Computer Studies (ICT) SS2

Topic: Differences between computer files and manual files

	Computer files	Manual files
1	Computer files are files stored electronically.	As the name implies, manual files are files stored manually and in printed form.
2	Computer files are created on a computer. They can be saved without printing in papers.	These are created on typewriters. They can also be handwritten.
3	Typing errors can be easily corrected onscreen without the need for correction fluid or correction tape.	Typing errors are not easily corrected. The corrections with correction fluid are always obvious.
4	Whole blocks of text can be easily copied from one document to another without the need for any retyping.	Texts can’t be copied from one document to another unless they are retyped or handwritten again.
5	Photos and other graphics can be included in the document with very little effort.	Photos and other graphics cannot be included in the document effortlessly.
6	Sharing documents with a computerized system is simple. There is no need to make physical copies of the document and then mail or fax them to the recipients.	Sharing documents is cumbersome and laborious. Copies must be mailed or shared by hand.
7	Documents filed in a computerized system are automatically indexed by the computer's file control system. These indexes are automatically updated and maintained by the system no matter how often the document may be moved or edited.	Documents filed in a manual system are manually indexed by writing on various files or labelling various cabinets.

Class activity:

1.      Apart from the differences mentioned above, list 4 differences between a computer file and a manual file.

2.      Mention 4 advantages of computer files.

3.      Mention 4 disadvantages of computer files

Exercises:

1.      What is a computer file?

2.      What is a manual file?

3.      Which file system uses electricity?

4.      What are four distinctive differences between a computer file and a manual file?

Research:

1.      What is word processing?

2.      Mention the names of 5 common word processors.

Topic: Word Processing

Word processing is the use of computer software to create, edit, view, store, retrieve and print text documents.

A text document is a written communication like letters, reports, memos and CVs.

Word Processors are software that are used for word processing.

Examples of word processors

1.      Microsoft Word

2.      WordPerfect

3.      Word Pro

4.      Corel WordPerfect

5.      Lotus Notes

6.      MultiMate Advantage

7.      WordStar

Word processors have advantages over typewrites because of the quality of outputs, ability to replicate copies without having to retype or photocopy.

Application areas of word processing

1.      In offices

2.      For publishing

3.      In education

4.      For writing articles

5.      In journalism

Moving around the document

Use the following combination of keys to move the document:

Key Combination	Movement
Home	Move to the beginning of the line
End	Move to the end of the line
Ctrl  + Right arrow	Move one word to the right
Ctrl  + Left arrow	Move one word to the right
Ctrl  + Up arrow	Move to the previous paragraph
Ctrl + . (period)	Move to the next sentence
PgUp (page Up)	Move up one window
PgDn (page down)	Move down one window
Ctrl + PgUp	Move up one page
Ctrl + PgDn	Move down one page
Ctrl + Home	Move to the top of the document
Ctrl + End	Move to the bottom of the document

Class activity/quiz:

1.      ___________________ is the word processor designed by Microsoft Corporation U.S.A.

2.      What is a word processor?

3.      Mention 5 facilities available in a word processor.

4.      Describe 10 word processing shortcuts.

Font style:

1.      Bold

2.      Italic

3.      underline

Font effects

1.      Strikethrough

2.      Double strike through

3.      Subscript

4.      Superscript

5.      Change case

6.      Character spacing

Features of word processor

1.      A good word processor should have the ability to create, save and retrieve documents.

2.      It should be capable of wrapping your texts.

3.      Ability to display graphics

4.      Ability to mail merge documents

5.      Ability to manage files in the computer.

6.      Ability to generate multiple copies of a document with the aid of the printer.

EXERCISES:

1.      What is word processing?

2.      What is a word processor?

3.      Mention five examples of word processors.

4.      What are the features of a word processor?

5.      List ten word processing shortcuts.

6.      Outline the steps you would take to copy and paste a document from one page to another.

Topic:  System Development Cycle (1)

The human environment thrive on information, hence information systems are important for the success of any modern business or organization. Humans use information both in private lives and in the open society. In this light, researchers and computer scientists develop information systems to improve productivity and profit.

Requirements for a successful development of information system:

1.       Thorough system analysis and design,

2.       Understanding what the business or organization requires.

Note:

·         System analysis is the process of understanding in detail what a system should accomplish, how it will accomplish it and what is required to accomplish it.

·         System design is the process of specifying in details how components of an information system should be implemented physically.

·         System analyst is a person that uses analysis and design techniques to solve business problems using information technology.

Skills of a system analyst:

1.       Understand business problems

2.       Always wanting the improvement of the system

3.       Information technology (IT) knowledge and programming expertise

4.       Ability to find facts about the problem and develop how it should be solved

How systems analysts solve problems:

1.       They study and understand the problem

2.       They define the requirements for solving the problem

3.       They develop a set of possible or alternative solutions

4.       They define the detail of the chosen solution

5.       They solve the problem

6.       They monitor to ensure that desired result or outcome is accomplished.

The concept of systems

A system is a collection of interrelated components that function together to form a whole and achieve an outcome.

An information system is a collection of interrelated components that collect, process, store and provide as an output the information needed to complete a task.

An information system can also be defined as a collection of programs running on computers which interact with each other as well as humans to provide the necessary information needed to make decisions within an organization.

A subsystem is a part of a larger system that can function on its own to perform a task.

The components that make up a computer system can be described as subsystems; consisting mainly hardware and software subsystems.

Components of information systems:

1.       IT (hardware and software)

2.       Data/Information

3.       Procedures/Policies

4.       People

5.       Communication Networks

Types of information systems:

1.       Transaction processing systems

2.       Management information systems

3.       Decision support systems

4.       Executive information systems

Exercises:

1.       What is system analysis?

2.       What is system design?

3.       Who is a system analyst?

4.       What are skills of a system analyst?

5.       How do system analysts solve problems?

6.       What is a system?

7.       What is an information system?

8.       What is a subsystem?

9.       What are the main components of system information system?

10.   What are four examples of information system?

Research:

1.       What are 5 new types of information systems that cannot be classified as ‘classical’ types of information systems found in organizations?

2.       What is the meaning of SDLC?

3.       What is the meaning of SDC?

Topic:  Program Development

A computer program is a list of instructions issued to the computer to perform a particular task. Programs are written in computer programming languages.

Characteristic of a good program

1.      Accuracy: it must be error free

2.      Maintainability: it should be easy to amend and maintained if need be.

3.      Generality: it should be able to solve all similar problems

4.      Clarity: it must be clear, straight forward and easy to understand.

5.      Efficiency: it should solve a particular problem skillfully.

6.      Reliability: it should be depended upon at all times.

Precautions to be taken when writing a program:

1.      Do not rush. Be careful, stable and patient when writing programs.

2.      No steps should be skipped.

3.      The order of execution must be followed sequentially.

Steps in Program Development:

1.      Program definition

2.      Problem analysis

3.      Planning the solution

4.      Flowcharting

5.      Desk checking

6.      Program coding

7.      Program compilation

8.      Program testing/debugging

9.      Program documentation.

Exercises:

1.      What is a computer program?

2.      What are five characteristics of a good program?

3.      What precautionary steps must be taken when writing a program?

4.      What are five steps in program development?

Research:

1.      What are the characteristics of an interpreter?

2.      What is program coding?