lntroduction to Platform Technologies

A platform is hardware or software that

supports applications and services.
-foundational technology or enviroment.
· Technology is the application of scientific
knowledge for practical purposes.
· Platform Technology combines hardware,
software, and cloud computing to develop
applications.
A platform technology is a toolset which is
used to build, modify, maintain and monitor
services and products used in the digital or
cyber world.
· 1960s – Mainframe Era: IBM OS/360
provided a foundation for software.
· 1970s-1980s – Personal Computing: DOS, Hardware-Based Platform- is essential for
Macintosh, Windows OS allowed for application most of the products that are available in the
development. digital world as hardware is the backend
• The development of operating machine that handles all.
systems (OS) like UNIX in the 1970s Emerging technologies
created a standardized environment ▪ Necessity
for software development, allowing ▪ Communication
multiple applications to run on the • Trends
same hardware. ▪ Offices / Business
1990s – Internet Revolution: Web-based ▪ Homes / Families
platforms (Amazon, eBay) emerged. ▪ Schools
The advent of the World Wide Web in the early Desktop Computer-personal computing device
1990s gave rise to web-based platforms. designed to fit on
2000s – Mobile Revolution: iPhone (2007) and top of a typical office desk.
Android revolutionized mobile computing • It houses the physical hardware that
Social Media Platforms like Facebook (founded makes a computer run and connects to input
in 2004) and X, formerly Twitter, (founded in devices such as the monitor, keyboard and
2006) created ecosystems for user-generated mouse users interact with.
content and social interaction using smartphones. Laptop Computer
Cloud Computing (2010s)-transformed • It is a portable computer that can be
platform technologies. Services like AWS, easily carried and used in a variety of
Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform locations.
provided scalable infrastructure and tools for • It could run the same software and
developers to build and deploy applications applications like in Desktop PCs
without managing physical servers. Netbook Computer
-The rise of APIs (Application Programming • A netbook is a type of laptop that is
Interfaces) allowed different software systems to designed to be even more portable.
communicate, • They are cheaper and less powerful than
Current Trends (2020s) laptops or desktops.
Web3 and Blockchain: The development of • They are generally less powerful than
decentralized platforms using blockchain other types of computers
technology has introduced new paradigms for Mobile Devices
applications, emphasizing user control and • A mobile device is basically any handheld
transparency. computer system and it is designed to be
• Artificial Intelligence: AI platforms, such as extremely portable that you could
OpenAI's GPTmodels, have become integral to bring anywhere you go.
various applications, enabling advanced • Some mobile devices are more powerful.
capabilities in natural language processing and • Tablet Computers
automation • Smartphone
• Industry-Specific Platforms: Tailored cloud Tablet Computers
solutions for specific industries (like healthcare, • Mobile device which was designed to be
finance, and manufacturing) have emerged, portable.
optimizing operations and enhancing efficiency. • The most obvious difference is that tablet
Types of Platform Technologies computers don't have keyboards or touchpads.
1.Tangible Platforms – Physical hardware Smartphones
(servers, networking devices). • It is a powerful mobile phone with
Characteristics: Benefits: rich features and functionalities.
Internet access is an important
Physical Presence Control feature of smartphones. (3G, 4G or
Infrastructure-Based Performance 5G cellular data connection)
Maintenance Requirements Gaming Consoles
• A video game console is an electronic
Intangible Platforms – Software-based (cloud device that outputs a video signal or
computing, content management systems). image to display a video game that can
typically be played with a game controll
Characteristics: Benefits Software-Based Platform
Virtual Presence Cost-Effectiveness • One of the oldest, one of the most common and
Service-Based Flexibility still one of the most needed platform types is
Dynamic and Scalable Accessibility
software platforms such as operating systems backends for mobile games or massively
and other application programs. multiplayer online games.
Operating System- Acts as an interface Engagement Platforms – are software
between the computer, user, and applications. applications that enable
-Essential for running applications on desktops, companies' interaction with potential customers
mobile devices, and other gadgets. and team members
Application Programs -Designed to help users Blockchain Platforms – is a shared digital
perform specific tasks (e.g., playing music, ledger that allows users to record transactions
gaming, document creation). and share information securely and tamper
Cloud Services- play a crucial role in platform resistantly
technologies by providing scalable and flexible Digital Marketplace Platforms – enable e-
resources over the internet. commerce and virtual transactions
-Enable cost-effective development,
management, and maintenance of digital Lesson 2: Foundation of Platform
services. Technologies
Development Frameworks and Tools Foundation of Platform Technologies-
Programming Languages: Java, Python, refers to the core elements and principles that
JavaScript, C#. enable the creation, deployment, and
Frameworks: React, Angular, Django for management of applications and services on a
efficient software development. platform.
