Week 1

Introduction to Software Design

SYSTEM DESIGN

•It is a process of planning a new business system or replacing an existing

system by defining its components or modules to satisfy the specific
requirements.

•System Design mainly focuses on:

• Systems
• Processes
• Technology
What is aSystem?

•The word System is derived from Greek word Systema, which means an
organized relationship between any set of components to achieve some
common cause or objective.

• A system is “an orderly grouping of interdependent components linked

together according to a plan to achieve a specific goal.”
Constraints of a System

A system must have three basic constraints:

1. A system must have some structure and behavior which is designed to
achieve a predefined objective.

2. Interconnectivity and interdependence must exist among the system

components.

3.The objectives of the organization have a higher priority than the

objectives of its subsystems.
Properties of aSystem
A system has the following properties:
Organization
•Organization implies structure and order. It is the arrangement of
components that helps to achieve predetermined objectives.

Interaction
• It is defined by the manner in which the components operate with each other.
•For example, in an organization, purchasing department must interact with
production department and payroll with personnel department.
Properties of aSystem

Interdependence
•Interdependence means how the components of a system depend on one
another. For proper functioning, the components are coordinated and linked
together according to a specified plan. The output of one subsystem is the
required by other subsystem as input.

Integration
•Integration is concerned with how a system components are connected
together. It means that the parts of the system work together within the
system even if each part performs a unique function.
Properties of aSystem
Central Objective
•The objective of system must be central. It may be real or stated. It is not
uncommon for an organization to state an objective and operate to achieve
another.

•The users must know the main objective of a computer application early in
the analysis for a successful design and conversion.
Elements of a System(Diagram)
Elements of aSystem

Outputs and Inputs

• The main aim of a system is to produce an output which is useful for its
user.

• Inputs are the information that enters into the

•system for processing.

• Output is the outcome of processing.

Elements of aSystem

Processor(s)
•The processor is the element of a system that involves the actual
transformation of input into output.

•It is the operational component of a system. Processors may modify the

input either totally or partially, depending on the output specification.

•As the output specifications change, so does the processing. In some

cases, input is also modified to enable the processor for handling the
transformation.
Elements of aSystem

Control
•The control element guides the system.

•It is the decision–making subsystem that controls the pattern of activities

governing input, processing, and output.

•The behavior of a computer System is controlled by the Operating System

and software. In order to keep system in balance, what and how much input is
needed is determined by Output Specifications.
Elements of aSystem

Feedback
•Feedback provides the control in a dynamic system.

•Positive feedback is routine in nature that encourages the performance of the

system.

•Negative feedback is informational in nature that provides the controller

with information for action.
Elements of aSystem

Environment
•The environment is the “supersystem” within which an organization operates.

•It is the source of external elements that strike on the system.

•It determines how a system must function. For example, vendors and
competitors of organization’s environment, may provide constraints that
affect the actual performance of the business.
Elements of aSystem

Boundaries and Interface

•A system should be defined by its boundaries. Boundaries are the limits that
identify its components, processes, and interrelationship when it interfaces
with another system.

•Each system has boundaries that determine its sphere of influence and
control.

•The knowledge of the boundaries of a given system is crucial in determining

the nature of its interface with other systems for successful design.
Types ofSystem
•The systems can be divided into the following types:

Physical or Abstract Systems

•Physical systems are tangible entities. We can touch
•and feel them.

•Physical System may be static or dynamic in nature. For example, desks and
chairs are the physical parts of computer center which are static. A
programmed computer is a dynamic system in which programs, data, and
applications can change according to the user's needs.
Types ofSystem
• Abstract systems are non-physical entities or conceptual that may be
formulas, representation or model of a real system.
Types ofSystem
Open or Closed Systems
•An open system must interact with its environment. It receives inputs from
and delivers outputs to the outside of the system. For example, an information
system which must adapt to the changing environmental conditions.

•A closed system does not interact with its environment. It is isolated from
environmental influences. A completely closed system is rare in reality.
Types ofSystem
•Adaptive and Non Adaptive System
•Adaptive System responds to the change in the environment in a way to
improve their performance and to survive. For example, human beings,
animals.
•Non Adaptive System is the system which does not respond to the
environment. For example, machines.
Types ofSystem
Permanent or Temporary System
•Permanent System persists for long time. For example, business policies.
•Temporary System is made for specified time and after that they are
demolished. For example, A DJ system is set up for a program and it is
dissembled after the program.
Types ofSystem
Natural and Manufactured System
•Natural systems are created by the nature. For example, Solar system,
seasonal system.

•Manufactured System is the man-made system. For example, Rockets, dams,

trains.
Types ofSystem
•Deterministic or Probabilistic System
•Deterministic system operates in a predictable manner and the interaction
between system components is known with certainty. For example, two
molecules of hydrogen and one molecule of oxygen makes water.

•Probabilistic System shows uncertain behavior. The exact output is not

known. For example, Weather forecasting, mail delivery.
Types ofSystem
Social, Human-Machine, Machine System
•Social System is made up of people. For example, social clubs, societies.

•In Human-Machine System, both human and machines are involved to

perform a particular task. For example, Computer programming.

•Machine System is where human interference is neglected. All the tasks are
performed by the machine. For example, an autonomous robot.
Types ofSystem
Man–Made Information Systems
•It is an interconnected set of information resources to manage data for
particular organization, under Direct Management Control (DMC).

•This system includes hardware, software, communication, data, and

application for producing information according to the need of an
organization.
Types ofSystem
•Man-made information systems are divided into three types:
•Formal Information System: It is based on the flow of information in the
form of memos, instructions, etc., from top level to lower levels of
management.

•Informal Information System: This is employee based system which solves

the day to day work related problems.
Types ofSystem
• Computer Based System: This system is directly dependent on the
computer for managing business applications. For example, automatic
library system, railway reservation system, banking system, etc.
Systems Models
Schematic Models
•A schematic model is a 2-D chart that shows system elements and their
linkages.

•Different arrows are used to show information flow, material flow, and
information feedback.
Systems Models
Flow System Models
•A flow system model shows the orderly flow of the material, energy, and
information that hold the system together.

•Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT), for example, is used to

abstract a real world system in model form.
Systems Models
Static System Models
• They represent one pair of relationships such as activity–time or cost–
quantity.

• The Gantt chart, for example, gives a static pictureof an activity-time

relationship
Systems Models
Dynamic System Models
•Business organizations are dynamic systems. A dynamic model approximates
the type of organization or application that analysts deal with.

•It shows an ongoing, constantly changing status of the system. It consists of:
1. Inputs that enter the system
2. The processor through which transformation takes place
3. The program(s) required for processing
4. The output(s) that result from processing
Categories ofInformation
There are three categories of information related to managerial levels and the
decision managers make.

Strategic Information
•This information is required by topmost management for long range
planning policies for next few years. For example, trends in revenues,
financial investment, and human resources, and population growth.

•This type of information is achieved with the aid of Decision Support

System (DSS).
Categories ofInformation
Managerial Information
•This type of Information is required by middle management for short and
intermediate range planning which is in terms of months. For example, sales
analysis, cash flow projection, and annual financial statements.

•It is achieved with the aid of Management Information Systems (MIS).

Categories ofInformation
Operational information
•This type of information is required by low management for daily and short
term planning to enforce day-to-day operational activities.
- For example, keeping employee attendance records, overdue purchase
orders, and current stocks available.

•It is achieved with the aid of Data Processing Systems(DPS).