Compo02 ca

Exercise 1

1. What is a System? [Information System]

-An Information System is the system of persons, data records and activities that process the data and information in a given organization, including manual processes or automated processes. Usually the term is used erroneously as a synonym for computer-based information systems, which is only the Information technologies component of an Information System. The computer-based information systems are the field of study for Information technologies;however these hardly be treated apart from the bigger Information System that they are always involved in.

2. System Components and Concepts

• DATABASES- Organized collections of interrelated data used by applications software.
• HARDWARE- The hardware that makes up the computer is the body of the computer, and any other additional device needed by the computer to communicate with the outside world, pretty much in the way we have our eyes to see, our hands to write, our voice to speak, and so on. Depending on how close these are to the main body of the computer, these extra devices are considered part of the computer, or are called 'peripherals'.
• SOFTWARE- a general term used to describe a collection of computer programs, procedures and documentation that perform some task on a computer system. The term includes application software such as word processors which perform productive tasks for users, system software such as operating systems, which interface with hardware to provide the necessary services for application software, and middle ware which controls and co-ordinates distributed systems.
• PROCEDURE- Policies and method to be followed in using, operating, and maintaining an information system.

• INPUT- involves capturing and assembling elements that enter the system to be processed.
• PROCESSING- involves transformation processes that convert input into output.
• OUTPUT- involves transferring elements that have been produced by a transformation process to their ultimate destination.

3. Classification of Systems

• Classification by mode of processing
• Classification by System Objectives
• Classification based on the nature of interaction with environment