| Software & Hardware |

Why Learn About Hardware and Software?


•Organizations invest in computer hardware to:
–Improve worker productivity
–Increase revenue, reduce costs
–Provide better customer service

•Managers:
–Are expected to know enough about their business needs to be able to ask tough questions

Hardware Components


•Central processing unit (CPU):
–Arithmetic/logic unit, the control unit, and the register areas

•Arithmetic/logic unit (ALU):
–Performs mathematical calculations and makes logical comparisons

•Control unit:
–Sequentially accesses program instructions, decodes them, and coordinates the flow of data in and out of the ALU, registers, primary storage, and even secondary storage and various output devices

Hardware components

Processing and Memory Devices: Power, Speed, and Capacity



•System unit:
–Houses the components responsible for processing (the CPU and memory)

•All other computer system devices:
–Are linked either directly or indirectly into the system unit housing

Processing Characteristics and Functions




•Clock speed:
 –Series of electronic pulses produced at a predetermined rate
  that affects machine cycle time
 –Often measured in:
   •Megahertz (MHz): millions of cycles per second
   •Gigahertz (GHz): billions of cycles per second

•Physical characteristics of the CPU
 –Most CPUs are collections of digital circuits imprinted on
  silicon wafers, or chips, each no bigger than the tip of a
  pencil eraser



Memory Characteristics and Functions


•Memory:
–Provides the CPU with a working storage area for programs and data
–Rapidly provides data and instructions to the CPU

•Storage capacity:
–Eight bits together form a byte (B)

Memory Characteristics and Functions

Computer Storage Units

•Types of memory:

 1)Random access memory (RAM):
  •Temporary and volatile

RAM

 2)Read-only memory (ROM):
  •Nonvolatile
  •Provides permanent storage for data and instructions that do
   not change

ROM

Multiprocessing




•Multiprocessing:
  –Simultaneous execution of two or more instructions at the same
   time

•Multicore microprocessor:
  –Combines two or more independent processors into a single
   computer


•Parallel computing:
  –Simultaneous execution of the same task on multiple processors
   to obtain results faster

•Grid computing:
 –Use of a collection of computers to work in a coordinated
  manner to solve a common problem


Secondary Storage and Input and Output Devices


•Secondary storage:

 –Compared with memory, offers the advantages of nonvolatility,
  greater capacity, and greater economy
 –Considerably slower than memory

Access Methods


•Sequential access:
–Data must be retrieved in the order in which it is stored
–Devices used called sequential access storage devices (SASDs)


•Direct access:
–Records can be retrieved in any order
–Devices used are called direct access storage devices (DASDs)



Secondary Storage Devices


•Magnetic tapes:
–Primarily for storing backups of critical organizational data

•Magnetic disks:
–Direct-access storage device

•Redundant array of independent/inexpensive disks (RAID):
–Method of storing data that generates extra bits of data from existing data

•Virtual tape:
–Storage technology for less frequently needed data


•Storage area network:
–Uses computer servers, distributed storage devices, and networks to tie everything together

•Optical discs:
–Common form of optical disc on which data cannot be modified once it has been recorded

•Digital video disc (DVD):
–Storage medium used to store software, video games, and movies



•Solid state secondary storage devices:
 –Store data in memory chips rather than magnetic or optical
  media
 –Have few moving parts, so they are less fragile than hard disk
  drives
 –Disadvantages of SSD:
  •High cost per GB of data storage
  •Lower capacity compared to current hard drives



Input Devices


•Devices used to input general types of data:

–Personal computer input devices
–Speech recognition technology
–Digital cameras
–Touch-sensitive screens
–Optical data readers
–Magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) devices
–Pen input devices
–Magnetic stripe card
–Radio Frequency Identification

keyboard

earphone

thumbdrive

mouse

Output Devices


1) Display monitors:
 –Used to display the output from the computer
 –Plasma display:
   •Uses thousands of smart cells (pixels) consisting of
    electrodes and neon and xenon gases that are electrically
    turned into plasma to emit light
 –LCD displays:
   •Flat displays that use liquid crystals
–Organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs):
   •Use a layer of organic material sandwiched between two conductors

2) Printers and plotters:
 –Two main types of printers are laser printers and inkjet
  printers
 –Plotters are a type of hard-copy output device used for general
  design work

printer

plotter

         










