Question

According to the chapter, which of these comes closest in meaning to the term "systems approach?"

a) Narrow point of view
b) Broad point of view
c) Focus on achieving those goals important to computerized systems
d) Focus first and foremost on computerization

Answer 1

The 'systems approach' involves a broad point of view (option B) that is holistic and includes various perspectives and levels of understanding to solve problems or understand a system.

Step-by-step explanation:

The term systems approach in the context of the question can be defined as adopting a broad point of view (option B) when analyzing or solving problems. This involves considering all the elements and relationships within a system rather than focusing on its individual components.

By choosing the system of interest as a starting point, we can better understand the workings of that system, be it a computer or another complex entity. This allows for a more holistic view in contrast to a narrow point of view, which might focus exclusively on achieving goals relevant only to computerized systems or on computerization itself.

Considering the provided context, a systems approach encapsulates understanding at multiple levels such as the physical level (engineer's perspective), design level (programmer's perspective), and commonsense level (user's perspective), each contributing to a comprehensive understanding of the system's operation.