Computer Science Fundamentals Quiz

Computer Crime

• Algorithm: A set of rules to solve a problem or achieve a goal. Often expressed as a flow chart.
• Chip (Integrated Circuit): A small piece of semiconductor material (like silicon) with conductive and insulating layers, forming a microcircuit. It contains many electronic devices like transistors, resistors, and diodes.
• ROM (Read Only Memory) Chips: Contain permanently stored data.
• RAM (Random Access Memory) Chips: Data is volatile (lost when power off)
• EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory): Programmable memory that can be erased and reprogrammed.
• CPU (Central Processing Unit): The "brain" of the computer, located on an integrated circuit. It carries out machine language instructions from computer programs.
• Compiler: A program that translates high-level language code to machine language. Its opposite, converting machine language to high-level code, is called decompilation.
• Computer: A programmable machine for storing, retrieving, and processing data, mainly electronically.
• Computer Program: A series of instructions guiding computer operation. Stored in various ways, including integrated circuits, magnetic disks/tapes, and punched cards, loaded into memory as needed. A precise definition is found in the Export of Goods (Control) Order (S.I. 1989 No. 2376) detailing processes executable through electronic computers, also including microprograms.
• Data: Information (facts, numbers) to analyze something.
• Database: A structured collection of data (e.g., client names, addresses). Stored in computers or storage media like magnetic disks.

Systems Analysis and Design

• System: A collection of interrelated components working together to perform a function.
• Systems Analysis: Studying an existing system to understand its workings and user needs.
• Systems Design: Creating a plan for an improved system based on analysis results.

Systems Specialist

• Systems Specialist: A computer professional handling analysis and design.
• Typical Career Path: Programmer → Designer → Systems Analyst

Systems Analyst Functions

• Coordination: Managing and scheduling system-related tasks.
• Personnel Communication: Communicating via presentations or written documents.
• Planning and Design: Creating new systems, from initial planning to deployment.

Project Phases

• Planning: Determining the purpose, process, and steps for system building.
• Analysis: Identifying users, system functions, and usage.
• Design: How the system will work.
• Implementation: Putting the system into operation.

Planning

• Identifying business value: Defining the advantages of the system.
• Analyze feasibility: Evaluating the practicality of the system.
• Develop work plan: Creating a plan to implement the project.
• Staff the project: Choosing the team to work on the project.
• Control and direct project: Keeping the project on track.

Analysis

• Analysis strategy : A plan for completing the analysis phase.
• Gathering business requirements: Collecting information about user needs for the system.
• Requirements Definition Use Cases: Detailed descriptions of interactions users will have with the system.
• Process modeling: Illustrating different processes within the system.
• Data modeling: Identifying different types of data in the system.

Design

• Design selection: Choosing the best approach for designing the system
• Architecture design: Creating the overall structure of the system
• Interface design: Determining user interactions with the system.
• Data storage design: Deciding how data will be stored within the system
• Program design: Planning individual program components

Implementation

• Construction: Developing and testing the programs.
• Installation: Setting up the system and training users.
• Conversion marketing strategy: Focuses on increasing the number of site visitors who complete a specific action (called a conversion).
• Training plan: Creating a plan to train users.
• Support plan: Setting up support channels for users.

SDLC (Systems Development Life Cycle)

• Preliminary investigation: Initial study to define the problem.
• Analysis: Understanding the existing system and determining requirements.
• Design: Creating a detailed plan for the new system.
• Development: Building the software.
• Implementation: Installing and deploying the system.

Preliminary Investigation

• Feasibility Study / System Survey: Assessing the practicality and possibility of the project.
• Determine the problem: Defining the exact problems to be addressed.
• Describe the problem: Clearly articulating the issues.
• Understand management decisions: Determining the organizational structure and related decisions.
• Produces rough plan and what to do: Planning a brief overview and outline of the projected work steps.
• Report: Documenting the steps taken and findings, including recommendations and financial feasibility analysis.

Goal of Preliminary Investigation

• Problem Definition: Determining the exact nature of the problem, isolating it from symptoms, and understanding its scope.
• Scope of the project: Determining the project limits and boundaries.
• Budget and schedule: Determining budget and timeline for the project.
• Objectives of the project: Defining goals and objectives for the project.
• What user thinks system should do: Gathering user expectations for the system's intended functionality.

