IT – Information Technology

ICT – Information and Communication Technology

IT Information Technology is that of

technology which helps in the collection, storage, processing, retrieval, use and transmission of information as accurately and effectively as possible for the purpose of enriching the knowledge and developing decisions on making as well as problem solving ability of the user.

ICTStands for "Information and Communication Technologies." ICT refers to technologies that provide access to information through telecommunications.

It is similar to Information Technology (IT), but focuses primarily on communication technologies. This includes the Internet, wireless networks, cell phones, and other communication mediums.

Data – Processing - Information

Information – Processed Data

What is Information?

Information is processed data on which decisions can be taken and appropriate actions initiated. The processed data which improves our knowledge and enabling us to do our work better. Therefore ‘information’ refers as knowledge, facts etc.

Four Types of Information

•Text•Picture•Sound•Video

Basic Computer Hardware and Software.

COMPUTER HARDWARE

Hardware is the hard physical component that are visible and touched. Hardware alone cannot do anything on its own. Hardware and software are interdependent. Computer hardware is made up of components like key board, VDU, Printer, CPU etc. These are connected by wires.

COMPUTER HARDWARE

COMPUTER SOFTWARE Software is a set of instructions that

tells the computer how to do a specific task.

SoftwareThere are two types of software:

Systems software: the operating system.

Applications software: the programs we use.

Application Software: A set of program which is written to perform general purpose application are called application software eg: - MS word, Excel, Power point etc.

Systems software is the control software that operates the hardware and allows the applications to run. (It can control overall operations of the computer, it acts as a link between the user and computer system.): Eg: - Windows, Linux, Unix etc

Applications Software Used for a specific purpose or

application.› Word processing;› Numerical analysis and storage;› Recording of data;› Designing and graphics;› Image processing;› Presentations;› Desk top publishing;› Web design.

Operating Systems Operating Systems run

in the background without the users being aware of it.

It controls the inputs, outputs, interrupts, and storage of files as requested by the applications software.

Popular Operating Systems Windows XP, Windows 7 – home and

business Windows 2000 – business network use Mac Operating System – GUI, graphics UNIX – general purpose, mainframe Linux – alternative to Windows Dos – command driven

Windows

Apple Macintosh Desktop

Linux

DOS

Types of Operating Systems Command driven: DOS.

› the user has to type in the command› it has to be in the correct syntax, errors were

common› more adaptable than Windows when used by an

experienced user. Windows, Icons, Mouse and Pull down

menus.› originally developed by Apple for the Macintosh› later developed by Microsoft for Windows 3.1.› uses a mouse to click onto an icon to navigate

to programs and files.

Types of Software System Software

Application Software Open source Software and

Proprietary Software

System Software: System Software includes the Operating System

and all the utilities that enable the computer to function.

System software is a term referring to any computer software which manages and controls the hardware so that application software can perform a task.

Example: Operating Systems, Compiler, Interpreter.

Application Software:

Application Software includes programs that do real work for user.

Example:

Payroll systems, Inventory Control, Manage student database, Word Processor, Spreadsheet and Database Management System etc.,

Open Source Software: (Free Software)

Open source software (OSS) is computer software whose source code is available under a license that permits users to use, change, and improve the software, and to redistribute it in modified or unmodified form.

It is often developed in a public, collaborative manner.

Well-known OSS products are Linux, Netscape, Apache, etc.,

Free Software – Richard Stallman

“Free software” means software that respects users’ freedom on software. It means that the users have the freedom to use, copy, distribute, study, change and improve the software. Thus, “free software” is a matter of liberty, not price.

Freedoms of free software1. The freedom to use the program, for any

purpose and any where.

2. The freedom to study how the program works, and modify it as you wish.

3. The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your friends.

4. The freedom to distribute copies of your modified versions to others.

Proprietary Software: Proprietary software (also called non-free

software) is software with restrictions on using, copying and modifying as enforced by the proprietor. Restrictions on use, modification and copying is achieved by either legal or technical means and sometimes both.

Proponents of proprietary software are Microsoft.

Ex: CAD, Nortan Antivirus etc.,

System Software (contd):

Compiler: A compiler is a program that reads a program in one language – the source language and translates into an equivalent program in another language – the target language.

System Software (contd): Interpreter: An interpreter is a

computer program that translates and executes instructions written in a computer programming language line-by-line, unit by unit etc.,

Example: Lisp systems, etc.,

Application Software: Word Processors:

Word processing is a tool that helps user in creating, editing, and printing documents. Word processors will normally have the following capabilities built into them: 

Spell checking Standard layouts for normal documents Have some characters appear in bold print,

italics, or underlined Center lines, make text line up on the left side

of the paper, or the right side of the paper Save the document so it can be used again print the document.

Examples: WordPerfect and Microsoft Word

Application Software (contd…):

Spreadsheets: The spreadsheet packages are designed to use numbers and formulas to do calculations with ease. Examples of spreadsheets include:

Budgets Payrolls Grade Calculations Address Lists

The most commonly used spreadsheet programs are Microsoft Excel and Lotus 123.

