4.7 Types Of Software Flashcards
(13 cards)
Expert Systems
Simulates the decision making abilities of a human expert using a knowlegdge base and inference rules to solve complex problem.
3 Core Components
Expert System
Knowledge Base - Contains facts and rules about a certain domain
Inference Engine - Uses information to draw conclusions and solve problems
UI - allows the user to interact with the system, input data and recieve explanations
Benefits Of Expert Systems
Storage - Contains and retains expert knowledge for future use.
24/7 - Operates continously, doent need downtime and breask like humans do
Consistency - Utilise KB and IE to handle complex problems and provie relaible soloutions
Second Opinion -Offers an alternative viewpoint to human expertise.
Cost Effective- results in cost reduction as no need to pay experts in field who can also make erros
Expertise Distrubution - Makes expert knowledge accessible in remote or underserved areas
Explanation - can provide reasoning for a more trusted argument
Training - helps train new staff by simulating expert reasoning
Expert Systems (Example)
Application Area - Medical
Example - MYCIN
What does it do? - Diagnoses bacterial infections and recommend treatment.
Safety Related
Designed to manage and improve safety protocols within organisations (e.g factory robots are SR as may cause production delays or minor injuries but wont kill anyone if failure occurs)
Safety Critical System
Requires high level of dependabilty as if any failure in these systems occur it could result in severe consequences (e.g nuclear reactor has cooling put in place to prevent overheating and meltdown which can cause enviromental disasters)
Control Systems and Automation
Automation performs the task without human intervention, control systems act as the brain and moniotrs and regulates it to ensure everything runs correctly and effectively.
Benefits Of Automation
Worker Safety - Reduce human exposure to dangerous tasks like hazardous chemicals can be left for the robots to do
Increased Productivity- Machines work faster and longer than humans
Consistency - reduces human error
Continuous Operation - Operates without break
Precision - High accuracy for reptititve tasks
Drawbacks
Worker Displacement - jobs lost as its replacing factory workers
Capital cost - expensive start up costs
Lack of flexibility - machines may not be able to adapt to new requirements so will have to be reprogrammed resulting in downtime
Maintanance - requires skilled techninicans
Training needs - staff need to be trained to become literate in use
Social Impact - change in demand for type of employemnt, people require technical knowledge now
Example of control systems
Application Area - Manufacturing
Example - Robotic arms
Key Features - precision, speed and repeatability, less human error
Open and Closed loop systems
Open-loop systems - work without feedback, control action does not depend on output of the system (e.g heating boiler controlled by a timer will heat for a time regardless of intial house temp)
Closed-loop systems - works without feedback (e.g thermostat that monitors temp and adjust boiler accordingly to get desired temperature)
Internet and Intranet
Defintion for internet is covered in 4.1 so wont be listed here
Internet - Check 4.1
Intranet - private network used by an organisation to securly share company resources
What is a search engine?
Search engines are powerful tools that enable users to find information on the internet quickly.
How the search engines work
Web Crawlers - continounsly scanning web pages using bots
Indexing - Organisation of web pages content
Ranking Algorithm - decided which web pages appear on what page based on simialir key words in the search bar
Query Processing - processes what people are searching for
Results Presentaion - uses the ranking algorithm to display results
Internet Applications
Communication - Email, messaging enables global time interaction
Information Access - Search egines, encyclopedia provide instant knowledge on any topic
E-commerce - online shopping allows businesses to reach global audience and offer consumers convienetn as they can buy from their house
Entertainment - Streaming services and online gaming gives easy access to movies, music and multiplauyer expeiriences
Cloud Computing - cloud storage and computing resoures enable online data storage with accessibility from anywhere
Intranet
Internal Communication - enable messaging, annoucements, and real time interaction
Document Management - Centralised storage ensures employees access latest files and collab effficiently
Employee Portals - Provide HR services and personal management tools
Collaboration Tools - Shared workspaces, project managemen enhance team work and idea sharing
Knowledge Management - Knowledge bases and wikis help employees find company processes, tech support