Abstraction – is the quality of dealing with
Examples of Platform Technologies generic forms rather than specific events, details
Operating System Platforms – OS like Linux, or applications.
Windows, and macOS that manage software and -Hiding complex details and exposing only
applications. what’s needed.
• An operating system manages all the -removing the application
application software and programs on a of the technology from the underlying processes
computer or any digital device and functions that support that application.
Database Platforms- is an essential tool which -process of taking away or removing
consists of a group of programs that allow you to characteristics from something to reduce it to
organize, sort, edit, retrieve, manage, define, and some set of essential characteristics.
store data in a database Why Abstraction is important?
Computing Platforms – provide computing User Experience
functionality in cloud computing and Development
virtualization. Efficiency
Storage Platforms – scalable storage and Encapsulation
backups. Levels: Hardware → OS → Applications →
Application Development Platforms - set of User Interface
integrated technologies that enable teams to Hardware Layer: Lowest level, dealing with
build software applications efficiently. physical
Mobile Platforms – Support mobile app components and binary operations.
development and cloud integration. OS Layer: Middle layer, managing hardware
Web Platforms – Web servers, content delivery resources and providing services to applications.
networks for SaaS applications. Application Layer: Higher layer, where
Content Management Systems (CMS) - specific software solutions are developed to
Platforms for publishing and managing content, meet user needs.
media and documents. User Interface Layer: Topmost layer,
Media Platforms – Video streaming, analysis, providing a direct interaction point for users with
and recognition tools. applications.
API Platforms-interfaces that allow different Interoperability – Ability of different systems
software applications to communicate and to work together.
interact with each other -Interoperability is vital for:
-critical for enabling seamless communication ▪ Integration:
between different software applications, ▪Data Exchange
Analytics Platforms – Tools for processing and ▪Ecosystem Development
visualizing big data. Scalability – the capability of a platform to
Security Platforms – Firewalls, encryption, and handle increased loads or to be expanded to
identity management a software that accommodate growth
incorporates specific functions from vendors and • This is particularly important for:
sometimes third party products to improve the ▪Performance
operation of your digital device ▪Resource Management
Robotics Platforms –a software package with a ▪Future-Proofing
simplified programming framework for robotics Modularity – Dividing a system into
devices interchangeable components.
Internet of Things (IoT) Platforms- This concept is crucial for:
Internet of Things, refers to the collective ▪ Flexibility
network of connected devices and the Maintenance:
technology that facilitates communication Maintenance:
between devices and the cloud, as well as ▪ Collaboration:
between the devices themselves. Importance of Platform Technologies
AI Platforms* – Machine learning frameworks • Foundation for building and delivering
for automation. products and
Gaming Platforms –Environments that are services.
optimized for running game services such as Collaboration
• Innovation and Integration.
• Cost Savings. Alibaba Cloud – China’s leading cloud
Efficiency. platform, known for security and scalability.
Increased Scalability. Digital Ocean – Developer-friendly cloud
Benefits of Platform Technologies services for small businesses.
Cost-effectiveness
Scalability Lesson 3: Computer Software
Faster development Computer Software -is a general term for the
Easier integration various kinds of programs used to operate
Challenges computers and related devices.
Security risks -It is also a collection of instructions that enables
Outdated legacy system the user to interact with a computer, its hardware,
Financial constraints or to perform tasks.
Evolving customer needs Types of Software
Types of Software Platform Application Software
Technology Platforms – -is used to accomplish specific tasks other
is not user-facing. Instead, it's the than just running the computer system.
foundation upon which a user-facing company -It consist of a single program, such as an image
builds its product. viewer; a small collection of programs (often
Operational Platforms – Includes both user called a software package) that work closely
interface and underlying software. together to accomplish a task; a larger collection
Service Platforms - m usually involves a (often called a software suite) of related but
website or other digital product that offers users independent programs and packages that have a
something for free. common user interface or shared data format,
search engine is one example of a service such as Microsoft Office
platform. Users use the search engine to find System Software – helps the user, hardware,
things on the internet and eventually, and application software to interact and function
the platform begins monetizing the audience together.
through advertising. -designed to run a computer's hardware and
Video Games Platforms – Software for gaming different application
consoles and PC games. programs.
