Ch16 Input Design and Prototyping.docx

Chapter 16 Input Design and Prototyping True/False Questions 1. Data capture is the identification and acquisition of new data. Answer: True 2. Source documents are forms used to record business transactions in terms of data that describes those transactions. Answer: True 3. Data entry is the identification and acquisition of new data. Answer: False Rationale: Data capture is the identification and acquisition of new data. Data entry is the process of translating the source data or document into a computer-readable format. 4. In batch processing, the entered data is collected into files called batches. Each file is processed as a batch of many transactions. Answer: True 5. In on-line processing, the captured data is processed immediately. Answer: True 6. In on-line processing, the entered data is collected into files. Each file is stored on-line, and processed as a unit to update all of the entered transactions at the same time. Answer: False Rationale: In batch processing, the entered data is collected into files called batches. Each file is process as a batch of many transactions. In on-line processing, the captured data is processed immediately. 7. Batch processing is barely used anymore. Answer: True Rationale: Contrary to popular belief, some data is still processed using batch processing. Time cards are the classic example. 8. In remote batch processing, data is entered using on-line editing techniques; however, the data is collected into a batch instead of being immediately processed. Later, the batch is processed. Answer: True 9. A simple example of remote batch processing uses a PC-based front-end application to capture and store the data. The data can later be transmitted across a network for batch processing. Answer: True 10. Keyboard data entry remains the most common form of input. Answer: True 11. A mouse is a pointing device used in conjunction with graphical user interfaces. It has made it easy to navigate on-line forms and click on commands and input options. Answer: True 12. An emerging technology that will greatly impact input design is the touch screen display. Such displays are common in handheld and palm-top computers that are finding their way into countless information system applications. Answer: True 13. Point of sale terminals are used to capture data at the point of sale and provide time-saving ways to enter data, perform transactional calculations, and produce some output. Most can scan and read bar codes to eliminate keying errors. Answer: True 14. Automatic teller machines (ATMs), another form of point of sale terminal, are operated by the consumer. Answer: True 15. Automatic teller machines (ATMs) are remote batch processing devices. Answer: False Rationale: ATMs are a form of point of sales terminal. 16. Automatic data capture (ADC) techniques are designed with the goal of eliminating human intervention associated with data input methods. Answer: True 17. The most common example of automatic data capture (ADC) is the use of a keyboard. Answer: False Rationale: The most common example of data entry is the keyboard. 18. The classic example of optical mark recognition is the use of optical mark forms for objective-based questions on examinations. Answer: True Page: 585-586 19. Optical character recognition (OCR) is less prevalent despite its maturity. Answer: True Page: 586 20. Optical mark recognition requires the user or customer to carefully handwrite input data on a business form. Answer: False Page: 586 Rationale: This definition refers to optical character recognition, not optical mark recognition. 21. MICR is most widely used in the banking industry. Answer: True Page: 586 22. Electromagnetic ADC technology is based on the use of radio frequency to identify physical objects. It involves attaching a tag and antenna to the physical object that is to be tracked. The tag contains memory that is used to identify the object being tracked. Answer: True 23. Electromagnetic ADC technology is based on the use of television frequency to identify physical objects. Answer: False Rationale: Radio frequency, not television frequency, is used for electromagnetic ADC technology. 24. Smart cards are slightly thicker than credit cards and contain a microprocessor, memory circuits and a battery. They represent a portable storage medium from which input data can be obtained. Answer: True 25. Smart card applications are particularly promising in the area of health records where a person's blood type, vaccinations, and other past medical history could be made readily available. Answer: True 26. Biometric ADC technology is based on unique human characteristics or traits, for example, fingerprints, voice pattern, retinal pattern. Answer: True 27. Biometric automatic data capture is popular because it offers the most accurate and reliable means for identification. This technology is particularly popular for systems that require security access. Answer: True 28. Because inputs originate with system users, human factors play a significant role in input design. Answer: True 29. Human factors play only a minor role in input design. Answer: False Rationale: Because inputs originate with system users, human factors play a significant role in input design. 