Capabilities and Limitations of IT
A computer is a tool for processing data to provide information. A computer system has the following characteristics that make it suitable for this task:
Accuracy |
They are accurate. Although there is the possibility of hardware failure or software bugs, computers are much more accurate in processing data than humans because they can perform repetitive tasks without becoming bored or tired. |
Volume |
They can handle a large volume of data. In many applications -e.g. banking - the number of transactions that need to be handled is far greater than would be possible to deal with manually. In addition the computer system is able to store a large amount of data. |
Speed |
Computers can process the data at high speed. This allows them to process a large volume of data but, in some situations, a small volume of data must be processed very quickly, such as in critical control systems. |
Processing ability |
Computers can search large volumes of data quickly to provide complex information - e.g. all customers whose account is more than 3 weeks overdue and who owe more than £20. |
Access to Data |
Computer systems can link to other computers to access data through a network. Thus the amount of available data is increased. |
Feedback
Feedback in any system is where the output from the system influences the input. Normally this applies to a real time situation where the input and the output overlap in time. Negative feedback is where the system is stable, it constantly moves towards some equilibrium state if circumstances move it away from that state.
Stock control is a negative feedback system. The equilibrium state is when optimum stock levels are held on all stock items. The system moves away from equilibrium when items are sold. This results in new items being ordered so that the system moves back towards its equilibrium position.
Many control applications involve negative feedback. A microprocessor controlled heating system has an equilibrium state when all rooms are at an optimum temperature. If the rooms become hotter or colder than optimum the system turns the heating off or on to move the system back towards equilibrium.
Note that in all feedback systems there is a continuous loop of input
resulting in output which in turn affects the input.
Limitations of IT
Systems.
There are some limitations. Computer systems are only good at processing data that can be stored numerically. There are obvious difficulties over providing value judgement information such as which film will I enjoy most, which pop group is the best, does God exist.
Computers are also limited by the accuracy of the data that they process. Hence the expression GIGO - garbage in, garbage out. As a consequence a great deal of effort is made to ensure that the data the computers process is accurate.
A computer can only work with the data structure that has been
pre-determined for the application. For example it will not be able to produce
information about the ethnic profile of the workforce if there is no data field
corresponding to ethnic origin.
Computer systems can only process the data
according to the pre-determined rules that have been programmed into them. They
cannot make independent judgements outside the scope of those rules.
Limitations of IT Systems
There are some limitations. Computer systems are only good at processing data that can be stored numerically. There are obvious difficulties over providing value judgement information such as which film will I enjoy most, which pop group is the best, does God exist.
Computers are also limited by the accuracy of the data that they process. Hence the expression GIGO - garbage in, garbage out. As a consequence a great deal of effort is made to ensure that the data the computers process is accurate.
A computer can only work with the data structure that has been pre-determined for the application. For example it will not be able to produce information about the ethnic profile of the workforce if there is no data field corresponding to ethnic origin.
Computer systems can only process the data according to the pre-determined rules that have been programmed into them. They cannot make independent judgements outside the scope of those rules.
© LEV
