COMPUTER SOFTWARE

Today we are going to discuss on Computer Software part. This is a most important topic for Computers. Computer software consists pf sets of programmed instructions which enable the hardware units to perform. Programming a computer to perform has always been a very difficult task. The first electronic computer was programmed using wired panels. Today’s computers are programmed using software.

 

Computer software can be broadly classified into two categories – System Software and Application Software. System software is a set of instructions to the machine hardware to interpret and execute application software. Application software is a set of programming instructions for specific applications like payroll accounting, inventory control, etc. System software consists of language translators [called compilers (compiles program-wise), interpreters (compiles like-wise) and assemblers (converts semi-machine-language, macro-instructions, to machine language)], operating systems, utilities and special purpose software.

 

Computer software or just software is a general term used to describe a collection of computer programs, procedures and documentation that perform some tasks on a computer system. “Software” is sometimes used in a broader context to mean anything which is not hardware but which is used with hardware, such as film, tapes and records. 

We will discuss on languages translator in next post.

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Input and Output Devices-2

Terminals have become very popular interactive input and output units. A terminal, when connected to a CPU, sends data and instructions directly into the computer. Terminals can be classified into two types, namely, hard copy terminals and soft copy terminals. A hard copy terminal provides a print out on paper whereas a soft copy terminal provides a visual display on a screen. A soft copy terminal is also known as a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) terminal.

 

Key-to-tape, key-to-disk and key-to-diskette are stand alone data entry stations. There units usually have a small processor attached to a key board and a visual display unit. The processor checks for the accuracy of data at the time of entry. The screen displays what is being entered. There facilities are highly desirable for a data processing centre. Hence most of the data processing centres are switching over from punched card input to data entry stations.

 

A graphic display terminal displays information in both character and graphic forms. These are extensively used for CAD/CAM (computer aided design/computer aided manufacture) applications.

A potter is used to obtain printed copies of graphic outputs. It is used by architects and designers to produce blueprints of their design on paper.

Magnetic Disk-1

Last time we talk about magnetic tape. Today we are going to discuss on Magnetic Disk which is important device and part of the computer hardware. Magnetic disk was invented to overcome the sequential processing requirement of magnetic tape data. It is helpful to visualize a magnetic disk as a LP record. An access mechanism moves the read/write head to the desired surface on the disk to provide random access of data. A disk pack is a collection of individual disks stored vertically one atop the other and mounted on a disk drive. The disk drive rotates the disk pack at a constant speed. There is enough room in between the spinning disks to allow access arms with read/write heads to move to any storage location.

 

Each disk in a disk pack has two recording surfaces, except the first and last disks which have only one recording surface. Thus a disk pack with 10 disks provides 18 recording surfaces. Such a disk pack also has 9 access arms. Each access arm supports two read/write heads, one read/write head to access the lower recording surface of the top disk and the other read/write head to access the upper recording surface of the bottom disk.

Managerial Participation

The Single most critical problem in effective computer utilisation is the meet for understanding and support form top management. In a State like Andhra Pradesh, the Chief Minister’s personal encouragement has paved the way to bring computerised MIS gradually to all the districts, apart from their wide-spread use in State departments and in the Secretariat. 

 

Even after top management support is ensured, it is necessary that there is user participation in the design phase on corporate MIS so as to avoid subsequent extensive and time-consuming re-work. This can be called “overnight syndrome” where user spell out there needs and expect the computer professionals to deliver the outputs immediately thereafter. Like solvent recyclers works.Converting jobs eventually for computerisation needs a stabilisation period, which is all too easily forgotten

 

An example of the above is the case of Utter Pradesh State Electricity Board which went for computerised electricity billing for the Western districts. In the design phase, the Board authorities dictated that only Agra and Ghaziabad should have a pilot project before its extension to all other districts. Also, manual financial ledgers for at least two billing cycles so as to generate enough confidence in the computerised ledgers. The result was a smooth introduction of computerisation. On the other hand, another State Electricity Board went through a similar computerization process without the benefit of any pilot project or parallel run on the grounds that the results were needed fast and they were spending money on computers in any case. We need to use solvent recycler before we use any other liquid, other wise output will be different. 

 

The consequence was a disaster when many erroneous bills came and in some cases none at all. There were questions in the Parliament and an enquiry committee under the Central Electricity Authority had to investigate the mistakes. The result was to cancel the existing computerisation, to start de novo, after having spent several lakhs of rupees which went waste. In case of chemicals, we need to do solvent recycle before we do any process, same way we need to  check it with manually as well as compurerisation together for sometime

 

It makes good sense, as has been experienced in the NTPC, when the user-manager picks up a minimum familiarity with the MIS at the beginning. From the point of view of the organisation, corporate MIS is as much a vital part of the operation as marketing operations and finance are today. Indian Airlines, too, discovered that mangers had to be involved in order to get better and more effective information systems by virtue of their participation. A similar approach is being followed in LIC.