Chapter One
Fundamentals of information
System
1
Basic Definitions
Meaning and role of information
Introduction to information system
Major Components
Types of information system
2
The Systems Development
Environment
Structured Systems Analysis and Design:
an organizational process used to develop
and maintain computer-based information
systems .
An Information system is a set of
components that work together to
produces specific results
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Meaning and role of
information
Information is very important part of any business,
which helps the managers to take decisions.
The difference between data and information
Data are raw (unprocessed) facts about people,
objects, events in an organization
(Ex. all the sales orders for the year)
Information is data that have been processed and
presented in a form suitable for human
interpretation.
Information: Data that is organized and arranged to
transfer meaningful message that is used as an input
to develop a system.
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What is a System?
A collection of parts that work together
to achieve a common goal/task/objective.
A set of objects and relationships among
the objects viewed as a whole and
designed to achieve a particular purpose.
Examples
Information system
Solar system
Digestive systems
transport system
Computer system
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What is subsystem ?
A subsystem is simply a system within a
system.
Example: Automobile is a system
composed of subsystems:
Engine system
Body system
Each of these subsystem is composed
of sub-sub --systems.
Engine system: carburetor
system,fuel system, and so on….
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System Components
System
Subsys A Subsys B Elemental
Part C
Subsys A-1 SubsysB-1
Subsys A-2 SubsysB-2
Subsys A-3 Elemental
7 part B1
Characteristics of a
System
Components – A component is either an irreducible
part or an aggregate of parts , also called as a
subsystem
Interrelated Components – The function of one
component is tied to the functions of the others.
Output from one is input for another, the dependence
of a part on one or more other parts.
Boundary – A system has boundary, within which all
of its components are contained and which establishes
the limits of a system, separating it from other
systems. Components within the boundary can be
changed whereas systems outside the boundary
cannot be changed.
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Cont’d….
Purpose – All components work together to
achieve the overall purpose of the system.
Environment – A system exist within an
environment, everything outside the
system’s boundary that influences and / or
interacts the system.
Interfaces–The points at which the system
meets its environment and there are also
interfaces between subsystems.
Input – System takes input from its
environment
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Cont’d…
Output - System returns output to its
environment as a result of its
functioning to achieve the purpose.
Output from individual subsystems may
be inputs to other subsystems.
Constraints – There are limits to what
the system can do (capacity, speed, and
capability), some of these constraints
are imposed inside the system and
others are imposed by the environment.
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Important System
Concepts
Decomposition
The process of breaking down a system
into smaller components
Allows the systems analyst to:
Break a system into small, manageable
subsystems
Focus on one area at a time
Concentrate on component specific to
one group of users
Build different components at
independent times
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Cont’d…
Modularity
Process of dividing a system into modules of a relatively
uniform size
Modules simplify system design
Coupling
Subsystems that are dependent upon each other are
coupled.
Inter relationship between modules/system components
Cohesion
Extent to which a subsystem performs a single function
The modules internal relationship strength(Intra
relationship)
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Cohesion and Coupling
Cohesion and Coupling are degrees of module dependency.
They are under decomposition concept in OO software engineering
Note: Coupling vs Cohesion: Cohesion is a measure of the internal strength
of a module, while coupling is a measure of the extent of information
interchange between modules.
Cohesion Cohesion
Coupling
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Computer-based Information
Systems (CBIS) vs Manual Systems
CBIS: Information system that rely on computer
hardware
and software for processing and disseminating
information from the source to destination
Recent technology is applied to facilitate the
information management process
A Computer-based Information System =
Hardware + Software + People + Procedures +
Information
Manual systems:
Traditional approach
Use paper + pencil technology
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Introduction to IS
An Information System is an
arrangement of people, data, processes,
interfaces, networks and technology that
interact for the purpose of supporting and
improving both day-to-day operations in a
business (data processing) as well as
supporting the problem solving and
decision making needs of management
(information services).
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Cont’d…
Major components of an Information
system
Hardware
Software
Data
Processes
People
16
Cont’d …
Hardware
Is the physical layer of the information system
Software
System software
Application software
17
Cont’d…
Software
A component that helps to
instruct the hardware to do
some action
Data
Tables store data
Linked tables work together
to supply data
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Cont’d…
Processes
Describe the tasks and business
functions that users, managers,
and IT staff members perform to
achieve specific results
People
Stakeholders
Users, or end users
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Information System Types
1. Transaction Processing Systems (TPS)
2. Management Information Systems
(MIS)
3. Decision Support Systems (DSS)
4. Expert System and Artificial
Intelligence (ES &AI)
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Transaction Processing
Systems (TPS)
TPS are computerized information
systems that are/were developed to
process large amounts of data for
routine/habitual business transaction.
Automate the handling of data about
business activities and transactions,
which can be thought of a simple
discrete events in the life of an
organization.
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Transaction Processing
Systems (TPS)
In TPS Data about each transaction are
captured,
Transactions are verified and
accepted/rejected,
Validated transactions are stored for
later aggregation and operations.
Report may be produced to provide
summarization of the transactions,
and
Transaction may be moved from
process to process in order to handle
all aspects of the business activities.
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Management Information
Systems (MIS)
Information system at the management level
of an organization that serves the functions of
planning, controlling, and decision making by
providing routine summary and exception
reports.
It takes the relatively raw data available
through a TPS and converts them into a
meaningful aggregated form that mangers
need to conduct their responsibilities.
Developing a MIS calls for a good
understanding of what kind of information
managers require and how managers use
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information in their jobs.
Decision Support systems
(DSS)
Information system at the
management level of an organization
that combines data and sophisticated
analytical models or data analysis
tools to support semi-structured and
unstructured decision making.
DSS are designed to help an
organization to make a decision.
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Decision Support systems
(DSS)
A DSS is composed of a:
Database ( may be extracted from
a TPS/MIS)
Graphical/mathematical models
for business process
User interface that provides a way
to communicate with DSS
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Expert System and Artificial
Intelligence (ES & AI)
Knowledge representation describes the
way an expert would approach the problem.
It attempts to codify and manipulate
knowledge rather than information, (for
example if .. Then rule)
User communication with an ES via an
interactive dialogue.
The ES asks questions ( that an expert
would ask) and the end user supplies the
answers.
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Expert System and Artificial
Intelligence (ES & AI)
The answers are then used to determine
which rules apply and the ES provides a
recommendation based on the rule.
Knowledge Engineers perform
knowledge acquisition; they are similar
with system analyst but are trained to use
different techniques.
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Thank You!
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