Chapter 1: Introduction to Information Technology and Computing Technology What is Information?

Facts and ideas that are expressed through a mutually understandable language Has always been around even in the days of the cavemen No specific way in dealing with information

Data vs. Information information is from all of the data that has been arranged What is Information Technology (IT) ? tools and techniques used to: - collect info - store info - process info - use info - disseminate info Tools in IT physical tools - telephones - computers - cameras symbolic tools - written and spoken language - mathematical language - computer language - tables of natural elements

The Use of IT in Solving Problems 1. create 2. control 3. understand / analyze 4. visualize How IT helps us? create and keep track of document control production in factories design new products market products around the world Categories of IT input technologies = collect information communication technologies = disseminate information processing technologies = process information storage technologies = storing information output technologies = use information

Input Technology devices that help us gather info from the environment and translate that info in a form that can be understand by a computer also known as sensing technology example: mouse, keyboard, scanner Communication Technology technology that tie together and communicate information between input, analyzing and output technology. Example: LAN, cellular telephones, fax Processing Technology Computer hardware and software Also known as analyzing technology Computers take in information from sensing and communicating devices and then store and process the information Storage Technology Refers to devices that are used to store data and instruction Example: hard disk, floppy disk, optical disk Output Technology Computer hardware and software that make processed data available to human users, either through sight or sound Also known as display technology Example: printer, monitor, speaker How IT Influence Our Lives? Society Careers Knowledge Organization Computing Technology 1. parts and peripherals 2. computer capabilities 3. computer system a) components - hardware - software - user b) types of computer system - microcomputer - minicomputer - mainframe - supercomputer What are Computer?

Problem solving tools that: - accept data - process data - store data - present results

Why is a Computer so Powerful? Speed Accuracy (GIGO = garbage in, garbage out) Reliability Storage Communications What is Computing Literacy? Learning how to use computer to benefit your life or work. Required by most occupations Functions of a Computer Arithmetic : add, subtract, multiply, divide Comparisons : greater than, less than, equal - arithmetic and comparisons are processing technology Storage and retrieval (storage and output technology) What Computers Can Do? Data processing Control Design and development Data communication What Computers Cannot Do? Cannot identify a problem to be solved Cannot identify and collect data Cannot design software Cannot identify the output needed to save a problem Cannot interpret and use information to solve a problem Elements of Information System >What are Information system elements? Hardware Software Data People (users and IT personnel) Procedures Hardware Equipment associated with computer - system unit - communication device

storage input devices output devices

Software set of instructions that a computers understand (program) types of software: application software, system software Application Software program that designed to perform specific tasks for users: - packaged software - custom software - shareware (distributed free for trial period) - freeware (copyright) - public domain software System Software (e.g. vista, xp) program that control the operations of the computer and its devices (interface) operating system - instructions that coordinate activities of hardware, devices - instruction to run application software * Utility program - perform a specific task - Uninstaller, antivirus User Interface controls how data and instructions are entered and how information is presented in the screen GUI (graphical user interface) allows interaction between users and software using images such as icons or buttons Software Development Computer programmers System analyst Programming language Users 5 categories of computer users: - home users - mobile users - large business users - small office/home office users - power users Common Computer Hardware Components 1. monitor - output device

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4. 5.

- also called VDU (visual display unit) keyboard and mouse (input hardware) system unit - motherboard - floppy drive - CD drive - Port printer - output device speaker (output device) and modem (communication device)

Categories of Computer personal computer (microcomputer) handheld computer internet appliance mid range server mainframe supercomputer Personal Computer (microcomputer) Types: desktop - 2 most popular series : IBM compatible and Apple Macintosh laptop/notebook - portable, small enough to fit on your lap - generally, more expensive than a desktop computer Handheld Computer small computer that fits in your hand also called a palmtop or pocket computer how do you input data with a handheld computer? - keyboard - stylus - speech recognition - handwriting recognition What is a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) provides personal organizes functions - calendar - appointment book - address book - calculator - notepad Internet Appliance What is an internet appliances? computer whose main purpose is to connect to internet from home WEB TV is one example Mid Range Server

Use in medium sized organizations Cheaper than mainframe Process faster than microcomputer When it is uneconomical to use mainframes Organizations that use minicomputer (airlines, domestic banks) Example : IBM AS/400, NEC Astra

Mainframe Huge computer Can process large volume of data per second Faster than minicomputer More expensive than minicomputer Supercomputer Most powerful computer (very fast) Most expensive Used for running applications requiring complex mathematical calculations and applications Process several billions of instructions per seconds (bips) Sensitive to temperature, humidity and dust

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sophisticated