30. One of the general principles for input design is: "Capture only variable data." Answer: True 31. "Capture only static data" is one of the general principles for input design. Answer: False Rationale: Capture only variable data. 32. "Do not capture data that can be calculated or stored in computer programs" is one of the general principles for input design. Answer: True 33. "Capture data that can be calculated or stored in computer programs" is one of the general principles for input design. Answer: False Rationale: DO NOT capture data that can be calculated or stored in computer programs. 34. The volume of data input should be minimized as much as possible. Answer: True 35. The volume of data input should be maximized as much as possible. Answer: False Rationale: The volume of data input should be minimized as much as possible. 36. If source documents are used to capture data, they should be easy for system users to complete and subsequently enter into the system. Answer: True Page: 588 37. A suggestion to help with the use of source documents to capture data is to include instructions for completing the form, preferably at the beginning of the form. Answer: True Page: 588 38. A suggestion to help with the use of source documents is to minimize the amount of handwriting required to complete the form. Answer: True Page: 588 39. A suggestion to help with the use of source documents is to maximize the amount of handwriting required to complete the form. Answer: False Page: 588 Rationale: minimize (not maximize) the amount of handwriting required. 40. A suggestion to help with the use of source documents is that data should be sequenced on paper so that it can be read much like a book, from top to bottom, left to right. The system user should not have to move from right-to-left or jump around on the form. Answer: True Page: 588 41. When possible, use input designs based on known metaphors. Not all inputs lend themselves to metaphors (such as a checkbook), but some are greatly enhanced by the imitation. Answer: True Page: 589 42. Internal input controls ensure that the data input to the computer is accurate and that the system is protected against accidental and intentional errors and abuse, including fraud. Answer: True Page: 589 43. An internal input control guideline is: "The number of inputs should be monitored." This is especially true with the batch method because source documents may be misplaced, lost or skipped. Answer: True Page: 589 44. It is not necessary to monitor the number of inputs to a batch, because the computer is more capable of tracking and counting them. Answer: False Page: 589 Rationale: An internal input control guideline is: "The number of inputs should be monitored." This is especially true with the batch method because source documents may be misplaced, lost or skipped. 45. Two types of errors can infiltrate entered data: data entry errors and invalid data recorded by system users. Answer: True 46. Existence checks determine whether the input data for each field falls within the legitimate set or range of values defined for that field. Answer: False Rationale: Existence checks determine whether all required fields on the input have actually been entered. Domain checks determine whether the input data for each field falls within the legitimate set or range of values defined for that field. 47. Data type checks ensure that the correct type of data is input. For example, alphabetic data should not be allowed in a numeric field. Answer: True 48. Data type checks determine whether all required fields on the input have been entered. Required fields should be clearly identified as such on the input screen. Answer: False Rationale: Data type checks ensure that the correct type of data is input. Existence checks determine whether all required fields on the input have actually been entered. 49. Domain checks determine whether the input data for each field falls within the legitimate set or range of values defined for that field. Answer: True 50. Domain checks determine whether a known relationship between two fields is valid. Answer: False Rationale: Domain checks determine whether the input data for each field falls within the legitimate set or range of values defined for that field. Combination checks determine whether a known relationship between two fields is valid. 51. Combination checks determine whether a known relationship between two fields is valid. For example, if the vehicle make is Pontiac, the vehicle model must be one of a limited set of values that comprises cars manufactured by Pontiac. Answer: True 52. Combination checks determine whether all required fields on the input have actually been entered. Answer: False Rationale: Combination checks determine whether a known relationship between two fields is valid. Existence checks determine whether all required fields on the input have actually been entered. 53. Self-checking digits determine whether the input data for each field falls in the legitimate set or range of values defined for that field. Answer: False Rationale: Self-checking digits determine data entry errors on primary keys. A check digit is a number or character that is appended to a primary key field. The check digit is calculated by applying a formula to the actual key. Domain checks determine whether the input data for each field falls in the legitimate set or range of values defined for that field. 