Module 41: Information Technology Flashcards
Information System
Processes data and transactions to provide users with the info. they need to plan, control and operate an org.
What are 3 benefits of computer processing?
1) Reduces or eliminates processing time
2) Prevents computational errors
3) Prevents errors in processing routine transactions
IT Systems, Office Automation Systems
Designed to improve productivity by supporting daily work of employees.
eg. Spreadsheets and e-mail
IT Systems, Transaction Processing Systems
Involve the daily processing of transactions
eg. Airplane reservation systems and cash receipts
IT Systems, Management Reporting Systems
Designed to help with the decision-making process by providing access to computer data
IT Systems, Management Reporting Systems, Management Information Systems
Provide past, present and future info. for planning , organizing and controlling the operations of the org.
IT Systems, Management Reporting Systems, Decision Support Systems
Combines models and data to resolved nonstructured problems with extensive user involvement.
IT Systems, Management Reporting Systems, Expert Systems
Applies reasoning methods to data in a specific relatively structured area to render advice or recommendations - like a human expert.
IT Systems, Management Reporting Systems, Executive Information Systems
Specifically designed to support executive work.
The Systems Development Lifecycle (SDLC)
1) The Planning Phase
2) The Analysis Phase
3) The Design Phase
4) The Development Phase
5) The Testing Phase
6) The Implementation Phase
7) The Maintenance Phase
The Systems Development Lifecycle (SDLC), what are the 5 major activities of the planning phase?
1) Identify the problem(s) the proposed system will solve
2) Design the system to be developed
3) Determine the project scope - what the new system will do and how it will be evaluated
4) Develop a project plan - activities that will be performed, and the individuals and resources needed
5) Evaluate the initial feasibility of the project - determining the projects technical, organizational, and economical feasibility.
The Systems Development Lifecycle (SDLC), The Analysis Phase
This phase is to understand the requirements for the proposed system. Processing, data, and logic models help determine the system requirements.
The Systems Development Lifecycle (SDLC), The Analysis Phase, Needs Assessment
Involves determining the requirements for the system in terms of process, data capture, info and reporting.
The Systems Development Lifecycle (SDLC), The Analysis Phase, Gap Analysis
Examines the differences between the required system and the existing system.
The Systems Development Lifecycle (SDLC), The Analysis Phase, what (8) basic info do system specification documents contain?
1) Performance levels
2) Reliability
3) Quality
4) Interfaces
5) Security and privacy
6) Constraints and limitations
7) Functional capabilities
8) Data structures and elements
The Systems Development Lifecycle (SDLC), The Design Phase
Build a technical blueprint of the purposed system
The Systems Development Lifecycle (SDLC), what are the 5 components of the design phase?
1) Databases
2) User interfaces for input and output
3) Required reports
4) Programs
5) Infrastructure and controls
The Systems Development Lifecycle (SDLC), The Development Phase
Documents from the design phase are transformed into the actual system.
The Systems Development Lifecycle (SDLC), what are 4 tests that should be performed during the testing phase?
1) Unit testing - testing units or pieces of code
2) System testing - testing the integration of units or pieces of code into a system
3) Integration testing - testing whether separate systems can work together.
4) User acceptance testing - determines whether the system meets the business requirements and enables users to perform their job efficiently and effectively.
The Systems Development Lifecycle (SDLC), what are the 4 methods used during the implementation phase?
1) Parallel implementation
2) Plunge implementation
3) Pilot implementation
4) Phased implementation
The Systems Development Lifecycle (SDLC), Implementation Phase, Parallel Implementation
Uses both systems until it is determined that the new system is operating properly.
The Systems Development Lifecycle (SDLC), Implementation Phase, what is an advantage of parallel Implementation?
Full operational test of the new system with less risk of system disaster
The Systems Development Lifecycle (SDLC), Implementation Phase, what is an disadvantage of parallel Implementation?
Additional work and cost during the period in which both systems are in use.
The Systems Development Lifecycle (SDLC), Implementation Phase, Plunge Implementation
Ceases using the old system and begin using the new system immediately.
The Systems Development Lifecycle (SDLC), Implementation Phase, what is an advantage of plunge Implementation?
Less costly
The Systems Development Lifecycle (SDLC), Implementation Phase, what is an disadvantage of plunge Implementation?
Higher risk of a system breakdown
The Systems Development Lifecycle (SDLC), Implementation Phase, Pilot Implementation
A small group of individuals using the new system until it is seen to be working properly.
