Review Questions

QUESTION- 1: what is the purpose of computer and communication hardware

in information systems?
The physical equipment that makes up a computer is called computer
hardware. This hardware consists of a number of inter-connected devices. Some
devices that accepts input data from outside computer . Other devices are
known as output devices that produce output data or information for using
outside the computer.
Communication hardware, in the other hand , include devices such as modems,
routers, switches and other networking equipment that facilitate the
transmission of data and information across networks . This hardware allows
computers to communicate with each other and with other devices. such as
server and internet.
Together, computer and communication hardware enable information systems
to perform a wide range of task from simple data entry and storage to complex
data analysis and communication across networks. These systems are used in a
variety of industries and application , including business, education, healthcare
, government and entertainment .

QUESTION-2 : Why do businesses need computer hardware in information

system ?
Businesses need computer hardware in information systems to store process
and transmit data. Computer hardware refers to the physical Components of a
Computer, including CPU, RAM, hard disk SSD and input/output devices. such as
mouse, keyboards, mice and monitors. In information systems, computer
hardware is essential for managing and processing data quickly and large
amounts of data quickly and efficiently. It enables businesses to perform tasks
such as data entry data analysis, and report regeneration. Computer hardware
also facilitates communication between employees and customers.
At the end Computer hardware is an essential component of information
systems in business. It enables them to manage and process large amount of
data efficiently Communicate effectively with employees and Customers and
run software application that are essential for their operation.

Question-3: What are four reasons business need communication hardware in

information system?
Basically we know, hardware the means tangible part of our computer ,
which is help to transfer instructions by the software. Our business need
communications hardware in information system.
So we describe four main reasons business need communications hardware in
information system in the bellow:
i. Remote access
ii. Information sharing
iii. Resource sharing
iv. Inter-organizational communication
We describe our above point like this:
1. REMOTE ACCESS: Often a user with a computer at one location needs to use
at another remote location to store, retrieve and process data. Both
computer have access capability , so that they are interconnected and
communicate to each other. It provide the capabilities needs for remote
access.

2. INFORMATION SHARING: Every organization need to share operation and

management related information. Basically it is sharing by the email for
transferring document, spreadsheets date , image etc. This is accessing
common data. So communication hardware provides the capabilities for
sharing such information.

3. RESOURCE SHARING : Business have certain expensive and scarce computer

resources such as high volume output device , large capacity store devices
and so on. It may need to be available to many user for specialized
processing. Users can easily share resources by using communication
hardware.
 4. INTER-ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION: Computer in different
businesses need to communicate with one another in order for inter-
organizational communication system to function .

Example like as electronic data interchange and

electronic fund transfer system.
So it provide the capabilities needed for such communication.

QUESTION-4: What are the three main types of computer systems and how do
they differ from one another?
Computer vary from one another in a number of ways including capacity , speed
and cost. All the variations produce three main hardware configuration used in
information system :
Personal computer systems , multiple user computer system and networked
computer systems .

i. Personal computer system: A personal computer system consists of a single

computer used by one person at a time . Most personal computers are micro-
computer , which are small computers costing a few thousand dollars or less.
Because only one person can use micro-computers, they are personal
computers. Examples of this kind computer are :
A. Desktop computer
B. Notebook computer
C. Handheld computer
D. Work station

ii. Multiple user computer systems : A multiple user computer system is a

single computer used by many people at one time . Most micro computers
are not multiple user computers because they are not designed to be used
by more than one person at a time . Examples of multiple-user computers:
A. Mini computer
B. Mainframe computer
C. Super computer
iii. Networked computer systems: A network computer system consists of
many computers connected in a network used by many people at one time .
The network may be located in a single building or several nearby buildings
or it may span a large geographic are such as a state, country or several
countries. Micro computers, mini computers, and super computers may all
be used in a network.
These three main types of computers differ on the basis of how users gets an
access and operate a computer. In terms of personal computer systems only one
user gets an access, where as multiple users can operate multiple user computer
system and networked computer system. But the range of a network much
bigger in case of networked computer system.

QUESTION-6: What is a server ? What is a client?

Briefly Explain About Server:

A server is a software or hardware device that accepts and responds to

requests made over a network. The device that makes the request, and
receives a response from the server, is called a client. On the Internet, the term
"server" commonly refers to the computer system that receives requests for a
web files and sends those files to the client.
Servers manage network resources. For example, a user may set up a server to
control access to a network, send/receive e-mail, manage print jobs, or host
a website. They are also proficient at performing intense calculations. Some
servers are committed to a specific task or one website, often called dedicated
servers. However, many servers today are shared servers that take on the
responsibility of e-mail, DNS, FTP, and multiple websites in the case of a web
server.
Because they are commonly used to deliver Servers
manage network resources. For example, a user may set up a server to control
access to a network, send/receive e-mail, manage print jobs, or host a website.
They are also proficient at performing intense calculations. Some servers are
committed to a specific task or one website, often called dedicated servers.
However, many servers today are shared servers that take on the responsibility
of e-mail, DNS, FTP, and multiple websites in the case of a web server.
Because they are commonly used to deliver services that are constantly
required, most servers are never turned off. Consequently, when servers fail,
they can cause the network users and company many problems. To alleviate
these issues, servers are commonly set up to be fault tolerant. The following
list contains links to various server types.

• Application server
• Blade server
• Cloud server
• Database server
• Dedicated server
• Domain name service
• File server
• Mail server
• Print server
• Proxy server
• Standalone server
• Web server

Briefly Explain About Client:

A client is a computer that connects to and uses the resources of a remote

computer or server. Many corporate networks comprise a client computer for
each employee, each of which connects to the corporate server. The server
provides resources like files, information, Internet and intranet access, and
external processing power. In the case of processing, any work done on the
server is known as "server-side" work. Any work done on the local client is
similarly called "client-side."

