With the aid of a diagram. describe time sharing mode as used in computer data processing.

With the aid of a diagram. describe time sharing mode as used in computer data processing.

​(b) A company’s management has opted to use computers to process data. State four factors that the management needs to consider when selecting the company data processing mode. 
(c) Explain the purpose of each of the following in system documentation:
(î) user manual; 
(ii) sample data: 
(iii) table descriptions. 

RESPONSES

​(a) Time-sharing mode
This is a processing mode in which a central processor serves two or more users with different requirements. The processor time is divided equally
among the tasks in the queue. A user whose task requirements are more than is apportioned is send back to the queue. For example, four jobs requiring times t1, t2, t3 and t4 to complete is apportioned equal time in each round until when they are done.

(b) Factors to consider when selecting data processing mode

•  The optimisation of processing time;
•  The time factor required for decision arising from the processed data;
•  The ease of development, use and maintenance;
• The control over the resources e.g. files, I/O devices e.t.c;
• The need for the shared resources among several users who may afford purchasing their own facilities as in time sharing configuration;
•  The volume of work involved;
•  The cost of acquiring the relevant hardware. software. media e .t .c and the cost of maintenance;
•  The nature of the task to be processed.

(c) (i) Purpose of user manual

• It is a documentation whose purpose is to help a user to use the system with little guidance.

(ii) Purpose of sample data

• Before the system is implemented, it has to be confirmed that it is functional. Sample data is meant to be used to test whether the system is giving desired output.

(iii) Purpose of table descriptions

• They are details of table structures that the system will require for the purpose of designing the actual tables.

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