range and scope of computer applications
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Range and Scope of Computer ApplicationsTRANSCRIPT
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Cambridge IGCSEComputer Studies (0420)
Lesson 1 – Range of Scope of Computer Applications
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Computer Applications: Intro
● In very simple terms:– What can computers be used for?
● A great many things:– Word processing, communication,
navigation, automation, art, relaxation, teaching & training, accounting, etc.
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Definition: Application
From: The online Oxford dictionary
● Noun– the action of putting something into operation:
● the application of general rules to particular cases
– (also application program) Computing a program or piece of software designed to fulfil a particular purpose:
● a database application
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Definition: Application (cont)
● It's important to make the distinction:– Communications is one of the many
applications of computers.– Skype is computer application used for voice
communication.● The first case is an application in the broader
sense of what computers can be used for.● The second case is a computer program used
for a specific application.● This section deals with both cases...
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How to analyze an application?
● You will see a little later that the list of computer applications is very long!
● Memorizing them all would be quite hard – better to have a system that helps you remember!
● To gain understanding of an application that you are not familiar with, you need to analyze it by asking yourself the following 10 questions.
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Analysis: Purpose?
● What is the purpose of the application?– Why does it exist?– What is it good for?
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Analysis: Outcome?
● What is the desired outcome of the application?
– Could it be to produce something like a document or a picture?
– Could it be to deliver a message to another person or computer?
– Could it be to convert data into a more useful format?
– There are many more possibilities!
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Analysis: System Design?
● How is the system designed?– Which parts of the system are computerized?– Which parts are non-computerized?
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Analysis: Inputs?
● What inputs are necessary for the system to function?
● How will data be captured?– Manual or automatic?– What input hardware devices are used?
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Analysis: Data Organization?
● What data is present in the system?● How is the data organized?● What processing is performed on the data?
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Analysis: System Organization?
● What are the major hardware components of the system?
● What are the major software components of the system?
● How are the components organized?– How do the components relate to each other?
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Analysis: Recovery?
● Is there a need for recovery in the event of a system failure?
● How can the system recover in the event of a failure?
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Analysis: Interface?
● How is the user interface organized?● How does the user accomplish various actions
by using the user interface?
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Analysis: Effectiveness?
● How effective is the system in practice at achieving its outcomes?
● How effective is the system compared to similar / competing systems?
● Why is the system effective / ineffective?– Is the system more effective in some
circumstances than in others?
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Analysis: Social Effects?
● What are the social effects of the system on:– Individuals?– Organizations?
● How does the user accomplish various actions by using the user interface?
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Types: Communication
● Electronic mail (e-mail)● Video conferencing
– Why has use increased in recent years?– What are the hardware & software requirements?– Positive environmental impacts?
● Digital Telephony● Wireless networking technology
– No messy wires,– But security risk?
● Broadband versus dial-up modems
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Types: Information Systems & Remote Databases
● Information retrieval & database systems● Office automation
– Use of word processors– Electronic filing– People need to learn new skills.
● Library systems– Files with book details & borrower details– Automatic reminders– Bar codes used to track books & ID borrowers
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Types: Information Systems & Remote Databases
● Multimedia– Use of sound / video / animation as a teaching
aid– Producing presentations
● Virtual Reality applications– Views inside a house– Kitchen design– Many, many more!
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Types: Online Services
● E-Commerce– Online Banking– Credit-card purchases– What do people expect from e-commerce
websites?● Search Engines
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Types: Commercial & General Data Processing
● Banking systems– e.g. automated cheque processing– e.g. updating of accounts
● Hospitals– e.g. patient records– Need to update records regularly– Hospital administration
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Types: Commercial & General Data Processing
● Personnel records– What should be stored?– Use of databases– Need to keep data updated– How do these link to other areas like payroll?
● Automatic stock control & order processing– Use of barcodes in supermarket stock control– Understand overall system architecture and
how it functions.
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Types: Industrial, Technical & Scientific Uses
● Weather forecasting– How is data gathered and processed?– How is information conveyed to users?– Predictions are based on new & existing data.
● Computer Aided Design– What are the features of CAD?– Data-banks of “parts” or “components”.– Ability to do costings.– Applications such as electronic circuit design.
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Types: Industrial, Technical & Scientific Uses
● Virtual Reality– Designing new chemical / nuclear plants.– Ability to “see inside” plants using special
devices.– Safety applications.– Training
● e.g. airline pilots● What hardware is used?● Why are simulators used?
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Types: Monitoring & Control Systems
● Monitoring hospital patients– How does equipment monitor vital signs?– How does the system alert doctors?
● Chemical / Nuclear plants– Using sensors to monitor and control plants– What is monitored?– How is plant status relayed to operators?– Why are plants controlled by computers?
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Types: Monitoring & Control Systems
● Traffic Control– How are models / simulators used to set traffic
light timings?– What types of sensors are used to gather
data?– How does the system "decide" the timing of
the lights.
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Types: Automation & Robotics
● Domestic Equipment:– e.g. use of microprocessors to control microwave
ovens– Intelligent cookers that use bar-codes to automatically
set cooking temperatures and times.● Navigation Systems
– e.g. Satellite navigation systems used in ships, aeroplanes and cars (global positioning system – GPS).
– Why are directions given by voice synthesis?– Benefits & drawbacks of these systems?
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Types: Automation & Robotics
● Industrial Robots– e.g. used in car manufacturing & other
automated processes– Has advantages in terms of quality control &
the environment.– What are the effects on the workforce?
● Use of CCTV:– Cameras used in surveillance.– Automatic warning of intruders.– Use of sensors to control the camera.
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Types: Expert Systems
● Some examples of settings in which these are used:– Mineral prospecting– Medical diagnosis– Diagnostics (car engines & electronic devices)
● How are these systems created?● How do these systems function?
– Inference engine– Rule base– Knowledge base– Human-machine interface
● Why & where are these systems used to great effect?
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Types: Education, training & entertainment
● Computer-based learning– Interactive learning & assessment
● Applications in music– How is music produced / generated with computers?– How can a computer be used in teaching someone to
play musical instruments?● Computer graphics animation for TV & film
– How are cartoon animations produced?– How is speech synchronized with animation?– Special effects?– How are humans superimposed onto cartoons?
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Types: Education, training & entertainment
● Virtual Reality in training– Used in dentistry.– Used to learn to operate nuclear & chemical
plants.– Used to learn how to fly an aircraft / helicopter.– Recently also started to see use in military
training of infantry and their commanders.
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Types: Use of the Internet
● Designing Internet sites:– What features do web page users expect?– On-line banking & e-commerce.– How do people find Internet sites to obtain
information?● Use of search engines:
– How to refine searches.– Features of search engines.– http://www.googleguide.com/
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Types: Use of the Internet
● Security– Built-in credit card protection features incl.:
● Encryption● Use of smart-card slots in keyboards
– People's fear of the internet.● Society:
– Effects of on-line shopping on society?– Effects of information retrieval & education
systems on society?
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Types: Use of the Internet
● Other applications:– e.g. live satellite maps– Interactive maps that combine traditional maps
with satellite images.– Other modern applications...
● Use of Intranets:– Large companies typically have an intranet
and a website.– What's the difference between an intranet and
a website?
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Homework
● Do an in-depth analysis of the following types of applications:
– Office automation:● Word Processor● Spreadsheet● Presentation