SOFTWARE INSTALLATION

UNIT CODE: IT/CU/ICT/CR/2/6

Relationship to Occupational Standards

This unit addresses the unit of competency: Installation of Computer Software

Duration of Unit: 150 hours

Unit Description:
This unit describes the competencies required in Installing computer software. It involves
Identification of software to be installed, installation of the software, configuration of the
software, software testing, user training and software maintenance.

Summary of Learning Outcomes:

1. Identify software to be installed

2. Install the software
3. Configure the software
4. Test software functionality
5. Perform user training
6. Perform Software Maintenance

Learning Outcomes, Content and Suggested Assessment Methods

Suggested
Learning Outcome Content
Assessment Methods
1. Identification of  Practical
 Definition of software
software to be  Oral questioning
 Classification of software
installed  Written test
 System
 Application
 Criteria for selection
 Operating systems
 Types of operating systems
 Single and multi-user
 Single and multitasking
 Real time
 Distributed
  Batch

 Functions of operating systems

 Device management
 Memory management
 Storage management
 Process control
 Security Management

 Types
of operating system interfaces
 Command-line/character user
 Menu driven
 Graphical user Interface

2. Install the  Practical

 Define software installation
software  Observation
 Acquisition of software
 Installation media  Written tests
 Software installation legal requirements  Writing reports
 Existing data protection
 Types of software installation
 Attended
 Unattended
 Headless
 Schedule/Automated
 Clean/Updating
 Network
 Software and installation and registration
 Software configuration
 Importance of registration
3. Software  Practical
 Software configuration components
configuration  Observation
 software configuration
management  Written tests
identification
 software configuration control  Writing reports
 software configuration status
accounting and auditing
 Reasons for software configuration
 Tracking
 Controlling
 Importance of software configuration
 management
 Identification
 Management
 Auditing and accounting
4. Test software  Practical
 Define software installation testing
functionality  Oral
 Installation checklist
 Functional Testing  Short tests
 Mainline functions  Learner portfolio of
 Basic Usability evidence.
 Accessibility
 Error Conditions

5. Perform user  Practical

 Keys to Developing an End User Training
training  Oral
Plan
 Determine user skill set  Short tests
 Creating a training program
 Setting training goals
 Training delivery methods
 Assessing end-user needs
 Training feedback
6. Perform software  Practical
 Develop software maintenance schedule
Maintenance  Oral
 Evaluate the software
 Perform maintenance procedures  Short tests
 Software maintenance report generated

Suggested Methods of Delivery

 Presentations and practical demonstrations by trainer;
 Guided learner activities and research to develop underpinning knowledge;
 Supervised activities and projects in a workshop;
The delivery may also be supplemented and enhanced by the following, if the opportunity
allows:
 Visiting lecturer/trainer from the ICT sector;
 Industrial visits.

Recommended Resources
Tools
Diagnostic tools
 Utility programs
Processor and memory optimizers
Wise Installer
[Link]
Deploy Master
Install Aware

Equipment
External Hard disk
Flash disk
CD/DVD
Computers

Materials and supplies

 Digital instructional material including DVDs and CDs;
 Operating system
 Machines
 Power
 Application software

Reference materials
Manufacturers manuals

What is a software?
Software, instructions that tell a computer what to do. Software comprises the entire set of
programs, procedures, and routines associated with the operation of a computer system.
Software is a collection of instructions and data that tell a computer how to work. This is in
contrast to hardware, from which the system is built and actually performs the work.

Classification of software
System software
System software is a type of computer program that is designed to run a computer's hardware
and application programs
System software is software designed to provide a platform for other software. Examples of
system software include operating systems like macOS, Linux, Android and Microsoft
Windows, computational science software, game engines, search engines, industrial automation,
and software as a service application.
Application software
An application program is a computer program designed to carry out a specific task other than
one relating to the operation of the computer itself, typically to be used by end-users. Word
processors, media players, and accounting software are examples.
Application software, or app for short, is software that performs specific tasks for an end-user. ...
For example, Microsoft Word or Excel are application software, as are common web browsers
such as Firefox or Google Chrome.

