CSC101 – Introduction to ICT
Lecture 01
Introduction
Course Instructor:
Sajida Kalsoom
Contact
sajida.kalsoom@comsats.edu.pk
Room# 102, Floor I, Academic Block 2
2
Information and Communications
Technology (ICT)
3
ICT?
Information and Communication Technology
Information
Technology
Computer Communication
Technology Technology
ICT?
store, study, transmit, receive and manipulate data
Information
Technology
Computer Communication
Technology Technology
How different devices store, study, How different devices communicate?
and manipulate data? (transmit, receive data)
What is Information and Communications
Technology ?
ICT is an extended form of Information Technology (IT)
The term means all devices, networking components,
applications and systems that combined allow people
and organizations to interact in the digital world
IT is subset of ICT
IT is an application of computers to store, study, transmit and
manipulate data or information
A World of Computers
Computers are everywhere
McGraw-Hill Technology Education Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Chapter 1A
Introducing Computer Systems
McGraw-Hill Technology Education Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
A Computer?
• A computer is a programmable, multiuse machine (hardware+software) that
accepts data—raw facts and figures—and processes, or manipulates, it into
information we can use, such as summaries, totals, or reports.
computer
data Information
u Data: Unproductive, useless information
u Information: Productive, Fruitful and Useful data
u Example: Information Retrieval System
The Computer Defined
• Electronic device
• Converts data into information
• Modern computers are digital
– Two digits combine to make data
• Older computers were analog
– A range of values made data
1A-11
Computers For Individual Use
• Desktop computers
– The most common type of computer
– Sits on the desk or floor
– Performs a variety of tasks
• Workstations
– Specialized computers
– Optimized for science or graphics
– More powerful than a desktop
1A-12
Computers For Individual Use
• Notebook computers
– Small portable computers
– Weighs between 3 and 8 pounds
– About 8 ½ by 11 inches
– Typically as powerful as a desktop
– Can include a docking station
1A-13
Computers For Individual Use
• Tablet computers
– Newest development in
portable computers
– Input is through
a pen
– Run specialized versions of
office products
1A-14
Computers For Individual Use
• Handheld computers
– Very small computers
– Personal Digital Assistants (PDA)
– Note taking or contact management
– Data can synchronize with a desktop
• Smart phones
– Hybrid of cell phone and PDA
– Web surfing, e-mail access
1A-15
Computers For Organizations
• Network servers
– Centralized computer
– All other computers connect
– Provides access to network resources
– Multiple servers are called server farms
– Often simply a powerful desktop
1A-16
Computers For Organizations
• Mainframes
– Used in large organizations
– Handle thousands
of users
– Users access through a
terminal
1A-17
Computers For Organizations
• Minicomputers
– Called midrange computers
– Power between mainframe and desktop
– Handle hundreds of users
– Used in smaller organizations
– Users access through a terminal
1A-18
Computers For Organizations
• Supercomputers
– The most powerful computers
made
– Handle large and complex
calculations
– Process trillions of operations
per second
– Found in research
organizations
1A-19
Computers In Society
• More impact than any other invention
– Changed work and leisure activities
– Used by all demographic groups
• Computers are important because:
– Provide information to users
– Information is critical to our society
– Managing information is difficult
1A-20
Computers In Society
• Computers at home
– Many homes have multiple computers
– Most homes have Internet as well
– Computers are used for
• Business
• Entertainment
• Communication
• Education
1A-21
Computers In Society
• Computers in education
– Computer literacy required at all levels
• Computers in small business
– Makes businesses more profitable
– Allows owners to manage
• Computers in industry
– Computers are used to design products
– Assembly lines are automated
1A-22
Computers In Society
• Computers in government
– Necessary to track data for population
• Police officers
• Tax calculation and collection
– Governments were the first computer users
1A-23
Computers In Society
• Computers in health care
– Revolutionized health care
– New treatments possible
– Scheduling of patients has improved
– Delivery of medicine is safer
1A-24
Chapter 1B
Looking Inside the Computer
System
McGraw-Hill Technology Education Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Parts of the Computer System
• Computer systems have four parts
– Hardware
– Software
– Data
– User
1B-26
Parts of the Computer System
• Hardware
– Mechanical devices in the computer
– Anything that can be touched
• Software
– Tell the computer what to do
– Also called a program
– Thousands of programs exist
1B-27
Parts of the Computer System
• Data
– Pieces of information
– Computers organize and present data
• Users
– People operating the computer
– Most important part
– Tell the computer what to do
1B-28
Information Processing Cycle
• Steps followed to process data
– Input
– Processing
– Output
– Storage
1B-29
Essential Computer Hardware
• Computers use the same basic hardware
• Hardware categorized into four types
1B-30
Essential Computer Hardware
• Processing devices
– Brains of the computer
– Carries out instructions from the program
– Manipulate the data
– Most computers have several processors
– Central Processing Unit (CPU)
– Secondary processors
– Processors made of silicon and copper
1B-31
Essential Computer Hardware
• Memory devices
– Stores data or programs
– Random Access Memory (RAM)
• Volatile
• Stores current data and programs
• More RAM results in a faster system
– Read Only Memory (ROM)
• Permanent storage of programs
• Holds the computer boot directions
1B-32
Essential Computer Hardware
• Input and output devices
– Allows the user to interact
– Input devices accept data
• Keyboard, mouse
– Output devices deliver data
• Monitor, printer, speaker
– Some devices are input and output
• Touch screens
1B-33
Essential Computer Hardware
• Storage devices
– Hold data and programs permanently
– Different from RAM
– Magnetic storage
• Floppy and hard drive
• Uses a magnet to access data
– Optical storage
• CD and DVD drives
• Uses a laser to access data
1B-34
Software Runs the Machine
• Tells the computer what to do
• Reason people purchase computers
• Two types
– System software
– Application software
1B-35
Software Runs the Machine
• System software
– Most important software
– Operating system
• Windows XP
– Network operating system (OS)
• Windows Server 2003
– Utility
• Symantec AntiVirus
1B-36
Software Runs the Machine
• Application software
– Accomplishes a specific task
– Most common type of software
• MS Word
– Covers most common uses of computers
1B-37
Computer Data
• Fact with no meaning on its own
• Stored using the binary number system
• Data can be organized into files
1B-38
Computer Users
• Role depends on ability
– Setup the system
– Install software
– Manage files
– Maintain the system
• “Userless” computers
– Run with no user input
– Automated systems
1B-39
