chapter9-12

Revision Questions sorted to Chapter 9 / 10 / 11 / 12 Stephen Doyle "Information Systems for You"

Describe 2 main advantages of using Virtual Reality software (compared to doing it for real).

Describe 2 ways that you can transfer wordprocessed documents from one word processor to another (let's say, from Word for Windows to ClarisWorks for Macintosh)

Give 2 advantages for Files being compressed.

What is a 'Hardcopy'?

What is an ADC? Describe an ADC - device.

What is an ADC? Give an example.

What is analogue data, give one example.

What is ASCII? What does it stand for? Who developed it?

What is CAL, give one example of practical use.

What is digital data, give one example.

What is MIDI? Explain who would use it? What hardware / devices would you need?

What is multimedia? Describe 3 features (hardware / software) that a multimedia computer must have.

What is presentation software? Mention 2 features!

What is Virtual Reality (VR)? Describe one major use of VR nowadays.

Applications / Software / Office / Database

What is a database?

A database document is just a collection of information stored in computerized form. The simplest way to understand a database is to think of it like a set of 3 x 5 cards. Since the information is on your computer, though, a click of the mouse or the stroke of a key can alphabetize those "cards," or find just the names of the people on the cards who live in a certain town, or tell you who owes how much money, and so on. / / Computer databases can be highly structured, storing the same kind of information about each item in the database in well-defined compartments. This works as if you printed a standard form on each of your 3 x 5 cards&emdash; perhaps with one space for a name, one space for an address, and one space for a telephone number. In a structured computer database, the "space" for a name, a part number, a price, is called a field. A record corresponds to one of the individual 3 x 5 cards. The record contains a complete set of fields, all filled with information corresponding to a particular item: if your database is a name-and-address list, each record represents a person; if your database is a parts catalog, each record represents one part. / / A specific set of fields and records organized in a specific order, including the information they contain, is called a table. In fact, tables are often displayed on the screen with each item, or record, in a row, and each field as a column. / Structured databases can be either flatfile databases or relational databases. In a flatfile database, you can work with only one data table &emdash;one set of fields &emdash;at a time. In a relational database, you can use multiple tables (multiple database documents) at once. Flatfile databases are much easier to understand and use, but relational databases are much more efficient for many things you commonly do with data, especially in businesses. / A database can also be simply a free-form collection of information, without any particular structure. In this case, the analogy would be to a pile of notes you've written on whatever paper was handy at the time &emdash; the information on each piece of paper doesn't have to be organized in the same way. / The term database can also refer to the software package itself that you use to create the database.

Applications / Software / Office / Database

What is a database? Who will use it?

A database is a program that allows to enter and store data (in so-called "FIELDS") and give you the option of doing all kinds of retrieval (searches, find any information). One of the first databases was Dbase, nowadays most people use Filemaker (from Claris), or Access (from Microsoft). / Essential for databases is also, that they allow to produce all kinds of lists and reports of your stored information. It is easy to sort information and to have user-friendly access to your data. / / People who make use of a database: / - office workers (to store customers, addresses, phonenumbers etc.) / - teachers (to store information about students and their results) / - libraries (to store and retrieve information about books, customers etc,)

Applications / Software / Office / Database

What is a flat file (hierarchical) database?

A database is a program that allows to enter and store data. A flat file database only uses simple singel files to store the data. Flat-file databases can be extraordinarily complex, but they are simple in this sense: All the records in a single flat-file database must conform to the same rigid structure, that is, every record in the database has the same fields as every other record. / / Datastructure: / Database / File(s) / Records / Fields

Applications / Software / Office / Database

What is a relational database?

