Chapter #14 Enterprise Computing

What is Enterprise Computing ?

• Enterprise computing involves the use of computers in networks, such as LANs and WANs, or a series of interconnected networks that encompass a variety of different operating systems, protocols, and network architectures.
• Types of enterprises include :

1. Retail
2. Manufacturing
3. Service
4. Wholesale
5. Government
6. Educational
7. Transportation

• Most traditional enterprises are organized in a hierarchical manner.
• In an enterprise, users typically fall into one of four categories :

1. Executive Management
2. Middle Management
3. Operational Management
4. Nonmanagement Employees

• Enterprise information is the information gathered in the ongoing operations of an enterprise-sized organization.

1. Business intelligence
2. Business process management
3. Business process automation

• Managers coordinate resources by performing four activities :

1. Planning
2. Organizing
3. Leading
4. Controlling

Information Systems in the Enterprise

• An information system is a set of hardware, software, data, people, and procedures that work together to produce information.
• Functional units within an enterprise might include :

1. Accounting and Finance
2. Human Resources
3. Engineering or Product Development
4. Manufacturing
5. Marketing
6. Sales
7. Distribution
8. Customer Service
9. Information Technology

• Accounting software manages everyday transactions.
• Billing software helps the company reconcile purchases with customer payments.
• Financial software helps manager budget, forecast, and analyze.
• A human resources information system (HRIS) manages one or more human resources functions.
• Employee relationship management systems mange communication between employees and the business.
• Computer-aided design (CAD) uses a computer and special software to aid in engineering, drafting, and design.
• Computer-aided engineering (CAE) uses computers to test product designs.
• Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) is the use of computers to control production equipment.
• Computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM) uses computers to integrate the many different operations of the manufacturing process.
• Material Requirements Planning (MRP) uses software to help monitor and control processes related to production.
• Manufacturing Resource Planning II (MRP II) is an extension of MRP and also includes software that helps in scheduling.
• A quality control system helps an organization maintain or improve the quality of its products or services.
• A marketing information system serves as a central repository for the tasks of a marketing department.
• Sales force automation (SFA) software equips traveling salespeople with the electronic tools they need to be more productive.
• Distribution systems perform the following functions :

1. Provide forecasting for inventory control
2. Manage and track shipping of products
3. Provide information and analysis on inventory in a warehouse

• Customer interaction management (CIM) software manages the day-to-day interactions with customers.
• The information technology (IT) department makes technology decisions for the enterprise.

1. Whether to build or buy new information systems.
2. When a computer or information system has outlived its useful life.

• Web site management programs collect data designed to help organizations make informed decisions regarding their Web presence.
• General purpose information systems generally fall into one of five categories.

1. Office Information System
2. Transaction Processing System
3. Management Information System
4. Decision Support System
5. Expert System

• Batch processing vs. online transaction processing.
• Integrated Information Systems

1. Customer relationship management manages information about customers, interactions with customers, past purchases, and interests.
2. Enterprise resource planning provides centralized, integrated software to help manage and coordinate ongoing activities.
3. Content management systems are information systems that combine databases, software, and procedures.

Enterprise-Wide Technologies and Methodologies

• Some technologies used in enterprise include :

1. Protals
2. Data warehouses
3. Electronic data interchange
4. Extranets
5. Web services
6. Document management systems
7. Workflow
8. Virtual private networks

• A portal is a collection of links, content and services presented on a Web page that are interesting for a particular job function.
• A data warehouse is a huge database that stores and manages the data required to analyze historical and current transactions.
• EDI is a set of standards that controls the transfer of business data and information among computers both within and among enterprises.
• An extranet is the portion of a company's network that allows customers or suppliers of a company to access parts of an enterprise's intranet.
• Web services allow businesses to create products and B2B interactions over the Internet.
• In a service-oriented architecture, information systems provide services to other information systems in a well-defined manner over a network.
• A document management system (DMS) allows for storage and management of a company's documents. - Stored in a repository
• A workflow is a defined process that identifies the specific set of steps involves in completing a particular project or business process. - Workflow application 
• A virtual private network (VPN) provides mobile users, vendors, and customers with a secure connection to the company network server.

Virtualization and Cloud Computing

• Virtualization is the practice of sharing or pooling computing resources.
• Server virtualization - Provides the capability to divide a physical server logically into many virtual servers.

• Storage virtualization - Provides the capability to create a single logical storage device from many physical storage devices.

Enterprise Hardware

• Enterprise hardware allows large organizations to manage and store information and data using devices geared for :

1. Heavy use
2. Maximum availability
3. Maximum efficiency

• RAID duplicates data and implements duplication in different ways.
• Network attached storage (NAS) is a server that provides storage to users and information systems attached to the network.
• A storage area network (SAN) is a high-speed network that provides storage to other servers to which it is attached.
• An enterprise storage system is a strategy that focuses on the availability, protection, and backup of storage in a company.
• Goal is to consolidate storage.
• A blade server packs a complete computer server on a single card (called a blade) rather than a system unit.
• The individual blades insert in a blade server chassis.
• A thin client is a small terminal-like computer that mostly relies on a server for data storage and processing.
• The processing for a thin client usually is done on a server.

High Availability, Scalability, and Interoperability 

• A high-availability system continues running and performing tasks for at least 99 percent of the time - May include how-swapping and redundant components 
• When a component fails, another component takes over and the system continues to function.
• Scalability is a measure of how well computer hardware, software, or an information system can grow to meet increasing performance demands.
• Interoperability is the ability for an information system to share information with other information systems within an enterprise.

Backup Procedures

• Continuous data protection provides automatic data backup whenever data is changed in an enterprise.
• A disaster recovery plan is a written plan describing the steps a company would take to restore computer operations in the event of a disaster.
• Contains four major components : 

1. Emergency plan
2. Backup plan
3. Recovery plan
4. Test plan 

Chapter #13 Computer Programs and Programming Languages

Computers Programs and Programming Languages

• A computer program is a series of instructions that directs a computer to perform tasks - Created by a programmer using a programming language.

Low-Level Languages 

• Machine language is the first generation of programming languages.
• Only language the computer directly recognizes.
• Assembly language is the second generation of programming languages.
• Programmer writes instructions using symbolic instruction codes.
• A source program contains the code to be converted to machine language.

Procedural Languages

• In a procedural language, the programmer writes instructions that tell the computer what to accomplish and how to do it - Third-generation language (3GL)

1. A compiler translates an entire program before executing it.
2. An interpreter converts and executes one code statement at a time.

• The C programming language is used to write many of today's programs
• COBOL (Common Business-Oriented Language) is designed for business applications but easy to read because of the English-like statements.

Object-Oriented Programming Languages and Program Development Tools

• An object-oriented programming (OOP) language allows programmers the ability to reuse and modify existing objects.
• Other advantages include :

1. Objects can be reused
2. Programmers create applications faster
3. Work well in a RAD environment
4. Most program development tools are IDEs

• Java is an object-oriented programming language developed by Sun Microsystems.
• The Just-in-time (JIT) compiler converts the bytecode into machine-dependent code.
• The Microsoft .NET Framework allows almost any type of program to run on the Internet or an internal business network, as well as cmputers and mobile devices.
• Features include :

1. CLR (Common Language Runtime)
2. Classes

• C++ is an extension of the C programming language.
• C# is based on C++ and was developed by Microsoft.
• F# combines the benefits of an object-oriented language with those of a functional language.
• Visual Studio is Microsoft's suite of program development tools

1. Visual Basic is based on the BASIC programming language.
2. Visual C++ is based on C++.
3. Visual C# combines the programming elements of C++ with an easier, rapid-development environment.

• A visual programming language is a language that uses a visual or graphical interface for creating all source code.
• Borland's Delphi is a powerful program development tool that is ideal for building large-scale enterprise and Web applications in a RAD environment.
• PowerBuilder is a powerful program development RAD tool.