54. Format checks compare data entered against the known formatting requirements for that data. Answer: True 55. Format checks determine data entry errors on primary keys. A format check digit is a number or character that is appended to a primary key field. Answer: False Rationale: Format checks compare data entered against the known formatting requirements for that data. Self-checking digits determine data entry errors on primary keys. A check digit is a number or character that is appended to a primary key field based on a formula applied to the actual key. 56. In repository based programming, a repository contains input controls and code. The developers can, in a single location, define most of the properties and constraints for a reusable field and the data validation code for that field. Once defined, the object or control can be used by any number of other systems analysts and programmers in the organization. This approach guarantees that every instance of the field will be used in a consistent manner. Furthermore, the repository entries can be changed if business rules dictate and no additional changes to the applications will be required. Answer: True Page: 591 57. A text box requires the user to type the data inside the box. It can allow for single or multiple lines of data characters to be entered. Answer: True Page: 592 58. A text box is most appropriately used when the input data values are unlimited in scope and the analyst is unable to provide the users with a meaningful list of values from which they can select. Answer: True Page: 592 59. A text box should be accompanied by a descriptive, meaningful caption. Answer: True Page: 592 60. It is not necessary to provide a caption for a text box, since the content should be obvious by its placement on a screen or form. Answer: False Page: 592 Rationale: A text box should be accompanied by a descriptive, meaningful caption. 61. A caption for a text box should be located to the left of the actual text box or left-aligned immediately above the text box. Answer: True Page: 592 62. A caption for a text box should be located to the right of the actual text box or right-aligned immediately above the text box. Answer: False Rationale: A caption for a text box should be located to the left of the actual text box or left-aligned immediately above the text box. 63. Generally, the size of the text box should be large enough for all characters of the fixed-length input to be entered and viewed by the user. When the length of the data to be input is variable and could become quite long, the text box's scrolling and word-wrapping features should be applied. Answer: True 64. Generally, the size of a text box does not matter. Answer: False Rationale: Generally, the size of the text box should be large enough for all characters of the fixed-length input to be entered and viewed by the user. When the length of the data to be input is variable and could become quite long, the text box's scrolling and word-wrapping features should be applied. 65. Radio buttons provide the user with an easy way to quickly identify and select a particular value for a value set. Answer: True 66. Radio buttons normally appear in groups - one radio button per value choice. Answer: True 67. Radio buttons are most appropriate when a user may be expected to input data that has a limited predefined set of mutually exclusive values. Answer: True 68. Radio buttons are most appropriate when a user may be expected to input data that has a large predefined set of choices, especially where more than one choice can be selected simultaneously. Answer: False Rationale: Radio buttons are most appropriate when a user may be expected to input data that has a limited predefined set of mutually exclusive values. 69. Radio buttons should present the alternatives vertically aligned and left-justified to aid the user in browsing. Answer: True 70. Radio buttons should present the alternatives horizontally aligned and right-justified to aid the user in browsing. Answer: False Rationale: Radio buttons should present the alternatives vertically aligned and left-justified to aid the user in browsing. 71. With radio buttons, the group of choices should be visually grouped to set them off from other input controls appearing on the screen. Answer: True 72. Radio buttons should be used when you want to select a value that is simply a Yes/No. Answer: False Rationale: It is NOT recommended that radio buttons be used to select the input value for an input data whose value is simply a Yes/No. 73. A check box consists of two parts: a square box followed by a description of the input field for which the user is to provide the Yes/No value. Answer: True Page: 593-594 74. A check box acts as a toggle switch on an input value. Answer: True Page: 593-594 75. A radio button acts as a toggle switch on an input value. Answer: False Page: 593-594 Rationale: A check box acts as a toggle switch, a radio button is used to select between multiple values. 76. A list box is a control that requires the user to select a data item's value from a list of possible choices. A list box is rectangular and contains one or more rows of possible data values. The values may appear as either a textual description or graphical description. Answer: True 77. Scrolling capabilities make list boxes appropriate for use in those cases where there is limited screen space available and the input data item has a large number of predefined, mutually exclusive values from which to choose. Answer: True 78. Scrolling capabilities make radio buttons appropriate for use in those cases where there is limited screen space available and the input data item has a large number of predefined, mutually exclusive values from which to choose. Answer: False Rationale: In this case, you would choose a list box, not radio buttons. 