Chapter 1

Introduction to Information and Communication

Technology

Learning Outcome

At the end of this chapter the students should be able to:

 define and explain IT and ICT;

 explain the concepts of ICT;
 identify parts of the computer systems and their functions;
 differentiate categories of computer peripherals; and
 explain why computers are considered powerful thinking machines.

Learning Contents

 Concepts of ICT and IT

 Generations of Computers
-Types of Computers According to Size
 The Computer System and its Parts and Categories
 Uses of Computers In Modern Times
 CONCEPTS OF IT AND ICT

Information Technology (it)

 It is the use of computers to store, retrieve, transmit, and manipulate data

or information. IT is typically used within the context of business operations
as opposed to personal or entertainment technologies. IT is considered to
be a subset of information and communications technology (ICT). An
information technology system (IT system) is generally an information
system, a communications system or, more specifically speaking, a
computer system – including all hardware, software and peripheral
equipment – operated by a limited group of user.

Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

 It is an extensional term for information technology (IT) that stresses the role
of unified communications and the integration of telecommunications
(telephone lines and wireless signals) and computers, as well as necessary
enterprise software, middleware, storage, and audiovisual systems, that
enable users to access, store, transmit, and manipulate information

 The term ICT is also used to refer to the convergence of audiovisual and
telephone networks with computer networks through a single cabling or link
system. There are large economic incentives to merge the telephone
network with the computer network system using a single unified system of
cabling, signal distribution, and management.

 ICT is an umbrella term that includes any communication device,

encompassing radio, television, cell phones, computer and network
hardware, satellite systems and so on, as well as the various services and
appliance with them such as video conferencing and distance learning.

 ICT is a broad subject and the concepts are evolving. It covers any product
that will store, retrieve, manipulate, transmit, or receive information
electronically in a digital form (e.g., personal computers, digital television,
email, or robots). Theoretical differences between interpersonal-
communication technologies and mass-communication technologies
have been identified by the philosopher Piyush Mathur. Skills Framework for
the Information Age is one of many models for describing and managing
competencies for ICT professionals for the 21st century.
GENERATIONS OF COMPUTERS

Generations of Computers

Fourth Fifth Generation

First Second Third
Generation (Present-
Generation Generation Generation
(1975- Beyond)
(1940-1956) (1956-1963) (1964-1975)
Present)

What is Computer generation?

Computer Generation refers to the change in technology that is used for a
computer during a time period. Initially, the generation term was used to distinguish
between varying hardware technologies. But nowadays, generation includes both
hardware and software, which together make up an entire computer system.

First Generation (1940-1956)

Hardware Software Key Characteristics Example of
Technologies Technologies Computer
 Machine  Bulky in size  ENIAC
language uses 0s  Highly unreliable  EDVAC
and 1s  Limited commercial  EDSAC
 Stored program use and costly  UNIVAC 1
Figure 2.13.
concept  Difficult commercial  IBM 701
Vacuum tubes
Mostly scientific production
applications  Difficult to use
 Processing speed:
milliseconds
Figure 2.14.
Electromagnetic
relay memory

 Punched cards
secondary
storage
Second (1956-1963)

 Assembly  Faster, smaller, more  Honeywell 400

Language reliable and easier to  IBM 7030
 Batch operating program than  IBM 1401
system previous generation  CDC 1604
Figure 2.15.
 High-level systems  UNIVAC LARC
Transistors
 Programming  Commercial
languages production was still
 Scientific and difficult and costly
commercial  Processing speed:
application microseconds
Figure 2.16.
Magnetic cores
memory
 Magnetic tapes
Disks for secondary
storage
Third (1964-1971)

 Timesharing  Faster, smaller, more  IBM 360/370

operating system reliable, easier and  PDP-8
 Standardization cheaper to produce  PDP-11
of high-level  Commercially, easier  CDC 6600
Figure 2.16. programming to use, and easier to
Integrated Circuits
(chips)
 Unbundling of upgrade than
software from previous generation
 ICs with SSI and hardware systems
MSI technologies  Scientific,
 Larger magnetic commercial and
cores memory interactive on-line
 Larger capacity applications
disks and  Processing speed:
magnetic tapes nanoseconds
secondary
storage
 Keyboard and
monitor
Minicomputers;
upward
compatible
family of
computers
Fourth (1971-present)

