1. Fundamentals of Information Systems Fourth Edition
Chapter 2
Hardware and Software

2. Why Learn About Hardware and Software?
Hardware can improve productivity, increase revenue, reduce costs, and provide better service
Managers are expected to know about hardware
To help define business needs
To ask questions and evaluate options when buying equipment
Software is indispensable for any computer system
Systems software needed for input, calculations, and output
Application software aids in productivity
Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

3. Hardware Components Central processing unit (CPU)
Arithmetic/logic unit (ALU): performs calculations and makes logical comparisons
Control unit: accesses, decodes and coordinates data in CPU and other devices
Primary memory: holds program instructions and data for processing
Secondary storage: more permanent storage
Input and output devices
Communications devices
Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

4. Hardware Components (continued)
Figure 2.1: Hardware Components
Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

5. Memory Characteristics and Functions: Storage Capacity
Table 2.1: Units for Measuring Computer Storage
Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

6. Memory Characteristics and Functions: Types of Memory
Random access memory (RAM)
Temporary
Volatile
Read-only memory (ROM)
Usually nonvolatile
Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

7. Multiprocessing
Multiprocessing: simultaneous execution of two or more instructions
Multicore microprocessor: shares workload among two or more independent processors in a single computer
Parallel processing: links several processors to operate at the same time, or in parallel
Grid computing: collection of computers working to solve a common problem
Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

8. Secondary Storage and Input and Output Devices
Also called permanent storage
Nonvolatile
Greater capacity and greater economy than memory
Access methods, storage capacities, and portability required are determined by the information system’s objectives
Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

9. Secondary Storage Devices
Magnetic tapes
Secondary storage used primarily for backups
Magnetic disks
Direct access secondary storage, e.g., hard disk
RAID
Stores extra bits so that data
can be reconstructed if system fails
SAN
Provides high-speed connections between data storage devices and computers over a network
Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

10. Secondary Storage Devices (continued)
Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

11. Secondary Storage Devices (continued)
Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

12. Secondary Storage Devices (continued)
Optical disks
Direct access optical disc, e.g., CD-ROM
Digital video disk (DVD)
Stores several gigabytes of data
Flash memory
Nonvolatile silicon computer chip
Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

13. Input Devices Personal computer input devices
Keyboard, mouse
Speech-recognition technology
Input devices that recognize human speech
Digital cameras
Input device used with PC to record/store
images in digital form
Terminals
Input and display devices that perform
data entry and input at the same time
Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

14. Input Devices (continued)
Touch-sensitive screens
Allow display screens to act as input devices as well as output devices
Bar-code scanners
Employs a laser scanner to read a bar-coded label
Magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) devices
Code data on banking forms, such as checks
Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

15. Input Devices (continued)
Pen input devices
Activate a command, enter handwritten notes, and draw objects
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)
Employs a microchip with an antenna to broadcast its unique identifier and location to a receiver
Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

16. Output Devices Display monitors (CRTs) Liquid crystal displays (LCDs)
Output quality measured by number of pixels and dot pitch
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, Fourth Edition

17. Output Devices (continued)
Printers and plotters: hard copy output
Printers: laser, inkjet
Plotters: used for general design work
Digital audio player
Stores, organizes, and plays digital music files
Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

18. 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, Fourth Edition

19. Supporting Individual, Group, and Organizational Goals
Sphere of influence: the scope of problems and opportunities addressed by a particular organization
Personal
Workgroup
Enterprise
Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

20. Supporting Individual, Group, and Organizational Goals (continued)
Table 2.4: Classifying Software by Type and Sphere of Influence
Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

21. Systems Software
Controlling operations of computer hardware is one of the most critical functions of systems software
Also supports application programs’ problem-solving capabilities
Different types of systems software include:
Operating systems
Utility programs
Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

22. Operating Systems
Operating system (OS): programs that control the hardware and interface with applications
Common hardware functions
Get input (e.g., keyboard)
Retrieve data from disks and store data on disks
Display information on a monitor or printer
Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

23. Operating Systems (continued)
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, Fourth Edition

24. Operating Systems (continued)
Figure 2.8: The Role of Systems Software
Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

25. Current Operating Systems
Table 2.5: Popular Operating Systems Across All Three Spheres of Influence
Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

