Fundamentals of Information

Systems, Fifth Edition

Chapter 2
Hardware and Software
 Principles and Learning Objectives
• Computer hardware must be carefully selected to
meet the evolving needs of the organization and its
supporting information systems
– Identify and discuss the role of the essential
hardware components of a computer system
– Identify the characteristics of and discuss the usage
of various classes of single-user and multiuser
computer systems

Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fifth Edition 2

 Principles and Learning Objectives
(continued)
• Systems and application software are critical in
helping individuals and organizations achieve their
goals
– Identify and briefly describe the functions of the two
basic kinds of software
– Outline the role of the operating system and identify
the features of several popular operating systems

Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fifth Edition 3

 Principles and Learning Objectives
(continued)
• Organizations should not develop proprietary
application software unless doing so will meet a
compelling business need that can provide a
competitive advantage
– Discuss how application software can support
personal, workgroup, and enterprise business
objectives
– Identify three basic approaches to developing
application software and discuss the pros and cons
of each

Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fifth Edition 4

 Principles and Learning Objectives
(continued)
• Organizations should choose a programming
language whose functional characteristics are
appropriate for the task at hand, considering the
skills and experience of the programming staff
– Outline the overall evolution and importance of
programming languages and clearly differentiate
among the generations of programming languages

Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fifth Edition 5

 Principles and Learning Objectives
(continued)
• The software industry continues to undergo
constant change; users need to be aware of recent
trends and issues to be effective in their business
and personal life
– Identify several key software issues and trends that
have an impact on organizations and individuals

Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fifth Edition 6

 Computer Systems: Integrating the
Power of Technology
• To assemble an effective and efficient system
– Select and organize components while
understanding the trade-offs between overall system
performance and cost, control, and complexity

Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fifth Edition 7

 Hardware Components
• Central processing unit (CPU)
– Arithmetic/logic unit (ALU)
• Performs calculations and makes logical comparisons
– Control unit
• Sequentially accesses, decodes and coordinates data
in CPU and other devices
• Primary memory
– Holds program instructions

Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fifth Edition 8

Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fifth Edition 9
 Processing and Memory Devices:
Power, Speed, and Capacity
• System unit
– Houses the components responsible for processing
(the CPU and memory)
• All other computer system devices are linked either
directly or indirectly into the system unit housing

Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fifth Edition 10

 Processing Characteristics and
Functions
• Clock speed
– Produces a series of electronic pulses produced at a
predetermined rate that affects machine cycle time
• Physical characteristics of the CPU
– CPU speed is also limited by physical constraints
– To turn a digital circuit on or off, electrical current
flows through silicon

Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fifth Edition 11

Memory Characteristics and Functions
• Storage capacity
– Data is stored in memory as a combination of on or
off circuit states
– Eight bits together form a byte (B)
• Types of memory
– Random access memory (RAM)
• Temporary and volatile
– Read-only memory (ROM)
• Usually nonvolatile

Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fifth Edition 12

 Multiprocessing
• Multicore microprocessor
– Shares workload among two or more independent
processors in a single computer
• Parallel processing
– Speeds processing by linking several processors to
operate at the same time, or in parallel

Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fifth Edition 13

 Multiprocessing
• Grid computing
– Collection of computers working to solve a common
problem
• Cloud computing
– Giant cluster of computers serving as a host to run
applications that require high-performance
computing

Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fifth Edition 14

 Secondary Storage and Input and
Output Devices
• Secondary storage
– Also called permanent storage
– Nonvolatile
– Greater capacity and greater economy than memory
– Costs considerably less per megabyte of capacity
than SDRAM

Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fifth Edition 15

 Access Methods
• Sequential access
– Data must be accessed in the order in which it is
stored
• Direct access
– Data can be retrieved directly, without having to pass
by other data in sequence

Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fifth Edition 16

 Secondary Storage Devices
• Magnetic tapes
– Secondary storage used primarily for backups
• Magnetic disks
– Direct access secondary storage, e.g., hard disk
• RAID
– Method of storing data so that if a hard drive fails,
the lost data on that drive can be rebuilt
• SAN
– Provides high-speed connections between data
storage devices and computers over a network
Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fifth Edition 17
 Secondary Storage Devices
(continued)
• Optical disks
– Compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) with a
storage capacity of 740 MB of data
• Digital video disk (DVD)
– Used to store digital video or computer data
• Flash memory
– Nonvolatile silicon computer chip
– Keeps its memory when the power is shut off

Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fifth Edition 18

 Input Devices
• Personal computer input devices
– Keyboard, mouse
• Speech-recognition technology
– Input devices that recognize human speech
• Digital cameras
– Record and store images or video in digital form
• Touch-sensitive Screens
– Allow display screens to function as input as well as
output devices

Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fifth Edition 19

 Input Devices (continued)
• Optical data readers
– Used to scan documents
• Magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) devices
– System that reads data quickly
• Pen input devices
– Touching the screen with a pen input device allows
you to activate a command
• Radio Frequency Identification
– Transmits data by a mobile device, called a tag

Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fifth Edition 20

 Output Devices
• Display monitors (CRTs)
– TV-screen-like device on which output from the
computer is displayed
• Liquid crystal displays (LCDs)
– Easier on eyes; use less electricity; take up less
space than CRTs
• Organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs)
– Directly emits light rather than using backlight
– Sharper colors and thinner displays

Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fifth Edition 21

 Output Devices (continued)
• Printers and plotters
– Laser printers are generally faster than inkjet printers
and can handle more volume
• Digital audio player
– Stores, organizes, and plays digital music files

Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fifth Edition 22

 Computer System Types
• Handheld computers
– Single-user computers that provide ease of
portability
• Ultra laptop computer
– Weighs less than three pounds (1.4 kg)
– Usually targeted for use by business travelers
• Portable computers
– Computer small enough to be carried easily
• Thin client
– Low-cost, centrally managed computer with no extra
drives
Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fifth Edition 23
 Computer System Types (continued)
• Desktop computers
– Small, inexpensive single-user computer systems
that are highly versatile
• Workstations
– More powerful than personal computers but small
enough to fit on a desktop
• Servers
– Computers designed for a specific task

Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fifth Edition 24

 Computer System Types (continued)
• Mainframe computer
– Large, powerful computer shared by hundreds of
concurrent users
• Supercomputers
– Most powerful computer systems
– Has fastest processing speeds and highest
performance

Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fifth Edition 25

 Overview of Software
• Computer programs
– Sequences of instructions for the computer
• Documentation
– Describes program functions
• Systems software
– Coordinates the activities of hardware and programs
• Application software
– Helps users solve particular problems

Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fifth Edition 26

 Supporting Individual, Group, and
Organizational Goals
• Sphere of influence
– The scope of problems and opportunities addressed by
a particular organization
• Workgroup
– Two or more people who work together to achieve a
common goal

Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fifth Edition 27

Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fifth Edition 28
Installing and Removing New Software
• Installing new software usually involves only a few
setup steps
• When possible
– Remove software using an add/remove software
utility

Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fifth Edition 29

 Systems Software
• Critical function of systems software
– Controlling operations of computer hardware
• Systems software
– Supports the application programs’ problem-solving
capabilities

Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fifth Edition 30

 Operating Systems
• Combinations of OSs, computers, and users
– Single computer with a single user
– Single computer with multiple users
– Multiple computers
– Special-purpose computers

Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fifth Edition 31

Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fifth Edition 32
Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fifth Edition 33
 Current Operating Systems
• Microsoft PC operating systems
– Windows Vista released in 2007 with the goal of
providing a more secure and stable operating
system
• Apple Computer Operating Systems
– OSs have evolved and often provide features not
available from Microsoft
• Linux
– An open-source operating system

Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fifth Edition 34

Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fifth Edition 35
 Enterprise Operating Systems
• z/OS
– IBM’s first 64-bit enterprise OS
• HP-UX and Linux
– Robust UNIX-based OS
– Supports Internet database

Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fifth Edition 36

 Operating Systems for Small
Computers, Embedded
Computers, and Special-Purpose
Devices
• Palm OS
– Operating system used in over 30 million handheld
computers and smartphones
• Windows Embedded
– Family of Microsoft OSs embedded into small
computer devices
• Windows Mobile
– Operating system designed for smartphones and
PDAs
Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fifth Edition 37
 Utility Programs
• Help to perform maintenance or correct problems
with a computer system
• Help to secure and safeguard data

Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fifth Edition 38

Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fifth Edition 39
 Application Software
• Give users the ability to solve problems and
perform specific tasks
• Interact with systems software; systems software
then directs the hardware to perform tasks

Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fifth Edition 40

 Types and Functions of Application
Software
• Proprietary software
– One-of-a-kind program for a specific application
• Off-the-shelf software
– Existing software program that can be purchased
• Application service provider (ASP)
– Provides the software, support, and computer
hardware on which to run the software
• Software as a service (SaaS)
– Businesses subscribe to Web-delivered business
application software by paying a monthly service
charge or a per-use fee
Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fifth Edition 41
Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fifth Edition 42
Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fifth Edition 43
Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fifth Edition 44
Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fifth Edition 45
 Workgroup Application Software
• Workgroup application software
– Designed to support teamwork
• Groupware
– Helps groups of people work together effectively

Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fifth Edition 46

Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fifth Edition 47
 Enterprise Application Software
• Software that benefits an entire organization
• Enterprise resource planning (ERP) software
– Programs that manage a company’s vital business
operations for an entire multisite, global organization

Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fifth Edition 48

Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fifth Edition 49
 Application Software for Information,
Decision Support, and Specialized
Purposes
• Available in every industry
– Example: genetic researchers are using software to
visualize and analyze the human genome

Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fifth Edition 50

 Programming Languages
• Sets of symbols and rules used to write program
code
• Programming
– Translating what a user wants into instructions that
the computer can understand and execute

Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fifth Edition 51

Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fifth Edition 52
 Software Issues and Trends
• Software issues
– Software bugs
– Copyrights and licenses
– Global software support

Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fifth Edition 53

 Summary
• Hardware devices
– Work together to perform input, processing, data
storage, and output
• Computer systems
– Can store large amounts of data and instructions in
secondary storage
• Input and output devices
– Allow users to provide data and instructions to the
computer for processing, storage, and output

Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fifth Edition 54

 Summary (continued)
• Operating system (OS)
– Set of computer programs that controls the computer
hardware to support users’ computing needs
• Application software
– Applies the power of the computer to solve problems
and perform specific tasks
• Approaches to developing application software
– Build proprietary application software
– Buy existing programs off the shelf
– Combination of customized and off-the-shelf
Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fifth Edition 55
 Summary (continued)
• Programming languages
– Provide instructions to a computer to perform some
processing activity
• Software issues and trends
– Software bugs, software licensing and copyrighting,
software upgrades, and global software support
• Global software support
– Important consideration for large, global companies
putting together standardized, company-wide
systems

Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fifth Edition 56