Meaning of the following terms:
i) Unit testing and system testing
Unit testing refers to trials made to individual components of hardware or software. For
example, when a program is developed, in-house unit test for each program in the system is
conducted to test the interface between individual programs in the system.
System testing refers to thorough test performed on the system as a whole. It involves tests
or trials on the system intended to sort out major bugs or problems using dummy or invented
data so as to test all conditions. For example, dummy test data records should be input which
is designated to test all the data validation routines and master file update error reports in the
system.
ii) Preventive and perfective maintenance
Preventive maintenance refers to maintenance carried out to take account of anticipated
changes in the processing environment. Changes in user operating procedures occur from
time to time and software may require amendments to reflect this so as to prevent the system
from failing or becoming obsolete.
Perfective maintenance is carried out in order to perfect the software or to improve software
so that the processing inefficiencies are eliminated and performance is enhanced. It consists
of making enhancements requested by users to improve or extend the facilities available. For
example, amendments to make software more user friendly.
iii) Co processing and parallel processing.
Co-processing refers to a situations whereby two central processing Units (CPUs) execute
one single program at a go. A program may be run by two processors at a single time in a
situation whereby the data being processed is complex and bulky.
Parallel processing refers to a situation where by a single system handles multiple programs at
a time. The CPU attention is switched among the programs on a timed basis controlled by
the operating system thus it appears as if each program is having uninterrupted access to the
CPU.
iv) Logical and physical design of a system.
Contributions that an information resource centre might make towards end user computing:An information resource centre is a small unit of staff with a good technical awareness of
computer systems whose task is to provide a support function to computer users within the
organisation. End user computing refers to direct hands-on of computers by users and not
indirect use through systems professionals or the data processing staff. End users include
executives, managers, professional staff, secretaries, office workers and so on.
The contribution made by information resource centres towards end user computing include:
-
1. Encouraging users who wish to develop their own applications and providing them with
technical assistance.
2. Encouraging users to conform to any hardware or software or programming standards
that the organisation might use. For example, to make sure that all microcomputers
purchased by the organisation are compatible and so could be moved around from
department to department if necessary.
3. Ensuring that applications developed are replicated by others in the organisation where
this will be of benefit to the organisation.
4. Advising end users on ways of getting better use out of their existing systems. Computer
users might be unaware of what their system is capable of doing or how to set about
making use of the system capabilities.
5. The resource centres should be readily available to end users and the centre‘s staff
should try to keep a high profile with end user departments. This enhances adequate support.
This can be achieved through the use of a telephone ?hot line? or a drop-in
advicecentre.
gregorymasila answered the question on November 30, 2017 at 12:00
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