GCO8019

Computers in business

Social context of information technology; application areas and problems; business information systems. Nature of computers; internal organisation and functions; types of computers. Associated hardware concepts: input/output and storage devices. Data representation; elements of data communication. Data processing: data capture, data entry, data editing, verification, sorting, retrieval. Overview of computer system software functions; operating systems, language translators; utility programs. Data files, databases. File organisation, file access -- sequential, direct, indexed sequential. Information systems development overview: feasibility studies, cost benefit studies, system analysis and design, implementation, programming, testing, debugging, training, documentation, maintenance and evaluation. Business application software. Using a microcomputer; operating system, word processing, spreadsheet and database fundamentals.

Back to the 1999 Distance Education Handbook