79. A drop-down list is a control that requires the user to select a data item's value from a list of possible choices. A drop-down list consists of a rectangular selection field with a small button connected to its side (that contains a picture of a downward arrow). The downward arrow button is to suggest to the user the existence of a hidden list of possible values for a data item. Answer: True Page: 595 80. A drop-down list should be used in those cases where the data item has a large number of predefined values and screen space availability prohibits the use of a list box. Answer: True Page: 595 81. A list box should be used in those cases where the data item has a large number of predefined values and screen space availability prohibits the use of a drop-down box. Answer: False Page: 595 Rationale: A drop-down list should be used in those cases where the data item has a large number of predefined values and screen space availability prohibits the use of a list box. 82. A combination box is a control box whose name reflects the fact that it combines the capabilities of a text box and list box. It gives the user the flexibility of entering a data item's value directly, or selecting the value from a list. Answer: True Page: 595-596 83. A combination box is most appropriately used where limited screen space is available, and it is desirable to provide the user with the option of selecting a value from a list or typing a value that may or may not appear as an option in the list. Answer: True Page: 595-596 84. A spin box is a screen-based control that consists of a single line text box followed immediately by two small buttons. The two buttons are vertically aligned. The top button has an arrow pointing upward and the bottom button has an arrow pointing downward. This control allows the user to enter data directly into the associated text box or to select a value by using the mouse to scroll (spin) through a list of values using the buttons. Answer: True 85. A combination box is a screen-based control that consists of a single line text box followed immediately by two small buttons. The two buttons are vertically aligned. The top button has an arrow pointing upward and the bottom button has an arrow pointing downward. This control allows the user to enter data directly into the associated text box or to select a value by using the mouse to scroll through a list of values using the buttons. Answer: False Rationale: This describes a spin box, not a combination box. 86. Strictly speaking, buttons are not input controls. They do not contribute to the selection or input of actual data. Nonetheless, input form design is incomplete without them. Answer: True 87. Buttons are used to allow a user to commit all of the data to be processed, or cancel a transaction, or get help. They can be used to navigate between instances of the same form. Answer: True 88. Optical character recognition (OCR) requires the user or customer to carefully handwrite input data on a business form. If the letters and numbers are properly scribed, an OCR reader can process the forms without human intervention. Answer: True Page: 586 89. When a choice is selected from a group of radio buttons, any default or previously selected choice's circle is deselected. Answer: True Multiple Choice Questions 90. Online processing is: A) The identification and acquisition of new data. B) The process of collecting entered data into files called batches. C) The process of translating the source document into a machine-readable format. D) The processing of captured data immediately. E) none of these Answer: D 91. Data capture is: A) The identification and acquisition of new data. B) The process of collecting entered data into files called batches. C) The process of translating the source document into a machine-readable format. D) The processing of captured data immediately. E) none of these Answer: A 92. Biometric ADC technology: A) is used on forms for objective-based questions on exams. B) requires the user or customer to carefully handwrite input data on a business form. C) is most widely used in the banking industry. D) is based on unique human characteristics or traits; for example, fingerprints, voice pattern, retinal pattern. E) is based on the use of radio frequency, a tag and antenna to identify and track physical objects. Answer: D 93. MICR: A) is used on forms for objective-based questions on exams. B) requires the user or customer to carefully handwrite input data on a business form. C) is most widely used in the banking industry. D) is based on unique human characteristics or traits; for example, fingerprints, voice pattern, retinal pattern. E) is based on the use of radio frequency, a tag and antenna to identify and track physical objects. Answer: C Page: 586 94. Optical mark recognition is: A) used on forms for objective-based questions on exams. B) based on the use of radio frequency, a tag and antenna to identify and track physical objects. C) most widely used in the banking industry. D) based on unique human characteristics or traits; for example, fingerprints, voice pattern, retinal pattern. E) none of these Answer: A Page: 585-586 95. Optical character recognition: A) is used on forms for objective-based questions on exams. B) requires the user or customer to carefully handwrite input data on a business form. C) is most widely used in the banking industry. D) is based on unique human characteristics or traits; for example, fingerprints, voice pattern, retinal pattern. E) represents a portable storage medium that contains a microprocessor, memory circuits and a battery with the ability to store a massive amount of information. Answer: B Page: 586 96. Smart cards: A) are