Transcript Principles of Information Systems, Ninth Edition

Fundamentals of Information
Systems, Sixth Edition
Chapter 2
Hardware and Software
Principles and Learning Objectives
• Computer hardware must be carefully selected to
meet the evolving needs of the organization and its
supporting information systems
– Identify and discuss the role of the essential
hardware components of a computer system
– Identify the characteristics of and discuss the usage
of various classes of single-user and multiuser
computer systems
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Principles and Learning Objectives
(continued)
• The computer hardware industry and users are
implementing green computing designs and
products
– Define the term green computing and identify the
primary goals of this program
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Principles and Learning Objectives
(continued)
• Systems and application software are critical in
helping individuals and organizations achieve their
goals
– Identify and briefly describe the functions of the two
basic kinds of software
– Outline the role of the operating system and identify
the features of several popular operating systems
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Principles and Learning Objectives
(continued)
• Organizations should not develop proprietary
application software unless doing so will meet a
compelling business need that can provide a
competitive advantage
– Discuss how application software can support
personal, workgroup, and enterprise business
objectives
– Identify three basic approaches to developing
application software and discuss the pros and cons
of each
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Principles and Learning Objectives
(continued)
• Organizations should choose a programming
language whose functional characteristics are
appropriate for the task at hand, considering the
skills and experience of the programming staff
– Outline the overall evolution and importance of
programming languages and clearly differentiate
among the generations of programming languages
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Principles and Learning Objectives
(continued)
• The software industry continues to undergo
constant change; users need to be aware of recent
trends and issues to be effective in their business
and personal life
– Identify several key software issues and trends that
have an impact on organizations and individuals
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Why Learn About Hardware and
Software?
• Organizations invest in computer hardware to:
– Improve worker productivity
– Increase revenue, reduce costs
– Provide better customer service
• Managers:
– Are expected to know enough about their business
needs to be able to ask tough questions
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Computer Systems: Integrating the
Power of Technology
• To assemble an effective and efficient system:
– You should select and organize components while
understanding the trade-offs between overall system
performance and cost, control, and complexity
• Hardware objectives are:
– Subordinate to, but supportive of, the information
system and the current and future needs of the
organization
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Hardware Components
• Central processing unit (CPU):
– Arithmetic/logic unit, the control unit, and the register
areas
• Arithmetic/logic unit (ALU):
– Performs mathematical calculations and makes
logical comparisons
• Control unit:
– Sequentially accesses program instructions,
decodes them, and coordinates the flow of data in
and out of the ALU, registers, primary storage, and
even secondary storage and various output devices
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Hardware Components (continued)
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Processing and Memory Devices:
Power, Speed, and Capacity
• System unit:
– Houses the components responsible for processing
(the CPU and memory)
• All other computer system devices:
– Are linked either directly or indirectly into the system
unit housing
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Processing Characteristics and
Functions
• Clock speed:
– Series of electronic pulses produced at a
predetermined rate that affects machine cycle time
– Often measured in:
• Megahertz (MHz): millions of cycles per second
• Gigahertz (GHz): billions of cycles per second
• Physical characteristics of the CPU
– Most CPUs are collections of digital circuits
imprinted on silicon wafers, or chips, each no bigger
than the tip of a pencil eraser
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Memory Characteristics and Functions
• Memory:
– Provides the CPU with a working storage area for
programs and data
– Rapidly provides data and instructions to the CPU
• Storage capacity:
– Eight bits together form a byte (B)
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Memory Characteristics and Functions
(continued)
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Memory Characteristics and Functions
(continued)
• Types of memory:
– Random access memory (RAM):
• Temporary and volatile
– Read-only memory (ROM):
• Nonvolatile
• Provides permanent storage for data and instructions
that do not change
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Multiprocessing
• Multiprocessing:
– Simultaneous execution of two or more instructions
at the same time
• Multicore microprocessor:
– Combines two or more independent processors into
a single computer
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Multiprocessing (continued)
• Parallel computing:
– Simultaneous execution of the same task on multiple
processors to obtain results faster
• Grid computing:
– Use of a collection of computers to work in a