 Operating  Small, affordable,  IBM PC and its

systems for PCs reliable, and easy to clones
with GUI and use PCs  Apple II
multiple windows  More powerful and  TRS-80
on a single reliable mainframe  VAX 9000
Figure 2.17. terminal screen systems and
Microprocessors or
 CRAY-1
Large Scale IC
 Multiprocessing supercomputers  CRAY-2
 Microprocessors; OS with  Totally general
 CRAY-X/MP
semiconductor concurrent purpose machines
memory programming  Easier to produce
 Larger capacity languages commercially
hard disks as in-  UNIX operating  Easier to upgrade
built secondary system with C  Rapid software
storage programming development
 Magnetic tapes language possible
and floppy disks  Object-oriented  Processing speed:
as portable design and picoseconds
storage media programming
 Pointing devices  PC, Network-
like mouse and based, and
handled devices supercomputing
 Personal applications
computers
 Supercomputers
based on parallel
vector processing
and symmetric
multiprocessing
technologies
Spread of high-
speed computer
networks
Fifth (present- beyond)

 ULSI technology
 Development of true artificial
intelligence
 Development of Natural language
processing
 Advancement in Parallel processing
 Advancement in Superconductor
Figure 2.18. Artificial Intelligent technology
 Super Large Scale Integrated (SLSI)  More user friendly interfaces with
chips that are able to store millions of multimedia features
components on a single chip Larger  Availability of very powerful and
capacity main memory, hard disks with compact computers at cheaper
RAID support rates
 Optical disks as portable read-only
storage media
 Very large memory
 Notebooks, powerful desktop PCs and
workstations
 Powerful severs, supercomputers
 Internet
Cluster computing

Classification of Computers

A. According to Purpose
1. General-purpose digital computer. This is also called all-purpose digital
computer. It can be used for any type of application.
Ex.: Computers that are used for payroll, graphics, analysis, etc.
2. Special purpose digital computer. These computers designed to solve problems
of a restricted type i.e. designed to be especially efficient in a certain class of
applications.
Ex.: Embedded systems like ATM machines.

B. According to Data Handled

1. Analog Computers. Computers that are in which numerical
magnitudes are represented by physical quantities, such as electric
current, voltage or resistance, mechanical movements, pressure or
temperature. Analog computers accept data and then process it
to produce analog data.

Figure 2.19. Example of Analog

Computer (Donner 3000)
 2. Digital Computers. Work with values that are in a discrete form (or data that can
be counted). They are used for business applications, and also
scientific operations, and are ideal when 100% accuracy is
desired, thus resulting to data that are exact in values.

Figure 2.20. Digital Computer

3. Hybrid Computers. This computer is the outcome of the integration of analog

computer components and digital components. This integration is
obtained by digital –to-analog converter and analog –to-digital
converter. These computers are usually used in space vehicle
simulation and training astronauts.

Figure 2.21. Example of Hybrid Computer (DPD 45)

4. According to Capacity
Capacity refers to :
 amount of data that can be stored in memory;
 speed of internal operation of the other computer;
 capacity of storage devices; and
 number and types of peripheral devices.

a. Microcomputers
Small computers which are portable. Uses
microprocessor (the CPU on a chip), Read-Only
Memory (ROM) and a Random Access Memory (RAM).
It is sometimes known as a Single-Chip
Processor.Examples: Desktop and floor standing units,
Luggable,Laptops,Notebooks, Pocket PC’s and Pen
Figure 2.22. Desktop Computer
Computers.
b. Minicomputers
These are machines that are in the middle of
microcomputers and mainframes in terms of cost and
capability. Medium-capacity computer that is larger
than a microcomputer but smaller than most
mainframes. A minicomputer can handle a larger
amount of data than a microcomputer and can
perform most of the functions of a mainframe. These
acts as ‘servers’, which are connected to several
workstations or terminals.
Figure 2.23. Minicomputers

c. Mainframes.
The oldest category, air-cooled ,bigger in sizes,
about the size of a jeep and a powerful computer,
often serving many connected terminals and usually
used by large complex organizations like banks, airlines
and insurance companies that handles millions of
Figure 2.24. IBM 370 transactions.

d. Supercomputers
The biggest and fastest computers. They can
perform 50 million instructions per second and are used
in applications such as nuclear weapon development
and accurate weather forecasting. These are the
fastest calculating device ever invented.

Figure 2.25. IBM DEEP

BLUE
COMPUTER SYSTEM

 It is a collection of entities (hardware, software and humanware) that are

designed to receive, process, manage and present information in a
meaningful format.