Criteria for software selection

Selection Criteria
The following selection criteria can serve as a starting point for any software assessment. Criteria
are organized into a set of six broad categories.
Capital (start-up) costs
• How much does the product cost?
• How easy is it to install the product?
• What are costs for any additional hardware, software, or server space needed to operate the
product?
• What degree of installation support is available from the vendor, and is there any additional
charge for this support?
• Are there any training or consulting costs in helping project staff become familiar with the
system?
• What is the learning curve for project staff in adapting to the new system (length of time)?
• What changes are needed to make the standard product fit the needs of the project/users (fit-
for-purpose)?
• What cost would be incurred to customize the standard product?
• Are programmers widely available with specialized knowledge or familiarity with the product?
• Is source code provided so customizations or modifications can be made without large costs?
• Do customizations hamper upgrading to future software releases?
• How many users can be served by the software, and what is the cost for scaling the project up
to meet increased demand?
Operating costs
• What level of maintenance is needed to operate the system in an ongoing basis?
• What are the annual maintenance charges for the software, and are they reasonable?
• What are the costs in adding or updating data used by the software?
• Can our server administrators work with the product?
Functions/features
• How well does it meet the needs of the user community?
• How well does it meet the needs of the project team?
• Does it accept and use common file formats (or is a conversion necessary)?
Are file formats proprietary?
How easily is data importable/exportable?
How well does it work with existing software currently in use?
• How difficult is it to administer security and permissions?
• Is support for metadata offered?
• Is there an administrative module available allowing for easy site management?
• Is data secure?
• Does the software allow compliance with terms of data sharing agreements?
How/where is data stored?
Who hosts the data, and where are servers located?
Who owns the software?
Reliability
• Is the technology mature, or has the technology been proven to meet the needs of similar
clients?
• What major changes/upgrades are planned?
• How long has the product been in existence, and how many versions of the software have been
released?
Usability
• Are help features/documentation offered to the users through the software?
• What degree of training is required for end users (how intuitive is the software)?
 Vendor
• Who else is using the technology (how large is the user community - especially important with
open source)?
• How stable is the vendor?
Length of time in business?
Company size/revenue?
Number of customers (local and national), including recent change?
• Does the vendor have a proven track record?
• Does the vendor have the ability to provide support to users?
What types of support are offered?
• Is the company providing the technology likely to be around for the long-haul?
What are the implications if it is not?

Operating System
software that controls the operation of a computer and directs the processing of programs (as by
assigning storage space in memory and controlling input and output functions)

An Operating System (OS) is an interface between a computer user and computer hardware. An
operating system is a software which performs all the basic tasks like file management, memory
management, process management, handling input and output, and controlling peripheral devices
such as disk drives and printers.
Some examples of operating systems include Apple macOS, Microsoft Windows, Google's
Android OS, Linux Operating System, and Apple iOS

Functions of operating system

The functions of Operating System are:
1. Process Management
2. Memory Management
3. File Management
4. Device Management
5. Secondary storage Management
6. Security
7. Coordination between other software and users
8. Networking
9. Job Accounting
10. [Link] detecting aids

[Link] Management: – Process Management support operating system to create and delete
processes. Process management also offers a mechanism for synchronization and communication
among processes.
An operating system performs the following activities for process management:
 The operating system maintains the track of the processor and the status of a process. The
software which performs this task is referred to as a traffic controller.
 It assigns the processor to the process.
 It also performs the task of the de-allocated processor, if a process is no longer needed for the
processor.

2. Memory Management: – Memory Management is used to manage Primary memory as well

as secondary memory. The memory management module performs the allocation job and de-
allocation of memory to the program.
The operating system performs various activities for memory management are:
 It keeps track of memory means which part of the memory is in use, and what part of the
memory is not in use.
 Operating system helps to allocate the memory at the time when the process request for memory.
 If process no longer needs memory, then de-allocates the memory.
 In multiprogramming, the task of memory allocation to the processes is done with the help of
Operating System.
 3. File Management: – For fast or simple navigation and easy usage file system is organized
into directories. These directories consist of directories and other files. It helps to handle all the
file-related tasks like organization storage, retrieval, sharing, naming and files protection. It
preserves track of information, location, status, user, etc.

4. Device Management: – Operating System performs the task of allocations and de-allocations
of the devices. It helps to keeps the track of all the devices. With the help of Operating system,
device communication via their respective drivers is performed. It manages the device in an
effective manner.

5. Secondary Storage Management: – Operating System is responsible for secondary storage

management. The System has various levels of storage that consist of primary storage, secondary
storage, and cache storage. The set of instruction and data are stored in primary memory or cache
memory so that the program which is running can reference it.

6. Security: – The Operating system is responsible for security means the operating system
prevents the data and information from unauthorized access and threats.

7. Coordination between other software and user: – The operating system also performs the
task of coordination between other software and users. OS directs as well as allocates
assemblers, interpreters, compilers, and other software to different computer system users.

8. Networking: – A distributed system means a bunch of processors which do not share memory
hardware devices and clock. With the help of the network, the processor communicates with
each other.

9. Job accounting: – Operating system performs the function of job accounting by keeping the
track of time and resource used by several jobs and users.

10. Error detecting aids: – The operating system also performs the task of error detection. It
continuously monitors the system to find or detect errors and prevents the system from the error.