The Systems Development Lifecycle (SDLC), Implementation Phase, what is an advantage of pilot Implementation?
Provides a partial operational test of the new system at a lower cost than parallel implementation.
The Systems Development Lifecycle (SDLC), Implementation Phase, Phased Implementation
Installing the system in a series of phases
What are the 5 types of computers?
1) Supercomputers
2) Mainframe computers
3) Servers
4) Microcomputers
5) Tablets/Smart Phones/Personal Digital Assistants
Supercomputer
1) Powerful
2) High-speed
3) Extremely high-volume processing
4) Extremely complex processing
Mainframe Computer
1) Powerful
2) High-speed
3) High-volume transaction processing
Servers
1) High-powered
2) Microcomputer
3) Connected via a network
4) Greater capacity
5) Central repository for organizational data
6) Often configured as a “virtual machine”
7) Low hardware costs
8) Create energy savings
Virtual Machine
Multiple operating systems coexisting and operating simultaneously on the same machine.
Microcomputer
Desktop, laptop - used by one person at a time.
What are 4 categories of hardware?
1) Central processing unit
2) Secondary storage
3) Input devices
4) Output devices
Central Processing Unit
Contains an arithmetic/logic unit, primary memory and a control unit. The major function is to fetch stored instructions and data, decode the instructions, and carry out the instructions.
CPU, Arithmetic/Logic Unit
Performs mathematical operations and logical comparisons
CPU, Primary Memory (storage)
Active data and program steps that are being processed by the CPU and may be divided into RAM and ROM.
CPU, Primary Memory (storage), RAM
Random-access memory - Stores application programs and data.
CPU, Primary Memory (storage), ROM
Read-only memory
CPU, Control Unit
Interprets program instructions and coordinates input, output, and storage devices.
What are 6 types of secondary storage devices?
1) Magnetic tap
2) Magnetic disk
3) Redundant array of independent disks (RAID)
4) Compact discs
5) Solid State Devices (SSDs)
6) Cloud-based storage
Secondary Storage, Devices, Magnetic Tape
Slowest type of storage available because data is stored sequentially - primarily used for archiving purposes.
Secondary Storage, Devices, Magnetic Disks
Most common storage. Data can be accessed directly.
aka. Hard disks or Hard disk drives (HDD)
Secondary Storage, Devices, RAID
Redundant array of independent disks - Stores the same data redundantly on multiple magnetic disks, which decreases the likelihood of loss of data and continues operation.
Secondary Storage, Devices, Compact Discs
Discs (CDs), Digital Video Discs (DVDs) - Both use optical technology to read and write data to the disc.
Secondary Storage, Devices, Solid State Drives (SSDs)
Uses microchips to store data and require no moving parts for read/write operations. Being used in place of HDDs and are more commonly used for auxiliary storage.
Secondary Storage, Devices, Cloud-Based Storage
Hosted offsite, typically by third parties, and accessed via the internet.
aka. Storage as a service (SaaD)
Digital
A series of binary (0’s & 1’s).
Bit
One binary digit.
Byte
A series of 8 bits, which can form a letter, a number, or a special character.
Analog
The representation that is produced by the fluctuations of continuous signal, and use electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, or pneumatic devices to transmit the fluctuations in the signal to represent info.
Online
1) Equipment in direct communication with, and under the control of the CPU.
2) Having a connection to the internet
Offline
1) Equipment not in direct communication with the CPU.
2) Absence of internet
Console
A terminal used for communication b/w the operator and the computer.
Peripheral Equipment
All non-CPU hardware that may be placed under the control of the central processor, consisting of input, storage, output and communication.
Buffer
Temporary storage unit used to hold data during computer operations
Computer Hardware, Controllers
Hardware units designed to operate specific input-output units.
Computer Hardware, MIPS
Millions of instructions per second - A unit of measuring the execution speed of computers.
What are 5 categories of input devices?
1) Data entry devices/Keying data
2) Online entry
3) Turnaround documents
4) Automated source data input devices
5) Electronic commerce/Electronic data interchange
Input Devices, Keying Data, Key-to-tape/disk
Data is entered on magnetic tape and/or disk respectively, and then read into a computer.
Input Devices, Online Entry, Visual Display Terminals/Monitors
Uses keyboard to directly enter data into computer
What are 3 types of visual display terminal/monitor devices?
