4GL products: A loosely defined term describing the collection of microcomputer-base, user friendly software products.

CASE: A software tool designed to help the analyst perform the activities associated with the system development like cycle.

Enhanced SDLC: Describe a system development life cycle that consistently incorporate user participation and modem 4GL products to deliver computer information system.

Function obsolescence: A situation in which the existing information system can no longer be modified to satisfy user needs.

IDE: A set of computer software tools designed t help the programmer design, test, debug and document a program.

Intranet: an enterprise network that uses internet technology as the distributing medium.

Moors Law: An information axiom that predicts microprocessor performance will double every eight month.

Object oriented programing language: A computer language that permits the programmer to defend classes by their data attributes.

Operational obsolescence: A situation in which a product can no longer operate.

Project management software: A computer program designed to help the analyst keep track of the many and varied recourses activates, and events in a SDLC.

Small enterprise computing: Describes an envierment in which microcomputers and off-the-shelf software from the foundation of computer information system.

3rd generation language: A high-level, procedural computer language requiring the programmer to instruct the computer on how to perform every procedure.

Turnkey system: A packaged computer information system designed to serve a specific audience.

Build Vs. buy decision: the situation faced by analysts when there is a feasible, prepackaged solution alternative to the custom built solution.

Expandability: The ability of a computer information system to be enhanced by the addition or more resources.

Feasible analysis: A process by which the analyst studies the information needs and possible solutions to determine whether the project can be completed.

I/O bottleneck: A situation in which computer system performance degrades of wait times associated with input output.

Baseline managements: A set of initial performance measured against which future performance can be completed.

Vertical software: Software that is designed for use by a narrowly defined set of users.

Problem summary: A brief statement of the information system problems and needs.

Project and constraints: The portion on the project that specify when the project is due, how much it cost

Project contract: a document detailing a project problem summary, scope constraints and objectives.

Project deliverables: A collection of information system products, including everything from project contracts.

Project objectives: The portion of the project contract that set goals of the information system.

Project scope: define the boundaries of the information system

Questionnaires: A fact finding and diagnostic activity in which the analyst administers questionnaires to enterprise personnel.

Management system is the framework of processes and procedures used to ensure that an organization can fulfill all tasks required to achieve its objectives