1. THE BASICS OF COMPUTING: HARDWARE, SOFTWARE, CONNECTIVITY, AND PEOPLE 4
1.1 Introducing Computer Systems:Input-Process-Output 5
The Computer System and How It Processes Data 6
Software Makes It Work 8
1.2 Understanding Information Processing 11
Computer Systems Automate Information Processing 11
Connectivity Links Hardware, Software, and People 12
The Human Factor: People and Computing 13
The Pros of Computing 14
Avoiding the Cons of Computing 16
1.3 Computing in the Information Age 19
Hardware Happenings: Computers Make the World Smaller and Smarter 20
Software Sensations: Computers Make the World More Creative 21
Information Interchange: Computers Make the World More Connected 21
People Power: Computer Users Make the World a Better Place 22
2. FROM MICROS TO MAMMOTHS 29
2.1 Classifying Computer Systems 30
Types of Computers 30
Processing Power 32
2.2 Getting to Know Your Hardware 36
Mainframes 36
Minis and Midrange Computers 37
Supercomputers 38
Microcomputer Categories 39
The Apple Macintosh, IBM-compatibles, and Power PCs 43
Multitasking on Micros vs Multiprogramming on Larger Computers 44
2.3 Choosing and Using Computer Systems 46
Information Processing Environments 46
The Human Factor in Information Processing: Users and
Computer Professionals 49
The Right Time to Buy 53
3. USING PRODUCTIVITY TOOLS 59
3.1 Understanding Software 60
The People Who Use Application Packages 61
Types of Productivity Tools, Integrated Packages, and Suites 61
3.2 Common Features of Productivity Tools 67
Loading the Program 67
Creating and Retrieving Files 68
Status Lines 68
Data Entry 69
Basic Commands and Function Keys 69
Search and Replace 71
Macros 72
Importing Files 72
3.3 Unique Features of Productivity Tools 73
Word Processing Packages 73
Electronic Spreadsheets 80
Database Management Systems 88
Electronic Mail, Groupware, and the Information
Superhighway 96
4.1 How the CPU Processes Data 108
Overview of Components and Operations 108
Primary Storage or Main Memory 111
The Arithmetic/Logic Unit 113
The Control Unit 113
Registers and Machine Cycles 114
4.2 How the CPU Represents Data 115
The Binary Numbering System 115
Bits, Bytes, and Words 116
EBCDIC and ASCII 118
Error Checking with Parity Bits 119
4.3 Computer Architecture 121
Chip Technology: One-Upman-"Chip" 121
Clock Speed 123
Processing Speed 124
Bus Width and Word Size 125
Main Circuit Boards and Expansion Slots 126
Additional Devices for Improving Processing Power 127
4.4 Methods of Processing Data 129
Batch Processing 130
Interactive Processing 131
The main Processing Technique: A Record at a Time 132
5. INPUT AND OUTPUT: FROM APPLICATIONS TO HARDWARE 140
5.1 Input Devices Create Source Documents and Data Files 141
A Review of File Processing Concepts 141
Keying Devices 143
Alternatives to Keying 148
5.2 Source Data Automation Reduces Data Entry Operations 151
Optical Character Readers 151
Applications Using Data Collection Systems 155
Automation in the Banking Industry 157
Voice Recognition Equipment 160
Digitizers 161
5.3 Output Devices Produce Information 162
Types of Output 163
Output Devices 164
Expanding the World of Computers 174
6. SECONDARY STORAGE DEVICES 182
6.1 Fundamentals of Secondary Storage 183
Review of File Processing Concepts 184
Criteria for Evaluating Storage Devices 184
6.2 Magnetic Media for Secondary Storage 186
Magnetic Disks and Disk Drives 186
Magnetic Tapes and Tape Drives 193
Maintaining Disk and Tape Files 195
Smart Cards, Flash Memory, dnd RAM Cards: You Can Take It
With You! 198
6.3 Optical Storage Alternatives to Magnetic Media 201
CD-ROM Drives: A Most Valuable Player 201
Networking Compact Disks 206
WORM Drives: Will They "Worm" Their Way into Your Heart? 206
Erasable Magneto-Optical Drives: Doing the "Write" Thing 207
6.4 Organizing Data Files 209
Sequential File Organization 209
Random Access File Organization 209
7.1 A Review of Application Software 219
Packaged and Customized Programs 219
Productivity Tools Revisited: Basic Packages, Integrated Packages, and Suites 219
Additional Productivity Programs 220
7.2 Other Power Tools 230
Graphics or Illustration Packages 230
Desktop Publishing 234
Statistical Packages 237
Artificial Intelligence Software: Expert Systems, Virtual Reality, and Neural Network Packages 237
Business Packages 240
Packages for Consumer Use 243
7.3 Choosing and Using Software 244
The Make or Buy Decision 244
Versions of Software 245
Evaluating Software Products 245
Where and How to Acquire Software 246
The Human Factor: Security and Safety 247
8. DEVELOPING CUSTOM SOFTWARE 256
8.1 The Software Developer 257
In-house Software Developers-Analysts, Programmers, and Users 257
Outside Consultants 258
