IS112 – Chapter 1 Notes

Computer Organization and Programming

Professor Catherine Dwyer

2003

Systems Architecture Chapter 1

Chapter Goals

• Describe primary activities of information systems professionals.

• Describe technical knowledge of computer hardware and systems software needed by IS professionals.

• Identify sources of information for continuing education in computer hardware and systems software.

Systems Architecture Chapter 1

IS Professionals• Responsible for acquisition and installation

of technological devices

• Responsible for design, development, and installation of information systems

Systems Architecture Chapter 1

Acquiring and Configuring Technological Devices

To purchase a computer, you must:– Know business hardware and software

preferences.– Know business hardware and software

requirements.– Have sufficient knowledge of the available

alternatives. – Understand related technical terms.

Systems Architecture Chapter 1

Information System Development

Systems Architecture Chapter 1

Systems Survey Step• Examines user information needs, how needs are currently

being addressed, and feasibility of developing or acquiring an information system to address those needs.

• Takes days or weeks to complete.• Determines cost/benefits of alternative systems, and

whether the estimated benefit of new solution is justified.• Requires knowledge of hardware and systems software to

assess the degree to which user needs are currently being met, and to estimate the resources required to address unmet needs.

Systems Architecture Chapter 1

Systems Analysis Step

• Examines the user needs and the extent to which they are being met.

• Called needs analysis or requirements analysis.– Takes weeks or months to complete.– Produces a requirements document.– Reexamines and answers systems survey

questions in more detail.

Systems Architecture Chapter 1

Systems Analysis Step – cont.

Typical outcomes:– Detailed descriptions of user interfaces and data

access speed– Detailed data-processing and storage

requirements

Systems Architecture Chapter 1

Systems Design Step

• Determines the exact configuration of all hardware and software components.

• Design step tasks:– Selecting computer hardware– Selecting computer software– Selecting application program development tools

Systems Architecture Chapter 1

Systems Design Step – cont.

Design decisions made based on earlier decisions:– Files or database design– Program design– User interface design– Design of system backup and recovery

mechanisms

Systems Architecture Chapter 1

Systems Design Step – cont.

Systems Architecture Chapter 1

Systems Design Step – cont.

Technical knowledge needed:– System requirements and the capabilities of that

hardware and operating system– Development tool selection

Systems Architecture Chapter 1

Systems Implementation Step

• Constructed based on the “blue prints” created during systems design

• Hardware and systems software are acquired, installed, configured and tested

• Application programs and files are developed, installed and tested

• The entire system is tested

Systems Architecture Chapter 1

Systems Implementation Step- cont.

Technical knowledge needed:– Knowledge of hardware and systems software– Installation and configuration of hardware and

systems software– Knowledge of how to format storage devices, set

up security systems, install application programs and establish accounting and auditing systems

Systems Architecture Chapter 1

Maintenance Step

• System is evaluated for errors that escaped undetected during installation and testing.

• Minor changes are made as maintenance changes.

Systems Architecture Chapter 1

Maintenance Step – cont.

Technical knowledge needed:– Knowledge is needed to classify the proposed

change as minor or major– Knowledge is needed about the hardware and

software components that are affected by the change

Systems Architecture Chapter 1

Management of Computer Resources

• Knowledge is needed to manage the computer resources within a large organization.

• The manager of a collection of information systems must contend with a great deal of technical complexity.

Systems Architecture Chapter 1

Management of Computer Resources

Attention must be paid to two important technological issues:– Compatibility– Future trends

Systems Architecture Chapter 1

Management of Computer Resources

Compatibility:– The new system must not only operate correctly

by itself, but also operates smoothly with all of the other systems in the organization.

Systems Architecture Chapter 1

Management of Computer Resources

Future Trends:– The manager must have a broad understanding of

current technology, as well as future technology trends.

Systems Architecture Chapter 1

Roles and Job Titles

Computer Professional Groups:– Application Development Personnel– Systems Software Personnel– Hardware Personnel– Systems Management Personnel

Systems Architecture Chapter 1

Computer Technology Information Sources

Sources to keep you up-to-date in the field:– Periodical literature– Technology-oriented Web sites– Vendor and Manufacturer Web sites– Professional Societies

Systems Architecture Chapter 1

Computer Technology Information Sources

Periodical Literature:– ACM Computing Surveys– Computerworld– Communications of the ACM– Computer

Systems Architecture Chapter 1

Computer Technology Information Sources

Systems Architecture Chapter 1

Computer Technology Information Sources

Technology-Oriented Web Sites:

There are many Web sites that are devoted to serving the information needs of computer professionals.

Systems Architecture Chapter 1

Computer Technology Information Sources

Systems Architecture Chapter 1

Computer Technology Information Sources

Vendor and Manufacturer Web Sites:

Vendor Web Pages are oriented to sales, but they usually contain detailed information on products either directly or as links to manufacturer Web sites.

Systems Architecture Chapter 1

Computer Technology Information Sources

Systems Architecture Chapter 1

Professional Societies

• Association for Information Technology Professionals (AITP)

• Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)• Institute for Electrical and Electronics

Engineers (IEEE) Computer Society

Systems Architecture Chapter 1

Summary

• Technical knowledge of computer hardware and systems software is required to develop information systems.

• Technical knowledge also is required to manage the computer resources of an organization.

• Technical knowledge constantly must be updated due to changes in hardware and software technology.

Systems Architecture Chapter 1

Summary

• Information about computer hardware and software is readily available on the World Wide Web.

• An understanding of computer technology is necessary.

• Computer knowledge can be updated through reading periodicals, using Web sites and joining professional societies.