used on forms for objective-based questions on exams. B) use radio frequency, a tag and antenna to identify and track physical objects. C) most widely used in the banking industry. D) are based on unique human characteristics or traits; for example, fingerprints, voice pattern, retinal pattern. E) represent a portable storage medium that contains a microprocessor, memory circuits and a battery with the ability to store a massive amount of information. Answer: E 97. A suggestion to help with the use of source documents is: A) to maximize the volume of data input as much as possible. B) to include instructions for completing the form, preferably at the beginning of the form. C) to minimize the amount of handwriting required to complete the form. D) Both A and B. E) Both B and C. Answer: E Page: 588 98. Internal input controls: A) ensure that the data input to the computer is accurate. B) ensure that the system is protected against accidental and intentional errors and abuse, including fraud. C) monitor the number of inputs to prevent source documents from being misplaced, lost or skipped. D) Both A and B. E) All of these. Answer: E Page: 589 99. Domain checks: A) determine whether the input data for each field falls within the legitimate set or range of values defined for that field. B) ensure that the correct type of data is input. C) determine data entry errors on primary keys. D) determine whether all required fields on the input have actually been entered. E) determine whether a known relationship between two fields is valid. Answer: A 100. Self-checking digits: A) determine whether the input data for each field falls within the legitimate set or range of values defined for that field. B) compare data entered against the known formatting requirements for that data. C) determine whether a known relationship between two fields is valid. D) ensure that the correct type of data is input. E) determine data entry errors on primary keys. Answer: E 101. Data type checks: A) compare data entered against the known formatting requirements for that data. B) determine whether all required fields on the input have actually been entered. C) determine whether a known relationship between two fields is valid. D) ensure that the correct type of data is input. E) determine data entry errors on primary keys. Answer: D 102. Existence checks: A) determine whether the input data for each field falls within the legitimate set or range of values defined for that field. B) determine whether all required fields on the input have actually been entered. C) determine data entry errors on primary keys. D) compare data entered against the known formatting requirements for that data. E) ensure that the correct type of data is input. Answer: B 103. A text box: A) is most appropriately used when the input data values are unlimited in scope. B) allows for single or multiple lines of data characters to be entered. C) consists of a rectangular shaped box that is usually accompanied by a caption. D) should be accompanied by a descriptive, meaningful caption. E) all of these. Answer: E Page: 592-593 104. A check box: A) gives the user the flexibility of entering a data item's value directly, or selecting the value from a list. B) requires the user to select a data item's value from a list of possible choices. C) allows the user to enter data directly into the associated text box or to select a value by using the mouse to scroll (spin) through a list of values using the buttons. D) acts as a toggle switch on an input value. E) all of these. Answer: D Page: 593-594 105. A list box: A) gives the user the flexibility of entering a data item's value directly, or selecting the value from a list. B) requires the user to select a data item's value from a list of possible choices. C) allows the user to enter data directly into the associated text box or to select a value by using the mouse to scroll (spin) through a list of values using the buttons. D) acts as a toggle switch on an input value. E) all of these. Answer: B 106. A combination box: A) gives the user the flexibility of entering a data item's value directly, or selecting the value from a list. B) consists of a rectangular selection field with a small button connected to its side (that contains a picture of a downward arrow). C) allows the user to enter data directly into the associated text box or to select a value by using the mouse to scroll (spin) through a list of values using the buttons. D) acts as a toggle switch on an input value. E) provides the user with an easy way to quickly identify and select a particular value for a value set. Answer: A Page: 595-596 107. Radio buttons: A) give the user the flexibility of entering a data item's value directly, or selecting the value from a list. B) consist of a rectangular selection field with a small button connected to its side (that contains a picture of a downward arrow). C) allow the user to enter data directly into the associated text box or to select a value by using the mouse to scroll (spin) through a list of values using the buttons. D) act as a toggle switch on an input value. E) provide the user with an easy way to quickly identify and select a particular value for a value set. Answer: E 108. Data entry is: A) The identification and acquisition of new data. B) The process of collecting entered data into files called batches. C) The process of translating the source document into a machine-readable format. D) The processing of captured data immediately. E) none of these Answer: C 109. Batch processing is: A) The