coordinated manner to solve a common problem
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Secondary Storage and Input and
Output Devices
• Secondary storage:
– Compared with memory, offers the advantages of
nonvolatility, greater capacity, and greater economy
– Considerably slower than memory
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Access Methods
• Sequential access:
– Data must be retrieved in the order in which it is
stored
– Devices used called sequential access storage
devices (SASDs)
• Direct access:
– Records can be retrieved in any order
– Devices used are called direct access storage
devices (DASDs)
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Secondary Storage Devices
• Magnetic tapes:
– Primarily for storing backups of critical organizational
data
• Magnetic disks:
– Direct-access storage device
• Redundant array of independent/inexpensive disks
(RAID):
– Method of storing data that generates extra bits of
data from existing data
• Virtual tape:
– Storage technology for less frequently needed data
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Secondary Storage Devices
(continued)
• Storage area network:
– Uses computer servers, distributed storage devices,
and networks to tie everything together
• Optical discs:
– Common form of optical disc on which data cannot
be modified once it has been recorded
• Digital video disc (DVD):
– Storage medium used to store software, video
games, and movies
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Secondary Storage Devices
(continued)
• Solid state secondary storage devices:
– Store data in memory chips rather than magnetic or
optical media
– Have few moving parts, so they are less fragile than
hard disk drives
– Disadvantages of SSD:
• High cost per GB of data storage
• Lower capacity compared to current hard drives
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Input Devices
• Devices used to input general types of data:
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Personal computer input devices
Speech recognition technology
Digital cameras
Touch-sensitive screens
Optical data readers
Magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) devices
Pen input devices
Magnetic stripe card
Radio Frequency Identification
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Input Devices (continued)
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Output Devices
• Display monitors:
– Used to display the output from the computer
– Plasma display:
• Uses thousands of smart cells (pixels) consisting of
electrodes and neon and xenon gases that are
electrically turned into plasma to emit light
– LCD displays:
• Flat displays that use liquid crystals
– Organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs):
• Use a layer of organic material sandwiched between
two conductors
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Output Devices (continued)
• Printers and plotters:
– Two main types of printers are laser printers and
inkjet printers
– Plotters are a type of hard-copy output device used
for general design work
• Digital audio player:
– Can store, organize, and play digital music files
• E-books:
– Digital media equivalent of a conventional printed
book
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Computer System Types
• Computer systems:
– Can range from desktop (or smaller) portable
computers to massive supercomputers that require
housing in large rooms
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Computer System Types (continued)
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Computer System Types (continued)
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Portable Computers
• Handheld computers:
– Single-user computers that provide ease of
portability because of their small size
• Laptop computer:
– Personal computer designed for use by mobile users
• Notebook computers:
– Lightweight computer that weighs less than 5
pounds
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Portable Computers (continued)
• Netbook computer:
– The smallest, lightest, least expensive member of
the laptop computer family
• Tablet computers:
– Portable, lightweight computers with no keyboard
• Smartphone:
– Combines the functionality of a mobile phone,
camera, Web browser, e-mail tool, MP3 player, and
other devices
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Nonportable Single-User Computers
• Thin client:
– Low-cost, centrally managed computer with no extra
drives
• Desktop computers:
– Single-user computer systems that are highly
versatile
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Nonportable Single-User Computers
(continued)
• Nettop computer:
– Inexpensive desktop computer designed to be
smaller, lighter, and consume much less power than
a traditional desktop computer
• Workstations:
– More powerful than personal computers but still
small enough to fit on a desktop
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Multiple-User Computer Systems
• Server:
– Used by many users to perform a specific task, such
as running network or Internet applications
• Blade server:
– Houses many computer motherboards
– The approach requires much less physical space
than traditional server farms
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Multiple-User Computer Systems
(continued)
• Mainframe computer:
– Large, powerful computer shared by hundreds of
concurrent users connected to the machine over a
network
• Supercomputers:
– The most powerful computers with the fastest
processing speed and highest performance
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Green Computing
• Concerned with:
– Efficient and environmentally responsible design,
manufacture, operation, and disposal of IS-related
products
• Goals:
