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AS ICT and A2 ICT Information systems and communications

Data, Information, Knowledge and Processing

• Data, information and knowledge
• Data types
• Data sources
• Coding of data
• Test data
• Factors affecting quality of information
• Validation and Verification
• Costs of producing Information
• Information as a commodity
• Rule based systems
• Input, processing, output

Components of an Information System

• Differences between hardware and software
• Standardisation of hardware and software
• General purpose computer
• Control unit
• ALU
• RAM
• Computer performance
• Input devices
• Input devices for the disabled
• Ergonomic design
• Output devices
• Storage devices
• Hardware
• Hardware devices related to their uses
• Operating systems
• User interfaces
• Utilities
• Translation software
• Applications software
• Programming languages
• Generic, standard and tailor made software

Systems and User Interface Software

• Operating systems
• Distributed systems
• User Interface
• Self documenting systems
• Utilities - compression software, drivers and configuration files
• Translators, linkers and loaders

Files and Database Concepts

• Database terms: Files, records, fields, key fields, foreign keys, referential integrity, entity, attribute, duplicate data
• Data types
• File organisation and access - serial, sequential, indexed sequential and random access, hashing algorithms, indexes
• Entity, attributes, tables, relationships
• Difference between, flat file database, hierarchical database and relational database
• Levels of access - user/ supervisor modes, IDs and Passwords

The Role of Communications and Networking

• Protocols
• LAN
• WAN
• Advantages and disadvantages of networking
• Network security
• Analogue to digital
• Bandwidth and data transmission
• Various communication media e.g. fax, e-mail, bulletin boards, tele/video conferencing

The Role and Impact of ICT - legal, moral and social issues

• Capabilities and limitations of ICT
• Social impact of ICT at home
• Social impact of ICT at work
• Social impact of ICT in medicine
• Social impact of ICT in commerce
• Benefits of ICT for the disabled and elderly
• Impact of ICT on organisations
• Data Protection Act (1984, 1998)
• Computer Misuse Act (1990)
• Copyright, Designs and Patents Act (1988)
• Ethics and ICT
• Codes of conduct
• British Comptuer Society
• Health and safety issues and ICT