Pro-Theta Computing Institute (Private) Limited.
Computer Training and Business Education.

SAD1. Systems Analysis: the scope, purpose and methods of systems analysis; the system life
cycle and its stages; the roles of the participants. The systems analyst: qualities, qualifications and experience.
SAD2. Managing Systems Development: project planning and control principles and methods. Justifying the new system. Quality assurance.
SAD3. Investigation and Analysis: initiation, terms of reference; investigation methods records, interviews, questionnaires, observation, sampling; human factors and behaviour; techniques of analysis; recording facts; the full study report.
SAD4. Design and Specification: the system outline output, input, files and processes; system flowcharts; computer run charts; procedure flowcharts; modes of operation.
SAD5. Output: definition of requirements format, volume, peak loading; special stationery and media.
SAD6. Input: data capture methods; input specification forms design and screen layout; the user dialogue; coding methods; error controls.
SAD7. Data Files: organisation; record structure; file sizes, growth and activity; access and processing requirements; choice of media.
SAD8. Documentation: needs; types and methods text, charts, forms; standards.
SAD9. System Controls: physical and technical security; control of access; audit methods; legal requirements the Data Protection Act.
SAD10. Implementation: Data conversion; staff training; changeover methods, testing and acceptance; project review compliance with specification, performance, financial benefit, development and support.
SAD11. Structured Systems Analysis and Design Methodology (SSADM): purpose and principles of SSADM; typical stages in a project; the tools of structured analysis; the separation of the logical and physical design; design controls.

.SM1. Software: common deficiencies in software; the need for remedies and an effective method of managing software development. Software engineering methods. The stages in the software life cycle specification of requirements, design, review, detailed design, coding, testing, documentation and maintenance.
SM2. Specification and Design Methodology: the properties of a sound specification. Reviews. Aims of a program design methodology. The style and presentation of programs. Detailed design and development methods top down design, decomposition, stepwise refinement. Modularity. The use of flowcharts, pseudocode, decision tables and other methods.
SM3. Program Structures: the components and organisation of programs. Syntax and semantics. Data types. Declaration of data items. Operations on data. Control structures sequence, selection and repetition. Functions and procedures (subroutines).
SM4. Data Structures: grouping of data items. One dimensional and two-dimensional arrays, strings and records. Array subscripts; row and column operations. String and sub string operations. Fixed length records. Simple processes on sorting, searching, and insertion.
SM5. File Organisation, Access and Processing: serial, sequential and indexed sequential operation. Accessing and updating records. Hash (scatter) storage. File media constraints.
SM6. Common Processes (algorithms): sorting, searching and merging on the data structures. Simple random number techniques.
SM7. Errors and Testing: Types of errors in software syntax, logical and run time. Stages of testing unit, integration, system and acceptance. White box and black box techniques. Construction of test data and test plans. Reviews.
SM8. Programming Languages: four main generations machine code, assembly, high level and application generator. Comparison of the main features and facilities. Factors influencing the choice of language for typical applications. Detailed knowledge of facilities and limitations of one common high level language. Special purpose languages.
SM9. The Development Environment: the operating system, text editor, compiler, interpreter, assembler and debugging facilities roles of each. Comparison between compilation and interpretation. Stages in compilation. One pass and two pass assemblers operation. Debugging with single step and trace facilities.
SM10. Performance: Process times of common algorithms with large data sets. Processes restricted by the performance of the CPU, peripherals or disc. Common reasons for slow execution or response time. Possible improvements. Cylinder organisation of disc files. Approximate memory requirements of common processes or packages.
SM11. Fourth Generation Language: detailed working knowledge of a common database language. Record structure definition. File creation. Data entry and amendment. Screen formatting. Report generation. Indexing. Searching. Database commands and the development of programs.

CSSB1. Business Systems: organisation objectives, structure and management. Functions common to businesses administration, production, marketing and sales. The flow of information within an organisation. Levels of reporting and decision making.
CSSB2. Information Processing Requirements: the use of computers. The automated office; word processing, desk top publishing, accounts and payroll. Stock control, order processing, invoicing, spreadsheet and simple database applications. The wide availability of computer systems based on standard hardware and software.
CSSB3. Hardware: the choices available in terms of floppy and hard discs, memory capacity, screens and printers. Communications equipment; supplementary interfaces (`add in cards') to support bar code readers, mice, scanners and fax facilities. Single and multi user systems; local and wide area networks.
CSSB4. Software: the sources comparison of bespoke and packaged solutions. The distinction between application packages and application generators. The features in common word processing, spreadsheet and database packages. Compatibility considerations and the use of integrated software packages.
CSSB5. Requirements: identifying areas for possible computer support. Establishing present and possible future needs. Determining boundaries for the new system; taking consultants' advice. Stating the requirements with the emphasis on software functions; sizing the hardware. Issuing a specification.
CSSB6. Selection: inviting proposals from suppliers. Comparison of responses. Shortlisting techniques. Selection criteria and the final choice of supplier. Negotiating the purchase and post sales support. Contents of the contract with the supplier.
CSSB7. Implementation: the practical steps of integrating a computer system within a small business. Installation of equipment in the office. Loading software and data files. Staff training and establishing new working practices. Live running and monitoring progress.
CSSB8. Management Aspects: budgetary considerations initial purchase and long term costs. The responsibilities of staff. Practical methods of audit; data security. Hardware and software maintenance. System development.
CSSB9. Common Applications: details of outputs, inputs, file organisation and processes of accounts packages (nominal, sales and purchase), payroll package and stock control.
CSSB10. Spreadsheet Operation: detailed working knowledge of a common spreadsheet package. Creating, loading, saving and erasing a worksheet. The entry and editing of labels, names, values and formulae. Cursor control. Working with ranges. Re calculation of results. Sorting, copying and printing operations.
CSSB11. Case Studies: examples of small business systems to highlight the potential benefits, limitations, disadvantages, problems and pitfalls.