Application Software(contd…):

Graphic Presentations: The presentation programs can make giving presentations and using overheads easier.  Other uses include: 

Slide Shows Repeating Computer Presentations on a

computer monitor Using Sound and animation in slide shows 

The most recognized graphic presentation programs are Microsoft PowerPoint and Harvard Graphics.

Application Software(contd…):

Database Management System (DBMS): A DBMS is a software tool that allows multiple users to

store, access, and process data into useful information. Database programs are designed for these types of

applications: Membership lists Student lists Grade reports Instructor schedules

All of these have to be maintained so you can find what you need quickly and accurately. 

Example:Microsoft Access, dBASE, Oracle.

Functional Units

Functional Units

Figure 1.1. Basic functional units of a computer.

I/O Processor

Output

Memory

Input andArithmetic

logic

Control

Memory Unit Store programs and data Two classes of storage Primary storage

FastPrograms must be stored in memory while

they are being executedLarge number of semiconductor storage

cellsAddressRAM

Secondary storage – larger and cheaper

Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU)

Most computer operations are executed in ALU of the processor.

Load the operands into memory – bring them to the processor – perform operation in ALU – store the result back to memory or retain in the processor.

Control Unit All computer operations are controlled by the

control unit. Operations of a computer: Accept information in the form of programs and data

through an input unit and store it in the memory Fetch the information stored in the memory, under

program control, into an ALU, where the information is processed

Output the processed information through an output unit Control all activities inside the machine through a control

unit

Input Devices› Input Devices:

devices that input information into the computer such as a keyboard, mouse, scanner, and digital camera.

Output Devices› Output: devices

that output information from the computer such as a printer and monitor.

Central Processing Unit› CPU (Central Processing Unit) also called the

Microprocessor or “The Brain” of the Computer.› Processor speed: The speed at which a

microprocessor executes instructions. This is usually measured in megahertz (MHz).

› Brands of Processors include: Pentium Celeron MAC AMD Cyrix

Data Storage Devices › The hard-drive is a

mechanical storage device typically located internally. Fast recording and

recovery of data Large storage capacity Magnetic Primary storage device for

data and programs Speed is measured in

R.P.M.’s

Data Storage Devices (cont’d)› CD-ROM (compact

disk read only memory) Approximately 600

to 700 megabyte of storage

An optical device read by a diode laser

Data Storage Devices (cont’d) Floppy diskette is

magnetic storage device for small amounts of data (1.44MB).

FLASH drive is a compact and portable electronic storage device. USB (plug and

play) supported

Computer Memory› Computer memory is binary (0 or 1) (on or

off).› The byte is the standard unit of

measurement.› A byte is composed of 8 bits (binary digits).› Typical units of measurement:

1 KB (kilobyte) = 1000 bytes 1 MB (megabyte) =1000 kilobytes or 1 million

bytes 1 GB (gigabyte) =1000 megabytes or 1 billion

bytes

Computer Memory› RAM (random access

memory) stores data that is processing. This type of memory is erased when the computer is turned off.

› ROM (read only memory) contains special instructions for the computer to operate.

Graphic User Interface (GUI)› GUI (Graphic User Interface) is a set

of images and icons seen on the desktop used to operate a program. The GUI makes the programs loaded

on the computer easier to access and use. Basic Windows GUI

Icons are small pictures that represent files, commands, or windows.

Windows is a GUI operating system unlike UNIX, which uses text commands.

Ports and PeripheralsPorts are an interface between the computer and

another peripheral device such as a disk drive, mouse, printer, modem, monitor, camera, FLASH drive or keyboard.Examples:

Serial ParallelUSB

Ports and PeripheralsPeripherals are devices

that plug into a computer and are not housed internally.Examples:

PrintersScannersCameras

Resolution › Resolution refers to

the number of pixels (picture elements) in the monitor image.

› Increased resolution uses more computer resources but increases the visual clarity of the display.

Resolution› Screen resolution is measured in pixel per inch

(ppi), and printer resolution is measured in dots per inch (dpi).

› Computer screen resolution is approximately 72 ppi.

Width x Height (Pixels) Video Display640 x 480 Low Resolution800 x 600 Medium Resolution1600 x 1200 High Resolution

LAN and WAN› LAN: are networks

usually in the same company or building. The Local Area Network is connected via telephone lines or radio waves.

› WAN: are systems of LANs that are connected. (Wide-area network)

Multimedia › Multimedia software

programs include sound, pictures, video, text, and hypertext to create presentations. Software includes:

PowerPoint Macromedia Director FLASH

File Management › Different programs have different file extensions.› Naming files - avoid the following characters in naming files:

Examples: @ * .

› Understand the parts of a path name.

Example: C:\SciVis\movie.aviDrive designator Directory or folder File name File extension

File Management› Saving files - know the

difference between “save” and “save as”. “Save” will save the open document over the saved document while “save as” creates a new document if you rename the document. Save often so work will not be lost.

The End