3) Digital audio player:
 –Can store, organize, and play digital music files

mp4

4) E-books:
 –Digital media equivalent of a conventional printed book




Computer System Types


•Computer systems:
–Can range from desktop (or smaller) portable computers to massive supercomputers that require housing in large rooms

1) Portable Computers


•Handheld computers:
–Single-user computers that provide ease of portability because of their small size

•Laptop computer:
–Personal computer designed for use by mobile users

•Notebook computers:
–Lightweight computer that weighs less than 5 pounds

•Netbook computer:
–The smallest, lightest (3 pounds), least expensive member of the laptop computer family ,screens that are 12 inches or smaller, a netbook can be tossed easily into a backpack or purse, or even carried comfortably in one hand

•Tablet computers:
–Portable, lightweight computers with no keyboard

•Smartphone:
–Combines the functionality of a mobile phone, camera, Web browser, e-mail tool, MP3 player, and other devices

2) Nonportable Single-User Computers


•Thin client:
–Low-cost, centrally managed computer with no extra drives

•Desktop computers:
–Single-user computer systems that are highly versatile

•Nettop computer:
–Inexpensive desktop computer designed to be smaller, lighter, and consume much less power than a traditional desktop computer

•Workstations:
–More powerful than personal computers but still small enough to fit on a desktop

Multiple-User Computer Systems


•Server:
–Used by many users to perform a specific task, such as running network or Internet applications

•Blade server:
–Houses many computer motherboards
–The approach requires much less physical space than traditional server farms


•Mainframe computer:
–Large, powerful computer shared by hundreds of concurrent users connected to the machine over a network

•Supercomputers:
–The most powerful computers with the fastest processing speed and highest performance

Green Computing

>> Green computing is the environmentally responsible use of computers and related resources. Such practices include the implementation of energy-efficient central processing units (CPUs), servers and peripherals as well as reduced resource consumption and proper disposal of electronic waste (e-waste).


•Goals:

–Reduce the use of hazardous material
–Enable companies to lower their power-related costs
–Enable the safe disposal or recycling of some 700,000 tons of  
 computers each year

Overview of Software

•Computer programs:

–Sequences of instructions for the computer

•Documentation:

–Describes program functions to help the user operate the  

 computer system

•Types of software:

–Systems software

–Application software

Supporting Individual, Group, and Organizational Goals

•Sphere of influence:
–Scope of problems and opportunities addressed by a particular organization

•Personal sphere of influence:
–Serve the needs of an individual user

•Personal productivity software:
–Helps users improve their personal effectiveness

•Workgroup:
–When two or more people work together to achieve a common goal

•Workgroup sphere of influence:

–Serves the needs of a workgroup

•Enterprise sphere of influence:

–Supports the firm in its interaction with its environment

Installing and Removing New Software


•Before you can use any type of software, it must be installed on a computer
•Software for personal computers typically comes on CDs or is downloaded from the Web

Systems Software


•Includes:
–Operating systems
–Utility programs



Operating Systems


•Set of programs that controls computer hardware and acts as an interface with application programs

•Can control one computer or multiple computers, or

•Can allow multiple users to interact with one computer

•Combinations of OSs, computers, and users:
–Single computer with a single user
–Single computer with multiple users
–Multiple computers with multiple users
–Special-purpose computers

The role of OS

•Activities performed by the operating system:
–Perform common computer hardware functions
–Provide a user interface and input/output management
–Provide a degree of hardware independence
–Manage system memory
–Manage processing tasks
–Provide networking capability
–Control access to system resources
–Manage files


•Common hardware functions:
–Get input from keyboard or another input device
–Retrieve data from disks
–Store data on disks
–Display information on a monitor or printer


•User interface and input/output management:
  –User interface:
    •Allows individuals to access and command the computer system

  –Command-based user interface:
    •Requires that text commands be given to the computer to  
     perform basic activities

  –Graphical user interface (GUI):
    •Uses icons and menus displayed on screen to send commands to
     the computer system



•Hardware independence:
  –Application program interface (API):
    •Allows applications to make use of the operating system

•Memory management:
 –Allows computer to execute program instructions effectively and
  to speed processing

Application program interface (API)

