1 Review For Exam 1 BUS Abdou Illia, Fall 2009 (September 10, 2009)

2 Introduction to Information Systems

3 Summary Questions Notes 1)Distinguish between Data and Information 3 2) List/Explain main components of an information system 7 3) What is the difference between GDSS and DSS in terms of their target users? 12 4)What is the difference between Decision Support Systems (DSS) and Executive Information Systems (EIS) in terms of their target users. 12 6)What is a Chief Information Officer responsible for? 9 7)(a) What are the major components in a DSS? (b) What is the function of each? 13 8)What is an Expert System? What are the main components of an Expert system? What is a knowledge engineer? 17 Refers to the slides # in original class notes

4 Data versus Information  Data = raw facts that represent the characteristics of an event Example 1:  Event: High temperature  Data: 100° F Example 2:  Event: Sale  Data: Sale’s date, item number, item description, etc.  Information = facts within a given context Information results from transforming data by adding context and meaning to make it more useful. The temperature today at noon in Times Square, NYC was 100° F I P O

5 Information Systems  A set of interrelated information technologies that work together to collect, store, process, and distribute information  Major components of information systems Hardware (physical parts of a computer or other computing devices) Software (Instructions that tell hardware what to do) Databases (Software that enables storage/retrieval of data) Networks (Computing devices that communicate with each other) People  Information technology (IT): Computer-based tool that people use to work with information and support the information and information-processing needs of an organization Information Technologies

6 Administrative Information Systems  Transaction Processing Systems (TPS) Basic business system that serves the operational level (analysts) in an organization  Office Automation Systems (OAS) Systems designed to help office workers in doing their job.  Decision Support Systems (DSS) Systems designed to support middle managers and business professionals during the decision-making process  Executive Information Systems (EIS) or Executive Support Systems (ESS) Specialized DSS that help senior level executives make decisions.  GDSS: computer-based systems that facilitate solving of unstructured problems by set of decision makers

7 DSS structure  Systems designed to help middle managers make decisions  Major components Data management subsystem  Internal and external data sources Analysis subsystem  Typically mathematical in nature User interface  How the people interact with the DSS  Data visualization is the key  Text  Graphs  Charts User Interface Analysis - Sensitivity Analysis -> What-if Analysis -> Goal-seeking Analysis -Data-driven tools -> Data mining -> OLAP* Data Management - Transactional Data - Data warehouse - Business partners data - Economic data * OLAP: OnLine Analytical Processing

8 DSS’ Model Management Tools  Simulation is used to examine proposed solutions and their impact  Sensitivity analysis  Determine how changes in one part of the model influence other parts of the model  What-if analysis  Manipulate variables to see what would happen in given scenarios  Goal-seeking analysis  Work backward from desired outcome Determine monthly payment given various interest rates. Works backward from a given monthly payment to determine various loans that would give that payment.

9 Expert Systems Components  Knowledge base: database of the expertise, often in IF THEN rules.  Inference engine: derives recommendations from knowledge base and problem-specific data  User interface: controls the dialog between the user and the system  Explanation system: Explain the how and why of recommendations Knowledge base Domain Expert Knowledge Engineer Expertise Explanation System Inference Engine User Interface User System Engineer Encoded expertise IF family is albatross AND color is white THEN bird is laysan albatross. IF family is albatross AND color is dark THEN bird is black footed albatross Example of rules - Knowledge engineer codify the human expert’s expertise into the systems’ knowledge base. - System engineer is the IT professional who develop the user interface, the inference engine, and the explanation system.

10 Hardware Technology

11 Summary Questions Notes 1)Name five (3) computer input devices 2) Name three (3) computer output devices 3) What computer devices can be used for both input and output? What is the difference b/w impact printers and ink- jet printers? 4)What is the difference between: (a) a Kilobyte and a Gigabyte? (b) a Megabyte and a Gigabyte? 5)Name the two main types of monitors used in today’s computer systems. 6)(a) Name main components of the Processing subsystem. (b) What is the function of the ALU? 7)Explain the difference between RAM and ROM. 8)Describe the various types of computers. 9)Distinguish between primary and secondary storage