identification and acquisition of new data. B) The process of collecting entered data into files called batches. C) The process of translating the source document into a machine-readable format. D) The processing of captured data immediately. E) none of these Answer: B 110. Which of the following is NOT an advance input control. A) ellipsis control B) slider edit calendar C) masked edit control D) Internet hyperlink E) spin box Answer: E Page: 595-598 111. Which of the following input methods could best be used to enter a patient's health record into a hospital computer system? A) touch screen B) optical mark C) smart cards D) biometric E) keyboard Answer: E Page: 585-587 112. Which of the following input methods could best be used by a manufacturing company to check a product into and out of a building? A) touch screen B) optical mark C) smart cards D) biometric E) keyboard Answer: E Page: 585-587 113. Which of the following input methods would be used with retinal eye scans? A) touch screen B) optical mark C) smart cards D) biometric E) keyboard Answer: E Page: 585-587 114. Which of the following input methods could best be used by the wait staff in a busy restaurant to enter customer orders? A) touch screen B) optical mark C) smart cards D) biometric E) keyboard Answer: E Page: 585-587 115. If you needed to collect gender information on a computer screen, your best choice for a GUI control would be: A) text box B) radio buttons C) check boxes D) spin box E) drop-down list Answer: B Page: 592-596 116. If you needed a user to select from a list of 100 part numbers, your best choice for a GUI control would be: A) text box B) radio buttons C) check boxes D) spin box E) drop-down list Answer: E Page: 592-596 117. If you needed a user to enter how many copies he or she wanted to print, limiting the choices to positive whole numbers, our best choice for a GUI control would be: A) text box B) radio buttons C) check boxes D) spin box E) drop-down list Answer: D Page: 592-596 Fill in the Blank Questions 118. Automatic teller machines (ATMs), another form of _______________________________________, are operated by the consumer. Answer: point of sale terminal or POS 119. _________________________________________ techniques are designed with the goal of eliminating human intervention associated with data input methods. Answer: Automatic data capture (ADC) 120. Optical mark recognition technology for input has existed for several decades. It is primarily _________________________ processing-oriented. Answer: batch 121. Describe the main characteristics of electromagnetic ADC technology. Answer: It is based on the use of radio frequency to identify physical objects. It involves attaching a tag and antenna to the physical object that is to be tracked. The tag contains memory that is used to identify the object being tracked. 122. Describe the main characteristics of smart card technology. Answer: Smart cards have the ability to store a massive amount of information. They are similar to, but slightly thicker than, credit cards. They also differ in that they contain a microprocessor, memory circuits and a battery. They represent a portable storage medium from which input data can be obtained. 123. Describe the main characteristics of biometric ADC technology. Answer: It is based on unique human characteristics or traits, like fingerprints, voice pattern, retinal pattern. It is popular because it offers the most accurate and reliable means of identification for systems that require security access. 124. Name three input data validation techniques that are widely used. Answer: Existence checks, data type checks, domain checks, combination checks, self-checking digits, format checks 125. Existence checks are used to _________________________________. Answer: determine whether all required fields on the input have actually been entered 126. To make sure that alphabetic data could not be allowed in a numeric field you would use _______________ checks.. Answer: data type 127. Domain checks ______________________________________. Answer: determine whether the input data for each field falls within the legitimate set or range of values defined for that field 128. If in entering a car make and model, the model input was limited to a set of values based on what was entered for the make, you would employ a ____________________ check. Answer: combination 129. Self-checking digits determine data entry errors on ____________________________. Answer: primary keys 130. With self-checking digits the check digit is calculated by applying a ____________ to the actual key. Answer: formula 131. Data capture is ______________________________. Answer: the identification and acquisition of new data 132. Source documents are _______________________________. Answer: forms used to record (business) transactions in terms of data that describes those transactions. 133. Data entry is the process of translating the source data or document into a ____________________________. Answer: computer (or machine)-readable format 134. Name three automatic data capture (ADC) techniques or technologies. Answer: Optical mark recognition; Electromagnetic; Smart card; Biometric; Optical character recognition (OCR); Magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) Page: 585-586 135. Describe the differences between batch versus on-line processing. Answer: In batch processing, the entered data is collected into files called batches. Each file is processed as a batch of many transactions. In on-line processing, the captured data is processed immediately. 