Software

Hardware Humanware

Computer
System

Figure 3.1. A computer system operates on three significant components.

 It consists primarily of four basic units: the input unit, the storage units, the
central processing unit and the output unit. A computer performs five major
operations or functions regardless of its size and make.
These are:
 It accepts data or instructions as input;
 It stores data and instruction;
 It processes data as per the instructions;
 It controls all operations inside a computer, and ;
 Its gives results in the form of output.

Secondary
Storage

Data/ Primary Output

Input
Instructions Storage Unit
Unit
Information
Arithmetic
Logic Unit

Control Unit Indicates flow of instructions and data

Indicates the control exercised by the
control unit
Figure 3.1. Computer System basic Operation
 Input Unit. It used for transfers’ raw data and control signals into
the information processing system by the user before processing and computation. All
the input unit devices provide the instructions and data are transformed into binary
codes that is the primary memory acceptable format.
The functions of the input unit are:

o accept data and set of instructions/command;

o convert the data in a form which the computer can accept; and
o provide this converted data to the computer for further processing.

Central Processing Unit. This is called the brain of the computer system. It consists
of three parts namely, the control unit; the arithmetic logic unit; and the primary storage
unit.

a. Control Unit
- It controls, manages and coordinates the operations of the entire
computer system.
b. Arithmetic Logic Unit
- It executes the instructions and performs all the calculations and
decisions.
c. Primary Storage Unit
- It is also called as main memory
- the data which is to be output from the computer system is also
temporarily stored
- it is the storage section that holds the computer programs during
execution
- it Stores temporary results of intermediate processing

Output Unit. It give the results of the process and computations to the outside
world. The output units accept the results produced by the computer, convert them
into a human readable form and supply them to the users.

COMPONENTS OF COMPUTER SYSTEM

Computer hardware – It consists of internal and peripheral devices. All physical parts of
the computer or everything that we can touch.

e.g.:Input devices, output devices, central processing unit and

storage devices

Computer software - also known as programs or applications. It gives

“intelligence” to the computer. They are classified into two classes
namely - system software and application software

Humanware – it is the person who operates computer. The user commands the
computer system to execute on instructions.
Computer Hardware Components

Hardware. It consists of all the machinery and equipment in a computer system. In

general, computer hardware is categorized according to which of the five computer
operations it performs.
 Input devices
 Processing devices
 Storage devices
 Output devices

Input Devices. It is any electronic devices connected to a computer that produce input
signals. It is also used to enter the data and instructions into the computer.
- It translate data from form that humans understand to one that the computer
can work with.

Classification of Input Devices

a. Input Devices for Texts and Images
Keyboard Scanner Optical Mark Reader

It is an electronically
It is the primary input device Flatbed Scanner Handheld Scanner extracting intended data
that is used to enter data into from marked fields, such
It used to capture a source document and
a computer or any other converts it into an electronic form. as checkboxes and fill-
electronic device by pressing infields, on printed forms.
keys. It uses USB or a Bluetooth Barcode Reader OMR technology scans a
device for wireless It is also known as printed form and reads
communication to connect to barcode scanner or point
predefined positions and
a computer. of sale (POS) scanner, is
an input device capable records where marks are
of reading barcodes. made on the form.

Digital Camera
Graphics Table Magnetic Ink Character Reader
It isa device used for
It used by artists which allow machine recognition of
them to draw a picture onto a numeric data printed with
computer screen without magnetically charged ink. It
having to use a mouse or is used on bank checks and A device that takes
keyboard. It consists of a flat, deposit photographs and stores
touch-sensitive pad and a the image as data on
drawing device, either a pen
or stylus. a memory card.

Figure 3.3. List of Input devices for Texts and Images

b. Input Devices for Audio

Microphone
Is an input device that allows users to input audio into their computers. Here are
some uses of the microphone:
- Audio for video - Computer gaming - Online chatting
- Recording musical instruments -Recording voice for dictation, singing and
podcasts
- Voice recorder - Voice recognition - VoIP – Voice over Internet Protocol

MIDI Keyboard
It is a controller keyboard, like a typically a piano-style electronic musical
keyboard, often with other buttons, wheels and sliders, used for sending MIDI
signals or commands over a USB or MIDI 5-pin cable to other musical devices or
computers.