Other Programming Languages and Development Tools

• Best suited for WEB-based, .NET, and large-scale enterprise object-oriented applications.
• A 4GL (forth-generation language) is a nonprocedural language that enables users and programmers to access data in database - One popular 4GL is SQL.
• Classic programming languages include :

1. Ada
2. ALGOL
3. APL
4. BASIC
5. Forth
6. FORTRAN
7. HyperTALK
8. LISP
9. Logo
10. Modula-2
11. Pascal
12. PILOT
13. PL/1
14. Prolog
15. RPG
16. Smalltalk

• An application generator is a program that creates source code or machine code form a specification of the required functionality. - Often bundled as part of a DBMS
• A macro is a series of statements that instructs an application how to complete a task.
• You usually create the macro in one of two ways :

1. Record the macro with macro recorder
2. Write the macro

Web Page Development

• HTML is a special formatting language that programmers use to format documents for display on the Web.
• XHTML is a markup language that allows Web sites to be displayed more easily on mobile devices.
• XML allows Web developers to create customized tags and use predefined tags to display content appropriately on various devices. - WML is a subset of XML and is used to design pages for micro browsers. 
• Two applications of XML are RSS 2.0 and ATOM.
• Web browsers can execute short programs to add interactive elements to Web pages.
• To send and receive information between your computer and a Web server, these programs use the CGI (common gateway interface)

1. Scripts
2. Applets
3. Servlets
4. ActiveX controls

• Programmers write scripts, applets, servlets, or ActiveX controls using a variety of languages.

1. JavaScript
2. Perl
3. PHP
4. Rexx
5. Tcl
6. VBScript

• Web 2.0 allows Web sites to provide a means for users to :

1. Share personal information
2. Allow users to modify Web site content
3. Have application software built into the site

• Most Web 2.0 sistes use APIs - An API enables programmers to interact with an environment such as a Web site or operating system.
• Web page authoring software can create sophisticated Web pages that include images, video, audio, animation, and other effects.

1. Dreamweaver
2. Expression Web
3. Flash
4. SharePoint Designer

Multimedia Program Development

• Multimedia authoring software allows programmers to combine text, graphics, animation, audio, and video in an interactive presentation.

1. ToolBook
2. Director

Program Development

• Program development consists of a series of steps programmers use to build computer programs.

Step 1 - Analyze Requirements

• To initiate program development, programmer :

1. Reviews the requirements
2. Meets with the systems analyst and users
3. Identifies input, processing, and output

Step 2 - Design Solution

• Design a solution algorithm.
• In structured design, the programmer typically begins with a general design and moves toward a more detailed design.
• Programmers use a hierarchy chart to show program modules graphically.
• With object-oriented (OO) design, the programmer packages the data and the program into a single object.
• The sequence control structure shows one or more actions following each other on order.
• The selection control structure tells the program which action to take, based on a certain condition.

1. If-then-else
2. Case

• The repetition control structure enables a program to perform one or more actions repeatedly as long as a certain condition is met.
• A program flowchart graphically shows the logic in a solution algorithm.
• Flowcharting software makes it easy to modify and update flowcharts.

1. SmartDraw
2. Visio 

• Pseudocode uses a condensed form of English to convey program logic.
• UML (Unified Modeling Language) has been adopted as a standard notation for object modeling and development.

Step 3 - Validate Design

• Check for logic errors using test data

1. Develop various sets of test data
2. Determine the expected result
3. Step through the algorithm
4. Compare the results
5. Repeat steps for each set of test data

Step 4 - Implement Design

• Implementation of the design includes using a program development tool that assists the programmer by :

1. Generating or providing some or all code.
2. Writing the code that translates the design into a computer program.
3. Creating the user interface.

• Extreme programming is a strategy where programmers immediately begin coding and testing solutions as soon as requirements are defined.

Step 5 - Test Solution

• The goal of program testing is to ensure the program runs correctly and is error free.

1. Errors include syntax errors and logic errors.
2. Debugging the program involves removing the bugs.
3. A beta is a program that has most or all of its features and functionality implemented.

Step 6 - Document Solution

• In documenting the solution, the programmer performs two activities :

1. Review the program code
2. Review all the documentation

Chapter #12 Exploring Information System Development

What is System Development ?

• System development is a set of activities used to build an information system.

1. A system is a set of components that interact to achieve a common goal.
2. An information system (IS) is a collection of hardware, software, data, people, and procedures that work together to produce quality information.
3. System development activities are grouped into phases, collectively called the system development life cycle (SDLC).

• System development should follow three general guidelines :

1. Group activities or tasks into phases
2. Involve users
3. Define standards 

• System development should involve representatives from each department in which the proposed system will be used.
• Project management is the process of planning, scheduling, and then controlling the activities during system development.
• To plan and schedule a project efficiently, the project leader identifies :

1. Project scope
2. Required activities
3. Time estimates for each activity
4. Cost estimates for each activity
5. Order of activities
6. Activities that can take place at the same time

• A popular tool used to plan and schedule the time relationships among project activities is a Gantt chart.
• A PERT chart also can be used for planning and scheduling time.
• Feasibility is a measure of how suitable the development of a system will be to the organization.

1. Operational feasibility 
2. Schedule feasibility
3. Technical feasibility
4. Economic feasibility

• Documentation is the collection and summarization of data and information - A project notebook contains all documentation for a single project.
• Users and IT professionals refer to existing documentation when working with and modifying current systems.
• During system development, members of the project team gather data and information using several techniques.

1. Review documentation
2. Observe
3. Survey
4. Interview
5. JAD Sessions
6. Research

Who Initiates a System Development Project ?

• A user may request a new or modified system.
• Organizations may want to improve hardware, software, or other technology.
• Situations beyond an organization's control might require a change.
• Management might mandate a change.
• A user may request a new or modified information system using a request for system services or a project request.

Planning Phase

• The planning phase for a project begins when the steering committee receives a project request.
• Four major activities are performed :

1. Review and approve the project requests
2. Prioritize the project requests
3. Allocate resources
4. Form a project development team

Analysis Phase

• The analysis phase consists of two major activities :
• Conduct a preliminary investigation 

1. Determines and defines the exact nature of the problem or improvement.
2. Interview the user who submitted the request.

• Performed detailed analysis

1. Study how the current system works.
2. Determine the users' requirements.
3. Recommend a solution.

• Process modeling (structured analysis and design) is an analysis and design technique that describes processes that transform inputs into outputs.

1. Entity-relationship diagrams
2. Data flow diagrams
3. Project dictionary

• An entity-relationship diagram (ERD) is a tool that graphically shows the connections among entities in a system.
• Entities are objects in the system that have data.
• A data flow diagram (DFD) is a tool that graphically shows the flow of data in a system.

1. Data flows
2. Processes
3. Data stores
4. Sources

• The project dictionary contains all the documentation and deliverables of a project.
• Structured English is a style of writing that describes the steps in a process.
• A decision table is a table that lists a variety of conditions and the actions that correspond to each other.
• A decision tree also shows conditions and actions, but it shows them graphically.
• The data dictionary stores the data item's name, description, and other details about each data item.
• Object modeling combines the data with the processes that act on that data into a single unit, called an object.
• UML (Unified Modeling Language) has been adopted as a standard notation for object modeling and development .

1. UML includes 13 different diagrams
2. Two diagrams include : Use case diagram & Class diagram

• A use case diagram graphically shows how actors (users) interact with the information system.
• Diagrams are considered easy to understand.
• A class diagram graphically shows classes and subclasses in a system.
• Each class can have one or more subclasses.
• Subclasses use inheritance to inherit methods and attributes of higher levels.
• The system proposal assesses the feasibility of each aternative solution.
• The steering committee discusses the system proposal and decides which alternative to pursue.

1. Package software
2. Custom software
3. Outsourcing

Design Phase

• The design phase consists of two major activities.

1. Acquire hardware and software
2. Develop all of the details of the new or modified information system.

• To acquire the necessary hardware and software :

1. Identify technical specifications
2. Solicit vendor proposals
3. Test and evaluate vendor proposals
4. Make a decision 

• The next step is to develop detailed design specifications - Sometimes called a physical design

1. Database design
2. Input and output design
3. Program design

• Systems analysts typically develop two types of designs for each input and output.
• A prototype (proof of concept) is a working model of the proposed system.

1. Prototypes have inadequate or missing documentation.
2. Users tend to embrace the prototype as a final system.
3. Should not eliminate or replace activities.

• Computer-aided software engineering (CASE) are designed to support one or more activities of system development.
• CASE tools sometimes contain the following tools :

1. Project repository
2. Graphics
3. Prototyping
4. Quality assurance
5. Code generator
6. Housekeeping

• Many people should review the detailed design specifications.
• An inspection is a formal review of any system development deliverable. - A team examines the deliverables to identify errors.