26. Current Operating Systems (continued)
Microsoft PC operating systems
PC-DOS and MS-DOS: early, command-driven OSs
Windows XP: greatly improved stability and security over previous versions of Windows
Windows XP N: for European market
Windows XP Professional X64: for computers with newer 64-bit capabilities
Windows XP Media Center Edition: incorporates additional multimedia features
Vista: latest version of Windows
Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

27. Current Operating Systems (continued)
Apple operating systems
Often provides cutting edge tools in graphics and music not available from Microsoft
Mac OS X
Jaguar (OS X.2)
Panther (OS X.3)
Tiger (OS X.4): support for 64-bit computing, Dashboard, Spotlight, etc.
Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

28. Current Operating Systems (continued)
Linux
Developed by Linus Torvalds in 1991
Open-source product
Only the kernel of an OS
Several distributions available with capabilities/applications that form a complete OS
Examples: Red Hat Linux, Caldera OpenLinux
Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

29. Workgroup Operating Systems
Windows Server
UNIX
NetWare
Red Hat Linux
Mac OS X Server
Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

30. Enterprise Operating Systems
z/OS
MPE/iX and HP-UX
Linux
Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

31. Operating Systems for Small Computers, Embedded Computers, and Special-Purpose Devices
Palm OS
Windows Embedded
Windows Mobile
Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

32. 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, Fourth Edition

33. Types and Functions of Application Software
Proprietary software: unique program for a specific application, usually developed and owned by a single company
Off-the-shelf software: existing software program that can be purchased
Customized package
Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

34. Types and Functions of Application Software (continued)
Figure 2.13: Types of Application Software
Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

35. Personal Application Software
Serves the needs of an individual user
Includes personal productivity software
Enables users to improve their personal effectiveness
Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

36. Personal Application Software (continued)
Table 2.7: Examples of Personal Productivity Software
Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

37. Workgroup Application Software
Workgroup application software: support teamwork, whether people are in the same location or dispersed around the world
Groupware: software that helps groups of people work together more efficiently and effectively
Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

38. 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, Fourth Edition

39. Programming Languages
Sets of keywords, symbols, and a system of rules for constructing statements
Allow humans to communicate instructions to be executed by a computer
Syntax: a set of rules associated with a programming language
Different languages have characteristics that make them appropriate for particular types of applications
Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

40. Programming Languages (continued)
Table 2.11: The Evolution of Programming Languages
Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

41. Software Issues and Trends
Software issues and trends receiving increasing attention
Software bugs
Copyrights and licenses
Software upgrades
Global software support
Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

42. Software Bugs
Software bug: defect in a computer program that keeps it from performing as it is designed to perform
Tips for reducing impact of software bugs include:
Register all software so that you can receive bug alerts, fixes, and patches
Check the manual or read-me files for work-arounds
Access support area of the manufacturer’s Web site for patches
Install the latest software updates
Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

43. Copyrights and Licenses
Most software products are protected by law using copyright or licensing provisions
In some cases, you are given unlimited use of software on one or two computers
In other cases, you pay for your usage—if you use the software more, you pay more
Some software now requires that you register or activate it before it can be fully used
Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

44. Software Upgrades
Software companies periodically revise their programs and sell new versions
Revised software
May offer new and valuable enhancements
May just contain complex program code changes that offer little in terms of additional capabilities
Software upgrades usually cost much less than the original purchase price
Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

45. Global Software Support
For large, global companies, getting adequate software support at all their locations for their standardized, companywide systems is a big challenge
Large vendors such as Sybase, IBM, and Hewlett-Packard typically contract out support for their software to local providers
Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

46. Summary
Hardware: central processing unit (CPU), input and output devices, communications devices, primary storage devices, and secondary storage devices
Random access memory (RAM): temporary and volatile
Read-only memory (ROM): usually nonvolatile
Multiprocessing: simultaneous execution of two or more instructions
Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

47. Summary (continued) Sequential access: records retrieved in order
Direct access: records retrieved in any order
Computer programs: sequences of instructions for the computer
Systems software: coordinates the activities of hardware and programs
Application software: helps users solve problems
Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition

48. Summary (continued)
Operating system (OS): set of computer programs that control the hardware and interface with applications
Graphical user interface (GUI): uses icons and menus to send commands to the computer system
Programming languages: allow humans to communicate instructions to be executed by a computer
Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition