Information Systems for Business and Beyond - Workshop 5

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering software development methodologies, programming generations, systems implementation, globalization, digital divide, and information systems ethics.

Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC)

A structured and risk-averse methodology developed in the $1960s$ to manage large software projects associated with corporate systems running on mainframes.

Waterfall Methodology

An alternative name for the SDLC where each step is a separate part of the process, and one step must be completed before the next can begin.

Preliminary Analysis

The first phase of the SDLC where a request for a new system is reviewed and a feasibility study (technical, economic, and legal) is launched.

System Analysis

The SDLC phase where analysts work with stakeholders to determine specific requirements, resulting in a system requirements document.

System Design

The phase in which business requirements are translated into technical requirements, including user interface, database, and reporting designs.

Unit Test

A type of structured test that evaluates individual parts of the code for errors or bugs.

User Acceptance Test

A test allowing those who will be using the software to ensure the system meets their standards.

Rapid Application Development (RAD)

A methodology focused on quickly building a working model of the software, getting feedback from users, and using that feedback to update the model in several iterations.

Joint Application Development (JAD)

A session that brings all stakeholders together for a structured discussion about the design of a system.

Minimal Viable Product (MVP)

A working software application developed under the Lean methodology with just enough functionality to demonstrate the idea behind the project.

Pivot

A change in strategy under the Lean methodology where the team determines to rethink the core idea or change the functions based on user feedback.

Kaizen

A feature of Lean methodology meaning continuous improvement, encouraging ongoing small improvements rather than waiting for major changes.

Machine Code

The first generation of programming languages where code is written in binary (ones and zeroes) that the computer can read directly.

Assembly Language

The second generation of programming languages that uses English-like phrases and requires an assembler to convert it into machine code.

Third-generation languages (3GL)

Languages that are not specific to hardware and are similar to spoken languages, such as BASIC, C, Python, and Java.

Compiled Language

A language where the source code is translated into a machine-readable executable file by a compiler before it can be run.

Interpreted Language

A language that requires a runtime program to interpret the code line by line as the user runs the software.

Java Virtual Machine (JVM)

A runtime environment that allows a single Java program to run on many different types of operating systems.

Procedural Programming

A programming language designed to allow a programmer to define a specific starting point and then execute instructions sequentially.

Object-Oriented Programming

A programming approach where the programmer defines items that can take actions based on user input, focusing on products being manipulated rather than a sequence of activities.

Integrated Development Environment (IDE)

A suite of software tools for programmers that typically includes an editor, help system, compiler/interpreter, and debugging tools.

Computer-Aided Software Engineering (CASE)

Tools that allow a designer to develop software with little or no programming by automatically writing the code based on the designer's input.

HyperText Markup Language (HTML)

A text-based language used to define different components of a web page through the use of tags.

Cascading Style Sheets (CSS)

Tools used in web design to define the styles, such as color and alignment, of the components on a page.

Responsive Web Design (RWD)

A design practice focusing on making web pages render well on every device, including desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones.

End-User Computing (EUC)

Application development performed by people outside the Information Technology department who are adept with specific software packages.

Shadow IT

End-user computing applications, such as spreadsheets or databases, that have not been through a normal rigorous testing process.

Direct Cutover

The fastest but riskiest implementation methodology, where the organization stops using the old system and starts the new system on a specific date.

Pilot Implementation

An implementation methodology where a subset of the organization starts using the new system before the rest of the organization.

Parallel Operation

The least risky but most expensive implementation methodology, where both the old and new systems are used simultaneously for a limited period.

Phased Implementation

A conservative approach where different functions of the new application are gradually implemented while corresponding old functions are turned off.

Change Management

A critical component of IT oversight focused on communicating proposed changes and planning to minimize impact after implementation.

Globalization

The integration of goods, services, and culture among the nations of the world.

Digital Divide

The separation between those who have access to the global network and those who do not, which can occur between countries, regions, or neighborhoods.

Economic Divide

A stage of the digital divide based on whether individuals can afford computers and Internet access.

Usability Divide

A stage of the digital divide where technology is too complicated for some individuals to use, even if they have free access.

Empowerment Divide

The most difficult stage of the digital divide to solve, concerned with how very few users truly understand and use the power digital technologies provide.

Ethics

A set of moral principles or the principles of conduct governing an individual or a group.

Intellectual Property

Property, such as an idea, invention, or process, that derives from the work of the mind or intellect.

Copyright

Protection given to creative works, such as books and programs, lasting for the life of the author plus $70$ years.

First Sale Doctrine

A legal provision allowing an individual who purchases a copyrighted work to sell or dispose of that specific copy, though they cannot make further copies.

Fair Use

A limitation on copyright law that allows the use of protected works without prior authorization for purposes like education or research.

Patent

Intellectual property protection for a new product or process that is original, non-obvious, and useful, lasting for $20$ years in the US.

Trademark

A word, phrase, logo, shape, or sound that identifies a source of goods or services.

Personally Identifiable Information (PII)

Information about a person that can be used to uniquely establish their identity, such as Name or Social Security Number.

Non-Obvious Relationship Awareness (NORA)

The process of collecting large quantities of varied information and combining it to create profiles of individuals.

Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)

A law enforced by the FTC requiring parental consent for websites collecting information from children under the age of $13$.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

A US law that protects the privacy of student education records and grants parents or students rights to access that information.

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

A $1996$ law that protects medical records as a special class of PII and requires specific permission to share health information.

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

A regulation passed by the European Union in May $2016$ that focuses on individual data privacy rights.