Implementation Phase

• The purpose of the implementation phase is to construct the new or modified system and them deliver it.

1. Develop programs
2. Install and test the new system
3. Train users
4. Convert to the new system

• The program development life cycle follows these steps :

1. Analyze the requirements
2. Design the solution
3. Validate the design
4. Implement the design
5. Test the solution
6. Document the solution

• Various tests should be performed on the new system.
• Unit test - Verifies that each program or object works by itself.
• Systems test - Verifies that all programs in an application work together properly.
• Integration test - Verifies that an application works with other applications.
• Acceptance test - Checks the new system to ensure that it works with actual data.
• Training involves showing uses exactly how they will use the new hardware and software in the system.

1. One-on-one sessions
2. Classroom-style lectures
3. Web-based training

• One or more of four conversion strategies can be used to change from the old system to the new system.

Operation, Support, and Security Phase

• The purpose of the operation, support, and security phase is to provide ongoing assistance for an information system and its users after the system is implemented.

1. Perform maintenance activities
2. Monitor system performance
3. Assess system security

• A computer security plan should do the following :

1. Identify all information assets of an organization.
2. Identify all security risks that may cause an information asset loss.
3. For each risk, identify the safeguards that exist to detect, prevent, and recover from a loss.

Chapter #11 Manage Computing Securely, Safely and Ethically

Computer Security Risks

• A computer security risk is any event or action that could cause a loss of or damage to computer hardware, software, data, information, or processing capability.
• A cybercrime is an online or Internet-based illegal act

1. Hackers
2. Crackers 
3. Script Kiddies
4. Corporate Spies
5. Unethical Employees
6. Cyberextortionists
7. Cyberterrorists

Internet and Network Attacks

• Information transmitted over networks has a higher degree of security risk than information kept on an organization's premises.
• An online security service is a Web site that evaluates your computer to check for Internet and e-mail vulnerabilities.
• Computer Virus - Affects a computer negatively by altering the way the computer works.
• Worm - Copies itself repeatedly, using up resources and possibly shutting down the computer or network.
• Trojan Horse - A malicious program that hides within or looks like a legitimate program.
• Rootkit - Program that hides in a computer and allows someone from a remote location to take full control.
• An infected computer has one or more of the following symptoms :

1. Operating system runs much slower than usual
2. Available memory is less than expected
3. Files become corrupted
4. Screen displays unusual message or image
5. Music or unusual sound plays randomly
6. Existing programs and files disappear
7. Programs or files do not work properly
8. Unknown programs or files mysteriously appear
9. System properties change 
10. Operating system does not start up
11. Operating system shuts down unexpectedly 

• Users can take several precautions to protect their home and work computers and mobile devices from these malicious infections.
• A botnet is a group of compromised computers connected to a network - A compromised computer is known as a zombie.
• A denial of service attack (DoS attack) disrupts computer access to Internet services - Distributed DoS (DDoS)

A back door is a program or set instruction in a program that allow users to bypass security controls.

• Spoofing is a technique intruders use to make their network or Internet transmission appear legitimate.
• A firewall is hardware and/or software that protects a network's resources from intrusion.
• Intrusion detection software

1. Analyzes all network traffic
2. Assesses system vulnerabilities
3. Identifies any unauthorized intrusions
4. Notifies network administrators of suspicious behavior patterns or system breaches

• Honeypot

1. Vulnerable computer that is set up to entice an intruder to break into it.

Unauthorized Access and Use

• Unauthorized access is the use of a computer or network without permission.
• Unauthorized use is the use of a computer of its data for unapproved or possibly illegal activities.
• Organizations take several measures to help prevent unauthorized access and use

1. Acceptable use policy
2. Disable file and printer sharing
3. Firewalls
4. Intrusion detection software

• Access controls define who can access a computer, when they can access it, and what actions they can take

1. Two-phase processes called identification and authentication
2. User name
3. Password
4. Passphrase
5. CAPTCHA

• A possessed object is any item that you must carry to gain access to a computer or computer facility - Often are used in combination with a personal identification number (PIN)
• A biometric device authenticates a person's identity by translating a personal characteristics into a digital code that is compared with a digital code in a computer.
• Digital forensics is the discovery, collection, and analysis of evidence found on computers and networks.
• Many areas use digital forensics

1. Law enforcement
2. Criminal prosecutors
3. Military intelligence
4. Insurance agencies
5. Information security departments

Hardware Theft and Vandalism

• Hardware theft is the act of stealing computer equipment.
• Hardware vandalism is the act of defacing or destroying computer equipment.
• To help reduce the of chances of theft, companies and schools use a variety of security measures.

1. Physical access controls
2. Alarm systems
3. Cables to lock equipment
4. Real time location system
5. Passwords, possessed objects, and biometrics

Software Theft 

• Software theft occurs when someone :

1. Steals software media
2. Intentionally erases programs
3. Illegally copies a program
4. Illegally registers and/or activates a program

• A single-user license agreement typically contains the following conditions :

Permitted to :

1. Install the software on one computer
2. Make one copy of the software
3. Remove the software from your computer before giving it away or selling it

Not permitted to :

1. Install the software on a network
2. Gibe copies to friends or colleagues while continuing to use the software
3. Export the software
4. Rent or lease the software

• Copying, loaning, borrowing, renting, or distributing software can be a violation of copyright law.
• Some software requires product activation to function fully.
• Information theft occurs when someone steals personal or confidential information.
• Encryption is a process of converting readable data into unreadable characters to prevent unauthorized access.
• A digital signatures is an encrypted code that a person, Web site, or organization attaches to an electronic message to verify the identity of the sender - Often used to ensure that an impostor is not participating in an Internet transaction.
• Web browsers and Web sites use encryption techniques.
• Popular security techniques include :

1. Digital Certificates
2. Transport Layer Security (TLS)
3. Secure HTTP
4. VPN

System Failure

• A system failure is the prolonged malfunction of a computer.
• A variety of factors can lead to system failure, including :

1. Aging hardware
2. Natural disasters
3. Electrical power problems (Noise, undervoltages, and overvoltages)
4. Errors in computer programs

• Two ways to protect from system failures caused by electrical power variations include surge protectors and uninterruptable power supplies (UPS)

Backing Up - The Ultimate Safeguard

• A backup is a duplicate of a file, program, or disk that can be used if the original is lost, damaged, or destroyed.
• Offsite backups are stores in a location separate from the computer site.
• Two categories of backups :

1. Full backup
2. Selective backup

• Three-generation backup policy 

Wireless Security

• Wireless access poses additional security risks - About 80 percent of wireless networks have no security protection.
• War driving allows individuals to detect wireless networks while driving a vehicle through the area.
• In additional to using firewalls, some safeguards improve security of wireless networks :

1. A wireless access point should not broadcast an SSID
2. Change the default SSID
3. Configure a WAP so that only certain devices can access it
4. Use WPA or WPA2 security standards

Ethics and Society

• Computer ethics are the moral guidelines that govern the use of computers and information systems.
• Information accuracy is a concern - Not all information on the Web is correct.
• Intellectual property rights are the rights to which creators are entitled for their work. - A copyright protects any tangible form of expression.
• An IT code of conduct is a written guideline that helps determine whether a specific computer action is ethical or unethical.
• Green computing involves reducing the electricity and environmental waste while using a computer.
• Information privacy refers to the right of individuals and companies to deny restrict the collection and use of information about them.
• Huge databases store data online.
• It is important to safeguard your information.
• When you fill out a form, the merchant that receives the form usually enters it into a database.
• Many companies today allow people to specify whether they want their personal information distributed.
• A cookie is a small text file that a Web server stores on your computer.
• Web sites use cookies for a variety of reasons :

1. Allow for personalization
2. Store users' passwords
3. Assist with online shopping
4. Track how often users visit a site
5. Target advertisement

• Spam is an unsolicited e-mail message or newsgroup posting.
• W-mail filtering block e-mail messages from designated sources.
• Anti-spam programs attempt to remove spam before it reaches your inbox.
• Phishing is a scam in which a perpetrator sends an official looking e-mail message that attempts to obtain your personal and financial information.
• Pharming is a scam where a perpetrator attempts to obtain your personal financial information via spoofing.
• Social engineering is defined as gaining unauthorized access or obtaining confidential information by taking advantage of trust and naivety.
• Employee monitoring involves the use of computers to observe, record, and review an employee's use of a computer.
• Content filtering is the process or restricts access to specified Web sites.

