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Review ForExam 1

BUS3500 - Abdou Illia, Fall 2009

(September 10, 2009)

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Introduction to Information

Systems

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Summary QuestionsNotes

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?

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4) What is the difference between Decision Support Systems (DSS) and Executive Information Systems (EIS) in terms of their target users.

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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?

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8) What is an Expert System? What are the main components of an Expert system? What is a knowledge engineer?

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Refers to the slides # in original class notes

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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

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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

Info

rmati

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Tech

nolo

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s

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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

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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

UserInterface

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

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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.

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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

Knowledgebase

Domain Expert

Knowledge Engineer

Expertise

ExplanationSystem

InferenceEngine

UserInterface

User

System Engineer

Encoded expertise

IFfamily is albatross ANDcolor is whiteTHENbird is laysan albatross.

IFfamily is albatross ANDcolor is darkTHENbird 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.

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Hardware Technology

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Summary QuestionsNotes

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

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Processing subsystem Motherboard: chipset that all components connect to

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

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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

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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)

Program Data

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Terminology Dot pitch Pixel Screen resolution

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

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Software

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Summary QuestionsNotes

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

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Relationship of software to hardware

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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 E-mail Groupware Presentation graphics Programming editors Spreadsheet

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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

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OS: Multiprogramming

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￭ 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

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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

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Database Systems

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Summary Questions

Notes

1) What is a database, a table, a field, a record, a primary key, a composite key?

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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

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5) What are the differences between Flat File, Relational, and Object-oriented database models?

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6) What is a data warehouse? A data mart 19-20

Refers to the slides # in original class notes

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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

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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

AccountID Customer Type Balance

660001 John Smith Checking $120.00

660002 Linda Martin Saving $9450.00

660003 Paul Graham Checking $3400.00

Accounts table

Each table has:

Fields Records 1 Primary key

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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