SDLC: Analysis

• Understand the existing system: Determining how the current system functions. Includes gathering and analyzing relevant data.
• Establish system Requirements: Defining the functionalities needed in the new system.

Analysis – Data Gathering

• Written documents: Analyzing existing documentation related to the system.
• Interviews: Gathering information from system users. These can be structured or unstructured.
• Questionnaires: Collecting data through a series of questions.
• Observation: Monitoring system usage through observation. Includes both guided and participant observations.
• Sampling: Utilizing sample data to represent larger trends.

Analysis – Analyze Data

• How the current system works: Understanding the current system's operations.
• Determine system requirements: Identifying the needed aspects of the new system.
• Tools: Employing appropriate tools, including data flow diagrams (DFD) and decision tables.

SDLC: Analysis – Data Flow Diagram

• Illustrates data flow within a system, visually showing data movement and transformations. Includes inputs, outputs, processes, and data stores.

SDLC: Analysis – Decision Tables

• Defines conditions under which system actions should take place.

Analysis – System Requirements

• Detailed specifications of what the system needs to accomplish.
• Basis for all design decisions and must be agreed upon.

Analysis – Report to Management

• Summarizing the problems and requirements.
• Presenting a cost analysis.
• Presenting recommendations for the next steps.
• Requesting authorization for proceeding.

SDLC: Design

• Planning the new system: Overall approach.
• Two Phases: Preliminary design, Detailed Design

Preliminary Design

• Create an overall plan: Creating a blueprint for the project.
• Offer alternatives: Developing multiple ways to address the system needs.
• Explain differences: Documenting the reasoning for choice of alternative.
• Evaluate costs: Assessing the financial implications of implementation and choices between alternatives.
• Build a prototype: Creating a working model of the system. A subset demonstration focused on key features.
• Prototype: Testing implementation with a working model to accommodate feedback.
• CASE Tools (Computer-Aided Software Engineering): Tools aiding in software design tasks.

Detailed design

• Presentation: Presenting developed system details
• All Alternatives: Reviewing all the alternative solutions.
• Selected plan: Choosing the chosen solution amongst all alternatives.
• Prototype of the system: Demonstrating a prototype (working model) of the final design.
• Obtain authorization to proceed: Gaining approval before moving onto the next design stage.

Computer Virus

• What are computer viruses?: Small programs hidden on disks, that replicate.
• How do viruses infect PCs?: Hidden on disk/floppy, and activated when accessed; spreading via infected floppy or computer networks (including the internet).
• How to prevent virus damage?: Utilizing anti-virus software that is kept updated; ensuring that computer software is the latest version.

Software Copyright

• What about software that you find on the Internet?: Freeware, Shareware, Software with licenses are identified and their usage clarified.
• Freeware: Available cost-free.
• Shareware: Initially free for trials, often requiring purchase for continued use.
• Software with licenses: Copyrighted software requiring a license for use.
• If your computer system holds information...: It's important to respect information privacy.
• In a free society...: Protecting privacy rights is crucial, along with their data protection laws.

Other

• Operating System (OS): A special program handling computer operation and advanced features.
• Application Software: Programs like word processors, spreadsheets, etc., that users utilize after the OS loads.
• LAN (Local Area Network): Connecting several computers in a limited area (e.g., office).
• WAN (Wide Area Network): Connecting devices over a much wider range (e.g., globally).
• Modem: Converts computer signals to signals used by phone systems, facilitating data transmission.
• Computer Games, Working from Home, Banking from Home, Connecting to the Web: Common computer uses in a home environment.
• CBT(Computer Based Training): Computer-based training solution. An economical way to train large groups on a single subject.
• Office Applications: Automation through computer-controlled robots and using CAD programs in design.
• Stock Control, Payroll: Examples of office application systems which are computerized.

Additional Points

• Specific examples: Include names of software (e.g., Microsoft Word, Lotus 123, Microsoft Access, etc.).
• Data Flow Diagrams (DFD): Illustrative diagrams.
• Decision Tables: Tabular format clarifying conditions.
• Backup Procedure: Regular backing up of important data to avoid data loss and to properly organize computer systems to aid in the backup procedure.
• Good Working Environment: The physical setup to minimize computer-related health issues such as RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury), glare, bad posture.
• Specific Computer Accessories: Modems, Printers, Keyboards, etc., to support the study notes.