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Question 4

The document provides information about: 1. Types of computer software including system software, programming tools/language translators, and application software. 2. Definitions of information technology and information systems, describing how they involve using computers and networks to collect, process, and distribute data and information. 3. Uses of information systems including planning, controlling, recording transactions, and decision making.

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7 views

Question 4

The document provides information about: 1. Types of computer software including system software, programming tools/language translators, and application software. 2. Definitions of information technology and information systems, describing how they involve using computers and networks to collect, process, and distribute data and information. 3. Uses of information systems including planning, controlling, recording transactions, and decision making.

Uploaded by

caesar
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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MCQ

13.B
14.D
15.A
16.C
17.D
18.B
19.D
20.C
1.
QUESTION 4
a. Computer software comprises of a set of machine readable instructions that
directs the computer’s processor to perform specific functions.

b. The three types of computer software are:


i. System software – are set of software that controls the operation of the
computer. Software in this category include:
1. Operating system software – controls the operation of the computer.
2. Utility software – perform series of general functions on the computer
like copying files, sorting data or files, checking for viruses, etc.
3. Communication software – controls the transmission of data within a
computer network, making it possible to send and receive data over
media like TV lines and fibre optic cables.
ii. Programming tools / Language translators – are software that assist
programmers with writing programs by translating programs into binary
coded form that the computer understand.
iii. Application software – software that enables computer users to
perform their jobs i.e. enables computer users to solve application
problems. The two types identified are:
1. Off-the-shelf software – are software purchased from supplier/vendor
and installed on computer for use. E.g. Microsoft word, Microsoft
access, etc.
2. Bespoke software – are software that are written for specific purpose
to meet user’s specific processing requests.

c. Information Technology (IT) is the application of computers and


telecommunication equipment to store, retrieve, transmit and manipulate data.
IT comprises of the equipment used to capture, store, transmit, and present
information for accomplishment of a specific objective.

Information System describes complementary networks of software and


hardware that people and organizations use to collect, filter, process, create, and
distribute data and information.
It is an organized combination of hardware, software, people, infrastructure,
data, and procedures used to collect, filter, process, create, and distribute
information to accomplish a specific objective.
It can also be defined as a system that uses the resources of people (system
analysts, programmer and end users), hardware (machine and media), and
software (programs and procedures) to accept inputs, processing, output,
storage and control activities that convert data resources into information
products.

d. Uses of Information System

S/n Uses Description


1 Planning Assists in establishing appropriate resources, time
scales, and forecast alternative outcomes
2 Controlling Ensure processes are implemented as planned
3 Recording transactions Used to record transactions throughout a business
e.g. sales, purchases, errors, returns, complaints,
quality control, etc.
4 Performance Compare actual against planned (budgeted) activity to
measurement identify variances from planned activity and take
corrective action necessary
5 Decision making Assist managers to make all kinds of decisions such as
volume (purchases and productions), price, whether
to make a component internally or buy from supplier,
when to replace assets and how to organize affairs to
minimize a tax charge.

QUESTION 5
a.
i. Management Information System (MIS) – is a system in which data
are collected, processed and communicated to assist those responsible for
the use of resources.
It can also be described as an integrated user-machine system for
providing information to support operations, management and decision
making functions in an organization.
Characteristics:
- It support structured decisions
- Reports on existing operations
- Has little capability and is relatively inflexible
- Has an internal focus
- Used to generate regular reports and allow online access to a wide
range of users
- Incorporate both current and historical information.
ii. Decision Support System (DSS) – a set of related computer programs
and data required to assist with the analysis and decision making within
an organization.
It is an interactive, flexible and adaptable computer-based information
system developed for supporting the solution of non-structured
management system for improved decision making.
Characteristics:
- assist managers at the tactical level when required to make intelligent
guesses
- uses formula and equations to enable mathematical modelling
- as a real-time system, it enables managers to solve problems through
queries and modelling
- Users enters queries for the model through a user interface
- Contains a natural language interpreter for querying the system
- User interface is integrated with data management and modelling
software from the key components
- Spreadsheet packages can become the tool for the development of a
Decision Support System.
iii. Executive Information System (EIS) – this is an information system
that facilitate and support information an decision making needs of senior
executives by providing every access to information relevant to meeting
the strategic goals of an organization.
It can also be defined as a type of Management Information System that
facilitates and support senior executives in their decision making.
Characteristics:
- Help senior managers to make unstructured decisions with several
contributing factor such as price fixing
- Real time and tends to be expensive
- Often restricted for use by a small number of senior managers within
the organization.

b. Advantages of Expert System (ES) include:


- It encourages organizations to clarify the logic of their decision making
- Allows non-experts to make expert decisions
- Fast, accurate and consistent advice
- Ability to change input details to explore alternative solutions
- Reduction in staff costs as less experts are required.
- Improved allocation of human resources: Experts concentrate on the
more complex issues.
- It holds and maintains significant level of information
- Available potentially 24hours; 365 days per year.
- Multi-access can deal with many problems at a time
Disadvantages of Expert System (ES) include:
- High initial capital
- Technical support required
- System does not automatically learn but has to be constantly updated
by experts
- User as a non-expert may give inaccurate advice without recognizing.
- Down time i.e. system failures affect all users
- Reliance: probable reduction in basic skills
- Possible user resistance for higher level experts
- It cannot adapt to changing environment unless knowledgebase is
changed

c. Integrated IT systems describes the scenario where all modules of the system
are linked and function together as a system in a coordinated fashion/manner.

Advantages
1. Offers a more complete view
2. Enables better informed decision
3. Should ultimately lead to a more efficient operation
4. Would lead to greater customer satisfaction and hence profitability.
Disadvantages
1. Greater risk in that if one module fails, the whole system could fail.
2. More complex and therefore prone to error
3. More expensive than standalone systems
4. May require greater level of support as the system is likely to need bespoke
(tailored/customized) software specifically developed for the organization.

QUESTION 6
a.
i. Computer security is the protection of computer systems and the data
that they store and access.

ii. Risks to computer software are:


1. Human errors – mistakes committed by human though entering
incorrect data into the system, wiping out records or even an entire file
by mistake.
2. Technical error – technical error in the software can result in the loss
or corruption of data.
3. Natural disaster – Exposure of software to risk of natural disasters like
damage from hurricanes, flood, or earthquake.
4. Sabotage/criminal damage – exposure of software to risk from criminal
damage/theft and malicious damage.
5. Deliberate corruption – risk from viruses and hackers through
deliberate altering or deleting software or data.
6. Hackers – exposure of software and data to unauthorized users e.g.
hackers.

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