Problem Solving for Information Processing - Softcover

Sprankle, Maureen

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0130255998 ISBN 13: 9780130255990

Publisher: Pearson College Div, 2002

Synopsis

Addressing the growing complexity of computer application software, this volume helps users plan how information should be processed when using multiple software packages. Written with a generic approach to problem solving for computer applications, the guidelines can be applied to any brand of software. This comprehensive introduction addresses all relevant information processing topics including design, graphics and problem-solving concepts, planning guides, complete case studies for each application and concepts for integrating various software packages. The volume addresses general concepts of problem solving for information processing, graphics and design tools concepts and presentation, word processing and desktop publishing, spreadsheets, database management systems and integration and automation concepts. For users of word processing, graphics, desktop publishing, spreadsheets and relational database management systems.

About this title

From the Back Cover

This book presents problem-solving techniques for word processing, graphics, presentation graphics, desktop publishing, spreadsheets, and relational database management systems, and discusses the integration and automation of these applications. Application concepts, guidelines for problem design, and specialized planning guides for problem development are presented. Case studies and examples are presented in selected chapters. Problems for personal or business applications are found at the end of each chapter.

Suitable for applications, problem solving for applications, or information processing courses, Problem Solving for Information Processing is organized into six units.

• General Concepts of Problem Solving for Information Processing
• Graphics and Design
• Word Processing and Desktop Publishing
• Spreadsheets
• Database Management Systems
• Integration and Automation

An Instructor's Manual to accompany the text (ISBN 0-13-041188-4) is available free to instructors using the book for a course.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Applications software has become more complex and more sophisticated over the years. Today, students should think in terms of how to process information to solve a problem. Problems for the end user are many times complex and require more than one type of software to achieve an efficient solution. Information processing involves problem-solving techniques and preplanning before approaching the computer. This book presents problem-solving techniques for applications including word processing, graphics, presentation graphics, desktop publishing, spreadsheets, relational database management systems, and the integration and automation of these applications.

Students will explore problem solving using applications for a project involving one or more types of software. They will study a problem and learn the best types of software to use for developing components of the solution instead of limiting the solution to just one specific type of software. When students view a problem through the use of multiple packages, they are thinking in terms of information processing.

This book was written for the beginning to intermediate applications students and may be used in conjunction with another text, or as a textbook in problem solving in applications or information processing classes. It is generic in nature, as no one brand of applications is presented. The book is written to help students find the best solution to a problem, and not on how to accomplish a task using a specific brand of software. If students are able to understand the concepts of various types of software, they can transfer that knowledge to any specific brand.

The text presents several types of applications concepts, as well as guidelines for problem design. It also provides specialized planning guides for problem development that follow the six steps of problem solving presented in Chapter 1. There are examples and case studies for each type of software presented in designated chapters. These are for students to follow and complete on a computer, if appropriate to the class. Problems at the end of the chapter—developed for personal and business use—allow students to develop their own solutions. Organization

The book is divided into six units. Each is separate and may be presented in class in a different order from that presented in the book. Unit One presents information on problem solving, types of applications, installing and learning new software, and commonalities among software. Unit Two presents design concepts, graphics concepts, presentation graphics concepts, and case studies. Unit Three presents concepts and case studies for word processing and desktop publishing. Unit Four presents concepts and case studies for spreadsheets, including a chapter on mathematical concepts and functions for use with the development of spreadsheets. Unit Five presents concepts and case studies for relational database management systems. Unit Six presents concepts of documents processing and integration of types of software, programming concepts for use with applications, and concepts of automating a project. Included in the appendices are the ASCII Code, copies of the planning guides, and Otto the Robot who helps students with beginning programming concepts. Acknowledgments

I would like to thank those who reviewed the manuscript and offered suggestions and constructive comments. In particular, I thank Stephen Dawe, West Georgia Technical Institute; John P. Russo, Wentworth Institute of Technology; Thomas A. Duer, New Hampshire Community Technological College; Gouri Banerjee, Emmanuel College, MA; David P Beach, Indiana State University; and David Harris, College of the Redwoods, CA.

In addition, I wish to thank assistant editor Delia Uherec and production editor Alex Wolf at Prentice Hall, and Kelli Jauron at Carlisle Publishers Services for their care and patience during the writing and production process.

I would also like to thank Kevin McTigert, a College of the Redwoods multimedia student, for creating the cover image. Maureen Sprankle

Edition details

• Publisher: Pearson College Div
• Publication date: 2002
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0130255998
• ISBN 13: 9780130255990
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 524