Principles and Learning Objectives Users must work closely with IS professionals to define business needs, evaluate options, and select the hardware and software that provide a cost-effective solution to those needs. Identify and discuss the role of the essential hardware components of a computer system. List and describe popular classes of computer systems and discuss the role of each. Fundamentals of Information Systems, Third Edition

Principles and Learning Objectives (continued) When selecting an operating system, you must consider the current and future requirements for application software to meet the needs of the organization. In addition, your choice of a particular operating system must be consistent with your choice of hardware. 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. Fundamentals of Information Systems, Third Edition

Principles and Learning Objectives (continued) Do 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. Fundamentals of Information Systems, Third Edition

Principles and Learning Objectives (continued) Choose a programming language whose functional characteristics are appropriate for the task at hand, taking into consideration the skills and experience of the programming staff. Outline the overall evolution of programming languages and clearly differentiate among the five generations of programming languages. Fundamentals of Information Systems, Third Edition

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 issues and trends that have an impact on organizations and individuals. Fundamentals of Information Systems, Third Edition

Hardware Components Central processing unit (CPU) Input devices Arithmetic/logic unit (ALU) Control unit Input devices Output devices Fundamentals of Information Systems, Third Edition

Hardware Components (continued) Communications devices Primary storage devices Secondary storage devices Fundamentals of Information Systems, Third Edition

Hardware Components (continued) Figure 2.1: Computer System Components Fundamentals of Information Systems, Third Edition

Processing and Memory Devices: Power, Speed, and Capacity System unit Houses CPU and memory All other devices are linked to the system unit Fundamentals of Information Systems, Third Edition

Processing Characteristics and Functions Machine cycle time: time to execute the instruction phase and the execution phase Clock speed: electronic pulses produced at a predetermined rate Wordlength: number of bits that can be processed at one time Fundamentals of Information Systems, Third Edition

Processing Characteristics and Functions (continued) Physical characteristics of the CPU Digital circuits on chips Electrical current flows through silicon Fundamentals of Information Systems, Third Edition

Memory Characteristics and Functions: Storage Capacity Table 2.1: Number of Bytes Fundamentals of Information Systems, Third Edition

Types of Memory Random access memory (RAM) ROM (read-only memory) Temporary Volatile ROM (read-only memory) Usually nonvolatile Fundamentals of Information Systems, Third Edition

Multiprocessing Multiprocessing: simultaneous execution of two or more instructions Parallel processing: linking hundreds or thousands of processors operating in parallel Grid computing: collection of computers working to solve a common problem Fundamentals of Information Systems, Third Edition

Secondary Storage and Input and Output Devices Also called permanent storage Nonvolatile Greater capacity and greater economy than memory Fundamentals of Information Systems, Third Edition

Secondary Storage Access Methods Sequential access: records must be retrieved in order Sequential access storage devices (SASD) Direct access: records can be retrieved in any order Direct access storage devices (DASDs) Fundamentals of Information Systems, Third Edition

Secondary Storage Devices Magnetic tapes Magnetic disks Redundant array of independent/inexpensive disks (RAID) Compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) Fundamentals of Information Systems, Third Edition

SAN Storage area network Provides high-speed connections between data-storage devices and computers Fundamentals of Information Systems, Third Edition

SAN (continued) Figure 2.4: Storage Area Network Fundamentals of Information Systems, Third Edition

Secondary Storage Devices (continued) CD-recordable (CD-R) discs CD-rewritable (CD-RW) discs Digital versatile disc (DVD) Memory cards Expandable storage Fundamentals of Information Systems, Third Edition

Input Devices Personal computer input devices Keyboard Mouse Voice-recognition devices Terminals Fundamentals of Information Systems, Third Edition

Input Devices (continued) Touch-sensitive screens Bar-code scanners Optical data readers Point-of-sale (POS) devices Automatic teller machine (ATM) devices Fundamentals of Information Systems, Third Edition

Input Devices (continued) Magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) devices Radio-frequency identification Fundamentals of Information Systems, Third Edition

Output Devices Display monitors Liquid crystal displays (LCDs) Organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) Printers and plotters Fundamentals of Information Systems, Third Edition

Output Devices (continued) CRT monitors are large and bulky in comparison to LCD monitors (flat displays). Fundamentals of Information Systems, Third Edition