A database is a program that allows to enter and store data. A relation is a link between two databases (or 2 files in a database) that permits one of them (the master database) to borrow and use data from the other. You may call the latter file the 'related' database; some prefer to call it the 'servant' or 'lending' database. / / Data structure: / / Database / File File / Records <-> Records / Fields Fields / / The different files can be linked together (the relations) and can pass information through. Usually the link can be made by making use of certain Key-Fields. Those Key-Fields should store the same data (e.g. a customer number, an account number). / A big advantage of relational databases is the fact, that data is stored only once. Once you add or change data in a record or field, it will be known in all relevant other files. You will never get inconsistent data this way.

Control Systems

With reference to a computer-controlled train system, / a) explain why it is a real-time system, / b) describe the data and how it is collected, / c) describe how the data is used. /

Control Systems / Software / Applications

Name one application that must be carried out by using online processing.

All applications where immediate feedback is necessary. You could mention: / / - heart monitoring at the intensive care in an hospital / - central heating control applications / - POS (point-of-sale) applications

Database

A company receives all of its orders by telephone. The company has purchased a database of incomplete addresses. The name field and part of the address 1 (street) field are left blank. An example of a record which would appear on the screen is / / NAME: ADDRESS 1: ADDRESS 2: ADDRESS 3: CODE: / / New Way / Christleton / Camshire ZIP / CT3 8LX / / (a) When new customers telephone the company they are asked for their ZIP CODE (post code) which is then used to search this database for a record with a matching ZIP CODE (post code). / Describe how the staff will try to check that the correct record has been found. / / (b) Explain why a unique reference number should be added to each record. / / (c) Describe how the company could use this database efficiently to write the same letter to all people living in New Way.

A) They would ask the customers on the phone! / / B) To identify each record. Names could be double, that whu an unique number is required / / c) They would set up a mailmerge, first do a find (search / query) for the right information, do a sort on the records found and then print the mailmerge (using the database fields name, address etc.)

Database

Name items of information you can find in a Database that Users can link to.

Your account -> amount of Money / How to drive from A to B / Where to find an Article (E-Bay) /

Database

What is sorting?

This is arranging records in logical order, according to a specified field (like Surname or City)

Database / Security

A garage keeps a database of cars for sale. / (a) The database is stored on disk. What type of file access would be used? [1] / (b) Give an example of a situation when a record would be / (i) deleted / (ii) amended [2] / / (c) Explain how the database could be recovered if the disc became corrupted and it was no longer possible to read it. [2]

a) Random, direct file access / b) (i) If a car is sold (delete the record) / (ii) If a car would change it's price / c) There should be a backup file available. A good way would be to have different versions of the backup, a so-called father-son backup generation file. / /

Database / Software

What is a file?

A file is a particular collection of information you use as a unit. Files can hold just about any kind of information, including text, numbers, graphics, or software programs. / Files that hold the information you actually work with, such as a report you write or a graphic you create, are referred to as documents, document files, or data files. / Files that contain programs are program files; some program files are applications or utilities. Even the folders or directories on your disk are files.

Hardware / Operating systems / Software

Explain how you would use a windows environment to copy a file from a floppy disk to a hard disk.

Input Data

Which one of these applications could most conveniently use a serial access file? / A. Producing pay slips / B. Running students' programs from terminals / C. A program library / D. Information retrieval

A can be used for serial access (we read one record after the other, until all records are processed (calculating the wages for a worker).

Input Data / Output Data / Telecommunication

What is ASCII ? Who invented it? What is it used for?

American Standard Code of Information Interchange. / / It is used to enable computers to exchange binary information. The meaning of zeros and ones can be looked up in a "Table", where is listed what e.g. 00001101 would be. It can be a number or a character! / /

Input Data / Software / Database

What is a Key-Field? Describe an example.

It's a special field in a record that identifies it. The field-value usually is unique. It could be for example the personal ID-number.