•Processing tasks:
  –Multitasking:
    •More than one program can run at the same time

  –Time-sharing:
    •Allows more than one person to use a computer system at the
     same time

  –Scalability:
    •Ability of the computer to handle an increasing number of
     concurrent users smoothly



•Networking capability:
 –Allows computers in a network to send and receive data and  
  share computing resources

•Access to system resources and security:
–Protection against unauthorized access
–OS establishes a logon procedure

•File management:
–Ensures that files in secondary storage are available when needed and that they are protected from access by unauthorized users

Current Operating Systems


•Microsoft PC operating systems:
–Windows XP
–Windows Vista
–Windows 7

•Apple computer operating systems:
–Wintel
–Snow Leopard (OS X v10.6)

•Linux:
–Red Hat Linux
–Caldera OpenLinux


Workgroup Operating Systems

•Windows Server:

–Can be used to prevent unauthorized disclosure of information

•UNIX:

–Can be used on many computer system types and platforms

•Red Hat Linux:

–Can manage a cluster of up to eight servers

•Mac OS X Server:

–Includes support for 64-bit processing

Enterprise Operating Systems  


•z/OS:
–IBM’s first 64-bit enterprise OS

•HP-UX and Linux:
  –HP-UX:
    •Robust UNIX-based OS from Hewlett-Packard
    •Supports Internet, database, and business applications on
     server and mainframe enterprise systems

Operating Systems for Small Computers, Embedded Computers, and Special-Purpose Devices


•Cell phone embedded systems and operating systems:
–Embedded systems provide communication and limited personal information management services

•Windows embedded:
–Included with or embedded into small computer devices

•Proprietary Linux-based systems:
–Linux is a major competitor to Symbian



Utility Programs



•Help to perform maintenance or correct problems with a computer system
•Some can help computer systems run better and longer without problems
•Can help to secure and safeguard data

Application Software

•Application programs:

–Interact with systems software

–Help you perform common tasks, such as:

•Creating and formatting text documents

•Performing calculations

•Managing information

Types and Functions of Application Software


•Proprietary software:
–One-of-a-kind program for a specific application, usually developed and owned by a single company

•Off-the-shelf software:
–Existing software program that is purchased

•Application service provider (ASP):
–Company that can provide software, support, and computer hardware on which to run the software from the user’s facilities over a network




Personal Application Software

•Word processing
•Spreadsheet analysis
•Database applications
•Graphics program
•Personal information managers
•Software suites and integrated software packages


Mobile Application Software


•Operating systems designed for smartphones include:
–OS X iPhone, Android, and WebOS

•Tens of thousands of applications have been:
–Developed by third parties for the iPhone

•Palm WebOS:
–Has only recently released its software development kit



Workgroup Application Software

•Support teamwork, whether people are in the same location or   
 dispersed around the world

•Groupware:
–Software that helps groups of people work together more   
 effectively


Enterprise Application Software

•Software that benefits an entire organization
•Enterprise resource planning (ERP) software:
 –Set of integrated programs that manage a company’s vital 
  business operations for an entire multisite, global 
  organization


Programming Languages

•Sets of keywords, symbols, and a system of rules for 
 constructing statements:
  –By which humans can communicate instructions to be executed by 
   a computer

•Programming:
 –Involves translating what a user wants to accomplish into 
  instructions that the computer can understand and execute


Software Issues and Trends

•Software bug:
  –Defect in a program that keeps it from performing as it should

•Some tips for reducing impact of software bugs:
  –Register all software
  –Check read-me files for workarounds
  –Access support area of the manufacturer’s Web site for patches
  –Install latest software updates


Copyrights and Licenses

•Most software products are protected by law using copyright or licensing provisions:
  –In some cases, you are given unlimited use of software on one 
   or two computers
  –In other cases, you pay for your usage:
    •If you use the software more, you pay more

•Some software now requires that you register or activate it before it can be fully used



Software Upgrades

•When software companies stop supporting older software versions or releases:
–Some customers feel forced to upgrade to the newer software

•Deciding whether to purchase the newest software:
–Can be a problem for corporations and people with a large investment in software



Global Software Support

•Supporting local operations:
–One of the biggest challenges IS teams face when putting together standardized, company-wide systems

•Trend:
–Outsourcing global support to one or more third-party distributors











-the end -