Fundamentals of Information Systems, Sixth 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
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Principles and Learning Objectives (continued)
•The computer hardware industry and users are implementing green computing designs and products
–Define the term green computing and identify the primary goals of this program
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Why Learn About Hardware and Software?
•Organizations invest in computer hardware to:
–Improve worker productivity
–Increase revenue, reduce costs
–Provide better customer service
•Managers:
–Are expected to know enough about their business needs to be able to ask tough questions
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Computer Systems: Integrating the Power of Technology
•To assemble an effective and efficient system:
–You should select and organize components while understanding the trade-offs between overall system performance and cost, control, and complexity
•Hardware objectives are:
–Subordinate to, but supportive of, the information system and the current and future needs of the organization
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Hardware Components
•Central processing unit (CPU):
–Arithmetic/logic unit, the control unit, and the register areas
•Arithmetic/logic unit (ALU):
–Performs mathematical calculations and makes logical comparisons
•Control unit:
–Sequentially accesses program instructions, decodes them, and coordinates the flow of data in and out of the ALU, registers, primary storage, and even secondary storage and various output devices
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Hardware Components (continued)
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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
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Processing Characteristics and Functions
•Clock speed:
–Series of electronic pulses produced at a predetermined rate that affects machine cycle time
–Often measured in:
•Megahertz (MHz): millions of cycles per second
•Gigahertz (GHz): billions of cycles per second
•Physical characteristics of the CPU
–Most CPUs are collections of digital circuits imprinted on silicon wafers, or chips, each no bigger than the tip of a pencil eraser
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Memory Characteristics and Functions
•Memory:
–Provides the CPU with a working storage area for programs and data
–Rapidly provides data and instructions to the CPU
•Storage capacity:
–Eight bits together form a byte (B)
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Memory Characteristics and Functions (continued)
Memory Characteristics and Functions (continued)
•Types of memory:
–Random access memory (RAM):
•Temporary and volatile
–Read-only memory (ROM):
•Nonvolatile
•Provides permanent storage for data and instructions that do not change
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Multiprocessing
•Multiprocessing:
–Simultaneous execution of two or more instructions at the same time
•Multicore microprocessor:
–Combines two or more independent processors into a single computer
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Multiprocessing (continued)
•Parallel computing:
–Simultaneous execution of the same task on multiple processors to obtain results faster
•Grid computing:
–Use of a collection of computers to work in a coordinated manner to solve a common problem
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Secondary Storage and Input and Output Devices
•Secondary storage:
–Compared with memory, offers the advantages of nonvolatility, greater capacity, and greater economy
–Considerably slower than memory
Access Methods
•Sequential access:
–Data must be retrieved in the order in which it is stored
–Devices used called sequential access storage devices (SASDs)
•Direct access:
–Records can be retrieved in any order
–Devices used are called direct access storage devices (DASDs)
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Secondary Storage Devices
•Magnetic tapes:
–Primarily for storing backups of critical organizational data
•Magnetic disks:
–Direct-access storage device
•Redundant array of independent/inexpensive disks (RAID):
–Method of storing data that generates extra bits of data from existing data
•Virtual tape:
–Storage technology for less frequently needed data
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Secondary Storage Devices (continued)
•Storage area network:
–Uses computer servers, distributed storage devices, and networks to tie everything together
•Optical discs:
–Common form of optical disc on which data cannot be modified once it has been recorded
•Digital video disc (DVD):
–Storage medium used to store software, video games, and movies
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Secondary Storage Devices (continued)
•Solid state secondary storage devices:
–Store data in memory chips rather than magnetic or optical media
–Have few moving parts, so they are less fragile than hard disk drives
–Disadvantages of SSD:
•High cost per GB of data storage
•Lower capacity compared to current hard drives
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Input Devices
•Devices used to input general types of data:
–Personal computer input devices
–Speech recognition technology
–Digital cameras
–Touch-sensitive screens
–Optical data readers
–Magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) devices
–Pen input devices
–Magnetic stripe card
–Radio Frequency Identification
Input Devices (continued)
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Output Devices
•Display monitors:
–Used to display the output from the computer
–Plasma display:
•Uses thousands of smart cells (pixels) consisting of electrodes and neon and xenon gases that are electrically turned into plasma to emit light
–LCD displays:
•Flat displays that use liquid crystals
–Organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs):
•Use a layer of organic material sandwiched between two conductors
Output Devices(continued)
•Printers and plotters:
–Two main types of printers are laser printers and inkjet printers
–Plotters are a type of hard-copy output device used for general design work
•Digital audio player:
–Can store, organize, and play digital music files
•E-books:
–Digital media equivalent of a conventional printed book
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Computer System Types
•Computer systems:
–Can range from desktop (or smaller) portable computers to massive supercomputers that require housing in large rooms
Computer System Types (continued)
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Computer System Types (continued)
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Portable Computers
•Handheld computers:
–Single-user computers that provide ease of portability because of their small size
•Laptop computer:
–Personal computer designed for use by mobile users
•Notebook computers:
–Lightweight computer that weighs less than 5 pounds
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Portable Computers (continued)
•Netbook computer:
–The smallest, lightest, least expensive member of the laptop computer family
•Tablet computers:
–Portable, lightweight computers with no