Introduction to Computer

Information Systems
Noushin L Ansari
 Data vs. Information
• People often use the terms data and
information interchangeably.
• Data can be viewed as raw material resources
that are processed into finished information
products.
• Information can be viewed as data that have
been converted into a meaningful and useful
context for specific end users.
 Data vs. Information (contd.)

• Data are usually subjected to a value-added

process ( data processing or information
processing ) during which
– (1) their form is aggregated, manipulated, and
organized;
– (2) their content is analyzed and evaluated; and
– (3) they are placed in a proper context for a
human user.
 System

• A set of interrelated
components, with a
clearly defined boundary,
working together to
achieve a common set of
objectives by accepting
inputs and producing
outputs in an organized
transformation process.
 Hardware
Hardware Software
Hardware
Software Data
Software
Data Networks
Data
Networks People
Processes
 Hardware

Software

Any organized Communication Store, Retrieve,

combination of Networks Transform and
Disseminate
Data information
Resources

Policies &
Procedures
• An information system (IS) can be any organized combination of people,
hardware, software, communications networks, data resources, and
policies and procedures that stores, retrieves, transforms, and
disseminates information in an organization.

• People rely on modern information systems to communicate with one

another using a variety of physical devices (hardware) , information
processing instructions and procedures (software) , communications
channels (networks) , and stored data (data resources).
Fundamental Roles of IS in Business
• Conceptually, the applications of information systems that are implemented in
today’s business world can be classified in several different ways.
• Operations support systems produce a variety of information products for internal
and external use; however, they do not emphasize the specific information
products that can best be used by managers.
 Management Support Systems
• When information system applications focus on providing information and support
for effective decision making by managers, they are called management support
systems .
• Several other categories of information systems can support either operations or
management applications.
• In basic terms, a computer is an electronic device that processes data,
converting it into information that is useful to people.
• Any computer regardless of its type, is controlled by programmed
instructions, which give the machine a purpose and tell it what to do.
• A basic classification of computer is-
– Analog computer (Analog computers are mechanical devices, weighing several
tons and using motors and gears to perform calculations.)
– Digital computer (Digital computers work by the numbers, as they break all
types of information into tiny units, and use numbers to represent those
pieces of information.)
• A complete computer system consists of four parts:
– Hardware (The mechanical devices that make up the computer are
called hardware. Hardware is any part of the computer that one can
touch.)
– Software (Software is a set of instructions that makes the computer
perform tasks. In other words, software tells the computer what to
do.)
– Data (The computer reads and stores data of all kinds- whether words,
numbers, images or sounds in the form of numbers.)
– Users (Personal computers are designed to work with a human user. In
fact the user is a critical part of a complete computer system.)
 Processing
Device
Volatile
Memory
Memory
Device
Non-volatile
Memory
Types of
Hardware Magnetic
Storage

Optical
Storage Device
Storage

Input / Output Solid-state

Device Storage
• Processing device
– The processor is like the brain of the computer, it organizes and carries
out instructions that comes from either the user or the software.
– The processing unit of the computer is called the Central Processing
Unit (CPU).
• Memory devices
– Memory is one or more sets of chips that store data and/or program
instructions, either temporarily or permanently.
– Two most important memory types are:
• Volatile Memory such as Random Access Memory (RAM)
• Non-volatile Memory such as Read Only Memory (ROM)
• Storage devices
– Hold data and programs permanently.
– Three types of storage devices are:
• Magnetic storage (Floppy disk, hard disk, tape )
• Optical storage (CD, DVD)
• Solid state storage (Flash drive, memory cards)
• Input and output devices
– Allows the user to interact
– Input devices accept data
• Keyboard, mouse
– Output devices deliver data
• Monitor, printer, speaker
– Some devices are both input and output
• Touch screens
 Operating
Systems

Network
System Software Operating
Systems

Utility Programs
Types of
Software
Commercial

Application Freeware and

Software Public Domain

Open-source
• System software is any program that controls the computer’s
hardware or that can be used to maintain the computer in
some way so that it runs more efficiently.
– There are three basic types of system software:
• An operating system tells the computer how to use its own components.
Example: Windows, Mac OS, Linux
• A network operating system allows computers to communicate and share data
across a network while controlling network operations and overseeing the
network’s security. Example: Windows Server
• A utility is a program that makes the computer system easier to use or
performs highly specialized functions. Example: Antivirus
• Application software tells the computer how to accomplish
specific tasks, such as word processing or drawing, for the
user.
• There are three major categories of application software:
• Commercial Software
• Freeware and Public Domain Software
• Open-source Software
• Commercial software: The term commercial software refers to any
software program that must be paid for in some way. Commercial
software programs come in several different form:
– Stand-alone program
– Software suites
– Shareware program
• Freeware and public domain software: Freeware is any software that is
made available to public for free, the developer does not expect any
payment from the users.
– In case of freeware, the user needs to abide by the software author’s policy and
guidelines and always need to accept the terms in license.
– In case of public domain software, not only the software but also the source code
is made available without any compensation.
• Open-source software: Sometimes software is designed for users who
need to customize the programs they use. This special need is often met
by open-source software.
– In open-source software the source code is not only shared, but also provided
in editable form, so that the user can make required changes.
– Open-source softwares are often sold commercially, although it is sometimes
available for free.
– The modification done by the user need to be documented in a way that the
changes can be beneficial for later users.