Study Unit 12

Question 1

Operating system

Answer 1

negotiates conversation bet hardware, app user runs, and data app works with
-Windows, OS X

Question 2

Utility programs

Answer 2

performs basic functions that are not particular to a certain application and file access ctrl
-copy, delete, merge

Question 3

App software

Answer 3

programs tell computer steps user wants carried out; purchase from vendor or developed internally

Question 4

1st gen language

Answer 4

machine language
binary code unique to each type of computer
understood by computer

Question 5

3rd gen language

Answer 5

procedural or programming language
English like words/phrases represent multiple machine language instructions; easier to learn
converted to machine language by compilation or interpretation
-COBOL, BASIC, C AND C++, Java

Question 6

4th gen language

Answer 6

problem oriented or nonprocedural
permit nonspecialized user to describe problem to and receive guidance from computer rather than specify a procedure (CAAT)
-IDEA, ACL

Question 7

HTML vs XML vs XBRL

Answer 7

HTML- authoring software language to create & link sites
XML-open std usable w/ many programs and platforms
XBRL- extensible business reporting language
-developed by AICPA led consortium for commercial and industrial entities that report using GAAP
-variation of XML, decrease costs of generating fin reports, reformulate for diff users, sharing business info using e-media

Question 8

bit vs byte

field vs record vs key vs file

Answer 8

0 or 1
byte- 8 bits
field- data item contains info about entity; group of bytes
record- group of fields
key- field or combo of fields on each record; must contain enough info to ID each record (no 2 records with the same key)
-allows for sorting and efficient managing
file- group of records

Question 9

flat files

Answer 9

oldest file structure, records continuously stored

Question 10

Hierarchical (tree) database

Answer 10

records form branches and leaves from a root

Question 11

Relational Databases

Answer 11

have cardinality and referential integrity
cardinality-proximity of data element is to being unique (normal when d.e. isn’t unique but has restricted range of values, low when small range of values, T/F)
referential integrity- to enter record to in table, must be a record in some other table

advantage- ease of search

Question 12

Object Oriented Databases

Answer 12

response to need to store graphics and multimedia apps used by object oriented programming languages, C++ and Java
-translating this into tables and rows is hard

Question 13

DBMS

Answer 13

database mgt systems
integrated set of software tools imposed on data files that maintain integrity of underlying db
-maint of relational db practical
allows programmers and designers to work indep of physical and logical structure of db

Question 14

schema

Answer 14

layouts of tables and constraints on entering new records

DBMS automates process of enforcing the schea

Question 15

2 vital parts of DBMS

Answer 15

data definition lang- user can specify how table will look & kinds of data elements will hold

data manipulation- adds, deletes, modifies records and data elements

Question 16

data dictionary

Answer 16

physical and logical charact of every data element in a db

contains size, format, usage, meaning, ownership, of every data element and what person, etc use data element

Question 17

distributed database

Answer 17

stored in 2 or more physical sites

• replication (snapshot) DBMS duplicate whole db & sends to multiple location; changes periodically copied and distributed
• fragmentation (partitioning) records stored where most needed; info retrieved via comm lines

Question 18

Organizational needs assessment

Answer 18

study/evaluation of how IS deploy to help org meet its goals; steps in assessment

• determine if systems support org goals
• determine needs unmet by current systems
• determine capacity of current systems to accommodate projected growth
• propose path for IS deployment to achieve org goals w/in budget constraints

Question 19

business process

Answer 19

flow of actions performed on goods and info to complete discrete obj
-hire employee, recruit customer

Question 20

business process reengineering

Answer 20

rethink business function performance to provide value to customers (radical innovation, not improvement)

Question 21

Systems Development Life Cycle

Answer 21

methodology applied to development of large, highly structured app system
advantage
-enhanced mgt and control of development process

Question 22

SDLC steps

Answer 22

1. initiation, feasability, planning
2. req analysis and definition
3. system design
4. build and development
5. Testing and QC
6. acceptance, installation, implementation
7. ops and maintenance

Question 23

Initiation, feasibility, planning

Answer 23

recognize need for new system, gain understanding of situation to see if feasible to creat soln, make plan