Chapter #10 Managing a Database

Databases, Data, and Information

• Database

1. Collection of data organized in a manner that allows access, retrieval, and use of the data.

• Data

1. Collection of unprocessed items
2. Text
3. Numbers
4. Images
5. Audio
6. Video

• Information

1. Processed data 
2. Documents 
3. Audio
4. Images 
5. Video

• Database software, often called a database management system (DBMS), allows users to :

1. Create a computerized database
2. Add, modify, and delete data
3. Sort and retrieve data
4. Create forms and reports from the data

• Data integrity identifies the quality of the data.
• Garbage in, garbage out (GIGO) points out the accuracy of a computer's output depends on the accuracy of the input.
• Valuable information should have the following characterictics :

1. Accurate
2. Verifiable
3. Timely
4. Organized
5. Accessible
6. Useful
7. Cost-effective

The Hierarchy of Data

• A character is one byte - Numbers, letters, space, punctuation marks, or other symbols.
• A field is a combination of one or more related characters

1. Field name
2. Field size
3. Data type

• Common data types include:

1. Text
2. Numeric
3. AutoNumber
4. Currency
5. Date
6. Memo
7. Yes/No
8. Hyperlink
9. Object
10. Attachment

• A record is a group of related fields - A primary key uniquely identifies each record.
• A data file is a collection of related records.

Maintaining Data

• File maintenance refers to the procedures that keep data current

1. Adding records
2. Modifying records
3. Deleting records

• Users add new records to a file when they obtain new data.
• Users modify a record to correct inaccurate data or update old data.
• When a record no longer is needed, a user deletes it from a file.
• Validation compares data with a set of rules or values to find out if the data is correct

1. Alphabetic/Numeric check
2. Range check
3. Consistency check
4. Completeness check
5. Check digit
6. Other checks

File Processing Versus Databases

• File processing system

1. Each department has its own set of files
2. Used for many years
3. Have data redundancy
4. Isolate data

• Databases approach

1. Programs and users share data
2. Reduce data redundancy
3. Improve data integity
4. Share data
5. Allows easier access
6. Reduces development time
7. Can be more vulnerable

Database Management Systems

• A data dictionary contains data about each file in the database and each field in those files.
• A DBMS provides several tools that allow users and programs to retrieve and maintain data in the database

1. Query language
2. Query by example
3. Form
4. Report generator

• A query language consists of simple, English-like statements that allows users to specify the data to display, print, or store.
• Query by example (QBE) provides a GUI to assist users with retrieving data.
• A form is a window on the screen that provides area for entering or modifying data in a database.
• A report generator allows users to design a report on the screen, retrieve data into the report design, and then display or print the report.
• A DBMS provides means to ensure that only authorized users access data at permitted times.

1. Access privileges
2. Principle of least privilege

• A DMBS provides a variety of techniques to restore the database to a usable form in case it is damaged or destroyed

1. Backup
2. Log
3. Recovery utility
4. Continuous backup

Relational, Object-Oriented, and Multidimensional Databases

• A data model consists of rules and standards that define how the database organizes data.
• A relational database stores data in tables that consist of rows and columns.

1. Each row has a primary key
2. Each column has a unique name

• A relationship is a link within the data.
• Structured Query Language (SQL) is a query language that allows users to manage, update, and retrieve data.
• An object-oriented database (OODB) stores data in objects.
• Examples of applications appropriate for an object-oriented database include :

1. Multimedia database
2. Groupware database
3. Computer-aided design database
4. Hypertext database

• A multidimensional database can store data in more than two dimensions of data

1. Sometimes known as a hypercube
2. Can consolidate data much faster than a relational database

• A data warehouse is a huge database that stores and manages the data required to analyze historical and current transactions.

Web Databases

• Databases on the Web allow you to :

1. Shop for products or services
2. Buy or sell stocks
3. Search for a job
4. Make airline reservations
5. Register for college classes
6. Check semester grades

Database Administration

• It is important to have a carefully designed database.
• Employees should learn how to use the data in the database effectively.

1. Interact with database
2. Identify new data for the database
3. Maintain the database

Chapter #9 Networks and Communications

COMMUNICATIONS

• Computer communications describes a process in which two or more computers or devices transfer data, instructions, and information.

USES OF COMPUTER COMMUNICATIONS

• Blogs
• Chat rooms
• E-mail
• Fax
• FTP
• Instant messaging 
• Internet
• Newsgroup
• RSS
• Video conferencing
• VoIP
• Web
• Web 2.0
• Web folder
• Wikis

• Users can send and receive wireless messages using wireless messaging services.
• Wireless Internet access points allow people to connect wirelessly to the Internet from home, work, school, and in many public locations.
• A cybercafe is a coffeehouse, restaurant, or other location that provides personal computers with Internet access to its customers.
• A global positioning system (GPS) is a navigation system that consists of one or more earth-based receivers that accept and analyze signals sent by satellites in order to determine the GPS receiver,s geographic location.
• Groupware

1. Helps groups of people work together on projects and share information over a network.
2. Component of workgroup computing.
3. Major feature is group scheduling.

• Voicemail

1. Allows someone to leave a voice message for one or more people.
2. Computer in voicemail system converts an analog voice message into digital form.
3. A voice mailbox is a storage location on a hard disk in the voice mail system.

• Many programs provide a means to collaborate, or work online, with other users connected to a server.
• Collaboration software includes tools that enable users to share documents via online meetings and communicate with other connected users.
• Web services enable programmers to create applications that communicate with other remote computers over the internet or on an internal business network.
• A mashup is a web application that combines services from two or more sources.
• A network is a collection of computers and devices connected together via communications devices and transmission media.

NETWORKS

• Advantages of a network include:

1. Facilitating communications
2. Sharing hardware 
3. Sharing data and information
4. Sharing software 
5. Transferring funds

• A local area network (LAN) is a network that connects computers and devices in a mimited geographical area.
• A wireless LAN (WLAN) is a LAN that uses no physical wires.
• A metropolitan area network (MAN) connects LANs in a metropolitan area.
• A wide area network (WAN) is a network that covers a large geographical area.
• The design of computers, devices, and media on a network is sometimes called the network architecture.
• P2P describes an Internet network on which users access each other's hard disks and exchange files directly over the Internet.
• A network topology refers to the layout of the computers and devices in a communications network.
• An internet is an internal network that uses Internet technologies.
• An extranet allows customers or suppliers to access part of its intranet.

Network Communications Standards 

1. Ethernet
2. Token ring
3. TCP/IP
4. Wi-Fi
5. Bluetooth 
6. UWB 
7. IrDA
8. RFID
9. WiMAX
10. WAP

• Ethernet is a network standard that specifies no computer controls when data can be transmitted.
• The token ring standard specifies that computers and devices on the network share or pass a special signal (token).
• TCP/IP is a network standard that defines how messages are routed from one end of a network to another.
• Wi-Fi identifies any network based on the 802.11 standard that facilities wireless communication.
• Sometimes referred to as wireless Ethernet.
• Bluetooth defines how two Bluetooth devices use short-range radio waves to transmit data.
• UWB (ultra-wideband) specifies how two UWB devices use short-range radio waves to communicate at high speeds.
• IrDA transmits data wirelessly via infrared (IR) light waves.
• RFID uses radio signals to communicate with a tag places in or attached to an object, animal, or person.
• WiMAX (802.16)

1. Developed by IEEE
2. Towers can cover a 30-mile radius
3. Two types are fixes wireless and mobile wireless
4. Provides wireless broadband Internet access

• Wireless Application Protocol (WAP)

1. Specifies how some mobile devices can display the content of Internet services
2. Web 
3. E-mail
4. Chat rooms
5. Uses a client/server network

Communications Software

• Communication software consists of programs that :

1. Help users establish a connection to another computer or network.
2. Manage the transmission of data, instructions, and information.
3. Provide an interface for users to communicate with one another.

Communications Over the Telephone Network

• The public switched telephone network (PSTN) is the worldwide telephone system.

1. Dial-up ines
2. Dedicated line
3. ISDN line
4. DSL
5. FTTP
6. T-carrier line
7. ATM

• ADSL connections transmit data downstream at a much faster rate than upstream.