Figure 3.4. List of Input devices for Audio

c. Input Devices for Video

CCTV Camera Digital Video Camera

Webcam

Video input are motion images captured into

the computer by special input devices.

Figure 3.4. List of Input devices for Video

d. Pointing Device

Pointing Device is an input device that allows a user to control a pointer on a screen. A
pointer is a small symbol on the screen whose location and shape change as a user
moves a pointing device

Mouse Trackball Touchpad Joystick

Figure 3.5. List of Pointing Input devices

Output Devices. Hardware that is capable of delivering or showing information to one
or more users. An output device displays, prints and presents the results of a computers
work.
After processing the inputted data, the computer will give its output. This output
can be in two different formats:
1. Softcopy – Visual (monitor) or Sound (speakers)
2. Hardcopy – Output on a tangible (something you can touch) such as a
printer printout

Different Types of Output Devices

LCD Monitor LED Monitor LCD Projector

LCD Monitor

Dot Matrix Printer Laser Printer Ink Jet Printer Thermal Printer

Speaker Earphone
Woofer Headset

Figure 3.7. Different Types of Output Devices

Storage Devices. It is any hardware device that is used for storing, porting and extracting
data files and objects. It can hold and store information either temporarily and
permanently, and can be internal or external to a computer.
Types of Computer Storage
1. Primary storage
2. Secondary storage

1. Primary Storage. Primary storage is the main memory in a computer. It stores data
and programs that can be accessed directly by the processor.
There are two types of primary storage which are RAM and ROM

Figure 3.8. RAM and ROM

 Table 3.1. The Difference between RAM and ROM
Random-Access Memory (RAM) Read-Only Memory (ROM)
RAM is an acronym for Random- Access ROM is an acronym for Read- Only
Memory which means the data and Memory. The data or program in ROM can
program in RAM can be read and only be read but cannot be written at all
written.
RAM stores data during and after ROM is another type of memory
processing. RAM is also known as a permanently stored inside the computer.
working memory.
The data in RAM can be read (retrieved) All the contents in ROM can be accessed
or written (stored). and read but cannot be changed.
RAM is volatile which means the ROM is non-volatile. It holds the programs
programs and data in RAM are lost and data when the computer is powered
when the computer is powered off. off.
A computer uses RAM to hold temporary Programs in ROM have been
instructions and data needed to prerecorded.
complete tasks. This enables the CPU It can only be stored by the manufacturer
(Central Processing Unit) to access once and it cannot be changed.
instructions and data stored in the
memory very quickly

2. Secondary Storage - Secondary storage is another alternative storage to save

your work and documents. This can be removable, internal, or external. It is very
useful to store programs and data for future use. It is non-volatile, which means
that it does not need power to maintain the information stored in it. It will store the
information until it is erased.

Secondary
Storage

Magnetic Optical Flash

Medium Medium Memory

Figure 3.9. Types of Secondary Story

Types of Secondary Storage

a. Magnetic Medium. It is a non-volatile storage medium. It can be any type of

storage medium that utilizes magnetic patterns to represent information.
Examples of magnetic storage are magnetic disk such as a floppy disk, used for
off-line storage; hard disk, used for secondary storage and magnetic tape such as
video cassette; audio storage reel-to-reel tape.

Floppy Disk Magnetic Tape

Hard Disk Video Cassette
Figure 3.10. Types of Magnetic Medium

b. Optical Medium. It is a non-volatile storage media, holds content in digital form

that are written and read by laser. These media include various types of CDs and
DVDs.
Types of Optical Medium

CD CD ROM DVD CD-R CD-RW DVD-RW DVD-RAM

Figure 3.11. Types of Optical Medium

c. Flash Memory. It is a solid-state, non-volatile, rewritable memory that functions like

RAM and a hard disk drive. Flash memory store bits of electronic data in memory
cells just like DRAM (Dynamic RAM) but it also works like a hard disk drive that when
the power is turned off, the data remains in the memory. Flash memory cards and
flash memory sticks are examples of flash memory.

