Kecheng LiuCambridge University PressEdition: Illustrated, 5/11/2000EAN 9780521593359, ISBN10: 0521593352Hardcover, 232 pages, 22.9 x 15.2 x 1.8 cmLanguage: EnglishSemiotics, the science of signs, has long been recognised as an important discipline for understanding information and communications. Moreover it has found wide application in other areas of computer science, as it offers an effective insight into organisations and the computer systems that support them. An organisation may be viewed as a system of information and communication in which human actors, with the assistance of information technology, are able to process, represent, store and consume information. Computer systems that fit into an organisation and that support and enhance its performance and competitiveness, can be better delivered if semiotic principles are understood and applied. In this book, first published in 2000, semiotic methods are introduced and illustrated through three major case studies, which demonstrate how information systems can be developed to meet business requirements and support business objectives. It will appeal to academics, systems developers and analysts.1. IntroductionPart I. Semiotic Framework and Methods2. Understanding semiotics3. A semiotic framework for information systems4. A semiotic approach to information systems development5. Knowledge representation and information analysis6. Semantic analysis7. Pragmatics and communication8. The social layermodelling organisations as information systemsPart II. Applications9. From semiotic analysis to systems design10. Semantic temporal databases11. Normbasea new approach to information management12. Case studydevelopment of a land resources information system13. Case studydevelopment of a test construction systemAppendix A. Semantic templates and surrogate specificationAppendix B. LEGOL applications in the CRIS caseReferencesIndex.