are you working with if you are working with anyone, is this project better to work on alone?
-Outline of the project
-Risks assessment strategy
SMART:
-Specific
-Measureable
-Achievalble
-Realistic
-Timed

-Organize your approach
-Generate a credible schedule
-Track progress and control your project
-Identify where to focus your efforts
-Identify problems early – before they are crises
-Saves you time and money
-If you fail to plan,  plan to fail


Assessment based on needs of situation 
-Observing a problem
-Analysing it
-Defining the need
-Deciding on an action
Answering W-questions (Laswell)

W-Questions
 
Who, for whom, with whom, etc.?
What?
Why?
Where?
When?
How/Wie?

Friday, September 17, 2010

*ROM(read-only memory)
    >Information stored permanently on a chip
    >Contains startup instructions and other permanent data

*CMOS(complementary metal oxide semi conductor)
    >Special low-energy kind of RAM

*Flash Memory
    >Used for phones, pagers, portable computers hand-held computers, and PDAs


*Buses, Ports and, Peripherals
    >Information travels betweem components on the motherboard through groups of wires called       system buses or just buses

    >Buses
          -Typically have 32 or 64 wires
          -Connect to storage devices in bays
          -Connect to expansion slots
          -Connect to external buses and ports
    >Slots and Ports
          -Make it easy to add external devices called perpherals

*Inventing the Future
     >New Laser etching technology called e3xtreme ultraviolet lithography (EUVL) could reduce chip  size and increase performance radically.

     >Superconductors that trasmit electricity without heat could increase computer speed a hundred fold
    
     >The optical computer trasmits information in light waves rather than electrical pulses


Input from person to processor

     >Keyboard
           -The most familiar input device
           -Used to enter letters, numbers and special characters
     >Standard keyboard
     >Ergonomic keyboards
           -To address Medic
     >Wireless keyboard
     >Folding keyboards



Pointing Devices
ü Mouse
üTouchpad
üPointing stick
üTrackball
üJoystick
üGraphics tablet
üTouch screen
üStylus

 
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