Types of operating system

There are various types of operating system:
1. Simple Batch Operating System
2. Multiprogramming batch Operating System
3. Time-sharing Operating System
4. Multiprocessor Operating System
5. Distributed Operating System
6. Network Operating System
7. Real-time Operating System
8. Mobile Operating System
 Simple Batch operating system
In the simple batch operating system, there is no direct communication between the user and the
computer. In this, firstly, the user submits a job to the computer operator, and after submitting
the job, the computer operator creates a batch of the jobs on an input device. The batch of jobs is
created on the basis of the type of language and needs. After the batch of the job is created, then
a special program monitors and manages each program in a batch. Example: Bank
Statements, Payroll system, etc.

Advantages of Simple Batch Operating System

1. There is no mechanism to prioritize the processes.
2. There is no communication between the user and the computer.
3. The ideal time is very less for a batch operating system.
Disadvantages of a Simple Batch Operating System
1. It is hard to debug.
2. The Batch operating systems are costly.
Multiprogramming Batch Operating System
In Multiprogramming Batch Operating System, the Operating system first selects the job, and
after selecting the job, it begins to execute one of the jobs from memory. When this job requires
an I/O operation operating system, it switches to another job (operating system and CPU always
busy). In this, the jobs present in memory are always minimum than the jobs present in the job
pool.
If different jobs are ready to execute at the same time, then the job is selected for CPU
scheduling. In a simple batch operating system, sometimes CPU is idle and doesn’t perform any
task, but in the multiprogramming batch operating system, CPU is busy and will never sit idle
and always keeps on processing.

Time-Sharing Operating System

The Time-sharing systems are also called Multitasking systems. In Time-sharing operating
system, we assign some time to each job so that all the jobs work efficiently and smoothly. The
 task may be from a single user as well as multiple users. The time taken by each job to execute
the job is known as quantum. After the interval of time is over, the operating system moves to
the next task. Time-sharing allows the various number of users to be placed at various terminals
so that they can use a particular system at the same time. Time-sharing is sharing the processor’s
time with multiple users simultaneously.
The major difference between Time-sharing operating system and Multiprogramming batch
operating system is that the time-sharing operating system aims to minimize the response time,
whereas the Multiprogramming batch operating system is to increase the use of the processor.

Advantages of Time-Sharing Operating System

 CPU remains idle for less time.
 No partiality occurs between the jobs.
 It quickly responses.
Disadvantages of Time-Sharing Operating System
 The Problem of Data commination.
 Not reliable
Multiprocessor Operating System
A Multiprocessor Operating System means the use of two or more processors within a single
computer system. These multiple processors are in close communication and share the memory,
computer bus, and other peripheral devices. These systems are known as tightly coupled systems.
It offers high speed and computing power. In Multiprocessor operating system, all the processors
work by using a single operating system.
 Advantages of Multiprocessor
 Improved performance.
 By maximizing the number of processors, more work is done in less time. In this way,
throughput is increased.
 Increased reliability.
Distributed Operating System
Distributed systems are also known as loosely coupled systems. In this type of operating system,
multiple central processors are used to serve multiple real-time applications and multiple users.
In this, the jobs of data processing are shared in the processors accordingly.
 In this processor, interaction with each other takes place via communication lines like telephone
lines, high-speed buses, etc. The processors can be different in function and size.
Types of Distributed Operating System
There are two types of Operating System:
1. Client-server Systems.
2. Peer-to-Peer system.
Advantages of Distributed Operating System
The advantages of a distributed system are:
 Speed is increased by the exchange of information with the help of electronic mail.
 It offers better services to customers.
 Reduce delays in the processing of data.
 By resource sharing ability, a user at one site can access the resources that are available at
another site.
 It offers reliability. If, in any case, one site fails then, the rest of the other sites work properly.
 Reduces load on the host computer.
Disadvantages of Distributed Operating System
 Distributed systems are more expensive.
 Failure of the central network stops the whole communication.
Network Operating System
The network operating systems are also called tightly coupled systems. A network operating
system is a type of operating system which is created to help personal computer, workstations.
Network operating systems are operated on a server and offer the facility of security, users,
applications, data management, and other networking related functions. Its objective is to permit
file sharing and printer access among various computers in a network, i.e., local area network
(LAN), Private network, etc.
Example of Operating System: Unix, Linux, Novell NetWare, BSD, Microsoft Windows Server
2008.
 Advantages of Networking Operating System
 Provide the facility of remote access to servers from different locations.
 Allows easy upgradation of new technologies.
 Improves scalability.
 Security is managed via the servers.
Disadvantages of Networking Operating System
 Needed regular updates and maintenance.
 It is expensive.
 Many operations depend on a central location.
Real-Time Operating System
Real-time operating systems are the operating systems that are used in real-time applications
where the data processing must be done in a fixed interval of time. The Real-time operating
system gives the response very fast and quick. The Real-time operating system is used when a
large number of events are processed in a short interval of time.
 A real-time operating system is different from another operating system because, in this, time
concept is the most crucial part. It is based on clock interrupts. In the real-time system, the
process is executed on the basis of priority. The high priority process always executes first.
When a high priority process enters into the system, the low priority process preempts to serve a
high priority process. The task of synchronizing the process is done by the real-time operating
system so that the process can interact with each other efficiently. In this way, resources are used
effectively without time-wasting. Example of the real-time operating system: Medical
imaging systems, Industrial system, Nuclear reactors control scientific experiments, Traffic
controlling signal, Military software system, Airline resolution system, Networked multimedia
systems, Internet telephony, etc.
Types of Real-Time Operating System
There are three types of Real-time operating system:
1. Hard Real-time
2. Soft Real-time
3. Firm Real-time
Hard-Real time: – In Hard-Real time system, there is some deadline for executing the task,
which means that the task must start its execution on the particular scheduled time, and should
complete within the assigned duration of time.
Example: – Aircraft systems, Medical critical care System, etc.
 Soft-Real time: – In the Soft-Real time system also, we assign a time to each process, but some
delaying in time is acceptable. So, in Soft-real time, deadlines are handled softly. That’s why it is
called Soft-Real time. Example: – Live stock price and Online Transaction System.
Firm-Real time: – In the Firm-Real time system, there is also a deadline for every task to
execute. But in this, due to missing deadlines, there may be no big impact, but there can be
chances of undesired effects such as problems in the quality of a product.
Example: – Multimedia Applications.
Advantages of Real-Time Operating System
 Real-time operating systems are error-free.
 Real-time operating systems offer the facility of memory allocation management.
 It offers better utilization of devices and systems and produces more output from all the
resources.
 The real-time operating system more focuses on running the applications and give less
importance to those applications which are present in the queue.
Disadvantages of a Real-Time Operating System
 In Real-Time Operating System, the task of writing the algorithm is very challenging and
complex.
 Real-Time Operating System is expensive because it is using heavy system resources.
Mobile Operating System
Mobile Operating System is the type of operating system which is mainly designed to power
smartphones, wearables devices, and tablets. Example: – Android, BlackBerry, WatchOS.

