General characteristics of a software means software can perform certain functions. Most of the computer software have some general characteristics. Hence, some general software characteristics that a good computer software must have are mentioned below.
Functionality
Functionality means software must perform a specific task for which purpose, it is developed i.e it should solve that problem for which it is developed. It should meet users requirement and fulfils their needs. Required functions for this characteristic are suitability and accuracy.
Portability
Portability means software must be able to compile and operate in different computers or hardware devices with minimum or without any changes. It should be able to transfer from one computer or cloud to another or multiple at a same time. Required functions for this characteristic are adaptability, instability and replace-ability.
Maintainability
Maintainability means software must be able to maintain, repair, improve, modify, update, error or bugs correction and delete obsolete code easily. Required function for this characteristic are test-ability, stability, change-ability and operate-ability.
Efficiency
Efficiency means software must be able to utilize time, effort and resources as efficiently as possible. The software should effectively use available resources to generate desired output as quickly as possible. The software should run smoothly and responsively even with the large traffic. Required functions for this characteristic are timely and resource-availability.
Reliability
Reliability means software must be able to maintain its level of performance under the specified condition for a given period of the time without any error or with very less error or up-gradation. Required functions for this characteristic are recover-ability, fault tolerance and maturity.
Usability
Usability means software must be easily understandable to a user i.e it should be of easier user-interface. User should give less time and effort to learn how to use this software. It should provide seamless experience to the users. Required functions for this characteristic are understand-ability, learnability and operate-ability.
Security
Security means software must be able to protect against unauthorized access, data loss and malicious software. It must secure the user data as possible. Required functions for this characteristic are security, block-ability and troubleshoot-ability.
Scalability
Conclusion
In short general software features refers to those feature of a computer software that must have for better performance and to solve the for what it is developed accurately in time. Hope, you have clearly understand about the general software features. Make sure to leave your opinion and suggestion about this post in the comment section below.