Engagement Platforms-often is free to use and Driver Software
includes social media sites, which allow users to -operate and control devices and peripherals
post content and interact with other users plugged into a computer.
Digital Marketplaces Platforms – -enable the devices to perform
focuses on facilitating e-commerce by their designated tasks
connecting users in search of goods with Programming Software –not used by
people or organizations in search of potential end-users
buyers. -programs that are used to write,
Consumer Demand Platforms– Apps like ride- develop, test, and debug other software,
sharing and food delivery. including apps and system software.
-This type of software application acts as its own Version – progression or evolution of a
platform, often as a downloadable app. product or system over time.
Content Platforms – Video-sharing and -sequential updates adding features, fixing bugs,
streaming services. or improving performance (e.g., Windows 10 →
Data Harvesting Platforms -gathers Windows 11).
information from around the web. Variant – Adapted versions of software for
• Often, this involves programming that allows different needs (e.g., Windows 11 Home vs. Pro
the data harvester to crawl websites and collect Edition).
data. Patches – Small updates to fix bugs or security
• Data mining is the analysis of large sets of data flaws (e.g., Windows 8 → Windows 8.1).
in order to derive trends, and data harvesting is FOSS vs. Proprietary Software
the process of extracting data from online FOSS (Free and Open Source Software)-
sources to then build analyses. Richard Stallman developed the “free and open
While data mining focuses more on the analysis source
of data, data harvesting focuses on the Software”- a software which could be copied by
collection of data. others and made changes too as they pleased.
Popular Cloud Platform Technologies -Free to use, modify, and distribute
Amazon Web Services (AWS) – Largest cloud Example: Linux, Android, OpenOffice.
provider, secure and flexible. Proprietary Software-its mass distribution
Google Cloud Platform (GCP) – AI-driven, reserves all rights to the author except a license
data management, and security-focused. to run the software on the purchaser's computer
Microsoft Azure – -Closed-source, paid licensing, restricted
Around 90% of Fortune 500 companies are modifications.
using Azure to run their business. Example: Windows, iOS, MS Office.
-It is preferred by many because it supports a Software license- a document that provides
wide range of programming languages, legally binding guidelines for the use and
operating systems, databases, frameworks, and distribution of software.
devices, enabling companies to benefit from -provide end users with the right to
tools and technologies they’ve come to trust one or more copies of the software without
Oracle Cloud Infrastructure – It offers the best violating copyrights.
price/performance there is in the market to date. Software License Types
IBM Cloud –an all-in-one cloud platform that Perpetual License –One-time purchase for
can be used as a PaaS or an IaaS service. permanent use.
– AI, IoT, and blockchain applications.
Subscription License – are obtained on a Lesson 4: Operating Systems
monthly or annual basis and give users the Operating System
ability to use the software only -It is the most important program for all types of
within the specified subscription period. computer system and digital devices.
User-Based Licensing -requires software -The 1960’s definition of an operating system is
providers to set their licensing fees “the software that controls the hardware”. The
depending on the number of users using the operating system is the programs that make the
software in the company hardware usable.
Named User: Assigned to a single user. Tasks of an Operating System
Concurrent User: Shared among multiple users Memory Management –it must be mapped to
with limits. absolute addresses and loaded into memory.
Metered license-limits software access based on File Management –
something that can be counted. one of the most visible services of an OS. For
-software provider charges licensing fees based convenient use of the computer system, the OS
on how and where users access specific device provides a uniform logical view of information
functions, data, or other services. storage.
Feature-Based License – makes different Device Management – One of the purposes of
features available to different customers. It an operating system is to hide the peculiarities of
allows you to offer the same software at specific hardware devices from the user
different price points. Secondary Storage Management
Device Licensing –gives users authorization The operating system (OS) plays a crucial role in
to install and run software on a single desktop, managing secondary storage devices such as
server, or data center device —whatever hard drives, solid-state drives, and external
becomes more suitable for use. storage devices.
Network License – more than 1000 employees. • An operating system manages secondary
-provides software connectivity to all apps and storage by organizing data, controlling access,
computers linked to a single network. and handling data transfers.