Question 24

req analysis and definition

Answer 24

formal proposal for new system submitted
feasibility studies determine- tech req, econ resources committed to new system, how new system affects current ops
get go-ahead for project

Question 25

System Design

Answer 25

mapping flow and storage of data elements used by new system and new program modules that will compose new system
-data flow diagrams
physical design - planning interactions of new program code and data elements w/ hdwr platform

Question 26

Build and Development

Answer 26

actual program code and db structures used in new system

hdwr acquired and physical infrastructure is assembled

Question 27

Testing and Control

Answer 27

testing performed while system is built, feedback used to improve perf and function

Question 28

Acceptance, Installation, Implementation

Answer 28

final step before place system in operation
-must demonstrate functionality
4 strategies convert to new system
-parallel op- old and new both run at full capacity (safest, $$$$, time consuming)
-cutover conversion- old system shut down, new one takes over processing (least $, risky)
-pilot conversion-1 branch, dept at a time fully converted to new system; experience benefits, but time consuming
-phases- 1 function of the new system placed in operation; advantage allows users to learn 1 pt at a time

Question 29

Ops and Maintenance

Answer 29

after operational, monitor system for ongoing perf and improvement
systems follow up or post audit eval is subsequent review of efficiency and effectiveness after operated for time (at least 1 yr)

Question 30

Prototyping

Answer 30

alt approach to app development
create working model, demonstrate, get feedback, make changes
-repeats until user satisfied

Question 31

CASE

Answer 31

Computer aided software engineering
applies compt to sftwr design/development
-provides capacity to maintain on computer al of system docs; develop executable input/output; generate code
-facilitates creation, org, maint of doc

Question 32

EUC

Answer 32

end user computing
systems maintained and operated outside of traditional IS ctrl
-envir ctrl risk more likely (copyright viol)
-unauthorized access (EUC lacks physical access ctrl, app level, etc.)
-lacks adequate backup, recovery, contingencies; inability to recreate

Question 33

Contingency planning

Answer 33

Disaster recovery- process of resuming normal info processing ops after major interruption
business continuity- continuation of business by other ways during pd when computer process is unavailable or less than normal

Question 34

Plans for 2 major types of contingencies

Answer 34

data center physically available, or not
1st type- power failure, random intrusions (virus), deliberate intrusion (hack); physical facilities sound, immediate action req to continue
2nd type- more serious, caused by disasters *floods, fires, etc.) requires alt processing facility

Question 35

Disaster recovery plan

Answer 35

regaining access to data, comm, work areas,

must be developed in connection with business continuity plan; should describe IT recovery strategy

Question 36

hot vs warm vs cold site

Answer 36

contingencies used when data center is unavailable
hot- fully operational, org contracts w/ svc provider, ready 24-7-365, least risky, $$$, req annual testing
cold-shell facility w/ pwr, env ctrl, communication lines for org to install its eqt; less $, time can be weeks or months
warm- bet hot and cold, combines features
-resources avail, may need configuration to support production
-data may need restoration, recovery time (2 days-2wks)

Question 37

BCM

Answer 37

business continuity mgt
objective-restore critical processes, minimize financial, etc. effects of disaster or business disruption

3rd component of emergency mgt program; time frame in hours/days not weeks

other components

• emergency response- goal is lifesaving, safety to limit effects of a disaster to asset damage, time frame is hrs
• crisis mgt- focus is managing comm and sr mgt activities, time frame is days

Question 38

Elements of BCM

Answer 38

mgt support
-mgt assigns resources to prepare, maintain, practice b. continuity plan

risk assessment and mitigation
-entity must define threats, assess effects, develop mitigation strategies

Question 39

Business Impact Analysis

Answer 39

IDs business processes to function in a disaster and determine time frame for recovery

org IDs

Question 40

Business Impact Analysis

Answer 40

IDs processes to function in disaster and determine recovery timeframe

IDs criticals processes, recovery time obj and point obj for processes and resources, and IDs other parties and physical resources for recovery

Question 41

Business Recovery and Continuity Strategy

Answer 41

crucial element

-comprehensive, current disaster plan; addresses steps, ppl, resources to recover