Operating systems

Describe three different tasks that could be performed by a computer operating system. /

1. Open a file that is stored on the harddisk (the OS knows where to find it!) / 2. Allow to choose a printer from a list of available ones / 3. Change the name of file that is saved somewhere / 4. See (list) a directory of Files on a Floppy disk / 5. Allows to Start programs (software) that are stored on your computer. / 6. Allows to Start (or Shut down) the computer / 7. Connects to a network (e.g. Internet) / 8. Can detect new hardware devices connected (e.g. scanner)

Operating systems / Software

Which of these applications must be real time? / A. Checking exam marks / B. Flood warning system / C. Calculating gas bills / D. Maintaining a Building Society's customer files

Only B is real time, the others don't need immediate (interactive) control. They can be run anytime, just when the output is needed. / / A flood warning system won't allow any delay in transmitting / processing the data. Input and output data are processed immediately and resuts can be used right away (in this case to give warnings, alarm signals etc.)

Programming / Hardware

(a) Describe one use of a CD-ROM. / (b) Give two reasons why CD-ROMs are suitable for that use.

Software / Operating systems

Computers are used to do the following jobs. Which one is done in batch mode? / A. Producing a payroll / B. Computer Aided Instruction / C. Traffic light control / D. Flying an aeroplane

A is done in Batch, the others need immediate (interactive) control.

Software / Operating systems

Every night Handibank's computer processes cheques and updates customer accounts. Name the type of processing that is used.

Batch processing

Software / Operating systems / Applications

Give an example of an ON-LINE computer application. / Explain why this application would not be suitable for batch processing. /

Any example of a control system would be fine (air-conditioning, traffic etc.)

Software / Programming

What is merging?

It is the combining of 2 or more files to form a single one. / (Compare Mail Merge, combination of Wordprocessing document and Database records)

Telecommunication / Office / Networking / Hardware

Networks are used to ensure the efficient exchange of information. / With the help of diagrams describe two different network configurations. /

We distinguish between BUS and STAR configurations (topologies). / / A bus network has a beginning and end of the network. The ends will carry terminators. Along the bus-network all devices can be connected (using network connectors) / (see picture) / / A star network has a central node (access point) where all devices are connected to. So all devices have their own cable to the central node (which usually is a fileserver).

