The main processing functions of information system are given below. Arrange them in sequencing order: (A) Process transaction (B) Maintain master file (C) Process enquiry (D) Process report (E) Process interactive supper applications Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Understanding Information System Processing Functions
Information systems perform various essential functions to convert raw data into meaningful information. Arranging these functions in a logical sequence helps understand the typical flow of data processing within a system. Let's examine the provided processing functions:
- (A) Process transaction
- (B) Maintain master file
- (C) Process enquiry
- (D) Process report
- (E) Process interactive supper applications
Sequencing Information System Functions
In a typical information system, the flow of data processing generally follows a structured sequence:
- Input/Transaction Processing: The process usually begins with capturing raw data through transactions. Processing these transactions involves validating, recording, and initially processing the data.
- Data Storage/Maintenance: The data from processed transactions is often used to update or maintain master files. Master files contain relatively static data about entities (like customers, products, accounts) that are essential for ongoing operations and transactions. Maintaining these files ensures data accuracy and consistency.
- Information Output/Reporting: Once data is processed and stored, it can be used to generate structured reports. Reports summarize, analyze, or present data in a predefined format for decision-making or record-keeping. Reports often reflect the current state based on processed transactions and master file data.
- Information Retrieval/Enquiry: Users often need to access specific, ad-hoc information from the system. Processing enquiries involves retrieving specific data records or summaries based on user requests, usually interactively. Enquiries rely on the processed data stored in the system.
- Advanced Applications: Interactive applications that support complex analysis, decision-making, or simulations (like "super applications" or modern dashboards) typically leverage the underlying data processed through transactions, stored in master files, and accessed via enquiries or reports. These represent more advanced uses of the information system capabilities.
Arranging the Given Processing Functions
Based on the typical flow described above, let's arrange the given functions:
- (A) Process transaction: This is the initial step where data enters the system.
- (B) Maintain master file: Transactions often update master files. This step ensures core data is current.
- (D) Process report: Reports summarize processed data, often generated periodically after transactions and updates.
- (C) Process enquiry: Enquiries allow users to pull specific data interactively from the processed and stored information.
- (E) Process interactive supper applications: These advanced applications build upon the foundation of processed data, master files, reporting, and enquiry capabilities.
Following this logical order, the sequence is (A), (B), (D), (C), (E).
| Step | Function | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | (A) Process transaction | Capturing and initial handling of events. |
| 2 | (B) Maintain master file | Updating core data records based on transactions. |
| 3 | (D) Process report | Generating structured outputs from processed data. |
| 4 | (C) Process enquiry | Retrieving specific data interactively. |
| 5 | (E) Process interactive supper applications | Using data for complex, interactive purposes. |
Conclusion on Information System Processing Sequence
The logical sequence of these core information system processing functions starts with processing transactions, followed by updating master files, then generating reports, handling enquiries, and finally supporting more advanced interactive applications. The sequence (A), (B), (D), (C), (E) reflects this typical flow.
Revision Table: Information System Functions
| Function | Role | Typical Position in Sequence |
|---|---|---|
| Process transaction | Data Input & Initial Processing | Beginning |
| Maintain master file | Data Storage & Core Data Update | After Transaction Processing |
| Process report | Structured Data Output | After Processing & Update |
| Process enquiry | Ad-hoc Data Retrieval | Anytime After Data is Stored (Often follows reporting in sequential models) |
| Process interactive supper applications | Advanced Data Usage & Analysis | Later Stages, Building on Core Functions |
Additional Information: Types of Information Systems
Information systems can be categorized based on the functions they support and the level of management they serve. Understanding these types helps contextualize the processing functions:
- Transaction Processing Systems (TPS): These systems focus on processing daily business transactions (like sales, payroll, shipping). The "Process transaction" and "Maintain master file" functions are core to TPS.
- Management Information Systems (MIS): These systems use the data from TPS to generate structured reports for middle management, helping in planning and control. The "Process report" function is key here.
- Decision Support Systems (DSS): These systems provide tools for analysis and modeling to help managers make decisions, often involving interactive queries and analysis. "Process enquiry" and potentially "Process interactive supper applications" are relevant.
- Executive Information Systems (EIS): Designed for senior executives, providing high-level summaries and external information, often using advanced interactive interfaces ("Process interactive supper applications").
The functions listed in the question represent fundamental capabilities that might be present to varying degrees across different types of information systems, but the sequential flow discussed is a common way data progresses through processing stages.
Important Questions from Information Theory
For any binary (n, h) linear code with minimum distance (2t + 1) or greater \(n - h \ge {\log _2}\left[ {\mathop \sum \limits_{i = 0}^α \left( {\begin{array}{*{20}{c}} n\\ i \end{array}} \right)} \right]\) where α is:
The random variable $X$ takes values in $\{-1, 0, 1\}$ with probabilities $P(X = -1) = P(X = 1)$ and $\alpha$ and $P(X = 0) = 1 - 2\alpha$, where $0 < \alpha < \frac{1}{2}$. Let $g(\alpha)$ denote the entropy of $X$ (in bits), parameterized by $\alpha$. Which of the following statements is/are TRUE?
A source transmits symbols from an alphabet of size 16. The value of maximum achievable entropy (in bits) is _______
An analog baseband signal, bandlimited to 100 Hz, is sampled at the Nyquist rate. The samples are quantized into four message symbols that occur independently with probabilities $p_1 = p_4 = 0.125$ and $p_2 = p_3$. The information rate (bits/sec) of the message source is ____________
- Consider a discrete memoryless source with an alphabet of four source symbols.
$s(t)$ is a multi-level (-1, 0, +1, +2) signal representing a long sequence of random symbols from the above source which is generating $10^4$ symbols per second.
Which of the following options is the correct value of equivalent Nyquist bandwidth of $s(t)$?