Communications Devices

• A communications device is any type of hardware capable of transmitting data, instructions, and information between a sending device and a receiving device.
• A dial-up modem converts signals between analog and digital.
• A digital modem sends and receives data and information to and from a digital line.

1. DSL modem
2. Cable modem

• A wireless modem uses the cell phone network to connect to the Internet wirelessly form a notebook computer, a smart phone, or other mobile device.
• A network card enables a computer or device to access a network.
• Available in a variety of styles.
• Wireless network cards often have an antenna.
• A wireless access point is a central communications device that allows computers and devices to transfer data wielessly among themselves or to a wired network.
• A router connects multiple computers or other routers together and transmits data to its correct destination on a network.
• Many are protected y a hardware firewall.
• A hub or switch connects several devices in a network together.

Home Networks

• Home networks provide computers with the following capabilities :

1. Connect to the Internet at the same time
2. Share a single high-speed Internet connection
3. Access files and programs on other computers
4. Share peripherals
5. Play multiplayer games
6. Connect game consoles to the Internet
7. Subscribe to and use VoIP

• Types of wired home networks :

1. Ethernet
2. Powerline cable
3. Phoneline

Communications Channel

• The amount of data that can travel over a communications channel sometimes is called the bandwidth.
• Latency is the time it takes a signal to travel from one location to another on a network.
• Transmission media carries one or more signals.
• Broadband media transmit multiple signals simultaneously.

Wireless Transmission Media

• Cellular radio is a form of broadcast radio that is used widely for mobile communications.
• Microwaves are radio waves that provide a high-speed signal transmission.
• A communications satellites is a space station that receives microwaves signals from an earth-based station, amplifies it, and broadcasts the signal over a wide area.

Chapter #8 Types of Storage

Storage

• Storage holds data, instructions, and information for future use.
• A storage medium is the physical material on which a computer keeps data, instructions, and information.
• Capacity is the number of bytes a storage medium can hold.
• A storage device is the computer hardware that records and/or retrieves items to and from storage media.

1. Reading is the process or transferring items from a storage medium into memory.
2. Writing is the process of transferring items from memory to a storage medium.

• Access time measures : 

1. The amount of time it takes a storage device to locate an item on a storage medium.
2. The time required to deliver an item from memory to the processor.

Hard Disk

• A hard disk contains one or more inflexible, circular platters that use magnetic particles to store data, instructions, and information.
• Hard disks can store data using longitudinal recording or perpendicular recording.
• Characteristics of a hard disk include :

1. Capacity
2. Platters
3. Read/Write Heads
4. Cylinders
5. Sectors and Tracks 
6. Revolutions per Minutes
7. Transfer Rate
8. Access Time

• Formatting is the process of dividing the disk into tracks and sectors so that the operating system can store and locate data and information on the disk.
• The hard disk arms move the read/write head, which reads items and writes items in the drive - Location often is referred to by its cylinder.
• A head crash occurs when a read/write head touches the surface of a platter.
• Always keep a backup of your hard disk.
• RAID (redundant array of independent disks) is a group of two or more integrated hard disks.
• A network attached storage (NAS) device is a server connected to a network with the sole purpose of providing storage.
• An external hard dish is a separate free-standing hard disk that connects to your computer with a cable or wirelessly.
• A removable hard disk is a hard disk that you insert and remove from a drive.
• Internal and external hard disks are available in miniature sizes (miniature hard disks)
• A disk controller consists of a special-purpose chip and electronic circuits that control the transfer of data, instructions, and information from a disk to and from the system bus and other components of the computer.

1. SATA
2. EIDE
3. SCSI
4. SAS

Flash Memory Storage

• Flash memory chips are a type of solid state media and contain no moving parts.
• Solid state drives (SSDs) have several advantages over magnetic hard disks :

1. Faster access time
2. Faster transfer rates
3. Generate less heat and consume less power
4. Last longer

• A memory card is a removable flash memory device that you insert and remove from a slot in a computer, mobile device, or card reader/writer.

1. Compact Flash (CF)
2. Secure Digital (SD)
3. Secure Digital High Capacity (SDHC)
4. microSD
5. microSDHC
6. xD Pictue Crd
7. Memory Stick
8. Memory Stick Micro (M2)

• USB flash drives plug into a USB port on a computer or mobile device.
• An Express Card module is a removable device that fits in an Express Card slot.
• Developed by the PCMCIA.
• Commonly used in notebook computer.

Cloud Storage

• Cloud storage in an Internet service that provides storage to computer users.
• Users subscribe to cloud storage for a variety of reasons :

1. Access files from any computer
2. Store large files instantaneously
3. Allow others to access their files
4. View time-critical data and images immediately
5. Store offsite backups
6. Provide data center functions

Optical Discs

• An optical disc consists of a flat, round, portable disc made of metal, plastic, and lacquer that is written and read by a laser.
• Typically store software, data, digital photos, movies, and music.
• Read only vs. re-writable.
• Optical discs commonly store items in a single track that spirals from the center of the disc to the edge.
• Track is divided into evenly sized sectors.
• Care of optical discs.
• A CD-ROM can be read from but not written to - Read from a CD-ROM drive or CD-ROM player.
• A CD-R is a multi-session optical disc on which users can write, but not erase.
• A CD-RW is and erasable multi-session disc - Must have a CD-RW drive.
• Archive disc :

1. Stores photos from an online photo center
2. Resolution usually is 7200 pixels per photo
3. Cost is determines by the number of photos being stored

• Picture CD :

1. Single-session CD-ROM that stores digital versions of film
2. Typically uses a 1024 x 1536 resolution
3. Many photo centers offer Picture CD services

• A DVD-ROM is a high-capacity optical disc on which users can read but not write or erase - Requires a DVD-ROM drive
• A Blu-ray Disc-ROM (BD-ROM) has a storage capacity of 100 GB
• DVD-RW, DVD+RW, and DVD+RAM are high-caacity rewritable DVD formats

Other Types of Storage

• Tape 
• Magnetic stripe cards and smart cards
• Microfilm and microfiche
• Enterprise storage
• Tape is a magnetically coated ribbon of plastic capable of storing large amounts of data and information.
• A tape drive reads and writes data and information on a tape.
• A magnetic stripe card contains a magnetic stripe that stores information.
• A smart card stores data on a thin microprocessor embedded in the card.
• Microfilm and microfiche store microscopic image of documents on a roll or sheet film.
• Enterprise storage stores huge volumes of data and information for large businesses - Uses special hardware for heavy use, maximum availability, and maximum efficiency.

Putting It All Together

• Home user

1. 500 GB hard disk
2. Cloud storage
3. Optical reader/writer
4. USB flash drive

• Small office/Home Office user

1. 1 TB hard disk
2. Cloud storage
3. Optical disc drive
4. External hard disk for backup
5. USB flash drive

• Mobile

1. 250 GB hard disk
2. Cloud storage
3. Optical disc drive
4. Card reader/writer
5. Portable hard disk for backup
6. USB flash drive

• Power User

1. 2.5 TB hard disk
2. Cloud storage
3. Optical hard drive
4. Portable hard disk for backup
5. USB flash drive

• Enterprise User (desktop computer)

1. 1 TB hard disk
2. Optical disc drive
3. Smart card reader
4. Tape drive
5. USB flash drive

• Enterprise User (server or mainframe)

1. Network storage server
2. 40 TB hard disk system
3. Optical disc server
4. Microfilm or microfiche

Chapter #7 Understanding Output

What Is Output ?

• Output is data that has been processed into a useful form.
• An output device is any type of hardware component that conveys information to one or more people.

Display Devices

• A display device visually conveys text, graphics, and video information.
• A monitor is packaged as a separate peripheral.

1. LCD monitor
2. Widescreen

• Liquid crystal display (LCD) uses a liquid compound to present information on a display device.

1. Active-matrix display
2. Passive-matrix display

• The quality of an LCD monitor or LCD screen depends primarily on :

1. Resolution
2. Response time
3. Brightness
4. Dot pitch
5. Contrast ratio

• Resolution is the number of horizontal and vertical pixels in a display device - A higher resolution uses a grater number of pixels.
• The graphics processing unit (GPU) controls the manipulation and display of graphics and a display device.
• LCD monitors use a digital signal and should lug into a DVI port, an HDMI port, or a Display Port.
• Plasma monitors are display devices that use gas plasma technology and offer screen sizes up to 150 inches.
• Televisions also are a good output device - Require a converter if you are connecting your computer to an analog television.
• Digital television (DTV) offers a crisper, higher-quality output.
• HDTV is the most advanced form of digital television.
• A CRT monitor is a desktop monitor that contains a cathode-ray tube - Have a much larger footprint than do LCD monitors.