	Describe 2 main advantages of using Virtual Reality software (compared to doing it for real).
	Describe 2 ways that you can transfer wordprocessed documents from one word processor to another (let's say, from Word for Windows to ClarisWorks for Macintosh)
	Give 2 advantages for Files being compressed.
	What is a 'Hardcopy'?
	What is an ADC? Describe an ADC - device.
	What is an ADC? Give an example.
	What is analogue data, give one example.
	What is ASCII? What does it stand for? Who developed it?
	What is CAL, give one example of practical use.
	What is digital data, give one example.
	What is MIDI? Explain who would use it? What hardware / devices would you need?
	What is multimedia? Describe 3 features (hardware / software) that a multimedia computer must have.
	What is presentation software? Mention 2 features!
	What is Virtual Reality (VR)? Describe one major use of VR nowadays.
Applications / Software / Office / Database	What is a database?	A database document is just a collection of information stored in computerized form. The simplest way to understand a database is to think of it like a set of 3 x 5 cards. Since the information is on your computer, though, a click of the mouse or the stroke of a key can alphabetize those "cards," or find just the names of the people on the cards who live in a certain town, or tell you who owes how much money, and so on. / / Computer databases can be highly structured, storing the same kind of information about each item in the database in well-defined compartments. This works as if you printed a standard form on each of your 3 x 5 cards&emdash; perhaps with one space for a name, one space for an address, and one space for a telephone number. In a structured computer database, the "space" for a name, a part number, a price, is called a field. A record corresponds to one of the individual 3 x 5 cards. The record contains a complete set of fields, all filled with information corresponding to a particular item: if your database is a name-and-address list, each record represents a person; if your database is a parts catalog, each record represents one part. / / A specific set of fields and records organized in a specific order, including the information they contain, is called a table. In fact, tables are often displayed on the screen with each item, or record, in a row, and each field as a column. / Structured databases can be either flatfile databases or relational databases. In a flatfile database, you can work with only one data table &emdash;one set of fields &emdash;at a time. In a relational database, you can use multiple tables (multiple database documents) at once. Flatfile databases are much easier to understand and use, but relational databases are much more efficient for many things you commonly do with data, especially in businesses. / A database can also be simply a free-form collection of information, without any particular structure. In this case, the analogy would be to a pile of notes you've written on whatever paper was handy at the time &emdash; the information on each piece of paper doesn't have to be organized in the same way. / The term database can also refer to the software package itself that you use to create the database.
Applications / Software / Office / Database	What is a database? Who will use it?	A database is a program that allows to enter and store data (in so-called "FIELDS") and give you the option of doing all kinds of retrieval (searches, find any information). One of the first databases was Dbase, nowadays most people use Filemaker (from Claris), or Access (from Microsoft). / Essential for databases is also, that they allow to produce all kinds of lists and reports of your stored information. It is easy to sort information and to have user-friendly access to your data. / / People who make use of a database: / - office workers (to store customers, addresses, phonenumbers etc.) / - teachers (to store information about students and their results) / - libraries (to store and retrieve information about books, customers etc,)
Applications / Software / Office / Database	What is a flat file (hierarchical) database?	A database is a program that allows to enter and store data. A flat file database only uses simple singel files to store the data. Flat-file databases can be extraordinarily complex, but they are simple in this sense: All the records in a single flat-file database must conform to the same rigid structure, that is, every record in the database has the same fields as every other record. / / Datastructure: / Database / File(s) / Records / Fields
Applications / Software / Office / Database	What is a relational database?	A database is a program that allows to enter and store data. A relation is a link between two databases (or 2 files in a database) that permits one of them (the master database) to borrow and use data from the other. You may call the latter file the 'related' database; some prefer to call it the 'servant' or 'lending' database. / / Data structure: / / Database / File File / Records <-> Records / Fields Fields / / The different files can be linked together (the relations) and can pass information through. Usually the link can be made by making use of certain Key-Fields. Those Key-Fields should store the same data (e.g. a customer number, an account number). / A big advantage of relational databases is the fact, that data is stored only once. Once you add or change data in a record or field, it will be known in all relevant other files. You will never get inconsistent data this way.
Control Systems	With reference to a computer-controlled train system, / a) explain why it is a real-time system, / b) describe the data and how it is collected, / c) describe how the data is used. /
Control Systems / Software / Applications	Name one application that must be carried out by using online processing.	All applications where immediate feedback is necessary. You could mention: / / - heart monitoring at the intensive care in an hospital / - central heating control applications / - POS (point-of-sale) applications
