Range and Scope of Computer Applications

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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