Computer System Types Handheld computers Portable computers Thin client Desktop computers Fundamentals of Information Systems, Third Edition

Computer System Types (continued) Workstations Servers Mainframe computers Supercomputers Fundamentals of Information Systems, Third Edition

Overview of Software Computer programs: sequences of instructions Documentation: describes program functions Systems software: coordinates the activities of hardware and programs Application software: helps users solve particular problems Fundamentals of Information Systems, Third Edition

Supporting Individual, Group, and Organizational Goals Sphere of influence: the scope of problems and opportunities addressed by a particular organization Personal Workgroup Enterprise Table 2.5: Classifying Software by Type and Sphere of Influence Fundamentals of Information Systems, Third Edition

Systems Software: Operating Systems Operating system (OS): set of programs that control the hardware and act as an 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 Fundamentals of Information Systems, Third Edition

Operating Systems (continued) Figure 2.8: The role of the operating system and other systems software is as an interface or buffer between application software and hardware. Fundamentals of Information Systems, Third Edition

Operating Systems (continued) 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 Fundamentals of Information Systems, Third Edition

Operating Systems (continued) Hardware independence Application program interface (API): allows applications to make use of the operating system Memory management Control how memory is accessed and maximize available memory and storage Fundamentals of Information Systems, Third Edition

Operating Systems (continued) 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: features that aid users in connecting to a computer network Fundamentals of Information Systems, Third Edition

Operating Systems (continued) Access to system resources Protection against unauthorized access Logons and passwords File management Ensures that files in secondary storage are Available when needed Protected from access by unauthorized users Fundamentals of Information Systems, Third Edition

Current Operating Systems Table 2.6: Popular Operating Systems Across All Three Spheres of Influence Fundamentals of Information Systems, Third Edition

Workgroup Operating Systems Windows Server UNIX NetWare Red Hat Linux Mac OS X Server Fundamentals of Information Systems, Third Edition

Enterprise Operating Systems z/OS MPE/iX and HP-UX Linux Fundamentals of Information Systems, Third Edition

Operating Systems for Small Computers and Special-Purpose Devices Palm OS Windows Embedded Windows Mobile Fundamentals of Information Systems, Third Edition

Application Software Gives users the ability to solve problems and perform specific tasks Interacts with systems software; systems software then directs the hardware to perform the tasks Fundamentals of Information Systems, Third Edition

Types and Functions of Application Software Proprietary software: unique program for a specific application, usually developed and owned by a single company Off-the-shelf software: purchased software Customized package Fundamentals of Information Systems, Third Edition

Personal Application Software Table 2.8: Examples of Personal Productivity Software Fundamentals of Information Systems, Third Edition

Personal Application Software (continued) Table 2.8: Examples of Personal Productivity Software (continued) Fundamentals of Information Systems, Third Edition

Workgroup Application Software Workgroup application software: supports 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 Fundamentals of Information Systems, Third Edition

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 Fundamentals of Information Systems, Third Edition

Programming Languages Sets of keywords, symbols, and a system of rules for constructing statements Allow humans to communicate instructions to be executed by a computer Syntax: a set of rules associated with a programming language Different languages have characteristics that make them appropriate for particular types of applications Fundamentals of Information Systems, Third Edition

Software Issues and Trends Software bugs Program defects that keep it from performing correctly Copyrights and licenses Global software support Fundamentals of Information Systems, Third Edition

Summary Hardware: central processing unit (CPU), input and output devices, communications devices, primary storage devices, and secondary storage devices Random access memory (RAM): temporary and volatile ROM (read-only memory): usually nonvolatile Multiprocessing: simultaneous execution of two or more instructions Fundamentals of Information Systems, Third Edition

Summary (continued) Sequential access: records retrieved in order Direct access: records retrieved in any order Computer programs: sequences of instructions Systems software: coordinates the activities of hardware and programs Application software: helps users solve problems Fundamentals of Information Systems, Third Edition

Summary (continued) Operating system (OS): programs that control the hardware and act as an interface with applications Graphical user interface (GUI): uses icons and menus to send commands to the computer system Programming languages: allow humans to communicate instructions to be executed by a computer Fundamentals of Information Systems, Third Edition