Printers

• A printer produces text and graphics on a physical medium :

1. Printed information is called a hard copy, or printout.
2. Landscape or portrait orientation.

• A nonimpact printer forms characters and graphics on a piece of paper without actually striking the paper.

1. Ink-jet printers
2. Photo printers
3. Laser printers
4. Thermal printers
5. Mobile printers
6. Label and postage printers
7. Plotters
8. Large-format printers

• An ink-jet printer forms characters and graphics by spraying tiny drops of liquid ink into a piece of paper :

1. Color or black-and-white
2. Printers with a higher dpi (dots per inch) produce a higher quality output

• A photo printer produces color photo-lab-quality pictures
• Most use ink-jet technology
• PictBridge allows you to print photos directly from a digital camera
• Print from a memory card and preview photos on a built-in LCD screen
• Laser printer

1. High-speed
2. Black-and-white
3. High-quality
4. Color

• A multi-function peripheral (MFP) is a single device that prints, scans, copies, and in some cases, faxes - sometimes called an all-in-one device
• A thermal printer generates images by pushing electrically heated pins against the heat-sensitive paper.

1. Thermal wax-transfer printer
2. Dye-sublimation printer

• A mobile printer is a small, lightweight, battery-powered printer that allows a mobile user to print from a notebook computer, smart phone, or other mobile device.
• A label printer is a small printer that prints on adhesive-type material.
• A postage printer prints postage stamps - Postage also can be printed on other types of printers.
• Plotters are used to produce high-quality drawings.
• Large-format printers create photo-realistic quality color prints on a larger scale.
• Impact printers form characters and graphics on a piece of paper by striking a mechanism against an inked ribbon that physically contacts the paper.

1. Dot-matrix printer
2. Line printer

• A dot-matrix printer produces printed images when tiny wire pins on a print head mechanism strike an inked ribbon.
• A line printer prints an entire line at a time.

Speakers, Headphones, and Earbuds

• An audio output device produces music, speech, or other sounds.
• Most computer users attach speakers to their computers to :

1. Generate higher-quality sounds for playing games
2. Interact with multimedia presentations
3. Listen to music
4. View movies

• Headphones are speakers that cover or are placed outside of the ear
• Earbuds (also called earphones) rest inside the ear canal.
• Some speakers are specifically designed to play audio from a portable media player - Wireless speakers
• Voice output occurs when you hear a person's voice or when the computer talks to you through the speakers.

1. Some Web sites dedicate themselves to providing voice output
2. Often works with voice input
3. VoIP uses voice output and voice input

Other Output Devices

• Other output devices are available for specific uses and application 

1. Data projectors
2. Interactive whiteboards
3. Force-feedback game controllers
4. Tactile output

• A data projector is a device that takes the text and images displaying on a computer screen and projects them on a larger screen.

1. LCD projector
2. Digital light processing (DLP) projector

• An interview whiteboard is a touch-sensitive device, resembling a dry-erase board, that displays the image on a connected computer screen.
• Force-feedback sends resistance to the device in response too actions of user.
• Tactile output provides the user with a physical response from the device.

Chapter #6 Understanding Input

What is Input ?

• Input is any data and instructions entered into the memory of a computer.
• Instructions can be entered into the computer in the form of programs, commands, and user responses.

1. A program is a series of related instructions that tells a computer what tasks to perform and how to perform them.
2. Program respond to commands that a user issues.
3. A user response is an instruction a user issues by replying to a question displayed by a program.

What Are Input Devices ?

• An input device is any hardware component that allows users to enter data and instructions into a computer.

The Keyboard

• A keyboard is an input device that contains keys users press to enter data and instructions into a computer.
• Most desktop computer keyboards have...

1. Between 101 and 105 keys
2. A numeric keypad on the right side of the keyboard
3. Function keys, CTRL keys, ALT keys, and arrow keys
4. WINDOWS key
5. APPLICATION key
6. Toggle keys

• Wired Keyboards : USE port
• Wireless Keyboards : Bluetooth / IrDA
• An ergonomic keyboard has a design that reduces the chance of wrist and hand injuries.
• Ergonomics incorporates comfort, efficiency, and safety into the design of the workplace.
• Keyboards on mobile devices typically are smaller and/or have fewer keys.
• Some phones have predictive text input, which saves time when entering text using the phone's keypad.

Pointing Devices

• A pointing device is an input device that allows a user to control a pointer on the screen.
• A pointer is a small symbol on the screen whose location and shape change as a user moves a pointing device.

Mouse

• A mouse is a pointing device that fits under the palm of your hand comfortably - Most widely used pointing device on desktop computers.
• A mouse can be wired or wireless.

Other Pointing Devices

- Trackball -

• A trackball is a stationary pointing device with a ball on its top or side.

- Touch-pad -

• A touchpad is a small, flat, rectangular pointing device that is sensitive to pressure and motion.

- Pointing Stick -

• A pointing stick is a pressure-sensitive pointing device shaped like a pencil eraser that is positioned between keys on an keyboard.

Touch Screens and Touch-Sensitive Pads

• A touch screen is a touch-sensitive display device.
• Microsoft surface
• Touch-sensitive pads

Pen Input

• With pen input, you touch a stylus or digital pen on a flat surface to write, draw, or make selections.

Game Controllers

• Video games and computer games use a game controller as the input device that directs movements and actions of on-screen objects.

1. Gamepads
2. Joysticks and Wheels
3. Light guns
4. Dance pads
5. Motion-sensing controllers

Digital Cameras

• A digital camera is a mobile device that allows users to take pictures and store them digitally.

1. Studio cameras
2. Field cameras
3. Point-and-shoot camera

• Two factors affect the quality of digital camera photos :

Resolution :

1. Resolution is the number of horizontal and vertical pixels in a display device.
2. A pixel is the smallest element in an electronic display.

Number of bits stored in each pixel :

1. Each pixel consists of one or more bits of data.
2. The more bits used to represent a pixel, the more colors and shades of gray that can be represented.

Voice Input

• Voice input is the process of entering input by speaking into a microphone.
• Voice recognition is the computer's capability of distinguishing spoken words.
• Audio input is the process of entering any sound into the computer.

1. Speech
2. music
3. Sound Effects

• Music production software allows users to record, compose, mix, and edit music and sounds.

Video Input

• Video input is the process of capturing full-motion images and storing them on a computer's storage medium.

1. Record video on a digital video (DV) camera or use a video capture card to convert analog signals to digital.
2. Connect the camera to a port on the system unit.
3. Transfer video and images.

• A Web cam is a type of digital video camera that enables a user to :

1. Capture video and still images
2. Send e-mail messages with video attachments
3. Add live images to instant messages
4. Broadcast live images over the Internet
5. Make video telephone calls

• A video conference is a meeting between two or more grographically separated people.

Scanners and Reading Devices

• Flatbed
• Pen or Handheld
• Sheet-fed
• Drum
• Optical character recognition (OCR) involves reading characters from ordinary documents.
• A turnaround document is a document you return to the company that creates and sends it.
• Optical mark recognition (OMR) reads hand-drawn marks such as small circles or rectangles.
• An OMR device scans the documents and matches the patterns of light.
• A bar code reader, also called a bar code scanner uses laser beams to read bar codes.
• RFID (radio frequency identification) uses radio signals to communicate with a tag laced in or attached to an object.
• An RFID reader reads information on the tag via radio waves.
• RFID can track :

1. Tracking times of runners in a marathon
2. Tracking location of soldiers
3. Employee wardrobes
4. Airline baggage
5. Checking lift tickets of skiers
6. Managing inventory
7. Gauging pressure and temperature of tires
8. Checking out library books
9. Tracking toll payments

• Magnetic stripe card readers read the magnetic stripe on the back of cards such as :

1. Credits cards
2. Entertainment cards
3. Bank cards
4. Other similar cards

• MICR (magnetic ink character recognition) devices read text printed with magnetized ink.
• An MICR reader converts MICR characters into a form the computer can process.
• Banking industry uses MICR for check processing.
• Data collection devices obtain data directly at the location where the transaction or event takes place.
• Used in :

1. Restaurants
2. Grocery stores
3. Factories
4. Warehouses
5. The outdoors

Biometric Inut

• Biometrics a authenticates a person's identity by verifying a personal characteristic :

1. Fingerprint reader
2. Face recognition system
3. Hand geometry system
4. Voice verification system
5. Signature verification system
6. Iris recognition system
7. Retinal scanners

Terminals

• A terminal is a computer that allows users to send data to and/or receive information from a host computer.