Trial License – limited-time access for • Secondary storage management manages the
evaluation. allocation of storage space, free space, and
-Most of the time users get the 7 or 14-day trial scheduling of disk access.
option. • Also, programs that computer executes,
Fixed-Term License – provides a start date, together with the data computer accesses, must
usually the date of purchase, and an end date for be in main memory during execution.
access to the software. But then the main memory is too small to
Academic License – Special pricing for permanently accommodate all data and programs,
educational institutions. the computer system must provide secondary
- used by companies that build educational storage to back-up main memory.
software for schools, colleges, universities. Protection-refers to a mechanism for controlling
OEM License –(Original Equipment the access of
Manufacturer) - delivered with the hardware and programs, processes, or users to the resources
is only for use on that piece of hardware. defined by a computer controls to be imposed,
Project-Based License – temporary license that together with some means of enforcement.
lets collaborators from outside an organization User Interface / Command Interpreter
hop on to the organization's software licenses for -consistent way of interaction between the user
as long as they're working together and the computer system.
User Interface-provided to control how you
EULA (End-User License Agreement) vs. enter data and instructions and how information
Free Software License displays on the screen.
EULA: Restricts modifications and distribution. Command Line Interface (CLI)
Free Software License: Grants full access to -A type of user interface wherein the user enters
modify and share. the commands at the keyboard and the program
GPL (General Public License)- responds by operating in a specific manner.
It is a widely used free software license, which -text-based commands as input to perform
guarantees end users the freedom to run, study, computing tasks.
share and modify the software. Menu-Based Interface
BSD (Berkeley Software Distribution License)- -the commands for the programs are typically
They fall under the category of permissive given via menu selections.
licenses, and there is minimal restriction on how Graphical User Interface (GUI)-A type of
you use and distribute them. interface through which users interact with
MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology electronic devices via visual indicator
License)- is another permissive license. It’s been representations wherein the programs and
around since the late 1980s, so is very popular commands are represented in graphical forms
with developers who want to change software called icons
code to their own needs and create a new Voice-Based Interface-It explores the concept
product without facing any restrictions or at least of a hand held computer that has no keyboard or
minimal restrictions. visual display, but uses a speech interface
ISC (Internet Systems Consortium License) instead.
-. It could be described as a ‘stripped-down’ Speech Recognition-a system that recognizes
version of the MIT license as it removes some of one’s speech patterns and turns those
the language and jargon that some people patterns into something else, such as an action
consider unnecessary. (commands) or words on the screen (dictation).
Apache License -is a permissive free software Voice Recognition
license that is very popular with developers and -a process by which a system recognizes the
commercial organizations individual characteristics of one’s voice
Web-Based User Interface-allows the user to -Rob Janoff created the logo way back in 1977,
interact with content or software running on a when he was approached by Regis McKenna to
remote server through a web browser. be his art director, and was tasked to design the
Touch Interface-s are graphical user interfaces logo for Apple Computer
using a capacitive touchscreen display as a -one of the myths is that it is a tribute to Alan
combined input and output device. Turing, the man who laid the foundations for
Point User Interface (PUI)- it uses another type the modern-day computer.
of touchscreen display known as resistive • Alan Turing is considered by many to be the
touchscreen. father of modern computer science as the
• Resistive touchscreens rely on the pressure of world knows it. He formed the concept of
your fingertip – or any other object – to register the algorithms and computations with one of his
an input. inventions, the Turing machine
Gesture Interface-interface that recognizes MacOSX-The letter X in OS X's name refers to
gestures sketch with the the number 10, a Roman numeral.
user’s hands, stylus, remote control or a mouse. Versions of Mac OS-X:
Touchless User Interface (TUI)-process of • Public Beta: "Kodiak"
commanding the computer via body motion and • Version 10.0: "Cheetah"
gestures without touching a keyboard, mouse, or • Version 10.1: "Puma"
screen • Version 10.2: "Jaguar"
Multimodal User Interface-support user input • Version 10.3: "Panther"
and processing of two or more modalities -- such • Version 10.4: "Tiger"
as speech, pen, touch and multi-touch, gestures, • Version 10.5: "Leopard"
gaze, and virtual keyboard. • Version 10.6: "Snow Leopard“
Holographic Interface-a computer input • Version 10.7: "Lion"
method that utilizes a projected image instead • Version 10.8: "Mountain Lion"
of a physical device • Version 10.9: "Mavericks"
-create a 3d image in whatever configuration is • Version 10.10: "Yosemite"
most appropriate to the program used. • Version 10.11: "El Capitan"
Types of OS • Version 10.12: “Sierra”
Single-tasking – Runs one program at a time • Version 10.13: “High Sierra”
(e.g., MS-DOS). • Version 10.14: “Mojave
Multitasking – Runs multiple applications (e.g., • Version 10.15: “Catalina
Windows, MacOS). -Apple shortened the name Macintosh to "OS-
Multi-user – allows many different users to take X" in 2012 and then
advantage of the computer's resources changed it to "macOS" in 2016, adopting the
simultaneously.(e.g., UNIX, Linux). nomenclature that they were using for their other
Multiprocessing OS-two or more processors for operating systems, such as iOS for mobile
a single running process. devices, watchOS for their Apple Watch, and
Real-time operating system (RTOS)- tvOS for Apple TV.
