1. Fundamentals & Ethics of Information Systems IS 201
Chapter 2
Hardware and Software
Chapter2 – Hardware and Software Slide 1

2. Principles and Learning Objectives
Identify and discuss the role of the essential hardware components of a computer system
Identify and discuss how data is represented in the computer
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
Discuss how application software can support personal, workgroup, and enterprise business objectives
Outline the importance of software copyright
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3. Chapter2 – Hardware and Software Slide 3
Chapter Overview
Why Learn about Hardware and Software?
Hardware components
Data representation
Overview of software
Summary
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4. 1. 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 necessary for any computer system
Systems software needed for input, calculations, and output
Application software aids in productivity
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5. Chapter2 – Hardware and Software Slide 5
Computer Systems
Choosing the right computer hardware requires understanding its relationship to the information system and needs of the organization
Hardware objectives are subordinate to, but supportive of, the information system and the current and future needs of the organization
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6. Chapter2 – Hardware and Software Slide 6
2. Hardware Components
Hardware Components
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7. Hardware Components (continued)
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
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8. Chapter2 – Hardware and Software Slide 8
2.1. System Unit
power supply
ports
drive bays
processor
memory
sound card
video card
Common components inside the system unit are:
Processor
Memory
Adapter cards
Sound card
Video card
Ports
Drive bays
Power supply
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9. 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
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10. Processing Characteristics and Functions (continued)
Physical characteristics of the CPU
Digital circuits on chips
To turn a digital circuit on or off, electrical current flows through silicon
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11. 2.2. Memory Characteristics and Functions: Storage Capacity
Table 2.1: Units for Measuring Computer Storage
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12. Memory Characteristics and Functions: Types of Memory
dual inline RAM module
Random access memory (RAM)
Temporary
Volatile
Read-only memory (ROM)
Usually nonvolatile
memory chip
memory slot
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13. Chapter2 – Hardware and Software Slide 13
2.3. Multiprocessing
Control Processor
Processor 1
Memory
Processor 2
Memory
Processor 3
Memory
Processor 4
Memory
Results combined
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14. Multiprocessing (Cont.)
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
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15. 2.4. Secondary Storage and Input and Output Devices
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16. Secondary Storage and Input and Output Devices (Cont.)
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
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17. Secondary Storage Devices
Magnetic tapes
Secondary storage used primarily for backups
Magnetic disks
Direct access secondary storage, e.g., hard disk
RAID
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
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18. Secondary Storage Devices (continued)
Optical disks
Direct access optical disc, e.g., CD-ROM
Digital video disk (DVD)
Stores several gigabytes of data
Flash memory
Nonvolatile silicon computer chip
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19. Chapter2 – Hardware and Software Slide 19
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
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20. Input Devices (continued)
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
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21. Input Devices (continued)
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
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22. Chapter2 – Hardware and Software Slide 22
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
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23. Output Devices (continued)
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
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24. Types of Computer Systems
Computer System Types
Types of Computer Systems
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25. Chapter2 – Hardware and Software Slide 25
3. Data Representation
How do computers represent data?
Computers are Digital
Recognize only two discrete states: on or off
Use a binary system to recognize two states
Use Number system with two unique digits: 0 and 1, called bits (short for binary digits)
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26. Data Representation (Cont.)
A Byte is eight bits grouped together as a unit
Provides enough different combinations of 0s and 1s to represent 256 individual characters
Numbers
Uppercase and
lowercase letters
Punctuation
marks
Other
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27. Data Representation (Cont.)
How is a letter converted to binary form and back?
Step 1. The user presses the capital letter D (shift+D key) on the keyboard.
Step 2. An electronic signal for the capital letter D is sent to the system unit.
Step 4. After processing, the binary code for the capital letter D is converted to an image, and displayed on the output device.
Step 3. The signal for the capital letter D is converted to its ASCII binary code ( ) and is stored in memory for processing.