– Reduce the use of hazardous material
– Enable companies to lower their power-related costs
– Enable the safe disposal or recycling of some
700,000 tons of computers each year
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Overview of Software
• Computer programs:
– Sequences of instructions for the computer
• Documentation:
– Describes program functions to help the user
operate the computer system
• Types of software:
– Systems software
– Application software
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Supporting Individual, Group, and
Organizational Goals
• Sphere of influence:
– Scope of problems and opportunities addressed by a
particular organization
• Personal sphere of influence:
– Serve the needs of an individual user
• Personal productivity software:
– Helps users improve their personal effectiveness
• Workgroup:
– When two or more people work together to achieve
a common goal
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Supporting Individual, Group, and
Organizational Goals (continued)
• Workgroup sphere of influence:
– Serves the needs of a workgroup
• Enterprise sphere of influence:
– Supports the firm in its interaction with its
environment
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Installing and Removing New Software
• Before you can use any type of software, it
must be installed on a computer
• Software for personal computers typically comes
on CDs or is downloaded from the Web
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Systems Software
• Includes:
– Operating systems
– Utility programs
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Operating Systems
• Set of programs that controls computer hardware
and acts as an interface with application programs
• Can control one computer or multiple computers, or
• Can allow multiple users to interact with one
computer
• Combinations of OSs, computers, and users:
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Single computer with a single user
Single computer with multiple users
Multiple computers with multiple users
Special-purpose computers
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Operating Systems (continued)
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Operating Systems (continued)
• Activities performed by the operating system:
– Perform common computer hardware functions
– Provide a user interface and input/output
management
– Provide a degree of hardware independence
– Manage system memory
– Manage processing tasks
– Provide networking capability
– Control access to system resources
– Manage files
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Operating Systems (continued)
• Common hardware functions:
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Get input from keyboard or another input device
Retrieve data from disks
Store data on disks
Display information on a monitor or printer
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Operating Systems (continued)
• User interface and input/output management:
– User interface:
• Allows individuals to access and command the
computer system
– Command-based user interface:
• Requires that text commands be given to the
computer to perform basic activities
– Graphical user interface (GUI):
• Uses icons and menus displayed on screen to send
commands to the computer system
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Operating Systems (continued)
• Hardware independence:
– Application program interface (API):
• Allows applications to make use of the operating
system
• Memory management:
– Allows computer to execute program instructions
effectively and to speed processing
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Operating Systems (continued)
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Operating Systems (continued)
• Processing tasks:
– Multitasking:
• More than one program can run at the same time
– Time-sharing:
• Allows more than one person to use a computer
system at the same time
– Scalability:
• Ability of the computer to handle an increasing
number of concurrent users smoothly
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Operating Systems (continued)
• Networking capability:
– Allows computers in a network to send and receive
data and share computing resources
• Access to system resources and security:
– Protection against unauthorized access
– OS establishes a logon procedure
• File management:
– Ensures that files in secondary storage are available
when needed and that they are protected from
access by unauthorized users
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Current Operating Systems
• Microsoft PC operating systems:
– Windows XP
– Windows Vista
– Windows 7
• Apple computer operating systems:
– Wintel
– Snow Leopard (OS X v10.6)
• Linux:
– Red Hat Linux
– Caldera OpenLinux
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Workgroup Operating Systems
• Windows Server:
– Can be used to prevent unauthorized disclosure of
information
• UNIX:
– Can be used on many computer system types and
platforms
• Red Hat Linux:
– Can manage a cluster of up to eight servers
• Mac OS X Server:
– Includes support for 64-bit processing
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Enterprise Operating Systems
• z/OS:
– IBM’s first 64-bit enterprise OS
• HP-UX and Linux:
– HP-UX:
• Robust UNIX-based OS from Hewlett-Packard
• Supports Internet, database, and business
applications on server and mainframe enterprise
systems
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Operating Systems for Small
Computers, Embedded Computers,
and Special-Purpose Devices
• Cell phone embedded systems and operating
systems:
– Embedded systems provide communication and
limited personal information management services
• Windows embedded:
– Included with or embedded into small computer
