Procedures overview

Procedures are instructions for US the user.

May be instructions on;

• How to use the system
• Operation of the system (What is the sequence of activities?).
• What
  programs to run
  data to use
  to do with results (eg. How a report is distributed)
  to do in the event of system failure
• How to correct errors

These instructions are delivered in a variety of ways;

• As written instructions
• Computer on-line Help
• Verbal commands

most often in a written form, such as a manual.

• To turn the PC on Switch on the VDU before the system Unit
• To add a client ensure all details on the input form are checked by your supervisor
• may also be rules of the land, such as compliance with a "Health and Safety Law"

Instructions to the user provided on-line. For example; Help files in Windows applications. the HELP command in MS-DOS (Ver 5+).

For example;

• Verbal commands
• Unwritten instructions, eg. turn the lights out off the way out!

The key is human engineering, which is the design of anything so that it is easy to use.

Methods

Methods are also under emphasised in many information systems.

Computer information systems generally process data by one of three methods:

Batch Processing

where data is accumulated into batches and processed periodically, usually at a specific schedule.

Example Banking transactions and Databank

Interactive Processing

(also referred to as on-line processing), data is processed as it occurs or as it becomes available.

Example Order placed at terminal is processed immediately

Batch and interactive processing are not mutually exclusive, you could collect data interactively and process it as batch.

Real Time Processing

Is of interest to applications that require an immediate response, or very rapid response times.

Examples: Missile tracking, Robotics

Internal controls

Feedback and control is a system concept and feature that must be added to any system to ensure proper operation.

Controls ensure that:

• Only valid input data is entered for processing

• File and database access is protected against unauthorised access
• Recovery procedures are in place to recover after a disaster
• Output is sent to appropriate users.

[Rev: 07/11/98] © 1997-98 V/2-Com (Verhaart), P O Box 8415, Havelock North, New Zealand.