Types of Flash Memory

Solid State Hard Memory Stick Flash memory Micro Flash Memory
Disc
Figure 3. 12. Types of Flash Memory
CAPACITY. It refers to the number of bytes (characters) a storage medium can hold
1 Byte = 8 Bits 1 KB = 1024 Byte
1 Megabyte = 1024 Kilobyte 1GB = 1024 MB
1 Terabyte (TB) = 1 trillion byte 1 Petabyte (PB) = 1 quadrillion byte
1 Exabyte (EB) = 1 quintillion byte 1 Zetabyte (ZB) = 1 sextillion byte
1 Yotabyte (YB) = 1 septillion byte
Table 3.2. Different Storage Capacity

System Unit
The system unit is a boxlike case that houses the computer’s main hardware
components
Parts of a System Unit
1. Motherboard/Mainboard. The motherboard is the
main circuit board holding the integrated circuits for the
microprocessor, memory, etc. The motherboard also
supports internal connectors for the hard disk drives &
optical drives (CD, DVD), etc, and external connectors for
the mouse, keyboard, printer, speakers, etc.

Figure 3.13. Motherboard

2. Hard Disk Drive Storage (HDD). It used as the main

storage device for programs and data when the computer is not
being used. Information is stored on the hard drive magnetically
and the capacity of the device is usually measured in Megabytes,
Gigabytes, or Terabytes, etc.
Figure 3.14. Hard Disk Drive

3. Optical Drive (CD/DVD). A DVD drive allows removable

optical discs to be used to store information.

Figure 3.15. Optical Drive 4. Memory/RAM. Memory is the processor’s working area and is
here all operations actually take place while the computer is
running.
Memory is also called Random Access Memory and
consists of small memory ‘chips’ which fit into slots on the
Figure 3.16. Memory motherboard.
 5. Microprocessor/Central Processing Unit/CPU. This is the
‘computer on a chip’ and is the device which actually
executes the instructions.

Figure 3.17. Microprocessor/CPU

Components of the CPU

a. Control unit. Coordinates and controls all parts of the computer
system.
b. Arithmetic-logic unit. Performs arithmetic or
logical operations
c. Registers. Temporarily store the most frequently used instructions
Figure 3.18. Processor
and data

6. Computer Power Supply. This supplies the electricity to all the

parts in the computer.

Figure 3.19. Computer Power Supply

7. Heat Sink/Fan. This sits on top of the CPU and draws heat up
into the fins of the Heat Sink, and then the Fan pulls air up and
through the fins cooling them. That is how the CPU is stays cool,
otherwise it would over heat and shut down the computer.
Figure 3.20. Heat Sink/Fan

8. Network card. Attach to the PCI (Peripheral component

interconnect ) slot used for a Broadband connection, like cable or
DSL.
Figure 3.21. Network Card

9. Sound Card. It is a computer expansion card that facilitates

the input and output of audio signals to and from a computer
under control of computer programs.
Figure 3.22. Sound Card
 10. Graphics Card. It is an expansion card whose function is to
generate and output images to a display

Figure 3.23. Graphics Card

11. Chipset. It is a collection of chips that provide the switching

circuitry needed to move data throughout the computer.

Figure 3.24. Chipset

12. Cooling Fan. Cooling Fan is used for cooling purposes.

Figure 3.25. Cooling Fan

13. CMOS Battery. It provides CMOS with the power when the
computer is turned off all motherboards comes with a battery.
These batteries mount on the motherboard in one of three
ways: the obsolete external battery, the most
Figure 3.26. CMOS Battery common onboard battery, and built-in battery.
CMOS – Complementary Metal Oxide Semi- Conductor

14. IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics) Controller. It is

responsible for controlling the hard drive and CDROM.

Figure 3.27. IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics) Controller

15. SATA (Serial Advance Technology Attachment)

Controller. Major upgrade of IDE controller, responsible for
controlling the hard drive and CDROM.
Figure 3.28. SATA (Serial Advance Technology Attachment)
Controller
Computer Software Components

Computer Software
It refers to the set of computer programs, procedures that describe the programs,
how they are to be used. We can say that it is the collection of programs, which increase
the capabilities of the hardware. Software guides the computer at every step where to
start and stop during a particular job. The process of software development is called
programming.
Computer software is a generic term for organized collections of code
representing instructions executed by a computer. Software is often written first as source
code, and then converted to a binary format that is specific to the device on which the
code will be executed.

