Transaction Processing Systems

Training presentation for Kilomart

Contents

• Section 1

• Multiple Choice Quiz

• Section 2

• Section 3

Introducing transaction processing systems

Kilomart and transaction processing systems

Bibliography

Section 1 – Introducing TPSs

RETURN TO START

Defining a TPS

• A TPS collects, stores, modifies and retrieves the transactions of an organisation

Characteristics of a TPS

• Rapid response – fast performance with rapid results

• Reliability – well designed backup and recovery with a low failure rate

• Inflexibility – treat every transaction equally

• Controlled processing – maintain specific requirements for the roles and responsibilities of different employees.

Batch Processing in a TPS

• Batch transaction processing collects the transaction data as a group (batch) and processes it at a later time eg cheque clearance or generating pay cheques.

Real-Time Processing in a TPS

• Real-time transaction processing is the immediate processing of data eg airline reservation systems or banking transaction systems

Transaction processing monitor

• A TP monitor is software that provides a standard interface between the input devices, the transaction processing application programs and the DBMS. It also provides data security and is an important part of real-time processing.

Real-Time vs. Batch

• Real-time:– Each transaction is

unique

– Requires master file to be readily available

– Has fewer errors as data is entered and validated immediately

– More computer operators required

• Batch:– Cheaper

– Transactions must have similar inputs and outputs

– Any error is not immediately detected

– Easier to maintain

– Less IT required

Data validation

• Involves procedures to ensure that transactions are correct and have been accurately stored in the database

• Although essential, it is impossible to validate all the data as some errors are very difficult to detect eg typing ‘1986’ instead of ‘1987’

Manual Transaction Systems

• A manual transaction system is a business system that operates without the use of machines

• People record the data and perform stock takes to check for misplaced/stolen money or stock

• Computerisation provides significant benefits as it is faster, more affective and provides relevant information for the business.

Components of a TPS

• Users – a main feature of a TPS, they often take the data provided by it and use it in another information system

• Participants - people who conduct the information processing, success or failure is dependant on them

• People from the environment become participants when they directly enter transactions and perform validation eg withdrawing money from an ATM

Examples of TPSs

• Real-Time– Reservation systems

– POS terminals

– Library loan systems

• Batch– Cheque clearance

– Bill generation

– Credit card sales and transactions

Storing and Retrieving – Databases

• A database is an organised collection of data. There are three structures:Hierarchical Network Relational

Important Database Features

• Real-time TPS databases should have:– Good data placement– Short transactions– Real-time backup– High normalisation– Archiving of historical data– Good hardware configuration

File Types in a TPS

• Master file

• Transaction file

• Report file

• Work file

• Program file

Data Warehousing

• A data warehouse is a database that collects information from different data sources. Data has to be:– Consolidated– Subject-oriented– Historical– Read-only

Backup and Recovery

• A backup is another copy of data that could be used to rebuild the system should failure occur

• Recovery of a database involves:– The backup– Journal– Checkpoint– Recovery manager

Types of Recovery

• Backward recovery – used to undo unwanted changes to the database

• Forward recovery – starts with a backup and reproduces transactions from a journal

Grandfather-Father-Son

• A backup procedure that refers to at least three generations of backup master files

• Commonly used with magnetic tape

• If the TPS fails, the first generation backup is used (son) to recover it, if this is also corrupted the next generation is used (father) and so on

Updating data

• In a batch:– Involves sequential

access

– Most common medium is magnetic tape

• Real-time– Involves direct access

– Can be stored on magnetic disk, CD, hard disk and others

Collecting data in a TPS

• Hardware– MICR (magnetic ink character recognition)

– ATM

– Barcode readers

• Forms– On-screen forms

– Web forms

Analysing data from a TPS

• Done as input in other information systems including:– DSSs, decision support systems– MISs, management information systems

Issues Related to TPSs

• Nature of work is changing– Automation of jobs

– People as participants

• Bias free data• Data security• Data accuracy• Data integrity (the ACID test)

The ACID Test

• Atomicity – all steps involved in a transaction are completed as a group

• Consistency – database is successfully transformed from one state to another

• Isolation – simultaneous transactions don’t interfere with each other’s database updates

• Durability – all changes to the database are permanent when the transaction is committed.