-are designed to respond to an event within a Versions of macOS
predetermined time. Processing is done within a • Apple releases a new major version roughly
time constraint. once every year. These
Embedded OS upgrades are free and are available in the Mac
-t is already embedded or integrated (built-in App Store.
program) in a device in the ROM. ▪ macOS 12, Monterey (2021)
-system's main job is to run the ▪ macOS 13, Ventura (2022)
code that allows the device to do its job. ▪ macOS 14, Sonoma (2023)
Lesson 5: PC Operating Systems Microsoft Windows-a computer operating
Computer Operating Systems system developed by Microsoft Corporation to
Apple Macintosh- is a line of personal run on personal computers that features the first
computers (PCs) designed, developed, and graphical user interface for IBM-compatible PCs.
marketed by Apple Inc. -was founded by Paul Allen and Bill Gates on
-Steve Jobs introduced the Macintosh on January April 4, 1975 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
24, 1984 during the Super Bowl event. Windows 11-Microsoft launched Windows 11
-The Macintosh project started in on October 5, 2021 as a free
the late 1970s with Jef Raskin, an upgrade.
Apple employee, who envisioned an easy-to-use, New Features in Windows 11
low-cost computer for the average consumer. Redesigned Start Menu
Integrated Android apps
Apple Lisa-retailed for 10,000 dollars. Microsoft Teams integration
- However, the Lisa computer proved to be a Improved gaming features
huge flop. With a price of $10,000 (exclusive of Linux Operating System-Linux is actually
a hard disk drive), it was far too expensive; everywhere: It's in your phones, in your cars,
Apple History-On April 1st, 1976 the Apple wearable devices, and televisions.
Computer Company was founded by -open-source, used in servers and mobile
Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne. (Android).
-Wayne also created the first illustrations of the Solaris Operating System- Unix-based OS
Apple logo (known as Apple Newton). originally developed by Sun Microsystems.
-Wayne has given 10% share of the company. -Known for scalability, security, and self-
Those two founders would each hold a 45% healing capabilities.
stake so that Wayne could act as a tie-breaker in -Oracle acquired Sun Microsystems in 2010,
their decisions. making Solaris a proprietary OS.
-Ronald sold his 10% stake in Apple more than -Used in CAD applications, databases, data
40 years ago for a measly $800 and ended up centers, and internet servers.
living a modest life in rural Nevada.
-OpenSolaris: Open-source version of Solaris,
later discontinued by Oracle.
Berkeley Software Distribution (BSD)-
Unix-based OS developed at UC Berkeley.
-Notable for stability, security, and portability.
Variants include FreeBSD (server reliability),
NetBSD (portability), and OpenBSD
(security-focused).
Bill Joy-a key developer, later co-founded Sun
Microsystems, integrating BSD into SunOS
(now Solaris).
UNIX Operating System- Multitasking,
multiuser OS developed at AT&T Bell Labs by
Ken Thompson and Dennis Ritchie.
-Used for internet servers, workstations, and
mainframes
-Inspired Linux and MacOS.
-Originated from the MULTICS project, later
simplified into UNIX.
Pirates of Silicon Valley
· Steve Jobs – Co-founder of Apple. Visionary
but often intense and ruthless.
-The last job Steve Jobs had before co-
founding Apple was as a technician at Atari in
1974.
· Steve Wozniak) – Apple’s co-founder and the
engineering genius behind the Apple I and II.
· Bill Gates – Co-founder of Microsoft.
Strategic, calculating, and focused on business
deals.
· Paul Allen– Microsoft’s co-founder and the
technical expert who helped Gates develop early
software.
· Steve Ballmer – A key Microsoft executive
who later became CEO.
· Mike Markkula – An investor who helped
Apple grow into a major company.
Blue Box – Device created by Jobs & Wozniak
to make free phone calls.
MITS – Company that released Altair 8800,
sparking Gates & Allen's entry into software.
Apple I & II – First Apple computers, Apple II
had major commercial success.
IBM – Dominated computing industry with
mainframes before personal computing.
MS-DOS (formerly QDOS) – OS purchased by
Microsoft and licensed to IBM
ASCII Keyboard & SoftCard – Key early
computing technologies.