System definition and concepts | characteristics and types of system




What is System

The key term used most frequently. Understanding systems and how they work is critical to understanding systems analysis and design.

Definition of a System and Its Parts

system is an interrelated set of business procedures (or components) used within one business unit, working together for some purpose. For example, a system in the payroll department keeps track of checks, whereas an inventory system keeps track of supplies. The two systems are separate. A system has nine characteristics. A detailed explanation of each characteristic follows, system exists within a larger world, an environment. A boundary separates the system from its environment. The system takes input from outside, processes it, and sends the resulting output back to its environment.

Elements of a System:

System definition and concepts | characteristics and types of system

  1. Components : An irreducible part or aggregation of parts that makes up a system; also called a subsystem.
  2. Interrelated components : Dependence of one part of the system on one or more other system parts.
  3. Boundary : The line that marks the inside and outside of a system and that sets off the system from its environment.
  4. Purpose : The overall goal or function of a system.
  5. Environment : Everything external to a system that interacts with the system.
  6. Interfaces : Point of contact where a system meets its environment or where subsystems meet each other.
  7. Constraints : A limit to what a system can accomplish.
  8. Input : Inputs are the information that enters into the system for processing.
  9. Output : The main objective of a system is to get an output which is helpful for its user. Output is the final outcome of processing.

Characteristics and types of system

  • Organization

  • structure and order
  • Example: Hierarchical organization in a company.
  • Computer system: organization of various components like input devices, output devices, CPU and storage devices 
  • Interaction

  • Between sub systems or the components 
  • Example: the main memory holds the data that has to be operated by the ALU.
  • Interdependence
  • Component linkage 
  • Component dependence
  • Integration
  • How subsystems are tied together to achieve the system objective
  • Central Objective
  • Should be known in early phases of analysis

System definition and concepts | characteristics and types of system

Types of Systems 

  • Physical or Abstract System

  • Physical system: tangible entities 
  • static or dynamic in nature.
  • Example : system-computer centre
  • Desks and chairs are the static parts
  • Programs, data, and applications can change according to the user's needs.
  • Abstract systems are conceptual. These are not physical entities. They may be formulas, representation or model of a real system.
  • Open Closed System- Majority of systems are open systems

  • open system has many interfaces with its environment
  • can also adapt to changing environmental conditions
  • can receive inputs from, and delivers output to the outside of system
  • Closed systems: Systems that don't interact with their environment. Closed systems exist in concept only.
  • Man made Information System

  • Information system is the basis for interaction between the user and the analyst.
  • Main purpose-manage data for a particular organization.

Further Categorized as: 

  1. Formal Information Systems: Responsible for flow of information from top management to lower management But feedback can be given from lower authorities to top management
  2. Informal Information Systems: Informal systems are employee based. These are made to solve the day to day work related problems. 
  3. Computer-Based Information Systems: This class of systems depends on the use of computer for managing business applications

System definition and concepts | characteristics and types of system

System definition and concepts | characteristics and types of system

Information systems (IS)

in organizations capture and manage data to produce useful information that supports an organization and its employees, customers, supliers, and partners. Many organizations consider Information systems to be essential to their ability to compete or gain competitive advamage. Most organizations have come to realize that ail workers need ro participate in the development of informatlon systems.

  1. Transaction processing systems (TPSs)
  2. Management Information systems (MISs)
  3.  Decision support systems (DSSs)
  4. Executive information system (EIS)
  5. Expert systems
  6. Communications and collaboration system
  7. Automation systems
  • Transaction processing systems (TPSs) process business transactions such as orders, thne cards, payments, and reser'latlons.
  • Management Information systems (MISs) use the transaction data to produce lnformatlon needed by managers to run the business.
  • Decision support systems (DSSs) help various decision makers Identify and choose between options or decisions.
  • Executive information system (EIS) are tailored to the unique information needs of executives who plan for the business and assess performance against those plans.
  • Expert systems capture and reproduce the knowledge of an expert problem solver or decision maker and then slmulate the “thinking" of that expert.
  • Communications and collaboration system enhance communlcatlon and collaboration between people, both Internal and extenal to the organization.
  • Finally, office automation systems help employees create and share documents that support day-to-day oftlce activities

Important Information System Concepts

Systems analysts need to know several other important systems concepts:

  1. Decomposition
  2. Modularity
  3. Coupling
  4. Cohesion

Decomposition

is the process of breaking down a system into its smaller components. These components may themselves be systems (subsystems) and can be broken down into their components as well. Decomposing a system also allows us to focus on one particular part of a system, making it easier to think of how to modify that one part independently of the entire system. Decomposition is a technique that allows the systems analyst to:

  1. Break a system into small, manageable, and understandable subsystems
  2. Focus attention on one area (subsystem) at a time, without interference from other areas. Concentrate on the part of the system pertinent to a particular group of users, without confusing users with unnecessary details
  3. Build different parts of the system at independent times and have the help of different analysts

Modularity

is a direct result of decomposition. It refers to dividing a system into chunks or modules of a relatively uniform size. Modules can represent a system simply, making it easier to understand and easier to redesign and rebuild. For example, each of the separate subsystem modules for the MP3 player shows how decomposition makes it easier to understand the overall system.