Multiple Choice Quiz

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1. Which of these is not an important characteristic of a TPS

a) Reliability

b) Rapid response

c) Flexibility

d) Controlled processing

ANSWER

2. Real-time processing is:

a) Cheaper than batch

b) Faster than batch

c) Not real at all

d) Used in bill generation

ANSWER

3. Which of the following is not a component of a TPS:

a) Users

b) Participants

c) People from environment

d) Data mining

ANSWER

4. Which is not an example of a TPS:

a) POS terminal

b) Airline reservation system

c) Library loan system

d) E-mail

ANSWER

5. In a manual transaction system:

a) People record the data and perform stock takes

b) Robotic arms perform manual labour

c) People operate computers and machinery

d) There is no data

ANSWER

6. The five basic file types in a TPS are:

a) Master file, slave file, teacher file, child file and print file

b) Terminal file, processing file, master file, slave file and backup file

c) JPEG, GIF, PGF, PNG and PSD

d) Master file, transaction file, report file, work file and program file

ANSWER

7. The ACID test involves:

a) The Atomic Composition of Information Databases

b) Testing the chemical properties of storage media in TPSs against sulphuric acid

c) The Atomicity, Concurrency, Isolation and Dataframe

d) The Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation and Durability ANSWER

8. MICR is used in:

a) Organising

b) Storing and retrieving

c) Collecting

d) Transmitting and receiving

ANSWER

9. Recovery of a database involves:

a) The backup, journal, TP monitor and operating system

b) The backup, journal, checkpoint and recovery manager

c) Travelling back in time to a point where the database was functional

d) The storage of backups off-siteANSWER

10. Which of these is not a database structure:

a) Relational

b) Hierarchical

c) Architectural

d) Network

ANSWER

Section 2 – Kilomart and TPSs

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Collecting data

• Bar-code readers

• EFTPOS devices

• Cash registers

• Web forms

Organising

• DBMS – sort and organise all the data from the transactions from the internet, different terminals and stores

Analysing

• DSS – using data mining to determine relationships and patterns in product sales at stores

• MIS – assist managers in generating stock inventories, payrolls, orders and budgets.

Storing and Retrieving

• Data should be stored on-site with backups both on-site at each store as well as off-site at the Kilomart head office mainframe computer

• Hard disks, floppy disks, CDs and/or other storage media should be used

Processing

• Backups should be done using the grandfather-father-son method updated at least two times per day

• Transaction journals should be kept for web sales as well as each terminal for system recovery and to track down any missing or stolen money.

Transmitting and Receiving

• Each terminal at each store should be connected to the mainframe in that store in a LAN

• Each mainframe at each store should be connected to the mainframe at the Kilomart head office as well as the internet for web transactions in a secure WAN

Displaying

• Each terminal needs a printing device for customer receipts

• A user-friendly web interface for internet transactions

Implementation

• A new system can be implemented in several different ways: Direct conversion Phased conversion

Parallel conversion Pilot conversion

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New

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Social and Ethical Issues

• Every customer has a right to their own privacy and details stored such as credit card number, name and address have to be secure

• The implementation of a new TPS would require staff to be skilled in different areas

• Transaction data has to be secure during transmission to the mainframe as well as while stored

Section 3 - Bibliography

RETURN TO START

Books

• Information Processes and Technology: HSC Course, by G.K. Powers published by Heinemann (2000)

• Information Processes and Technology - HSC Course, by Peter Ware, Paul Cheleski & Bill Chivers, published by Jacaranda (2001).

• Excel HSC Information Processes and Technology, by G. Johnstone. M. Lowbridge & J. Smith, published by Pascal Press (2003)

Web Resources

• Mr Alexander.com Information Technology– http://www.mralexander.bravehost.com/

• Mr Betts Computers – Online Learning Resources– http://au.geocities.com/graham_betts/

For More Details

• Macksville High School HSC IPT Resources– http://www.macksville-h.schools.nsw.edu.au/IPT/I

PT.htm

• Business Transaction Processing System– http://st-www.cs.uiuc.edu/users/johnson/business-t

ransactions/sreich.html

THE END

Created by Nick Nestoroski