Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary difference between data and information?
What is the primary difference between data and information?
What is an Information System?
What is an Information System?
A set of interrelated components that collect, manipulate, and disseminate data and information to meet an objective.
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a database?
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a database?
What is the main role of a Database Administrator (DBA)?
What is the main role of a Database Administrator (DBA)?
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Manual information systems rely completely on computerized technology.
Manual information systems rely completely on computerized technology.
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______ consists of computer equipment used to perform input, processing, and output activities.
______ consists of computer equipment used to perform input, processing, and output activities.
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What is the term for a field or set of fields in a record that is used to identify the record?
What is the term for a field or set of fields in a record that is used to identify the record?
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What is the main advantage of the database approach to data management?
What is the main advantage of the database approach to data management?
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What is the term for the process of organizing and structuring data in a meaningful way?
What is the term for the process of organizing and structuring data in a meaningful way?
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What is the primary focus of access in data management?
What is the primary focus of access in data management?
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What is the primary objective of physical design in database development?
What is the primary objective of physical design in database development?
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What is the purpose of data modeling in database development?
What is the purpose of data modeling in database development?
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What is the primary function of projecting in relational database management?
What is the primary function of projecting in relational database management?
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What is the term for the allowable values for data attributes in a relational database?
What is the term for the allowable values for data attributes in a relational database?
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Study Notes
Introduction to Information Systems
- An information system (IS) is a set of interrelated components that collect, manipulate, and disseminate data and information and provide feedback to meet an objective.
- Businesses can use information systems to increase revenues and reduce costs.
Information Concepts
- Information is one of an organization's most valuable resources and is often confused with the term data.
- Data refers to raw facts, while information is a collection of facts organized in a way that gives them value beyond the facts themselves.
- Knowledge is the awareness and understanding of a set of information.
Data, Information, and Knowledge
- Data refers to raw facts.
- Information is a collection of facts organized in a way that gives them value beyond the facts themselves.
- Knowledge is the awareness and understanding of a set of information.
Characteristics of Valuable Information
- If an organization's information is not accurate or complete, people can make poor decisions, costing thousands or even millions of dollars.
- Depending on the type of data needed, some characteristics become more important than others.
What is an Information System?
- An information system is a set of interrelated elements that collect (input), manipulate (process), store, disseminate (output) data and information, and provide a corrective reaction (feedback mechanism) to meet an objective.
- An information system can be manual or computerized.
Input, Processing, Output, Feedback
- Input refers to the activity of gathering and capturing raw data.
- Processing converts data into useful outputs.
- Output is the production of useful information, usually in the form of documents and reports.
- Feedback is information from the system that is used to make changes to input or processing activities.
Manual and Computerized Information Systems
- A manual information system is one where data is collected, stored, and processed manually.
- A computerized information system uses computers and technology to collect, store, and process data.
Computer-Based Information Systems
- A computer-based information system is a single set of hardware, software, databases, telecommunications, people, and procedures configured to collect, manipulate, store, and process data into information.
- The technology infrastructure includes all hardware, software, databases, telecommunications, people, and procedures.
Components of Computer-Based Information Systems
- Hardware consists of computer equipment used to perform input, processing, and output activities.
- Software consists of the computer programs that govern the operation of the computer.
- Database is an organized collection of facts and information, typically consisting of two or more related data files.
- Telecommunications refer to the electronic transmission of signals for communication.
- Networks connect computers and equipment to enable electronic communication.
- People are the most important element in most computer-based information systems.
- Procedures include strategies, policies, methods, and rules for using the computer-based information system.
Business Information Systems
- Common types of information systems include those designed for electronic and mobile commerce, transaction processing, management information, and decision support.
- Some organizations employ special-purpose systems, such as virtual reality, that not every organization uses.
Organizations and Information Systems
- An organization is a formal collection of people and other resources established to accomplish a set of goals.
- A value chain is a series of activities that includes inbound logistics and warehouse and storage.
- Supply chain management determines what supplies are required for the value chain.
Risk
- Managers must consider the risks of designing, developing, and implementing systems.
- Information systems can sometimes be costly failures.
Careers in Information Systems
- Degree programs in information systems, computer information systems, and management information systems can lead to various careers.
- Primary responsibilities in information systems include operations, systems development, support, and information service units.
Typical IS Titles and Functions
- Chief information officer (CIO) employs the IS department's equipment and personnel to help the organization attain its goals.
- LAN administrators set up and manage the network hardware, software, and security processes.
- Internet careers include strategists, developers, programmers, and operators.
Other IS Careers
- New and exciting careers have developed in security and fraud detection and prevention.
- Other IS career opportunities include being employed by technology companies.
Working in Teams
- IS professionals should have good communication skills and the ability to work with other people.
- Getting the best team of IS personnel to work on important projects is critical in successfully developing new information systems or modifying existing ones.
Finding a Job in IS
- Developing an online résumé can be critical to finding a good job.
- Job search approaches include on-campus visits, referrals from professors, friends, and family members, and the Internet.
Global Challenges in Information Systems
- Cultural, language, time and distance, infrastructure, currency, product and service, technology transfer, and legal challenges must be considered when working in a global environment.
Why Learn About Database Systems
- Databases are essential for organizations to successfully complete most business activities.
- Without data and the ability to process it, an organization cannot function effectively.
Database Fundamentals
- A database is an organized collection of data.
- A database management system (DBMS) is a group of programs that manipulate the database and provide an interface between the database and its users and other application programs.
- A database administrator (DBA) is a skilled IS professional who directs all activities related to an organization's database.
Hierarchy of Data
- Bit: a binary digit that can have a value of 0 or 1.
- Byte: typically made up of eight bits.
- Character: the basic building block of information.
- Field: a name, number, or combination of characters that describes an aspect of a business object or activity.
- Record: a collection of related data fields.
- File: a collection of related records.
- Database: a collection of integrated and related files.
Data Entities, Attributes, and Keys
- Entity: a general class of people, places, or things (objects) for which data is collected, stored, and maintained.
- Attribute: a characteristic of an entity.
- Data item: a specific value of an attribute.
- Key: a field or set of fields in a record that is used to identify the record.
- Primary key: a field or set of fields that uniquely identifies the record.
The Database Approach
- The traditional approach to data management uses separate data files for each operational system.
- The database approach shares a pool of related data across multiple application programs.
Data Modeling and Database Characteristics
- When building a database, an organization must consider:
- Content: what data should be collected and at what cost?
- Access: what data should be provided to which users and when?
- Logical structure: how should data be arranged to make sense to a given user?
- Physical organization: where should data be physically located?
Data Center
- A data center is a climate-controlled building or set of buildings that houses database servers and systems that deliver mission-critical information and services.
Data Modeling
- Building a database requires two types of designs:
- Logical design: an abstract model of how data should be structured and arranged to meet an organization's information needs.
- Physical design: starts from the logical database design and fine-tunes it for performance and cost considerations.
- Planned data redundancy is done to improve system performance so that user reports or queries can be created more quickly.
Relational Database Model
- The relational model describes data using a standard tabular format.
- Each row of a table represents a data entity (record).
- Columns of the table represent attributes (fields).
- Domain: allowable values for data attributes.
- Manipulating data involves:
- Selecting: eliminating rows according to certain criteria.
- Projecting: eliminating columns in a table.
- Joining: combining two or more tables.
- Linking: manipulating data to create new information.
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Description
This quiz covers the basics of information systems in organizations, including the definition and components of an IS, and how businesses can use them to increase revenue and reduce costs.
