5. The system Life Cycle Flashcards
(73 cards)
what is a system life cycle?
a structured process that guides the planning, creation, testing, and deployment of an information system
what does a system life cycle do?
Ensures systems are systematically developed, meeting needs of stakeholders, minimising risks and maximising efficiency
what’s the first stage and what’s its purpose?
analysis, Gather detailed requirements from stakeholders and analyse them to understand what the system should accomplish
what are research methods?
helps to analyse the current IT system in order to help understand the state of the current system
identify areas for improvement
what are the 4 research methods?
observations, interviews, questionnaires, existing documents
what is an observation?
Watching users interact with the current system to see how it acts/works
adv of observation
Reliable data
Inexpensive
Good for getting an overall picture of existing system
dis of observation?
People don’t always behave in the same way under observation
adv of questionnaire?
Quick
Inexpensive
Can be anonymous
dis of questionnaire
Can’t ask follow up questions
Low response rate
Answers might be vague
adv of interviews
Can monitor body language and facial queues
Gives employees an opportunity to
dis of interviews
Time consuming
Cannot remain anonymous
Employees may be uncomfortable and not give honest responses in fear of repercussions
adv of esixting docs?
Obtain information that can’t be obtained from other methods
dis of existing docs
Time consuming which can be costly
how to analyze the current system?
Inputs
Outputs
Processing
Problems
User requirements
Information requirements
what is drawn up from the results of the analysis
requirements specification
what’s the second stage and what is its purpose?
design
Develop architectural blueprints for the system, including database design, user interfaces, and system interfaces.
What are file/data structures?
Field names
Filed lengths
Data types
Primary keys
what’s a file?
A file consists of records and records are made up of fields
Each record is identified by its unique primary key field
what are different data types?
alphanumerical: combination of characters (letters or text) and numeric data
character:A single letter/symbol
text: Stores a combination of characters (letters, text, symbols, special characters etc.) and numeric data
boolean: Stores data in a Yes/No or True/False
numeric: Integers, Decimals,Currency
Date/Time
What are validation routines?
checks placed on data being entered to ensure it matches the design of the system
prevent errors and maintain data integrity
what is range check?
Ensures the data entered as a number falls within a particular range
For children aged between 5 and 10, checks to make sure numbers <5 and >10 are not accepted
what’s length check
Checks the length of a string
Password must be a minimum of 8 characters, checks to make sure the length is >=8
what’s type check
Check the data type of a field
Enter distance in whole miles, checks to make sure decimals are not accepted