There are five major themes in contemporary software platform evolution: Show
Linux, an operating system related to Unix, is one of the most well-known open-source software, and is the world's fastest growing client and server operating system, along with related Linux applications. The rise of open-source software, particularly Linux and the applications it supports, has profound implications for corporate software platforms: cost reduction, reliability and resilience, and integration, because Linux works on all the major hardware platforms from mainframes to servers to clients. Because of its reliability, low cost, and integration features, Linux has the potential to break Microsoft's monopoly of the desktop. Java, an operating system-independent, object-oriented programming language, has become the leading programming environment for the Web, and its use has migrated into cellular phones, cars, music players, and more. For each of the computing environments in which Java is used, Sun has created a Java Virtual Machine that interprets Java programming code for that machine. In this manner, the code is written once and can be used on any machine for which there exists a Java Virtual Machine. A Macintosh PC, an IBM PC running Windows, a Sun server running Unix, and even a smart cellular phone or personal digital assistant can share the same Java application. Java is typically used to create small Web programs called applets, but is also a very robust language designed to handle text, data, graphics, sound, and video. Java enables PC users to manipulate data on networked systems using Web browsers, reducing the need to write specialized software. A Web browser is an easy-to-use software tool with a graphical user interface for displaying Web pages and for accessing the Web and other Internet resources. Software for enterprise integration is one of the most urgent software priorities today for U.S. firms who need to integrate existing legacy software with newer technology. Replacing isolated systems that cannot communicate with enterprise software is one solution; however, many companies cannot simply jettison essential legacy mainframe applications. Some integration can be achieved by middleware, software that creates an interface or bridge between two different systems. Firms increasingly purchase enterprise application integration (EAI) software that enables multiple systems to exchange data through a single software hub. Figure 5-12
Web services communicate through XML messages over standard Web protocols, such as:
Figure 5-13
Although traditionally businesses developed unique software themselves, today most new software is purchased from external sources. There are three external sources for software:
An application service provider (ASP) is a business that delivers and manages applications and computer services from remote computer centers to multiple users using the Internet or a private network. The software is paid for typically on a per-user, subscription, or per-transaction basis. Renting enterprise software avoids the expense and difficulty of installing, operating, and maintaining the hardware and software needed for complex systems. Large and medium-sized businesses are using ASPs for enterprise systems, sales force automation, or financial management, and small businesses are using them for functions such as invoicing, tax calculations, electronic calendars, and accounting. Application service providers also enable small and medium-sized companies to use applications that they otherwise could not afford. In outsourcing, a firm contracts custom software development or maintenance to outside firms, frequently firms operating in low-wage areas of the world. With the growing sophistication and experience of offshore firms, more and more new-program development is outsourced. Which device help us to communicate with hardware and the attached device?Device driver – a software program that is designed to control a particular hardware device that is attached to a computer. The main purpose of device driver – it acts as a translator between the hardware device and operating systems or applications that use it.
What do you call this term that operates directly on hardware devices of computer and it provides to run an application?System software operates directly on hardware devices of computer. It provides a platform to run an application. It provides and supports user functionality. Examples of system software include operating systems such as Windows, Linux, Unix, etc.
What is the name for a piece of code that allows peripheral devices to communicate with a computer?Updated: 10/11/2021 by Computer Hope. More commonly known as a driver, a device driver or hardware driver is a group of files that enable one or more hardware devices to communicate with the computer's operating system.
What acts as a go between that allows the computer hardware and software to communicate?Kernel. As the heart of the operating system, it is the go-between from applications to input/output controllers, memory, the CPU, and storage devices.
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