Categories of Software
Computer software is normally classified into two broad categories.
 System Software
 Application Software

SYSTEM SOFTWARE
 It is responsible for controlling, integrating, and managing the individual
hardware components of a computer system so that the other software
and the users of the system see it as a functional unit without having to be
concerned with the low-level details such as transferring data from memory
to disk, or rendering text onto a display.
 These are general programs designed for performing tasks such as
controlling all operations required to move data into and out of the
computer.
 It communicates with printers, card reader, disk, tapes etc. monitor the use
of various hardware like memory, CPU etc.
So without system software it is impossible to operate your computer. The following
diagram is shown in Figure 3.29 is the relation between hardware, software and you as a
user of computer system.
 USERS

APPLICATION
SOFTWARE

SYSTEM
SOFTWARE

HARDWARE

Figure 3. 29. Relation between hardware, software and user

Types of System Software

1. Operating System

 It is software that controls and monitors the running of applications

 It provides a “platform” for software developers who have to design
applications with the OS in mind.
 It is responsible for the management and coordination of activities and
the sharing of the resources of the computer
 It is an interface between computer and user.

USER APPLICATION OPERATING HARDWARE

SYSTEM

Figure 3.30. Operating System is an interface between computer

and user
Function of an Operating System

The part of the OS that manages the computer’s resources is known as the Kernel
(otherwise known as the supervisor program). It manages the computer’s resources (CPU,
memory and peripherals).

Memory Resource Backing Store Secondary-

Management Allocation and Management Storage
Sharing Management

Process Communication File I/O System

Management Management Management Management

Interrupt Networking Job Device Security

Handling Accounting Management

Figure 3.31. Function of an Operating System@ guru99.com

Most operating systems perform the following tasks:

a. Memory Management. In several programs can be opened at once, the OS
has to allocate memory to each program that is running, including itself.
b. Resource Allocation and Sharing. Some computer systems can “multi-task”,
i.e. several programs can run at once. The OS allocates processing time,
memory and resources to each.
c. Backing Store Management. The OS maintains a directory of the HDD so that
files and free space can be located quickly. The OS controls the transfer of the
data from disk to memory and back again.
d. Interrupt Handling. The OS will detect “interrupts”, e.g. when the printer is out
of paper; when the user is pressing the ESC key; or when a hardware device or
an application is malfunctioning. The OS will display the appropriate error
message and may suggest corrective action to the user.
e. Process management. It helps OS to create and delete processes. It also
provides mechanisms for synchronization and communication among
processes.
f. File management. It manages all the file-related activities such as organization
storage, retrieval, naming, sharing, and protection of files.
g. Device Management. It keeps tracks of all devices. This module also
responsible for this task is known as the I/O controller. It also performs the task
of allocation and de-allocation of the devices.
h. I/O System Management. One of the main objects of any OS is to hide the
peculiarities of that hardware devices from the user.
 i. Secondary-Storage Management. Systems have several levels of
storage which includes primary storage, secondary storage, and cache
storage. Instructions and data must be stored in primary storage or
cache so that a running program can reference it.
j. Security. This module protects the data and information of a computer
system against malware threat and authorized access.
k. Command interpretation. This module is interpreting commands given
by the acting system resources to process that commands.
l. Networking. A distributed system is a group of processors which do not
share memory, hardware devices, or a clock. The processors
communicate with one another through the network.
m. Job accounting. It keeps track of time & resource used by various job
and users.
n. Communication management. The Coordination and assignment of
compilers, interpreters, and another software resource of the various
users of the computer systems.

Types of Operating System

Batch Multitasking/Time
Operating Sharing OP
System
Multi-
Mobile Real Time
OS processing
OP OS

Distributed Network
OS OS

Mobile
OS

Figure 3.32. Types of Operating System

1. Batch Operating System

BATCH
U
U JOB
JOBS C
S
S OPERATING P
E JOB SYSTEM
E U
R
R JOBS
JOB BATCH

Figure 3.33. Batch Operating System

 Some computer processes are very lengthy and time-consuming. To speed

the same process, a job with a similar type of needs are batched together
and run as a group.
 The user of a batch operating system never directly interacts with the
computer. In this type of OS, every user prepares his or her job on an offline
device like a punch card and submit it to the computer operator.

2. Multi-Tasking/Time-sharing Operating Systems

Word

Web OPERATING C
Browser SYSTEM P
U

Printing

Figure 3.34. Multi-Tasking/Time-Sharing Operating System

 Time-sharing operating system enables people located at a different

terminal (shell) to use a single computer system at the same time.
 The processor time (CPU) which is shared among multiple users is
termed as time sharing.
3. Real time
User

Application Program

Real Time Operating System

Hardware

Figure 3.35. Real Time Operating System

 It is also known as embedded operating system and it is totally
depending upon the clock interrupts.
 A real time operating system time interval to process and respond to
inputs is very small. Examples: Military Software Systems, Space Software
Systems.

