Utilities

A utility is a program that performs a very specific task and a series of utilities comes as part of the systems software.

Utilities are not regarded as applications because they are fairly simple and will only perform on very specific task, which always relates in some way to managing the computers resources

e.g. File converters - used to save files in different formats.

Virus scanners - used to scan the memory and hard drives for viruses

security and accounting  used to check user IDs and passwords and to keep a record of network activity

Validation

• Is a technique that can be used to ensure data entry is robust
• It is a method of checking data to try to reduce the number of errors in data being entered. 
• It tests data against the validation rule and gives the user an error message if the data does not pass the test.
• It is a computer-based check that data being entered is reasonable.  

Vector

Verification

macro

The link between the user and the technology they are using which involves software and hardware

The 5 forms of data

Data are entered / input directly into a system for a specific purpose

Example - during a transaction such as card details and PIN being entered via a chip and pin reader to authorise a shop to take money from your bank

Indirect data capture is the where data is used for a purpose other than its original.  

For example.  a bank using a customers details to send out marketing material.  Phishing is also an example  e.g personal data originally input to apply for a store card being used to send out marketing emails

or  the use of data that is a by-product from data collected for another purpose.

Data is coded BEFORE it is input because it is quicker to input, easier to validate, takes up less storage space.  

example  - in a questionnaire female = f, male = m, dates = 01/01/2016, London Heathrow = LHR

Encoding

Encoding - Data needs to be converted into a machine readable format so the computer can understand it.  Encoding also compresses data.

example:

text is entered into a system and converted into an ASCII / binary format so the computer can understand it, for example when text is entered into word processing software to create documents such as letters or report

images may be encoded into an compressed bitmap using a jpeg file format, this enables the image to be read by the computer and viewed on screen or printed

sound may be encoded into a compressed format such as mp3 which might then be output via speakers or headphones

When data is encrypted it is scrambled using an encryption key so that it cannot be read by anyone who does not have the decryption key

for example, when you enter your debit card details into an e-commerce website to buy products, the important data is scrambled so only the bank see it using their decryption key

Accurate

Up to date

Reliable source

Relevant

Complete

Effective Leader 

Appropriate allocation of tasks

Adherence to standards

Monitoring of progress / ability to meet deadlines

Monitoring of team budget

Control (over change)

Balance of team

Good internal communication skills

Good external communication skills

The personal skills / qualities of an IT professional

Good written communication

Good oral/verbal communication

Problem solving skills

Patience

Willingness to work flexible hours

Good listening skills

Teamwork

• The validity of data input
• The accuracy of output
• The presentation of output
• That the solution meets the requirements of the client
• That the solution is usable by the end ouse and / or the intended audience

IT jobs 

• Business / systems analyst  / project Manager
• Software Developer / programmer
• ICT trainer
• Web designer / administrator
• Help desk operator
• Technician / network administrator

The type of data that will be entered most of the time.  It should be accepted by the system and should give the expected result when processing. 

e.g. A validation rule states that only whole number between 2 and 50 can be entered.  Normal data for this rule would be any whole number within the boundaries

Boundary (extreme), Normal and erroneous data are used to test validation rules

 Sometimes known as Extreme data

•  Data that tests the inside and outside limits of what should be accepted and rejected.
•  e.g. A validation rule states that only whole number between 2 and 50 can be entered.  Boundary data for this rule would be 2 and 50.  
•  
• Boundary (extreme), Normal and erroneous data are used to test validation rules

Extreme data

•  Sometimes known as Boundary data
•  Data that tests the inside and outside limits of what should be accepted and rejected.
•  e.g. A validation rule states that only whole number between 2 and 50 can be entered.  Boundary data for this rule would be 2 and 50.  
•  
• Boundary (extreme), Normal and erroneous data are used to test validation rules

data that is inappropriate. If possible, validation checks should reject this kind of data.

e.g. A validation rule states that only whole number between 2 and 50 can be entered.  Erroneous data that could be used to test this rule could be the numbers that are outside the boundaries (e.g. 1 and 51) , a decimal number inside the boundaries (e.g. 5.5), text (e.g. five), other character (e.g. *, !) 

Boundary (extreme), Normal and erroneous data are used to test validation rules

Local Area Network

A computer network - Usually covers a single building or site and could be linked by the use of cables

The organisation owns all the communication equipment

A computer network that covers an area like a town or city, normally between 5 and 50 km and could be connected by cables, mircrowave/radio wave, satellites

A computer network that covers a large geographical area and could be linked by cables, radio waves/microwaves

Hardware situated in many different sites renting services from telecommunication supplier

Third party telecommunications equipment is used e.g. leased lines which are rented from communication company.  

Linking two or more computer devices and other hardware (such as periperals ) together for the purpose of sharing and transferring data, communication, sharing software and devices.  

Two types of networks:  Peer to peer, Client to server

Examples of some benefits/disadvantages are:

Improved security, easier to back up files, lower software costs - Lack of access when server fails, technical knowledge needed, viruses spread quicker

The internet is a series of interlinked networks which cover the globe/world, allowing the sending and retrieval of information from one computer to another, sometimes described as 'a network of networks'.

The www connects information in the form of hypertext documents (HTML).  it is a collection of multimedia resources accessed through a browser and hosted by the internet  

A private internal network accessible to the members of an organisation.  

An Intranet uses Internet protocols and is accessible via a browser.  An intranet is used for sharing resources and organisational information as well as sending messages.

An extranet is an external network that can be used by the customers, suppliers and partners of an organisation to see a limited area of the organisation’s intranet.   Extranets use Internet protocols.   Extranets are not accessible by the general public, users must be authorised to access an extranet with a username and password

 Privacy is ensuring that data is only accessed or viewed by those who have permission/authorisation to do so and is not disclosed to anyone who is not entitled to see it

 The right of an individual to keep certain aspects of their life private

 Security means  the application of safeguards to an ICT system to protect data and keep it safe from  accidental or malicious modifications, destruction or damage

Personal data means data which relate to a living individual who can be identified – (a) from those data, or (b) from those data and other information which is in the possession of, or is likely to come into the possession of, the data controller, and includes any expression of opinion about the individual and any indication of the intentions of the data controller or any other person in respect of the individual.

When an employee does not follow an organisation’s ICT code of practice

 e.g. leaving a workstation logged on creating an opportunity for an unauthorised individual to access their account

When an individual or organisation break the law through using computers to illegally access a computer system

 e.g.to break in and change the payroll figures on the internal database

The way a computer obtains its data for processing

The hardware device  used to feed the input data into an ICT system

The material on which  the data  is encoded  (e.g. barcode) so it can be read by an input device and digitised so it can be processed into information