Introduction to Word Processing and System Development

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering the core concepts of word processing features, the steps and objectives of the System Development Life Cycle (SDLC), and the characteristics of high-quality computer programs.

Word processing

The use of a computer to create, edit, and print documents; it is considered the most common of all computer applications.

Word Processor

A software package used for the production of reports and documents, providing processing power that allows text production on a computer.

Text document

A document containing written communication such as letters, reports, menus, brochures, and news letters.

Insert Text

A feature of a standard word processor that allows you to insert text anywhere in the document.

Delete text

A feature that allows you to erase characters, words, lines, or pages as easily as you can cross them out on paper.

Cut and Paste

A feature that allows you to remove (cut) a section of text from one place in a document and insert (paste) it somewhere else.

Copy

A feature that allows you to duplicate a section of text within a document.

System Development Life Cycle (SDLC)

A conceptual model composed of a number of clearly defined and distinct work phases used by engineers and developers to plan, design, build, test, and deliver information systems.

Preliminary stage

The stage where users' expectations and complaints are gathered, a preliminary plan with recommendations is submitted, and costs and benefits are described.

Feasibility stage

A stage conducted to determine if creating a new or improved system is a varriable solution, helping to determine requirements and specific tools needed.

Investigative stage

The stage where needs or opportunities are addressed, considering all current priorities that would be affected and how they should be handled.

Analysis stage

A stage involving breaking down the system into different pieces to analyze project goals and define specific user requirements.

Design stage

The phase where design functions and operations are described in detail, including screen layouts, process diagrams, and functional hierarchy.

System testing

The stage where the new system is tested to see if it is working as per expectation or not.

Implementation stage

The stage where the developer gives the new system to the user, ensuring proper training for support staff and end users before transitioning.

Maintanance

The stage involving continuous evaluation of the new system in terms of its performances.

Review

An extension of the maintenance stage where the developed system and the entire development process are evaluated.

Computer program

A list of instructions issued to the computer to perform a particular task, typically written in a programming language.

Program development

The process that involves creating a formal model of a problem to be solved, writing code, and maintaining the source code.

Portability

The ability of an application to run on different platforms or operating systems with or without minimal changes.

Accuracy

The characteristic that every good program must be error free.

Readability

The quality of a program written in such a way that another programmer or user can follow the logic without effort.

Maintainability

The requirement that a program should be easy to amend and maintain.

Efficiency

The characteristic of a program that utilizes the least amount of processing time and memory, which are the most precious computer resources.

Generality

The principle that a program developed for a particular task should also be used for all similar tasks of the same type.

Structurality

The development approach where a task is broken down into sub-tasks that are developed independently to make testing and debugging easier.

Flexibility

The ability of a program to handle most changes without having to re-write the entire program.

Clarity

The requirement that every good program must be straightforward and easy to understand.