Queens College

QC
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Fundamental Information System

ENEYEW . M
 Fundamental Information System

CHAPTER ONE
 . Data versus Information

 Data:
 Simple facts and figures
 It is raw and unprocessed and therefore meaningless to us.
 Usually it is the result of experience , observation or experiment
 Numbers, characters, symbols, images etc., which can be processed by a computer.
 Data must be interpreted, by a human or machine, to derive meaning
 INFORMATION

 is data that has been processed for use

 is a human interpretation of knowledge

 It is processed and selected so that it is useful and applicable

 has meaning in some context for its receiver

  Technology

 Is a way of solving problems by the application of knowledge from multiple disciplines.

 Information Technology

 It is "the study, design, development, implementation, support or management of computer

based information systems, particularly software applications and computer hardware.

 The combination of computer and communication technologies

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 WHAT IS COMPUTER SCIENCE?

 Computer Science is a science concerned with information i.e. representation,

storage, manipulation or processing and presentation of information.

 Like any other science, which uses some devices for the practical aspect,
computer science uses a special device called COMPUTER.
 Computer science has different fields of specialization or sub-disciplines .
 Software engineering: is concerned about the development of a better quality software by
applying scientific & basic engineering principles.

 Computer engineering (Architecture): deals with studying, analyzing and designing of

computer hardware (organization and interconnection of computer system components) and
its working principle.

 Automata theory: is the study of machines or devices which accept a certain inputs such that
the outputs or at least the probabilities of outputs are determined by the input.
 CON…
 Formal Language Theory: Embraces the study of programs of programming languages,
which is important for the understanding, and construction of compilers.

 Complexity theory: concerned with the study and analysis of algorithms, which helps in
measuring the efficiency of the algorithms.

 Data base Architecture: involves the study and design of efficient methods for information
storage, process & retrieval.

 Artificial intelligence: Is concerned with means by which Computers may perform tasks that
would be characterized as intelligent if performed by human beings.
  WHAT IS COMPUTER?

 A computer is an electronic device that accepts data, performs computations, and makes
logical decisions according to instructions that have been given to it; then produces
meaningful information in a form that is useful to humans.

 The name computer comes from a Latin word compotator, meaning, “To compute”
 CHARACTERISTICS OF COMPUTERS

 Speed

 The ability of the computers to carry out their instructions in a very short period of time is one of the
main reasons for their popularity.

 its speed measured in terms of micro second (10-6 - one millionths), Nano

 second (10-9 – one billionths), and Pico secon.d (10-12 - one trillionths.

 Calculate the grade point average for 3000 students

 Calculate the total value of all books used by students in a university

 Characteristics of computers

 Accuracy
 Now a days, computers are being used in life-and-death situations.

 (For example, jet pilots rely on computer computations for guidance, Hospitals rely on
patient-monitoring systems in critical – care units) which needs almost hundred percent
accuracy.

 Capacity

 The ability of computers to store and process vast amounts of data continues to grow.

 A computer operating at 200 MHz can move data from one location to another at a rate
excess of 1.2 billions characters (symbols) per second
 . Characteristics of computers

 Reliability
 Computers are durable and extremely reliable devices.

 They can operate error-free over long periods of time.

 Diligence

 Computer, being a machine, does not suffer from the human traits of tiredness and lack of
concentration.

 If four million calculations have to be performed, then the computer will perform the last

four-millionth calculation with the same accuracy and speed as the first calculation.
 Characteristics of computers

 Versatility

 technological advancements in the computer industry, most computers today

are considered to be general-purpose computers, that is, both their

computation and input/output processing capabilities are used for almost any

type of application.
 TYPES OF COMPUTERS

 computers can be classified according to purpose, data handling (processing), and functionality
 According data handling (processing),
 Analog Computers

 Analog computers operate by measuring.

 They deal with continuous variables; they don’t compute directly with the numbers rather, they operate by measuring
physical magnitude such as pressure, temperature, voltage, current etc.

 Examples:

I. Thermometer

II. Voltmeter
 DIGITAL COMPUTERS

 Digital computers deal with discrete variables;

 They operate by counting rather than measuring.

 Unlike analog computers, they operate directly on numbers (or digits) that represent numbers, letters, or
other special symbols.

 .Examples:

 Abacus

 Desk top & pocket computers

 HYBRID COMPUTERS

 These computers incorporated the measuring feature of analog computer and

counting feature of a digital computer. For computational purposes, these computers
use the analog components and for the storage of intermediate results, digital
memories are used.

 Classification According to Purpose

 Computers can be applied or used for different purposes. They can be used either for
special purposes or general-purposes.
 Classification According to Purpose

 Special Purpose Computers

 They are designed to solve a single type of problem, that is, their components
and function are uniquely adapted to a specific situation involving specific
application.