12 Processing subsystem  Motherboard: chipset that all components connect to Motherboard  Two major components in processing subsys.  CPU (Central Processing Unit) or Processor(s)  Primary Storage:  Random Access Memory (RAM)  Read Only Memory (ROM) Busses that transfer data CPU Primary Storage

13 Central Processing Unit  Clock: generate time that synchronize other components  ICU: Fetches instructions from RAM  ALU: Execute instructions (arithmetic & logic operations)  Registers: Store control information, data, intermediate results Processor Clock Instruction Control Unit Arithmetic Logic Unit Registers

14 Primary Storage  RAM holds running programs and the data they use  ROM contains critical programs such as those that boot the computer Primary Storage RAM ROM  Computer’s memory stored on semiconductor chips  Two categories:  RAM (Random Access Memory) which is volatile  Synchronous Dynamic RAM (SDRAM)  Double Data Rate SDRAM or DDR SDRAM  ROM (Read-Only Memory) which is non-volatile  Capacity in Megabytes (MB) or Gigabytes (GB) ProgramData

15 Terminology  Dot pitch  Pixel  Screen resolution

16  Make sure you can answer Hardware Review Questions answered in class. They are posted to the Review section of the course website.

17 Software

18 Summary Questions Notes 1)What are the two main types of software? 5 2) What are the three types of systems software? 5 3) What are the main functions of an operating system? 7 4)(a) Name some Operating Systems. (b) Name some Application software programs. 6,16 5)What does Multiprogramming mean? 12,13 6)What does virtual memory mean? 12, 13 7)What are utility programs used for? 18

19 Relationship of software to hardware

20 Main Types of Software  Application software Programs that allow users to accomplish specific tasks Examples  Word processing  Web browser  Tax preparation  Data management  Desktop publishing   Groupware  Presentation graphics  Programming editors  Spreadsheet

21 Operating Systems (OS)  Software platform on which other programs run  Provides a connection between application programs and the computer hardware  Major tasks Starting the computer Managing files  Keeping track of where files are located  Maintaining a table of file entries  Etc. Managing Programs and Memory (RAM)  Sending programs to the CPU  Allocating primary storage (RAM) to programs  Controlling devices that programs requires Ensuring security Providing a user interface

22 OS: Multiprogramming

23 ￭ A technique that “extends” primary memory (RAM) by using secondary storage devices ￭ Needed when there is not enough RAM to hold programs OS: Virtual Memory

24 Utility Software  Accomplish common tasks and maintenance jobs Disk Defragmentation, Disk Optimization Virus protection Edit the Windows registry Remove Web cookies from HDD Encrypt data File and data recovery Spyware Program Uninstaller

25 Database Systems

26 Summary Questions Notes 1)What is a database, a table, a field, a record, a primary key, a composite key? 3-6 2) What are the problems with traditional file systems? 7,8 3) What are the major functions of a DBMS? 10,11 4)(a) Name some Desktop DBMSs. (b) Name some Enterprise DBMSs. (c) Handheld DBMSs )What are the differences between Flat File, Relational, and Object-oriented database models? )What is a data warehouse? A data mart Refers to the slides # in original class notes

27 Traditional File Systems  System of files that store groups of records used by a particular software application  Simple but with a cost Inability to share data Inadequate security Difficulties in maintenance and expansion Allows data duplication (e.g. redundancy) Application 1 Program 1 File 1 File 2 File 3 Program 2 File 1 File 2 File 3 Application 2 Program 1 File 1 File 2 File 3 Program 2 File 1 File 2 File 3

28 Basic Concepts of Data Management  Table Two-dimensional structure composed of rows and columns  Field Like a column in a spreadsheet  Field name Like a column name in a spreadsheet Examples: AccountID, Customer, Type, Balance  Field values Actual data for the field  Record Set of fields that describe an entity (a person, an account, etc.)  Primary key A field, or group of fields, that uniquely identifies a record AccountIDCustomerTypeBalance John SmithChecking$ Linda MartinSaving$ Paul GrahamChecking$ Accounts table Each table has:  Fields  Records  1 Primary key

29 Basic Concepts in Data Management  A Primary key could be a single field like in this table  A Primary key could be a composite key, i.e. multiple fields