8.2 Software Development Cycle 259
Develop the Program Specifications with the Help of the Users 259
Design the Program Logic 259
Code and Translate the Program 263
Test the Program Until It Is Fully Debugged 264
Implement the Program 266
Maintain the Program 266
Complete the Documentation for the Program 266
Software Development: Art or Science? 266
8.4 Five Generations of Programming Languages 273
Machine Language: The First Generation 273
Assembly Language: The Second Generation 274
High-Level Languages: The Third Generation (3GLs) 274
Fourth-Generation Languages (4GLs) 283
Fifth-Generation Languages (5GLs) 285
9. SYSTEMS SOFTWARE 292
9.1 Systems Software: Functions and Features 293
What Systems Software Actually Does 293
9.2 Microcomputer Operating Systems and Graphical User
Interfaces 296
DOS: PC-DOS and MS-DOS 296
DOS with Windows 299
OS/2 Warp 304
Macintosh Operating System 304
Operating Systems for the Power PC 306
Operating Systems for Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) and
Other Pen-Based Computers 306
9.3 Operating Systems That Facilitate Connectivity 308
UNIX-An Operating System for All Categories of Computers 308
Network Operating Systems 309
NextStep 310
9.4 How Operating Systems Maximize Processing Efficiency 311
Multiprogramming and Multitasking 311
Multiprocessing 313
Virtual Memory and the "Virtual Machine" Concept 314
Other Tasks Performed by Systems Software 315
10. CONNECTIVITY, NETWORKS, AND THE INFORMATION SUPERHIGHWAY 329
10.1 Communications and Connectivity 330
Sharing Resources Is the Goal 330
Communications Hardware 331
10.2 Common Application Areas for Networks 339
Distributed Processing 339
Accessing Information from Networks 342
The Information Superhighway 346
Interoffice Electronic Mail and Groupware 346
Telecommuting 347
10.3 Controlling Data Flow with Communications
Software 348
Speed of Transmission 348
Direction of Data Flow 349
Serial and Parallel Transmission 351
Data Bits in the Computer Code 352
Parity 352
An Overview of Protocols 352
10.4 Network Configurations 353
The Local Area Network (LAN): A Promised LAN for Sharing Resources 353
LAN Software 353
Network Topologies: Star, Bus, Ring, Hybrid 354
Wide Area Networks (WANs) 356
10.5 Connectivity Leads to a Smaller, Smarter, and More Creative
World 357
Facsimile (Fax) Machines 357
Wireless Communications 359
Smart Phones 359
Interactive TV and High-Definition Television 360
Videoconferencing and Distance Learning 361
11.1 The Role of the Systems Analyst 372
Making Business Systems More Efficient 372
In-House Analysts vs Outsourcing 373
Job Requirements for Systems Analysts 373
Interfacing with Key Users 373
Understanding the Systems Development Life Cycle 374
11.2 Investigating and Analyzing Existing Business Systems 376
Collecting Data About the Existing System 376
Describing the Elements of an Existing System 377
Using Structured System Charts to Describe an Existing System 379
Undertaking the Feasibility Study 383
Developing Alternative Design Strategies 383
Obtaining Management Approval for a Design Alternative 383
11.3 Designing A New or Revised System 385
Prototyping a System 385
Using CASE An Automated Design Tool 386
Designing Components of the New System 388
11.4 Implementation 391
Obtaining Management Approval for Implementation 391
Implementing the New System 391
Redesigning Tasks Performed by Users 392
Types of System Conversions 392
Documenting the System 393
12. DATABASE MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS 399
12.1 Database Management Systems: The Driving Force Behind Management Information Systems 400
Database Structures 400
Components of DBMS Software 409
Issues for the Database Administrator 411
12.2 Management Information Systems 413
Facilitating Decision Making at All Management Levels 413
Specialized Management Information Systems 414
13. SOCIAL ISSUES IN COMPUTING 428
13.1 Protecting the Privacy of Users 429
Privacy Issues Relating to E-mail 429
Privacy Issues Relating to Database Access 430
Privacy Legislation 431
Public Interest Groups 432
13.2 Making Information Systems and Networks More Secure 433
What Is Computer Crime? 434
Legal Concerns 437
Minimizing Security Problems 437
The Clipper Chip: When Privacy and Security Concerns Clash 437
13.3 Making Information Systems More Socially Responsible 440
Managing the Work Environment 440
Do Computers Result in Unemployment or Worker Dissatisfaction? 443
Computer Professionals and Social Responsibility 444
Developing, Promoting, and Supporting Standards 444
The Impact of Computers on the Quality of Life 445
Appendix
AN OVERVIEW OF THE HISTORY OF COMPUTING 461
GLOSSARY 472
INDEX 485
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