136. Time cards are the classic example of this type of processing __________. Answer: batch 137. Format checks _______________________________________. Answer: compare data entered against the known formatting requirements for that data 138. What type of data entry remains the most common form of input? __________ Answer: Keyboard 139. A(n) _________________________________ is a pointing device used in conjunction with graphical user interfaces. It has made it easy to navigate on-line forms and click on commands and input options. Answer: mouse or track ball 140. An emerging technology that will greatly impact input design is the ________________________________ display. Such displays are common in handheld and palm-top computers that are finding their way into countless information system applications. Answer: touch screen 141. __________________________________ are used to capture data at the point of sale and provide timesaving ways to enter data, perform transactional calculations, and produce some output. Most can scan and read bar codes to eliminate keying errors. Answer: Point of sale terminals or POS Essay Questions 142. Describe three characteristics of a text box. Page: 592-593 Answer: It is perhaps the most common control used for input of data. It consists of a rectangular shaped box and should be accompanied by a descriptive, meaningful caption. It requires the user to type the data. It can allow for single or multiple lines of data characters to be entered. It is most appropriately used when the input data values are unlimited in scope and the analyst is unable to provide the users with a meaningful list of values from which they can select. A caption for a text box should be located to the left of the actual text box or left-aligned immediately above the text box. The size of the text box should be large enough for all characters of the fixed-length input to be entered and viewed by the user. When the length of the data to be input is variable and could become quite long, the text box's scrolling and word-wrapping features should be applied. 143. Describe three characteristics of radio buttons. Answer: They provide the user with an easy way to quickly identify and select a particular value for a value set. They consist of a small circle and an associated textual description that corresponds to the value choice. The circle is located to the left of the textual description of the value choice. They are most appropriate when a user may be expected to input data that has a limited predefined set of mutually exclusive values. Radio buttons normally appear in groups - one radio button per value choice. The group of choices should be visually grouped to set them off from other input controls appearing on the screen. When a user selects the appropriate choice from the value set, the circle corresponding to that choice is partially filled to indicate it has been selected. When a choice is selected, any default or previously selected choice's circle is deselected. Radio buttons should present the alternatives vertically aligned and left-justified to aid the user in browsing. 144. Describe a check box. Page: 593-594 Answer: It is an input control that acts as a toggle switch on an input value. It consists of two parts: a square box followed by a description of the input field for which the user is to provide the Yes/No value. 145. Describe the main characteristics of a list box. Answer: It is a control that requires the user to select a data item's value from a list of possible choices. It is rectangular and contains one or more rows of possible data values. The values may appear as either a textual description or graphical description. Scrolling capabilities make list boxes appropriate for use in those cases where there is limited screen space available and the input data item has a large number of predefined, mutually exclusive values from which to choose. 146. List the main features of a drop-down list. Page: 595 Answer: It is a control that requires the user to select a data item's value from a list of possible choices. It consists of a rectangular selection field with a small button connected to its side (that contains a picture of a downward arrow). The downward arrow button is to suggest to the user the existence of a hidden list of possible values for a data item. It should be used in those cases where the data item has a large number of predefined values and screen space availability prohibits the use of a list box. 147. What characterizes a combination box? List at least two distinct characteristics. Page: 595-596 Answer: It is an input control box whose name reflects the fact that it combines the capabilities of a text box and list box. It gives the user the flexibility of entering a data item's value directly, or selecting the value from a list. It is most appropriately used where limited screen space is available, and it is desirable to provide the user with the option of selecting a value from a list or typing a value that may or may not appear as an option in the list. 148. Describe the main features of a spin box. Answer: It is a screen-based control that consists of a single line text box followed immediately by two small buttons. The two buttons are vertically aligned. The top button has an arrow pointing upward and the bottom button has an arrow pointing downward. This control allows the user to enter data directly into the associated text box or to select a value by using the mouse to scroll (or spin) through a list of values using the buttons.