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28. Chapter2 – Hardware and Software Slide 28
4. 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
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29. Supporting Individual, Group, and Organizational Goals
Sphere of influence: the scope of problems and opportunities addressed by a particular organization
Personal
Workgroup
Enterprise
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30. Supporting Individual, Group, and Organizational Goals (continued)
Classifying Software by Type and Sphere of Influence
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31. Chapter2 – Hardware and Software Slide 31
4.1. Systems Software
Controlling operations of computer hardware is one of the most critical functions of systems software
Also supports application programs’ problem-solving capabilities
Different types of systems software include:
Operating systems
Utility programs
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32. Chapter2 – Hardware and Software Slide 32
Operating Systems
Operating system (OS): programs that manages the resources of a computer and interfaces the hardware with applications.
Examples:
Windows, UNIX, LINUX, MacOS, …
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33. Operating Systems (continued)
The Role of Systems Software
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34. 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
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35. Operating Systems (continued)
Activities performed by the operating system (continued)
Manage processing tasks
Provide networking capability
Control access to system resources
Manage files
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36. Operating Systems (continued)
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
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37. 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
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38. Operating Systems (continued)
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
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39. Operating Systems (continued)
Application Program Interface Links Application Software to the Operating System
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40. Operating Systems (continued)
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
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41. Current Operating Systems
Popular Operating Systems Across All Three Spheres of Influence
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42. Chapter2 – Hardware and Software Slide 42
4.2. 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
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43. 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: existing software program that can be purchased
Customized package
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44. 4.2.1. Personal Application Software
Serves the needs of an individual user
Includes personal productivity software
Enables users to improve their personal effectiveness
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45. Personal Application Software (continued)
Table 2.7: Examples of Personal Productivity Software
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46. Personal Application Software (continued)
Examples of Personal Productivity Software (continued)
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47. Personal Application Software (continued)
Software suite: collection of single application programs packaged in a bundle
Microsoft Office: most popular general-purpose software suite
Other general-purpose software suites: Corel’s WordPerfect Office, Lotus SmartSuite, Sun Microsystems’s StarOffice
Integrated application packages: offer a range of capabilities for less money than software suites
Example: Microsoft Works
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48. Personal Application Software (continued)
Table 2.8: Major Components of Leading Software Suites
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49. 4.2.2. 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
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50. 4.2.3. 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
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51. Enterprise Application Software (continued)
Examples of Enterprise Application Software
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52. Chapter2 – Hardware and Software Slide 52
Application Software for Information, Decision Support, and Specialized Purposes
Used in businesses of all sizes and types to increase profits or reduce costs
Available in every industry
Example: analysis to increase the cure rate for cancer
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53. 4.3. 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
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54. Programming Languages (continued)
Table 2.11: The Evolution of Programming Languages
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55. 4.4. Software Issues and Trends
Software issues and trends receiving increasing attention
Software bugs
Copyrights and licenses
Software upgrades
Global software support
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56. Chapter2 – Hardware and Software Slide 56
Software Bugs
Software bug: defect in a computer program that keeps it from performing as it is designed to perform
Tips for reducing impact of software bugs include:
Register all software so that you can receive bug alerts, fixes, and patches
Check the manual or read-me files for work-arounds
Access support area of the manufacturer’s Web site for patches
Install the latest software updates
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57. 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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58. Chapter2 – Hardware and Software Slide 58
Software Upgrades
Software companies periodically revise their programs and sell new versions
Revised software
May offer new and valuable enhancements
May just contain complex program code changes that offer little in terms of additional capabilities
Software upgrades usually cost much less than the original purchase price
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59. Global Software Support
For large, global companies, getting adequate software support at all their locations for their standardized, companywide systems is a big challenge
Large vendors such as Sybase, IBM, and Hewlett-Packard typically contract out support for their software to local providers
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5. Summary
Hardware: central processing unit (CPU), input and output devices, communications devices, primary storage devices, and secondary storage devices
Multiprocessing: simultaneous execution of two or more instructions
Systems software: coordinates the activities of hardware and programs
Application software: helps users solve problems
Operating system (OS): set of computer programs that control the hardware and interface with applications
Programming languages: allow humans to communicate instructions to be executed by a computer
Chapter2 – Hardware and Software Slide 60