CHAPTER HIGHLIGHT
- Explain the 5 parts of an information system : people, procedures, software, hardware, and data.
- Distinguish between system software and application software.
- Discuss the 3 kinds of system software programs.
- Distinguish between basic and specialized application software.
- Identify the 4 types of computers and the 4 types of microcomputers.
- Describe the different types of computer hardware including the system unit, input, output, storage, and communication devices.
- Define data and describe document, worksheet, database, and presentation files.
- Explain computer connectivity, the wireless revolution, and the internet.
FIVE PARTS OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS:
- People :
> The most important part of any information system.
> Divided into direct and indirect.
> Direct contact is when we connect to the Internet or we
create documents using a word processing program.
> For the other times, the contact is not as obvious.
> We use computers in many area such as entertainment,
business, education, and medicine.
- Procedure :
software, hardware, and data.
> These procedures are typically documented in manualswritten by computer specialists.
> Software and hardware manufacturers provide manuals
with their products.
- Software :
the computer how to do its work.
> Another name for a program or programs.
> The purpose of software is to convert data (unprocessed
facts) into information (processed facts).
> 2 kinds of software :
1) System sortware :
-Enables the application software to interact with the
computer hardware.
-"background" software that helps the computer manage its own internal resources.
-Collection of programs included :
i) Operating systems
~ Programs that coordinate computer resources,
provide an interface between users and computer,and run applications.
~ Eg. Windows Vista and the Mac OS X.
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| Windows Vista |
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| Mac OS X operating sysrems |
ii) Utilities
~ Perform specific tasks related to managing computer resources.
~ Eg. Disk Defragmenter.
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| Disk Defragmenter |
iii) Device drivers
~ Specialized programs designed to allow particular
input or output devices to communicate with the
rest of the computer system.2) Application software :
-Described as end user software.
-Categorized into 2 types:
i) Basic applications
~ Widely used in nearly all career areas.
~ Is a browser to navigate, explore, and find
information on the internet.
~ Eg. Microsoft's Internet Explorer and Netscape's
Navigator.
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| Microsoft's Internet Explorer |
ii) Specialized applications
~ Include thousands of other programs that are
more narrowly focused on specific disciplines and occupations.
~ Eg. graphics, audio, video, multimedia, Web
authoring, and artificial intelligence programs.- Hardware :
> 4 types of hardware :
-most powerful type of computer
-special high-capacity computers2) Mainframe computers :
-not nearly as powerful as supercomputers
-great processing speeds & data storage-also known as midrange computers
-medium-sized companies or departments of large
companies typically use them for specific purpose
4) Microcomputers :
-the least powerful
-widely used & fastest-growing type of computer-4 types of microcomputers :
i) Desktop computer:
~ small enough to fit on top of @ alongside a desk
yet are too big to carry around
~ also known as laptop computer
~ portable, lightweight, & fit into most brief cases
iii) Tablet PC :
~ a type of notebook computer that accepts your
handwriting
~ this input is digitized & converted to standard text
iv) Handheld computers :
~ smallest & designed to fit into the palm of one
hand
~ contain an entire computer system, including the
electronic components, secondary storage, &
input & ouput devices
~ Personal digital assistants(PDAs) & smartphones
are the most widely used
> 4 types of microcomputer hardware :
1) System unit :
- a container that houses most of the electronic
compenents that make up a computer system
- 2 important compenents: ~ microprocessor : controls & manipulates data to
produce information
~ memory : a holding area for data, instructions, &
information
2) Input/output :
- input devices : translate data & programs that humans can understand into a form that the computer can
process. Exp: keyboard, mouse
- output devices : translate the processed information
from the computer into a form that humans can
understand. Exp:monitors,printers
3) Secondary storage:
- holds data & programs even after electrical power to
the computer system has been turned off
- Important kinds of secondary media are hard disks,solid-state storage, & optical disks
- using communication devices, a microcomputer can
communicate with other computer systems
- Data:
images, and sounds, are called data.
> Processed data yields information.
> For example of a payroll program, the data ( numbers of
hours worked and pay rate ) is processed (multiplied) to
yield information (weekly pay).
> When stored electronically in files, data can be used
directly as input for the system unit.
> There are 4 common types of files:
~Document files, created by word processors to save
documents such as memos, term paper, and letter.
analyze things like budgets and to predict sales.
programs to contain highly structured and organized
data.
~ Presentation files, created by presentation graphics
programs to save presentation materials.
CONNECTIVITY, THE WIRELESS REVOLUTION, & THE INTERNET
> Connectivity describing the ability of end users to tap
into resourses well beyond their desktops.Network are connected computers that shares data and
sources.
> The wireless revolution is the widespread and increasing use of mobile (wireless)
communication devices.
> The Internet is the world's largest computer network. The Web provides a multimedia interface to resources
available on the Internet. CAREERS IN IT
Webmaster, Computer support specialist, Technical writer, Software engineer, Network administrator, Database administrator, Systems analyst, & Programmer
***Information is getting from the book - Computing Essential 2011