Coupling

means that subsystems are dependent on each other. Subsystems should be as independent as possible. If one subsystem fails and other subsystems are highly dependent on it, the others will either fail themselves or have problems functioning. components of a portable MP3 player are tightly coupled. The best example is the control system, made up of the printed circuit board and its chips. Every function the MP3 player can perform is enabled by the board and the chips. A failure in one part of the circuit board would typically lead to replacing the entire board rather than attempting to isolate the problem on the board and fix it. Even though repairing a circuit board in an MP3 player is certainly possible, it is typically not cost-effective; the cost of the labor expended to diagnose and fix the problem may be worth more than the value of the circuit board itself. In a home stereo system, the components are loosely coupled because the subsystems, such as the speakers, the amplifier, the receiver, and the CD player, are all physically separate and function independently. If the amplifier in a home stereo system fails, only the amplifier needs to be repaired.

Cohesion

is the extent to which a subsystem performs a single function. In the MP3 player example, supplying power is a single function. This brief discussion of systems should better prepare you to think about computer-based information systems and how they are built. Many of the same principles that apply to systems in general apply to information systems as well. In the next section, we review how the information systems development process and the tools that have supported it have changed over the decades.



Frequently Asked Questions

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Ans: What is manual system or what is automatic system : The main difference between manual and computerized systems is speed. Accounting software processes data and creates reports much faster than manual systems. Calculations are done automatically in software programs, minimizing errors and increasing efficiency. Once data is input, you can create reports literally by pressing a button in a computerized system. view more..
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Ans: A system is an interrelated set of business procedures (or components) used within one business unit, working together for some purpose view more..
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Ans: Functional Information System is based on the various business functions such as Production,  Marketing, Finance and Personnel etc. These departments or functions are known as functional areas of business. Each functional area requires applications to perform all information processing related to the function view more..
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Ans: Systems that are intended for use in real-world environments should be designed to function correctly in the widest possible range of circumstances and in the face of many possible difficulties and threats. Types Of Model : 1. physical model 2. Architectural models 3. Fundamental models view more..
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Ans: A real-time system is any information processing system which has to respond to externally generated input stimuli within a finite and specified period A distributed system is one in which the components of an information system are distributed to multiple locations in a computer network. view more..
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Ans: Basic principle of successful system : 1. System should be of use for the user. 2.Ready in time. 3. Visible benefits 3. Maintained effectively 4. Well documented view more..
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Ans: The primary role of a systems analyst is to study the problems and needs ofan organization in order to determine how people, methods, and information technology can best be combined to bring about improvements in the organization. A systems analyst helps system users and other business managers define their requirements for new or enhanced information services. view more..
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Ans: Systems Analyst Duties: Defines application problem by conferring with clients; evaluating procedures and processes. Develops solution by preparing and evaluating alternative workflow solutions. Controls solution by establishing specifications; coordinating production with programmers. Validates results by testing programs. view more..
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Ans: Change Agent: The analyst may be viewed as an agent of change. A candidate system is designed to introduce change and reorientation in how the user organization handles information or makes decisions. Then, it is important that the user accepts change. view more..
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Ans: Systems development methodology: A standard process followed in an organization to conduct all the steps necessary to analyze,design, implement, and maintaininformation systems. | Systems development life cycle (SDLC): The series of steps used to mark the phases of development for an information system. view more..
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Ans: Systems Planning and Selection : The first phase of the SDLC, in which an organization’s total information system needs are analyzed and arranged, and in which a potential information systems project is identified.Systems Analysis : Phase of the SDLC in which the current system is studied and alternative replacement systems are proposed. view more..
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Ans: System documentation: Detailed information about a system’s design specifications, its internal workings, and its functionality. Internal documentation: System documentation that is part of the program source code or is generated at compile time. view more..
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Ans: Management should not be lenient on part of documentation, management should never say like  “ as time running short , so just create the system and make the documentation later”. Phase should not be considered complete until documentation is done. Coding should not be considered done unless its has required comment lines. view more..
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Ans: There are various techniques to gather data and facts of system. some of them re as follows : Record view and Background reading Interviews  Questionnaires Group communication Presentation Site visiting Observation view more..
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Ans: Feasibility studies are almost always conducted where large sums are at stake. Also called feasibility analysis. A feasibility study is conducted in order to determine the success and minimize the risks related to the project. When it becomes certain that the specific project could be carried out profitably view more..
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Ans: It is a final report of the feasibility study about the findings and conclusion of the study. it should be possible to review report and take decision on the project based on it view more..




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