1. A POS terminal records purchases, processes payment, and updates inventory.
2. An automated teller machine (ATM) allows users to access their bank accounts.
3. A DVD kiosk is a self-service DVD rental machine.

Input Devices for Physically Challenged Users

• Several input devices are available to assist physically challenger users:

1. Keygaurd
2. Keyboards with larger keys
3. On-screen keyboard
4. Various pointing devices
5. Head-mouted pointer
6. Gesture recognition
7. Computerized implant devices
8. Keyboard with larger keys
9. Head-mounted pointer
10. 
    

Chapter #5 Type of Utility Programs and Operating System

Objective Overview

• Define system software and identify the two types of system software.
• Describe the functions of an operating system.
• Summarize the startup process on a personal computer.
• Summarize the features of several stand-alone operating systems.
• Briefly describe various server operating systems.
• Summarize the features of several embedded operating systems.
• Explain the purpose of several utility programs.

System software

• System software consists of the programs that control or maintain the operations of the computer and its devices.

1. Operating systems
2. Utility Programs

Operating System

• An operating system (OS) is a set programs containing instructions that work together to coordinate all the activities among computer hardware resources.

1. Start and shut down a computer
2. Provide a user interface
3. Manage programs
4. Manage memory
5. Coordinate tasks 
6. Configure devices
7. Establish an Internet connection
8. Monitor performance
9. Provide utilities
10. Automatically update
11. Control a network 
12. Administer security

Operating System Functions

• The process of starting or restarting a computer is called booting.

1. Cold boot - Turning on a computer that has been powered off completely.
2. Warm boot - Using the operating system to restart a computer.

• A boot drive is the drive from which your computer starts :

1. You can boot from a boot disk.
2. A recovery disk contains a few system files that will start the computer.

• An operating system includes various shut down options :

1. Sleep mode saves any open documents and programs to RAM, turns off all unneeded functions, and then places the computer in a low-power state.
2. Hibernate saves any open documents and programs to a hard disk before removing power from the computer.

• A user interface controls how you enter data and instructions and how information is displayed on the screen.
• With a graphical user interface (GUI), you interact with menus and visual images.
• With a command-line interface a user uses the keyboard to enter data and instructions.
• How an operating system handles programs directly affects your productivity :

1. Single user and multiuser
2. Single tasking and multitasking
3. Foreground and background
4. Preemptive multitasking
5. Multiprocessing

• Memory management optimize the use of RAM.
• Virtual memory is a portion of a storage medium functioning as additional RAM.
• The operating system determines the order in which tasks are processed.
• A driver is a small program that tells the operating system how to communicate with a specific device,
• Plug and Play automatically configures new devices as you install them.
• Operating systems typically provide a means to establish Internet connections.
• A performance monitor is a program that assesses and report information about various computer resources and devices.
• Operating systems often provide users with the capability of :

1. Managing files
2. Searching for files
3. Viewing images
4. Securing a computer
5. Uninstalling programs
6. Cleaning up disks
7. Defragmenting disks
8. Diagnosing problems
9. Backing up files and disks
10. Setting up screen savers

• Automatic update automatically provides updates to the program.
• Some operating systems are designed to work with a server on a network.
• A server operating system organizes and coordinates how multiple users access and share resources on a network.
• A network administrator uses the server operating system to :

1. Add and remove users, computers, and other devices.
2. Install software and administer network security.

• Each user has a user account

1. A user name, or user ID, identifies a specific user.
2. A password is a private combination of characters associated with the user name.

Stand-Alone Operating Systems

• A stand-alone operating system is a complete operating system that works on a desktop computer, notebook computer, or mobile computing device:

1. Wiondows 7
2. Mac OS X
3. UNIX
4. Linux

• Windows 7 is Microsoft's fastest, most efficient operating system to date and is available in multiple editions : 

1. Windows 7 Starter
2. Windows 7 Home Premium
3. Windows 7 Ultimate
4. Windows 7 Professional

• Windows 7 provides programs such as :

1. Windows Firewall
2. Windows DVD Maker
3. Windows Media Player
4. Desktop Gadget Gallery

• The Macintosh operating system has set the standard for operating system ease of use .
• Latest version is Max OS X.
• UNIX is a multitasking operating system developed in the early 1970s.
• Linus is an open-source popular, multitasking UNIX-type operating system.

Server Operating Systems :

1. Windows Server 2008
2. UNIX
3. Linux
4. Solaris NetWare

•  Windows Server 2008 is an upgrade to Windows Server 2003

1. Part of the Windows Server 2008 family
2. Multiple editions

• Most editions include Hyper-V, a virtualization technology

1. Virtualization is the practice of sharing or pooling computing resources.

Embedded Operating Systems

• An embedded operating system resides on a ROM chip on a mobile device or consumer electronic device. 

1. Windows Embedded CE
2. Windows Phone 7
3. Palm OS
4. iPhone OS
5. BlackBerry
6. Google Android
7. Embedded Linux
8. Symbian OS

Utility Programs

• A utility program is a type of system software that allows a user to perform maintenance-type tasks.
• A file manager is a utility that performs functions related to file management.

1. Displaying a list of files
2. Organizing files in folders
3. Copying, renaming, deleting, moving, and sorting files and folders
4. Creating shortcuts

• A search utility is a program that attempts to locate a file on your computer bases on criteria you specify.
• An image viewer allows users to display, copy, and print the contents of a graphics file.
• An uninstaller removes a program, as well as any associated entries in the system files.
• A disk cleanup utility searches for and removes unnecessary files.

1. Download program files
2. Temporary Internet file
3. Deleted files
4. Unused program files

• A disk defragmenter reorganizes the files and unused space on a computer's hard disk so that the operating system accesses data more quickly and programs run faster.
• A backup utility allows users to copy files to another storage medium.
• A restore utility reverses the process and returns backed up files to their original form.
• A screen saver causes a display device's screen to show a moving image or blank screen if no activity occurs for a specified time.
• A personal firewall detects and protects a personal computer from unauthorized intrusions.
• A virus describes a potentially damaging computer program that affects a computer negatively.
• A worm copies itself repeatedly in memory or over a network.
• A Trojan horse hides within or looks like a legitimate program.
• An antivirus program protects a computer against viruses.
• Spyware is a program places on a computer without the user's knowledge that secretly collects information about the user. : A spyware remover detects and deletes spyware and other programs.
• Adware displays an online advertisement in a banner or pop-up window. : An adware remover is a program that detects and deletes adware.
• Filters are programs that remove or block certain items from being displayed.

1. Web filtering software
2. Anti-spam programs
3. Phishing filters
4. Pop-up blockers

• A file compression utility shrinks the size of a file(s)

1. Compressing files frees up room on the storage media
2. Two type of compression : Lossy / Lossless

• Compressed files sometimes are called zipped files

1. Can be uncompressed

• A media player allows you to view images and animation, listen to audio, and watch video files on your computer.
• Disc burning software writes text, graphics, audio, and video files on a record-able or re-writable optical disc.
• A personal computer maintenance utility identifies and fixes operating system problems, detects and repairs disk problems, and includes the capability of improving a computer's performance.

Computer Application #4 System Unit Components

The System Unit

• The system unit is a case that contains electronic components of the computer used to process data.
• The inside of the system unit on a desktop personal computer includes :

1. Drive bay(s)
2. Power supply
3. Sound card
4. Video card
5. Processor
6. Memory

• The motherboard is the main circuit board of the system unit.