devices
• Proprietary Linux-based systems:
– Linux is a major competitor to Symbian
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Utility Programs
• Help to perform maintenance or correct problems
with a computer system
• Some can help computer systems run better and
longer without problems
• Can help to secure and safeguard data
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Utility Programs (continued)
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Application Software
• Application programs:
– Interact with systems software
– Help you perform common tasks, such as:
• Creating and formatting text documents
• Performing calculations
• Managing information
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Types and Functions of Application
Software
• Proprietary software:
– One-of-a-kind program for a specific application,
usually developed and owned by a single company
• Off-the-shelf software:
– Existing software program that is purchased
• Application service provider (ASP):
– Company that can provide software, support, and
computer hardware on which to run the software
from the user’s facilities over a network
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Overview of Application Software
(continued)
• Software as a service (SaaS):
– Allows businesses to subscribe to Web-delivered
business application software by paying a monthly
service charge or a per-use fee
– Can reduce expenses by sharing its running
applications among many businesses
• Cloud computing:
– Use of computing resources on the Internet (the
cloud) rather than on local computers
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Personal Application Software
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Word processing
Spreadsheet analysis
Database applications
Graphics program
Personal information managers
Software suites and integrated software packages
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Mobile Application Software
• Operating systems designed for smartphones
include:
– OS X iPhone, Android, and WebOS
• Tens of thousands of applications have been:
– Developed by third parties for the iPhone
• Palm WebOS:
– Has only recently released its software development
kit
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Workgroup Application Software
• Support teamwork, whether people are in the same
location or dispersed around the world
• Groupware:
– Software that helps groups of people work together
more effectively
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Workgroup Application Software
(continued)
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Enterprise Application Software
• Software that benefits an entire organization
• Enterprise resource planning (ERP) software:
– Set of integrated programs that manage a
company’s vital business operations for an entire
multisite, global organization
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Application Software for Information,
Decision Support, and Specialized
Purposes
• Available in every industry:
– Specialized application software for information,
decision support, and other purposes
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Programming Languages
• Sets of keywords, symbols, and a system of rules
for constructing statements:
– By which humans can communicate instructions to
be executed by a computer
• Programming:
– Involves translating what a user wants to accomplish
into instructions that the computer can understand
and execute
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Software Issues and Trends
• Software bug:
– Defect in a program that keeps it from performing as
it should
• Some tips for reducing impact of software bugs:
– Register all software
– Check read-me files for workarounds
– Access support area of the manufacturer’s Web site
for patches
– Install latest software updates
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Copyrights and Licenses
• Most software products are protected by law using
copyright or licensing provisions:
– In some cases, you are given unlimited use of
software on one or two computers
– In other cases, you pay for your usage:
• If you use the software more, you pay more
• Some software now requires that you register or
activate it before it can be fully used
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Software Upgrades
• When software companies stop supporting older
software versions or releases:
– Some customers feel forced to upgrade to the newer
software
• Deciding whether to purchase the newest software:
– Can be a problem for corporations and people with a
large investment in software
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Global Software Support
• Supporting local operations:
– One of the biggest challenges IS teams face when
putting together standardized, company-wide
systems
• Trend:
– Outsourcing global support to one or more thirdparty distributors
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Summary
• Hardware:
– The physical components of a computer that perform
the input, processing, storage, and output activities
of the computer
• Green computing:
– Concerned with the efficient and environmentally
responsible design, manufacture, operation, and
disposal of IS-related products
• Software:
– Consists of programs that control the workings of the
computer hardware
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Summary (continued)
• Operating system (OS):
– Set of computer programs that controls the computer
hardware to support users’ computing needs
– Manages tasks to allocate computer resources
through multitasking and time-sharing
• Application software:
– Applies the power of the computer to solve problems
and perform specific tasks
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