1) Input interface
2) Graphical user interface (GUI)
3) Command line interface
Input Devices, Online Entry, Visual Display Terminals/Monitors, Input Interface
A program that controls the display for the user and allows the user to interact with the system.
eg. Computer monitor
Input Devices, Online Entry, Visual Display Terminals/Monitors, Graphical User Interface (GUI)
Uses icons, pictures, and menus instead of text for inputs
eg. Windows
Input Devices, Online Entry, Visual Display Terminals/Monitors, Command Line Interface
Uses text-type commands
Input Devices, Turnaround Documents
Documents that are sent to the customer and returned as inputs
eg. Utility bills
What are 7 automated source data input devices?
1) Magnetic tape reader
2) Magnetic ink character reader (MICR)
3) Scanner
4) Automatic teller machine (ATM)
5) Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)
6) Point-of-Sale (POS) recorders
7) Voice recognition
Input Devices, Magnetic Tape Reader
A device capable of sensing info. recorded as magnetic spots on magnetic tape.
Input Devices, Magnetic Ink Character Reader (MICR)
Device that reads characters that have been encoded with magnetic ink.
Input Devices, Scanner
A device that reads characters on printed paper
Input Devices, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)
Uses radio waves to track and input data.
eg. FasTrak toll collection system
Input Devices, Point-of-Sale (POS) Recorders
Function as a terminal and a cash register, records and tracks customer orders, processes credit and debit cards, connects to other systems in the network, manages inventory, and is customizable for the type of industry.
Input Devices, Voice Recognition
A system that understands spoken words and transmits them into a computer.
Input Devices, Electronic Commerce/Electronic Data Interchange
One company’s computer communicating with another company’s computer.
What are 4 types of output devices?
1) Monitors
2) Printers
3) Plotters - paper output of graphs
4) Computer output to microfilm or microfiche (COM)
What are 2 categories of software?
1) Systems Software
2) Applications Software
What are 3 categories of systems software?
1) Operating System
2) Utility Programs
3) Communications Software
What are 3 categories of applications software?
1) Low-end
2) High-end
3) Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
Systems Software, Operating System
Manages the input, output, processing and storage devices and operation of a computer. In addition, performs scheduling, resource allocation, and data retrieval based on instructions provided in job control language.
eg. Windows
Systems Software, Utility Programs
Handle common file, data manipulation and “housekeeping” tasks.
Systems Software, Communications Software
Controls and supports transmission b/w computers, computers and monitors, and accesses various databases
Applications Software, Low-End
All in one package, designed for small organizations
Applications Software, High-End
Ordinarily in modules
eg. General ledger
Applications Software, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
Relatively complete information system “suite” for large and medium organizations.
eg. PeopleSoft
Applications Software, what are some advantages of enterprise resource planning (ERP) software?
Integration of various portions of the info. system, direct electronic communication w/suppliers and customers, increased responsiveness to info. requests for decision-making
Applications Software, what are some disadvantages of enterprise resource planning (ERP) software?
Complexity, costs, integration with supplier and customer systems may be more difficult than anticipated.
Software, Compiler
Produces a machine language object program from a source program language
Software, Multiprocessing
Simultaneous execution of two or more tasks, usually by two or more CPUs that are part of the same system.
Software, Multitasking
The simultaneous processing of several jobs on a computer
Software, Object Program
The converted source program that was changed using a compiler to create a set of machine readable instructions that the CPU understands.
Software, Source Program
A program written in a language from which statements are translated into machine language (1’s & 0’s).
Software, Source Program, Assembly Language
Uses words instead of numbers to perform an operation, is specific to a computer architecture, and is not portable.
Software, Source Program, Assembly Language, Assembler
Translates words to machine language (1’s & 0’s).
Software, Source Program, High-Level Programming Language
Are considered object-oriented programs (OOPs), which are efficient in that they often are reusable in other programs, they keep together data structures and procedures encapsulated.
eg. COBOL, C++, Java
Software, Source Program, High-Level Programming Language, Encapsulation
A procedure in which object-oriented programs keep data structures and procedures together
Software, Source Program, Application-Specific Language
Programs that are built around database systems and usually closer to human language than machine, assembly, and high-level languages.
Software, Virtual Memory (storage)
Online secondary memory that is used as an extension of primary memory.
Software, Protocol
Rules determining the required format and methods for transmission of data.
Programming, Desk Checking
Review of a program by the programmer for errors before the program is run and debugged on the computer.
Programming, Debug
To find and eliminate errors in a computer program
Programming, Loop
A set of program instructions performed repetitively a predetermined number of times, or until all of a particular type of data has been processed
Programming, Patch
A section of coding inserted into a program to correct a mistake or to alter a routine.