Computer Systems

Computer Systems

1. What is a computer system?

   • A computer system is a collection of hardware and software that collectively comes together to become a system that can complete certain processes. They react from an input and ultimately result in an output.

2. The Importance of computer systems in the modern world

   • Computer systems are very important in the modern world. As they act as a necessary piece of technology that allows us to advance into new, previously not seen strengths in the world. We now have computer systems everywhere in life.
   • We now have computer systems everywhere in every day life. From your home Mobile phone, your dishwasher, and even your watch. Which are all devices that rely on their embedded computer systems that process data and decide what action is to be done by the system next.
   • We now have new uses for these computer systems as they get smaller and smaller. And leads to great advances such as; Automation, robotics, bionics, data crunching and modelling. All things that humans could not possibly do in the same amount of time.
   • Compared to humans, computer systems are able to manage lots of different tasks at once, Retain a large amount of data precisely. All things us humans could never do. Although unfortunately in order for this to happen we must first program large and complex algorithms that the computer systems follow.

3. The need for reliability in computer systems

   • Computer systems must be reliable as they store our much valued data that is intact stored sometimes virtually/on hard drives. And in order for this data to be saved safely and there to be no possibility of it being lost, the system must be reliable. As thing such as a power cut, would instantly result in the loss of our not yet saved data. This correlates to instances where computer systems are put in place and vital. Such as nuclear reactors, which if there be a system failure, this would result in a global pandemic as the consequence.
   • Some reliability errors include; hardware failure (i.e. hard drive), software that is buggy or has viruses, human error which leads to system failure, malicious/deliberate damage to the system, water damage. A result of these happenings are, loss of revenue, unhappy customers, damage of reputation.

4. Ethics and laws relevant to computer systems

   • After a certain platform is verified, they continue by creating their own laws and regulations which often back themselves in future for instance if someone threatened a sue. They could backfire as they have put these laws in place. Example being if you uploaded a photo or video to a social network, they then have property of the photo. - Also to be considered is hacking which is a breach of security and in itself is a law broken. In order to eliminate being hacked, there are new creative code algorithms that must be bypassed in order to hack. In the attempt to prevent flaws and spreading of personal data. There are test opportunities where 'white hat' hackers who do it for the greater good. Tell the website programmers where their flaws are. (so they can be rectified) Testing is very important as it means they can fix problems before they are already out there on the internet.