7. INFORMATION SYSTEMS SOFTWARE
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Transcript 7. INFORMATION SYSTEMS SOFTWARE
Chapter 2
Hardware and Software
Why Learn About Hardware and
Software?
Hardware can improve productivity, increase revenue,
reduce costs, and provide better service
Managers are expected to know about hardware
To help define business needs
To ask questions and evaluate options when buying equipment
Software is indispensable for any computer system
Systems software needed for input, calculations, and output
Application software aids in productivity
Hardware Components
Central processing unit (CPU)
Arithmetic/logic unit (ALU): performs calculations and
makes logical comparisons
Control unit: accesses, decodes and coordinates data in
CPU and other devices
Primary memory: holds program instructions and
data for processing
Secondary storage: more permanent storage
Input and output devices
Communications devices
Hardware Components
Figure 2.1: Hardware Components
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
Processing Characteristics
and Functions
Clock speed: series of electronic pulses
produced at a predetermined rate that
affects machine cycle time
Clock speed is often measured in
megahertz (MHz), or millions of cycles per
second
Clock speed for personal computers is in
the multiple gigahertz (GHz), or billions of
cycles per second, range
Processing Characteristics and
Functions
Physical characteristics of the CPU
Digital circuits on chips
To turn a digital circuit on or off, electrical
current flows through silicon
Memory Characteristics and
Functions: Storage Capacity
Table 2.1: Units for Measuring Computer Storage
Memory Characteristics and
Functions: Types of Memory
Random access memory (RAM)
Temporary
Volatile
Read-only memory (ROM)
Usually nonvolatile
Multiprocessing
Multiprocessing: simultaneous execution
of two or more instructions
Multicore microprocessor: shares workload
among two or more independent processors in
a single computer
Parallel processing: links several processors
to operate at the same time, or in parallel
Grid computing: collection of computers
working to solve a common problem
Secondary Storage and Input
and Output Devices
Secondary storage
Also called permanent storage
Nonvolatile
Greater capacity and greater economy than
memory
Access methods, storage capacities, and
portability required are determined by the
information system’s objectives
Access Methods
Sequential access: data must be accessed in
the order in which it is stored
Sequential access storage devices (SASDs)
Direct access: data can be retrieved in any
order
Direct access storage devices (DASDs)
Secondary Storage Devices
Magnetic tapes
Optical disks
Magnetic disks
Digital video disk (DVD)
RAID
Flash memory
Secondary storage used
primarily for backups
Direct access secondary
storage, e.g., hard disk
Stores extra bits so that
data can be reconstructed if
system fails
SAN
Provides high-speed
connections between data
storage devices and
computers over a network
Direct access optical disc,
e.g., CD-ROM
Stores several gigabytes of
data
Nonvolatile silicon computer
chip
Input Devices
Personal computer input
devices
Keyboard, mouse
Speech-recognition
technology
Input devices that recognize
human speech
Digital cameras
Input device used with PC to
record/store images in digital
form
Terminals
Input and display devices
that perform data entry and
input at the same time
Touch-sensitive screens
Allow display screens to act as
input devices as well as output
devices
Bar-code scanners
Employs a laser scanner to read a
bar-coded label
Magnetic ink character
recognition (MICR) devices
Code data on banking forms, such
as checks
Pen input devices
Activate a command, enter
handwritten notes, and draw
objects
Radio Frequency Identification
(RFID)
Employs a microchip with an
antenna to broadcast its unique
identifier and location to a
receiver
Output Devices
Display monitors (CRTs)
Output quality measured by
number of pixels and dot
pitch
Liquid crystal displays
(LCDs)
Easier on eyes, use less
electricity, take up less space
than CRTs
Organic light-emitting
diodes (OLEDs)
Directly emits light rather
than using backlight
Sharper colors and thinner
displays
Printers and plotters:
hard copy output
Printers: laser, inkjet
Plotters: used for
general design work
Digital audio player
Stores, organizes, and
plays digital music files
Computer System Types
Table 2.3: Types of Computer Systems
Overview of Software
Computer programs: sequences of
instructions for the computer
Documentation: describes program
functions
Systems software: coordinates the
activities of hardware and programs
Application software: helps users solve
particular problems
Supporting Individual, Group, and
Organizational Goals
Table 2.4: Classifying Software by Type and Sphere of Influence
Systems Software
Controlling operations of computer hardware
is one of the most critical functions of
systems software
Also supports application programs’ problemsolving capabilities
Different types of systems software
include:
Operating systems
Utility programs
Operating Systems
Operating system (OS):
programs that control the
hardware and interface
with applications
Common hardware
functions
Get input (e.g., keyboard)
Retrieve data from disks and
store data on disks
Display information on a
monitor or printer
Combinations of OSs,
computers, and users:
Single computer with a
single user
Single computer with
multiple users
Multiple computers
Special-purpose
computers
Operating Systems
Figure 2.8: The Role of Systems Software
Operating Systems
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
Hardware independence
Application program interface (API):
allows applications to make use of the
operating system
Memory management
Converts a user’s request for data or
instructions to the physical location where
the data or instructions are stored
Common hardware functions
Get input from keyboard or some other
input device
Retrieve data from disks
Store data on disks
Display information on a monitor or printer
User interface
Allows individuals to access and command
the computer system
Command-based user interface: uses
text commands
Graphical user interface (GUI): uses
icons and menus to send commands to the
computer system
Operating Systems
Figure 2.9: Application Program Interface Links
Application Software to the Operating System
Operating Systems
Processing tasks
Multitasking: more than one program running at
the same time
Time-sharing: more than one person using a
computer system at the same time
Scalability: ability to handle an increasing
number of concurrent users smoothly
Networking capability: aids users in
connecting to a computer network
Operating Systems
Access to system
resources
Protection against
unauthorized access
Logins and passwords
File management
Ensures that files in
secondary storage are:
Available when needed
Protected from access
by unauthorized users
Application Software
Give users the ability to solve problems and
perform specific tasks
Interact with systems software; systems software
then directs the hardware to perform tasks
Types and Functions of Application Software
Personal Application Software
Serves the needs
of an individual user
Includes personal
productivity
software
Enables users to
improve their
personal
effectiveness
Personal Application Software
Table 2.7: Examples of Personal Productivity Software
(continued)
Workgroup Application Software
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 efficiently and
effectively
Enterprise Application
Software
Software that benefits
an entire organization
Enterprise resource
planning (ERP)
software: programs
that manage a
company’s vital business
operations for an
entire multisite, global
organization
Programming Languages
Table 2.11: The Evolution of Programming Languages
Software Issues and Trends
Software issues and trends receiving
increasing attention
Software bugs
Copyrights and licenses
Software upgrades
Global software support