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10 PART ONE THE PRODUCT AND THE PROCESS

processors) process largely indeterminate data. In either case, the system software
area is characterized by heavy interaction with computer hardware; heavy usage by
multiple users; concurrent operation that requires scheduling, resource sharing, and
sophisticated process management; complex data structures; and multiple external
interfaces.
Real-time software. Software that monitors/analyzes/controls real-world events
as they occur is called real time. Elements of real-time software include a data gath-
ering component that collects and formats information from an external environ-
ment, an analysis component that transforms information as required by the
application, a control/output component that responds to the external environment,
and a monitoring component that coordinates all other components so that real-time
response (typically ranging from 1 millisecond to 1 second) can be maintained.
Business software. Business information processing is the largest single software
application area. Discrete "systems" (e.g., payroll, accounts receivable/payable, inven-
tory) have evolved into management information system (MIS) software that accesses
one or more large databases containing business information. Applications in this
area restructure existing data in a way that facilitates business operations or man-
One of the most
comprehensive libraries of agement decision making. In addition to conventional data processing application,
shareware/freeware can business software applications also encompass interactive computing (e.g., point-
be found at
www.shareware.com of-sale transaction processing).
Engineering and scientific software. Engineering and scientific software have
been characterized by "number crunching" algorithms. Applications range from astron-
omy to volcanology, from automotive stress analysis to space shuttle orbital dynam-
ics, and from molecular biology to automated manufacturing. However, modern
applications within the engineering/scientific area are moving away from conven-
tional numerical algorithms. Computer-aided design, system simulation, and other
interactive applications have begun to take on real-time and even system software
characteristics.
Embedded software. Intelligent products have become commonplace in nearly
every consumer and industrial market. Embedded software resides in read-only mem-
ory and is used to control products and systems for the consumer and industrial mar-
kets. Embedded software can perform very limited and esoteric functions (e.g., keypad
control for a microwave oven) or provide significant function and control capability
(e.g., digital functions in an automobile such as fuel control, dashboard displays, and
braking systems).
Personal computer software. The personal computer software market has bur-
geoned over the past two decades. Word processing, spreadsheets, computer graph-
ics, multimedia, entertainment, database management, personal and business financial
applications, external network, and database access are only a few of hundreds of
applications.
Web-based software. The Web pages retrieved by a browser are software that
incorporates executable instructions (e.g., CGI, HTML, Perl, or Java), and data (e.g.,