Database	A company receives all of its orders by telephone. The company has purchased a database of incomplete addresses. The name field and part of the address 1 (street) field are left blank. An example of a record which would appear on the screen is / / NAME: ADDRESS 1: ADDRESS 2: ADDRESS 3: CODE: / / New Way / Christleton / Camshire ZIP / CT3 8LX / / (a) When new customers telephone the company they are asked for their ZIP CODE (post code) which is then used to search this database for a record with a matching ZIP CODE (post code). / Describe how the staff will try to check that the correct record has been found. / / (b) Explain why a unique reference number should be added to each record. / / (c) Describe how the company could use this database efficiently to write the same letter to all people living in New Way.	A) They would ask the customers on the phone! / / B) To identify each record. Names could be double, that whu an unique number is required / / c) They would set up a mailmerge, first do a find (search / query) for the right information, do a sort on the records found and then print the mailmerge (using the database fields name, address etc.)
Database	Name items of information you can find in a Database that Users can link to.	Your account -> amount of Money / How to drive from A to B / Where to find an Article (E-Bay) /
Database	What is sorting?	This is arranging records in logical order, according to a specified field (like Surname or City)
Database / Security	A garage keeps a database of cars for sale. / (a) The database is stored on disk. What type of file access would be used? [1] / (b) Give an example of a situation when a record would be / (i) deleted / (ii) amended [2] / / (c) Explain how the database could be recovered if the disc became corrupted and it was no longer possible to read it. [2]	a) Random, direct file access / b) (i) If a car is sold (delete the record) / (ii) If a car would change it's price / c) There should be a backup file available. A good way would be to have different versions of the backup, a so-called father-son backup generation file. / /
Database / Software	What is a file?	A file is a particular collection of information you use as a unit. Files can hold just about any kind of information, including text, numbers, graphics, or software programs. / Files that hold the information you actually work with, such as a report you write or a graphic you create, are referred to as documents, document files, or data files. / Files that contain programs are program files; some program files are applications or utilities. Even the folders or directories on your disk are files.
Hardware / Operating systems / Software	Explain how you would use a windows environment to copy a file from a floppy disk to a hard disk.
Input Data	Which one of these applications could most conveniently use a serial access file? / A. Producing pay slips / B. Running students' programs from terminals / C. A program library / D. Information retrieval	A can be used for serial access (we read one record after the other, until all records are processed (calculating the wages for a worker).
Input Data / Output Data / Telecommunication	What is ASCII ? Who invented it? What is it used for?	American Standard Code of Information Interchange. / / It is used to enable computers to exchange binary information. The meaning of zeros and ones can be looked up in a "Table", where is listed what e.g. 00001101 would be. It can be a number or a character! / /
Input Data / Software / Database	What is a Key-Field? Describe an example.	It's a special field in a record that identifies it. The field-value usually is unique. It could be for example the personal ID-number.
Operating systems	Describe three different tasks that could be performed by a computer operating system. /	1. Open a file that is stored on the harddisk (the OS knows where to find it!) / 2. Allow to choose a printer from a list of available ones / 3. Change the name of file that is saved somewhere / 4. See (list) a directory of Files on a Floppy disk / 5. Allows to Start programs (software) that are stored on your computer. / 6. Allows to Start (or Shut down) the computer / 7. Connects to a network (e.g. Internet) / 8. Can detect new hardware devices connected (e.g. scanner)
Operating systems / Software	Which of these applications must be real time? / A. Checking exam marks / B. Flood warning system / C. Calculating gas bills / D. Maintaining a Building Society's customer files	Only B is real time, the others don't need immediate (interactive) control. They can be run anytime, just when the output is needed. / / A flood warning system won't allow any delay in transmitting / processing the data. Input and output data are processed immediately and resuts can be used right away (in this case to give warnings, alarm signals etc.)
Programming / Hardware	(a) Describe one use of a CD-ROM. / (b) Give two reasons why CD-ROMs are suitable for that use.
Software / Operating systems	Computers are used to do the following jobs. Which one is done in batch mode? / A. Producing a payroll / B. Computer Aided Instruction / C. Traffic light control / D. Flying an aeroplane	A is done in Batch, the others need immediate (interactive) control.
Software / Operating systems	Every night Handibank's computer processes cheques and updates customer accounts. Name the type of processing that is used.	Batch processing
Software / Operating systems / Applications	Give an example of an ON-LINE computer application. / Explain why this application would not be suitable for batch processing. /	Any example of a control system would be fine (air-conditioning, traffic etc.)
Software / Programming	What is merging?	It is the combining of 2 or more files to form a single one. / (Compare Mail Merge, combination of Wordprocessing document and Database records)
Telecommunication / Office / Networking / Hardware	Networks are used to ensure the efficient exchange of information. / With the help of diagrams describe two different network configurations. /	We distinguish between BUS and STAR configurations (topologies). / / A bus network has a beginning and end of the network. The ends will carry terminators. Along the bus-network all devices can be connected (using network connectors) / (see picture) / / A star network has a central node (access point) where all devices are connected to. So all devices have their own cable to the central node (which usually is a fileserver).