Range And Scope Of Computer Applications 2j2a6j

Cambridge IGCSE Computer Studies (0420) Lesson 1 – Range of Scope of Computer Applications

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Computer Applications: Intro ●

In very simple : – What

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can computers be used for? A great many things: – Word

processing, communication, navigation, automation, art, relaxation, teaching & training, ing, etc. 2

Definition: Application From: The online Oxford dictionary

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Noun –

the action of putting something into operation:

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the application of general rules to particular cases (also application program) Computing a program or piece of software designed to fulfil a particular purpose: ●

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a database application 3

Definition: Application (cont) ●

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It's important to make the distinction: –

Communications is one of the many applications of computers.

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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? ●

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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 ! To gain understanding of an application that you are not familiar with, you need to analyze it by asking yourself the following 10 questions. 5

Analysis: Purpose? ●

What is the purpose of the application? –

Why does it exist?

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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?

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Could it be to deliver a message to another person or computer?

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Could it be to convert data into a more useful format?

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There are many more possibilities! 7

Analysis: System Design? ●

How is the system designed? –

Which parts of the system are computerized?

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Which parts are non-computerized?

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Analysis: Inputs? ●

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What inputs are necessary for the system to function? How will data be captured? –

Manual or automatic?

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What input hardware devices are used?

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Analysis: Data Organization? ●

What data is present in the system?

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How is the data organized?

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What processing is performed on the data?

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Analysis: System Organization? ●

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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? ●

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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 interface organized? How does the accomplish various actions by using the interface?

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Analysis: Effectiveness? ●

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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? ●

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What are the social effects of the system on: –

Individuals?

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Organizations?

How does the accomplish various actions by using the interface?

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Types: Communication ●

Electronic mail (e-mail)

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Video conferencing –

Why has use increased in recent years?

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What are the hardware & software requirements?

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Positive environmental impacts?

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Digital Telephony

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Wireless networking technology

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No messy wires,

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But security risk?

Broadband versus dial-up modems

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Types: Information Systems & Remote Databases ●

Information retrieval & database systems

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Office automation

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Use of word processors

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Electronic filing

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People need to learn new skills.

Library systems –

Files with book details & borrower details

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Automatic reminders

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Bar codes used to track books & ID borrowers 17

Types: Information Systems & Remote Databases ●

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Multimedia –

Use of sound / video / animation as a teaching aid

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Producing presentations

Virtual Reality applications –

Views inside a house

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Kitchen design

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Many, many more! 18

Types: Online Services ●

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E-Commerce –

Online Banking

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Credit-card purchases

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What do people expect from e-commerce websites?

Search Engines

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Types: Commercial & General Data Processing ●

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Banking systems –

e.g. automated cheque processing

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e.g. updating of s

Hospitals –

e.g. patient records

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Need to update records regularly

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Hospital istration 20

Types: Commercial & General Data Processing ●

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Personnel records –

What should be stored?

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Use of databases

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Need to keep data updated

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How do these link to other areas like payroll?

Automatic stock control & order processing –

Use of barcodes in supermarket stock control

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Understand overall system architecture and how it functions.

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Types: Industrial, Technical & Scientific Uses ●

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Weather forecasting –

How is data gathered and processed?

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How is information conveyed to s?

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Predictions are based on new & existing data.

Computer Aided Design –

What are the features of CAD?

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Data-banks of “parts” or “components”.

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Ability to do costings.

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Applications such as electronic circuit design.

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Types: Industrial, Technical & Scientific Uses ●

Virtual Reality –

Deg new chemical / nuclear plants.

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Ability to “see inside” plants using special devices.

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Safety applications.

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Training ● ● ●

e.g. airline pilots What hardware is used? Why are simulators used? 23

Types: Monitoring & Control Systems ●

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Monitoring hospital patients –

How does equipment monitor vital signs?

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How does the system alert doctors?

Chemical / Nuclear plants –

Using sensors to monitor and control plants

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What is monitored?

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How is plant status relayed to operators?

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Why are plants controlled by computers? 24

Types: Monitoring & Control Systems ●

Traffic Control –

How are models / simulators used to set traffic light timings?

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What types of sensors are used to gather data?

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How does the system "decide" the timing of the lights.

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Types: Automation & Robotics ●

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Domestic Equipment: –

e.g. use of microprocessors to control microwave ovens

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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).

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Why are directions given by voice synthesis?

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Benefits & drawbacks of these systems?

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Types: Automation & Robotics ●

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Industrial Robots –

e.g. used in car manufacturing & other automated processes

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Has advantages in of quality control & the environment.

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What are the effects on the workforce?

Use of CCTV: –

Cameras used in surveillance.

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Automatic warning of intruders.

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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

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Medical diagnosis

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Diagnostics (car engines & electronic devices)

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How are these systems created?

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How do these systems function?

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Inference engine

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Rule base

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Knowledge base

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Human-machine interface

Why & where are these systems used to great effect?

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Types: Education, training & entertainment ●

Computer-based learning –

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Interactive learning & assessment

Applications in music –

How is music produced / generated with computers?

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How can a computer be used in teaching someone to play musical instruments?

Computer graphics animation for TV & film –

How are cartoon animations produced?

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How is speech synchronized with animation?

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Special effects?

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How are humans superimposed onto cartoons?

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Types: Education, training & entertainment ●

Virtual Reality in training –

Used in dentistry.

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Used to learn to operate nuclear & chemical plants.

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Used to learn how to fly an aircraft / helicopter.

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Recently also started to see use in military training of infantry and their commanders.

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Types: Use of the Internet ●

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Deg Internet sites: –

What features do web page s expect?

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On-line banking & e-commerce.

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How do people find Internet sites to obtain information?

Use of search engines: –

How to refine searches.

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Features of search engines.

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http://www.googleguide.com/

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Types: Use of the Internet ●

Security –

Built-in credit card protection features incl.: ● ●

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Encryption Use of smart-card slots in keyboards

People's fear of the internet.

Society: –

Effects of on-line shopping on society?

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Effects of information retrieval & education systems on society? 32

Types: Use of the Internet ●

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Other applications: –

e.g. live satellite maps

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Interactive maps that combine traditional maps with satellite images.

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Other modern applications...

Use of Intranets: –

Large companies typically have an intranet and a website.

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What's the difference between an intranet and 33 a website?

Homework ●

Do an in-depth analysis of the following types of applications: –

Office automation: ● ● ●

Word Processor Spreadsheet Presentation

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