Read chapter 8 in the text and the related posted material.

Answer  Review Questions pages (300/301; 8-1, 8-4) .  Be sure to answer all parts of each question and include the question and answer together.

As with all assignments, put answers in your own words and do not cut and paste from any sources.

Remember to use the format below:

5-1 What are the components of IT infrastructure?

Define information technology (IT) infrastructure and describe each of its components.

A firm’s IT infrastructure provides the foundation, or platform, for supporting all the information systems in the business.

The five major components of an information technology (IT) infrastructure are:

•  Computer hardware: technology for computer processing, data storage, input, and output.

•  Computer software: includes both system software and application software.

•  Data management technology: organizes, manages, and processes business data concerned with inventory, customers, and vendors.

•  Networking and telecommunications technologies: provides data, voice, and video connectivity to employees, customers, and suppliers.

•  Technology services: external consultants who run and manage infrastructure components.

5-3 What are the major types of computer software used in business and major software trends?

Distinguish between application software and system software and explain the role played by the operating system of a computer.

System software surrounds and controls access to the hardware. It manages and controls a computer’s activities. Some types of system software consist of computer language translation programs that convert programming languages into machine language that can be understood by the computer and utility programs that perform common processing tasks, such as copying, sorting, or computing a square root. The operating system allocates and assigns system resources, schedules the use of computer resources and computer jobs, and monitors computer system activities.

Application software works through the system software in order to develop specific business applications. This type of software includes traditional programming languages, fourth-generation languages, application software packages and desktop productivity tools, software for developing Internet applications, and software for enterprise integration.