The following example compares a client-side script and a server-side script

and explains how a client computer interacts with an Internet server.
Some software may list a type of client to help identify the client's operating
system. Below are examples of client types you may see listed.

• Apple client - Computer using macOS.

• IoT - Internet of Things device.
 • Linux client - Computer running Linux.
• Smartphone or mobile - A mobile device like a smartphone.
• Windows client - Computer running Windows.

QUESTION-7: What is the difference between application software and

system software?
Both application software and system software are essentially required for
using computer. But they are completely different from each other in many
aspects like programing ,language purpose and development process etc.The
important differences between application software and system software are
listed in the following table :-

Parameter Application Software System Software

Definition Application Software is a
software that designed for
specific Computer application
for a business or an
organization.
Development High level language is used in
Language Application Software for
their development.
Neccesity Application Software are not
essentialfor the operation of
the computer these are
installed as per user’s
requirement.
Usage Application Software is used
by users to perform specific
task .
Dependency An Application Software can
not run independently. It
cann’t run without the help
of System Software.
Examples Examples of Application
Software include word
proccessors ,web browsers
,media player etc.
System Software is a general software
designed to make computer usable.
System Software are developed using
low level language which is more
compatible with the system
hardwareis order to incorrect with.
System software essential for
operating the computer
hardware.without these software a
computer even may not start or
function properly.
System Software is used for operating
computer hardware.
System Software can run
independently.it provides platform
for running Application Software.
Examples of System Software include
operating
system,compilers,assemblres etc.
QUESTION-9: What are the differences between fields, records and data file?

Data is organized as collection of fields, records and data files .These

terms are commonly used in the context of databases and data management
systems . Here are the differences between them:
FIELDS: A group of related characters, representing some piece of information,
is called a field. For example , a person’s name could be afield . In a database of
customer’s information , fields might include first name, last name, email
address and phone number.
RECORD: Records are a collection of related fields that represent a single entity
in a database. For example, all the fields containing payroll information about a
single employee as the employee’s name , address, social security number and
pay rate from an employee payroll record.
DATA FILE: Data files are collection of records that are used together for any
purpose. A data file typically contain many records an each record contains
many fields.For example , a customer data file might contain thousands of
customer’s records , each with many fields of information.
To summarize , data is often composed of characters .A group of related
characters is a field. A record is a group of related fields and a data file is a group
of related records. Finally, a database is formed from related groups of data.

Question-11: What are the two types of personnel involved with information
system?
The personnel component of an information system consist of all people who
are involved with the system. Because an information system is used and run by
people, personnel is an essential component of the system.
1) Users Personnel: One type of person who is part of an information system
is the user. Users are people who gain some benefits from using the information
system. Users supply input data to the system and receive output data from the
system. The output provides information that the user needs in his or her job
2) Operating Personnel: Other people who are part of an information system
are operating personnel, who perform technical functions to operate the
hardware and software in the system. These people prepare input data received
from the user, enter the data into the system, operate computers, manage
networks, run software and pass the output to the users.

QUESTION-13:What are two general type of procedures personnel need in an

information system?
Procedures are the policies and methods to be followed in using , operating and
maintaining an information system. Personnel need procedures of use and
operate the system. Personnel information systems need two general types of
procedures . The are given bellow:

1. The first type of procedures tells people how to use and operate the system
under normal circumstances. These procedures also explain how to operate
the hardware , run the software, enter input data and receive output
information. An example of this type of procedures is one that tells people
what option to select to begin running particular software.

2. The second type of procedures tells people what to do if the system does not
function normally. These procedures include correcting errors and
recovering lost data. An example of this type of procedure is a backup
recovering procedure that tells the user how to retrieve stored data from a
backup copy of the data .
These procedures are the guidelines to the personnel, just as the software is the
instructions to the hardware.

Question-16: What are four approaches to ethical decision making?

There are four important approaches to ethical decision making . These are
given bellow:
1. THE GOLDEN RULE : It says you should act toward others in the same way
that you would want others to act toward you.

2. UTILITARIANISM: It says you should do what is best for the greatest number
of people.

3. CATEGORICAL IMPERATIVE: It says you should do only that which you fe3el
should be adopted as a rule for everyone .

4. ETHICAL EGOISM: It says you should do what is best for yourself.

Question- 17: Why is privacy an important ethical issue for information

systems?
Many ethical issues arise in information system, but four are most prevalent:
privacy. accuracy, property and access.
Privacy : Privacy has to do with keeping information about yourself to yourself.
people need Privacy so that they feel free to do what they want. It is crucial
that this information is kept confidential and secure to protect individuals
Privacy and prevent identity theft, to fraud or Other malicious activities.
Information systems reduce people's privacy by recording information about
people. Many government agencies have computer files and databases that
include personal information. For example, the social security Administration
has files on practically everyone who has worked in the united states. The
internal revenue service has computerized versions of tax returns.
Non-government organizations and businesses also have computerized
information about people. For example- Firms that sell mailing lists have large
files listing personal characteristic and preferences so that mailings can be
targeted at certain types of individuals. Many electronic commence Com
Ramies maintain large database with personal information about their
customer.
Privacy is also important to respect individuals autonomy or their right to make
their own choices and decision. Without privacy, individuals many feel coerced
or pressured to disclose personal information on participate in activities that
they many not want to.
Maintaining Privacy and protecting personal information helps to build to trust
between organizations and their customers are stakeholders. When individuals
feel that their information is secure and protected, they are more likely to trust
the organization and continue to do business with them. Overall, privacy is an
important ethical issue for information systems because it involves protecting
individual’s personal information, respecting their autonomy , building trusting
trust and reputation, and complying with legal and regulatory requirements.