Types of operating system interfaces

There are five main types of user interface:
 command line (cli)
 graphical user interface (GUI)
 menu driven (mdi)
 form based (fbi)
 natural language (nli)

command line interface

Command line interfaces are the oldest of the interfaces discussed here. It involves the computer
responding to commands typed by the operator. This type of interface has the drawback that it
requires the operator to remember a range of different commands and is not ideal for novice
users.
Graphical UI

Graphical user interfaces (GUI) are sometimes also referred to as WIMP because they
use Windows, Icons, Menus and Pointers. Operators use a pointing device (such as a mouse,
touchpad or trackball) to control a pointer on the screen which then interacts with other on-
screen elements. It allows the user to interact with devices through graphical icons and visual
indicators such as secondary notations. The term was created in the 1970s to distinguish
graphical interfaces from text-based ones, such as command-line interfaces. However, today
nearly all digital interfaces are GUIs. The first commercially available GUI, called "PARC," was
developed by Xerox. It was used by the Xerox 8010 Information System, which was released in
1981. After Steve Jobs saw the interface during a tour at Xerox, he had his team at Apple
develop an operating system with a si was included with the Macintosh, which was released in
1984. Microsoft released its first GUI-based OS, Windows 1.0, in 1985.
Menu Driven

A menu driven interface is commonly used on cash machines (also known as automated teller
machines (ATM's), ticket machines and information kiosks (for example in a museum). They
provide a simple and easy to use interface comprised of a series of menus and sub-menus which
the user accesses by pressing buttons, often on a touch-screen device. Preferably, if one has
knowledge on UML modeling, it can be a good example when designing the architecture of the
machine.

Form Based

A form-based interface uses text-boxes, drop-down menus, text areas, check boxes, radio boxes
and buttons to create an electronic form which a user completes in order to enter data into a
system. This is commonly used on websites to gather data from a user, or in call centres to allow
operators to quickly enter information gathered over the phone.
Natural language

A natural language interface is a spoken interface where the user interacts with the computer by
talking to it. Sometimes referred to as a 'conversational interface', this interface simulates having
a conversation with a computer. Made famous by science fiction (such as in Star Trek), natural
language systems are not yet advanced enough to be in wide-spread use. Commonly used by
telephone systems as an alternative to the user pressing numbered buttons the user can speak
their responses instead. An Example of this type of interface is Voice Recognition

This is the kind of interface used by the popular iPhone application

called Siri and Cortana in Windows.