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Systems Analysis and Design, Eighth Edition offers a practical, visually appealing approach to information systems development…. More >>
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Product Description
Systems Analysis and Design, Eighth Edition offers a practical, visually appealing approach to information systems development…. More >>
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For beginners to Systems Analysis & Design I would recommend this textbook, however do not rely on this for a serious study of Systems Analysis & Design. This book is easy to read, but the “This technique is so great, note – there are some disadvantages” can get annoying at times. Maybe this book could be used as an overview of SAD for managers. Also, the Student Study Guide provided on CD-ROM with the text is not useful for quick review of the text for an exam as each chapter takes up 80 slides and each review of each chapter takes a while to read.
Rating: 3 / 5
Ok, firstly this book has excellent presentation and pedagogy. Somebody took some serious care to ensure this book is visually pleasing and well organized. It contains a CD-rom with summaries of each chapter as well as well as weblinks, glossaries of each chapter and chapter outlines. There are no design tools CASE tools however.
Content: This book is a very good introduction to systems analysis and design: the operative word being INTRODUCTION. It paints a very broad picture in reasonable detail. There are enough examples and explanation to be able to extrapolate how to do very basic structured systems analysis. Object oriented analysis on the other hand while covered, is done so in a fairly rudimentary manner (in a toolkit- ie. appendix- rather than in the body of the book). This book is less about the mechanics of how and more about the why and why not and what you’re likely to need before you do do some systems analysis. Personally I think the book by WHitten (isbn 0072552360) provides more bang for your buck in that it covers functional decomposition, functional primitives, decision tables, databases, ERDs, prototyping, OO analysis and design in greater depth and with more reality and for significantly less money. WHitten is far less accessible though, the price of being far more technical than this one- and it is fairly old now. This book is very accessible, but that comes at the cost of content. If you want deeper how-to, try Whitten…if you want a easier overview then try this. However the price is quite significant for this book.
Pedagogy wise, this book is very good. Lots of pratical examples and expositions of real life situations, review questions (no answers) directions to a web site to chase down further understanding and knowledge. A case study permeates the book which makes it very accessible because the case study I found was interesting and quite ‘likely’. The toolkits (ie. appendices) are quite interesting, if somewhat ‘lite’. To me, they seemed more of a checklist and point of reference than a substantive learning source.
So, in all, a nice, neat book, if rather expensive though. Look at it if you’re looking for a broad overview and/or a jumping off point for systems analysis and design. ELsewhere may provide you with work of a more concrete, down to brass-tacks (leveling) nature. It can also serve as a reasonable adjunct to a more technical text, to clarify concepts and provide a philosophical overview of systems analysis and design as well as clarifying some concepts in a clear, concise way. It probably won’t teach you ‘deep thought’ systems analysis and design however.
Rating: 4 / 5
I teach systems analysis courses, and this book is an excellent text for us. It is easy to read, well-researched, and describes current real-world thinking in this field. It has many good case studies, along with an on-line virtual company case study that is unique. I highly recommend this book.
Rating: 5 / 5
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The book covers a broad spectrum of systems issues and is a good introduction for the aspiring systems analyst. Systems Analysis and Design would go well in a classroom setting as it does well to outline and explain the roles, environment, and tools of a systems analyst.
The book was written to help prepare the reader for the Master CIW Enterprise Developer certification exam (Database Specialist).
Rating: 4 / 5
The Shelly Cashman Series of books are great. This book touches base on the Software Developement Cycle and has helped me greatly at my job, which I find that most employers strive you to know and utilize.
Rating: 4 / 5