The Need for Different Types of Software Systems and their Attributes

Section 1: Understanding Software Systems

A software system is made up of a combination of one or more co-operating software programs.
These systems allow users to perform various tasks on a computer, from writing a document to browsing the internet.
Software can be come as packaged, ready-to-use software or be custom-made to meet specific needs.

Section 2: Different Types of Software Systems

Operating Systems (OS) manage the computer hardware and provide services for running application software.
Applications are software systems built to accomplish specific tasks like word processing, spreadsheet manipulation, image editing, and internet browsing.
Utility Software helps manage, maintain, control and coordinate computer resources. Examples include disk defragmenters, antivirus software, and backup software.
Programming Software or development tools assist developers to write programs and apps in different programming languages. These include code editors, compilers, and debuggers.
Real-time Systems are used in environments where a large number of events, usually external to the computer system, must be accepted and processed in a short time or within certain deadlines.

Section 3: Attributes of Software Systems

Reliability refers to how consistently a software performs according to its specifications.
Efficiency is the performance of the software system and its effective use of time and system resources.
Security is crucial in protecting data and keeping the system safe from threats. Security features may include password protection, encryption, and firewalls.
Maintainability refers to how easily a software system can be updated to fix errors, improve performance, or adapt it to changes.
User-friendliness or usability considers how easy it is for users to understand, learn, and interact with the software.

Section 4: Importance of Choosing the Right Software

It’s crucial to choose the right software for the task at hand to work efficiently and achieve desired results.
Consider the software’s intended use, compatibility with your system, ease of use, cost, and support available when choosing.
For complex tasks, you may require bespoke software, which is specially designed and written for a specific user or need.

Section 5: The Role of Open Source Software

Unlike commercial software, open source software allows users to view and edit the code.
Open source software is created collaboratively, often resulting in robust, secure and efficient software solutions.
Examples of popular open source software include Linux, Apache Server, and MySQL database system.