I. The public telephone box

II. Traffic control system

III. Ticket machines

 Classification According to Purpose

 General-purpose computers
 They are designed to solve a range of problems through the use of “store
program concept”.
 These machines can be used for various applications, ranging from scientific as
well as business purpose applications.
 Examples
 • Micro computers
 • Mini computers
 • Super computers
 CLASSIFICATION ACCORDING TO FUNCTIONALITY

 Super computers

 These are the fastest, largest and most potential types of computer. They have speed of
hundreds of millions of operations per second, a primary memory capacity of about 80 million
characters, and a secondary memory of capacity of about 20 times its primary memory.
 Mainframe computers
 These computers are smaller in size and capacity, lower in speed & memory capacity than
super computers.
 . Classification According to Functionality

 Mini computers

 They have relatively lower speed, capacity, and size than the above two types of computers. They can
handle multi-users. They use terminals for inputs and output. Mini computers are used in small
organizations

 Micro computers

 A Micro computer (personal or desktop computer) is a small, low cost digital computer, which usually
consists of a microprocessor, a storage unit, an input channel, and an output channel, all of which may
be on one chip inserted into one or several PC boards.
 WHAT IS AN INFORMATION SYSTEM?
 An Information System (IS) is interrelated components to collect, process, store and distribute
information to support mainly decision makings in an organization

 Information technology (IT) describes the combination of computer technology (hardware and
software) with telecommunications technology (data, image, and voice networks).
 A system is defined “as” a group of interrelated components working together toward a common goal
by accepting inputs and producing outputs in an organized transformation process
Classification of Systems
 Natural systems, deal with natural relationship including living systems and non-living system.
 Artificial systems, man-made systems such as organizations, computer systems, factory systems, etc.
 Abstract systems: systems of ideas, beliefs, theories, etc.
 Closed vs Open Systems
 closed system: a system that cannot interact with its environment.

 Open Systems: a system that interacts with other systems in its environment through
exchange of information, material, personnel, finance and energy. All business
organizations are open systems.

 Deterministic vs. Stochastic Systems

 Deterministic systems: if the behaviour of a system is predictable in detail e.g. solar
system

 Stochastic systems: systems difficult to predict their behaviours. Behaviours can be

affected by random or stochastic inputs. Systems that involve people .
 Component of Information System

• An information system (IS) can be any organized combination

of
• People
• Hardware
• Software
• communications networks
• data resources
• policies and procedures that stores, retrieves, transforms, and
disseminates information in an organization.
TYPES OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS
 TYPES OF INFORMATION
SYSTEMS
• Several types of information systems can be classified as either
 Operations Support Systems

 Management Support Systems

 Transaction processing systems
 Process data resulting from business transactions.
 Update operational databases and business documents.
 Examples: sales and inventory processing and accounting
systems
 OPERATIONS SUPPORT SYSTEMS

 Process control systems

 Monitor and control industrial processes.

 Examples: petroleum refining, power generation, and steel production

systems.
 Enterprise collaboration systems.
 Support team, workgroup, and enterprise communications and
collaboration.
 Examples: e-mail, chat, and videoconferencing groupware systems.
 Management Support Systems

 Management information systems.

 Provide information in the form of pre-specified reports and displays to
support business decision making.
 Examples: sales analysis, production performance, and cost trend re
porting systems.
 Decision support systems.
 Provide decision-making processes of managers and other
business professionals.
 Examples: product pricing, profitability forecasting, and risk analysis
systems.
 Management Support Systems

 Executive information systems.

 Provide critical information from MIS, DSS, and other
sources modified to the information needs of executives.
 Examples: systems for easy access to analyses of business
performance, actions of competitors, and economic
developments to support strategic planning.

.
 Several other categories of information systems can support either
operations or management applications.
 For example:
 Expert systems
 Knowledge management systems
 Strategic information systems
 Functional business systems
  Expert systems.
 Knowledge-based systems that provide expert advice and
act as expert consultants to users.
 Examples: credit application advisor, process monitor,
and diagnostic maintenance systems.
 Knowledge management systems.
 Knowledge-based systems that support the creation, organization,
. and dissemination of business knowledge within the enterprise.
 Examples: intranet access to best business practices, sales proposal
strategies, and customer problem resolution systems.
 Strategic information systems.
 Support operations or management processes that provide a firm with
strategic products, services, and capabilities for competitive advantage.
 Examples: online stock trading, shipment tracking, and e-commerce Web
systems.
 Functional business systems.
 Support a variety of operational and managerial applications of the basic
business functions of a company.
 Examples: information systems that support applications in accounting,
finance, marketing, operations management, and human resource
management.
 WHAT IS A SYSTEM?

• A system is defined as a set of interrelated components, with a clearly defined

boundary, working together to achieve a common set of objectives by accepting
inputs and producing outputs in an organized transformation process.
 Systems have three basic functions:
 Input
 Processing
 Output
 INFORMATION SYSTEM
ACTIVITIES
 Input.
 Optical scanning of bar-coded
 Processing.
 Calculating employee pay, taxes
 Output.
 Producing reports &displays sales performance
 Storage.
 Maintaining records on customers, employees & products.
 Control.
 Generating clear signals to indicate proper entry of sales data.
QUESTIONS?
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