Lesson 01: What is an Information System?

• What is a system?

System is a collection of interrelated or interdependent components that work together to realize some objectives.

The term system may also refer to a set of rules that governs structure and/or behavior. System have common characteristics,

1. A system has structure, it contains parts (or components) that are directly or indirectly related to each other.
2. A system has behavior, it contains processes that transform inputs into outputs (material, energy or data).
3. A system has inter connectivity: the parts and processes are connected by structural and/or behavioral relationships.
4. A system's structure and behavior may be decomposed via subsystems and sub-processes to elementary parts and process steps.

Elements of a system

Following are considered as the elements of a system in terms of Information systems: –

1. Inputs and outputs
2. Processor
3. Control
4. Environment/surroundings
5. Feedback
6. Boundaries and interface

Types of system

Systems are classified in different ways:

1. Physical or abstract systems.
2. Open or closed systems.
3. 'Man-made' information systems.
4. Formal information systems.
5. Informal information systems.
6. Computer-based information systems.
7. Real-time system.

Physical systems are tangible entities that may be static or dynamic in operation.

Factors to be considered when developing a system:

1. Objective Setting:       Defines exactly what the system is supposed to do.
2. System Boundary:      Defines the components that make up the system.
3. System Environment:  Anything outside the system boundary is known as system environment.

• What is a sub system?

A system can be made up by many or no sub systems. It is a component of large system. Each sub system carries out part of the main system functions. It helps to handle system complexity and improve the understanding of a system. Sub systems communicate each other by passing messages. 

• What is an Information System?

In computer science and information science, system is a software system which has components as its structure and observable inter-process communications as its behavior. Also it is an arrangement of people, data, processes, interfaces and geography that are integrated for the purpose of supporting and improving operations in an Organization.

In an Information System there are several systems and sub systems performing several operations to complete some tasks using achieve some goal computers and computer related resources.

Hope this lesson helped you lot & will help you too.

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