Processor

• The processor, also called the central processing unit (CPU), interprets and carries out the basic instructions that operate a computer.
• The control unit is the component of the processor that directs and coordinates most of the operations in the computer.
• The arithmetic logic unit (ALU) performs arithmetic, comparison, and other operations.
• For every instruction, a processor repeats a set of four basic operations, which comprise a machine cycle.
• Most current personal computers support pipelining - processor begins fetching a second instruction before it completes the machine cycle for the machine cycle for the first instruction.
• The processor contains registers, that temporarily hold data and instructions.
• The system clock controls the timing of all computer operations.
• The space of the system clock is called the clock speed, and is measures in gigahertz (GHz)
• The leading manufactures of personal computer processor chips are Intel and AMD.
• Determine how you plan to use a new computer before selecting a processor.
• A processor chip generates heat that could cause the chip to burn u.
• Require additional cooling

1. Heat sinks
2. Liquid cooling technology

• Parallel processing uses multiple processors simultaneously to execute a single program or task - Massively parallel processing involves hundreds or thousands of processors.

Data Representation

• Analog signals are continuous and vary in strength and quality.
• Digital signals are in one of two states : on or off.
• Most computers are digital. 
• The binary system uses two unique digits ( 0 and 1 )
• Bits and bytes.
• ASCII ( American Standard Code for Information Interchange ) is the most widely used coding scheme to represent data.

Memory

• Memory consists of electronic components that store instructions waiting to be executed by the processor, data needed by those instructions, and the results of processing the data.
• Stores three basic categories of items :

1. The operating system and other system software.
2. Application programs.
3. Data being processed and the resulting information.

• Each location in memory has an address.
• Memory size is measured in kilobytes (KB or K), megabytes (MB), gigabytes (GB), or terabytes (TB).
• The system unit contains two types of memory :

1. Volatile memory : Loses its contents when power is turned off . / Example includes RAM
2. Nonvolatile memory : Does not lose contents when power is removed. / Examples include ROM, flash memory, and CMOS.

• Three basic types of RAM chips exist :

1. Dynamic RAM (DRAM)
2. Static RAMM (SRAM)
3. Magnetosphere RAM (MRAM)

• RAM chips usually reside on a memory module and are inserted into memory slots.
• The amount of RAM necessary in a computer often depends on the types of software you plan to use.
• Memory cache speeds the processes of the computer because it stores frequently used instructions and data.
• Read-only memory (ROM) refers to memory chips storing permanent data and instructions.
• A PROM (programmable read-only memory) chip is a black ROM chip that can be written to permanently. 
• Flash memory can be erased electronically and rewritten - CMOS technology provides high speeds and consumes little power.
• Access time is the amount f time it takes the processor to read from memory - Measured in nanoseconds.

Expansion Slots and Adapter Cards 

• An expansion slot is a socket on to motherboard that can hold an adapter card.
• An adapter card enhances functions of a component of the system unit and/ or provides connections to peripherals. - Sound card and video card
• With Plug and Play, the computer automatically can configure adapter cards and peripherals as you install them.
• Removal flash memory includes : - Memory cards, USB flash drives, and PC Cards/Express Cared modules

Ports and Connectors

• A port is the point at which a peripheral attaches to or communicates with a system unit (sometimes referred to as a jack).
• A connector joins a cable to a port.
• On a notebook computer, the ports are on the back, front, and/or sides.
• A USB port can connect up to 127 different peripherals together with a single connector - You can attach multiple peripherals using a single USB port with a USB hub.
• Other types of port include :

1. Fire-wire port
2. Bluetooth port
3. SCSI port
4. eSATA port
5. IrDA port
6. Serial port
7. MIDI port

• A Bluetooth wireless port adapter converts a USB port into a Bluetooth port.
• A smart phone might communicate with a notebook computer using an IrDA port.
• A port replicator is an external device that provides connections to peripherals through ports built into the device.
• A docking station is an external device that attaches to a mobile computer or device.

Buses

• A bus allows the various devices both inside and attached to the system unit to communicate with each other :

1. Data bus
2. Address bus

• World size is the number of bits the processor can interpret and execute at a given time.
• Expansion slots connect to expansion buses.
• Common type of expansion buses include :

1. PCI bus
2. PCI Express bus
3. Accelerated Graphics Ports
4. USB and FireWire bus 
5. PC Card bus

Bays

• A bay is an opening inside the system unit in which you can install additional equipment. - A drive bay typically holds disk drives

Power Supply

• The power supply converts the wall outlet AC power into DC power.
• Some external peripherals have an AC adapter, which is an external power supply.

Keeping Your Computer or Mobile Device  Clean

• Clean our computer or mobile device once or twice a year.
• Turn off and unplug your computer or mobile device before cleaning it.
• Use compressed air to blow away dust.
• Use an anti static wipe to clean the exterior of the case and a cleaning solution and soft cloth to clean the screen.

Computer Application #3 Software For System

Application Software

• Application software consists of programs designed to make users more productive and/or assist with personal tasks:

1. To make business activities more efficient.
2. To assist with graphics and multimedia projects.
3. To support home, personal, and educational tasks.
4. To facilitate communications.

• Available in a variety of forms : 

1. Package software.
2. Custom software.
3. Web application.
4. Open source software.
5. Shareware.
6. Freeware.
7. Public-domain software.

• System software serves as the interface between the user, the application software, and the computer's hardware such as Utility programs.

Business Software

• Business software is application software that assists people while performing business activities such as :

1. Word Processing.
2. Spreadsheet.
3. Database.
4. Presentation.
5. Note taking,
6. Personal Information Manager.
7. Business Software for Phones.
8. Business Software Suites.
9. Project Management.
10. Accounting.
11. Document Management.
12. Enterprise Computer Software.

• Word processing software allows users to create and manipulate documents.
• Developing a document.

CREATE A DOCUMENT

1. Enter text and numbers.
2. Insert images
3. Perform other tasks.

EDIT A DOCUMENT

1. Make changes to existing content.
2. Inserting, deleting, cutting, copying, and pasting.

FORMAT A DOCUMENT

1. Change appearance.
2. Font.
3. Font size.

• Spreadsheet software allows users to organize data in rows and columns and perform calculations.
• Charting depicts data in a spreadsheet in graphical form.
• A database is a collection of data organized in a manner that allows access, retrieval, and use of the data such as Database software allows users to create, access, and manage a database. 
• Presentation software allows users to create visual aids for presentations to communicate ideas, messages, and other information to a group.
• Note taking software is application software that enables users to enter types text, handwritten comments, drawings, or sketches anywhere on a page.
• A software suite is a collection of individual programs available together as a unit.
• A personal information manager (PIM) is application software that includes :

1. Appointment calendar.
2. Address book.
3. Notepad.

• Scaled down versions of software are available to work with smart phones and other mobile devices.
• Project management software allows a user to plan, schedule, track, and analyze the events, resources, and costs of a project.
• Accounting software helps companies record and report their financial transactions.
• Document management software provides a means for sharing, distributing, and searching through documents by converting them into a format that can be viewed by any user.
• Enterprise typically require special computing solutions for various functional units such as :

1. Human resources
2. Accounting
3. Engineering
4. Manufacturing
5. Marketing
6. Sales
7. Distribution
8. Customer service
9. Information technology

Graphics and Multimedia Software

1. Computer-aided design (CAD) software
2. Desktop publishing software
3. Paint/ Image editing software
4. Professional photo editing software
5. Video and audio editing software
6. Multimedia authoring software

• Web page authoring software helps users of all skill levels create Web pages that include multimedia and interactive content.
• Software for Home, Personal, and Educational use :

1. Personal finance software
2. Legal software
3. Tax preparation software
4. Personal DTP software
5. Personal paint/ image editing software
6. Personal photo editing software
7. Clip art/ image gallery
8. Video and audio editing software
9. Home design/ landscaping software
10. Travel and mapping software
11. Reference software
12. Educational software
13. Entertainment software

Web Applications

• A Web application is a Web site that allows users to access and interact with software from any computer or device that is connected to the internet.
• Application Software for Communications

1. Web Browser
2. E-Mail
3. Instant Massaging
4. Chat Room
5. Text, Picture, Video Messaging
6. RSS Aggregator
7. Blogging
8. Newsgroup/ Message Board
9. FTP
10. VolP
11. Video Confetencing

Learning Tools for Application Software

• Online Help is the electronic equivalent of a user manual.
• You can ask a question or access the Help topics in subject or alphabetical order.
• Web-based Help provides updates and more comprehensive resources to respond to technical issues about software.
• Web-based training is a type of CBT that uses Internet technology and consists of application software on the Web.
• Distance Leaning (DL) is the delivery of education at one location while the learning takes place at other locations.