4. Distributed Operating System

Workstation Terminal File Server

Communication
Network

Database Server Computer Node Workstation

Figure 3.36. Distributed Operating System

 It is used in many processors located in different machines to provide very fast

computation to its users.
 It is a model where distributed applications are running on multiple computers
linked by communication network.
 It is also an extension of the network operating system that supports higher
levels of communication and integration of the machines on the network.
5. Network Operating System

Network Operating System runs on a server. It provides the capability to serve to manage
data, user, groups, security, application, and other networking functions.

File Server

Client
s

Client
s

Figure 3.37. Network Operating System

6. Mobile OS

Figure 3.38. Mobile Operating System

 Is are those OS which is especially that are designed to allows and power
smartphones, tablets, and wearables devices to run applications and programs.
 Some most famous mobile operating systems are Android and iOS, but others
include BlackBerry, Web, and watchOS.
 Examples of Operating System

a. The Unix Operating System. It was first created in Bell Labs way back in the
1960s. It became popular in the 1970s for high-level computing, but not
on the consumer level. Since a lot of Internet services were originally
hosted on Unix machines, the platform gained tremendous popularity in
the 1990s. It still leads the industry as the most common operating system
for Web servers.
b. The Macintosh OS (Mac OS). Develop by Apple Computer in January 24,
1984. It is pre-installed on the Macintosh 128K model computer. The Mac
OS is credited for the widely used feature of every OS to date. The GUI
(Graphical User Interface); the use of icons, buttons a pointing cursor, and
a point and click command to execute instructions rather than the usual
command line driven interface.
c. The MS-DOS (Microsoft-Disk Operating System). It commercialized by
Microsoft. It was the most dominant operating system for the PC
compatible platform during the 1980’s. It is command line driven interface
program where the user interacts with the computer through command
prompts to execute different program.
d. Microsoft Windows Operating System. It is first introduced an operating
environment named Windows in November 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS
in response to the growing interest in graphical user interface (GUI).
e. Linux Operating System. Linux is an open source operating system (OS) for
personal computers, servers and many other hardware platforms that is
based on the Unix operating system. Linux was originally created by Linus
Torvalds as a free alternative operating system to more expensive Unix
systems. Linux has grown since its creation due in part to its open source
roots. Open source software is freely licensed and users may copy and
even change the code.
There are several operating systems that use the Linux kernel. These
include: Ubuntu, Debian, Red Hat, Fedora, Chrome OS and Android (for
smartphones).

2. Utilities Programs
 This are small, powerful programs with a limited capability, they are usually
operated by the user to maintain a smooth running of the computer system.
Various examples include file management, diagnosing problems and
finding out information about the computer etc. Notable examples of utility
programs include copy, paste, delete, and file searching, disk
defragmenter, disk cleanup.
 3. Device Drivers
 Specialized programs that allow communication between a device and
the computer. Loaded into memory each time a computer is started. When
a new device is added, new device drivers must be installed.

APPLICATION SOFTWARE
It is a type of software that performs task to directly benefit or
assist the user. It is installed on top of an Operating System such as MS
Windows.

Types of application software

a. Proprietary Application Software / Customized Software. It is software designed for
a particular customer. In this case we need to hire a computer programmer or
software creator to develop software for the customer.
b. Packaged software. It is the kind of “off-the-shelf application software” program
developed for sale to the general public. It can be purchased programs, leased,
or rented from a vendor that develops programs and sells them to many
organization. The word package is a commonly used term for a computer
program (or group of programs) that has been developed by a vendor and is
available for purchase in a prepackaged form.

Examples of Application Software

1. Word Processing software - Use this kind of tool to create worksheets, type
letters, and type papers. The following examples are MS Word, WordPerfect,
MS Works, and AppleWorks.
2. Desktop Publishing software - Use this software to make signs, banners, greeting
cards, illustrative worksheets, newsletters, etc. The following examples are
Adobe PageMaker, MS Word, MS Publisher, AppleWorks, MS Works, and Quark
Express.
3. Spreadsheet software - Use this kind of tool to compute number-intensive
problems such as budgeting, forecasting, etc. A spreadsheet will plot nice
graphs very easily. The following examples are MS Excel, Quattro Pro, Lotus 1-
2-3, MS Works, and AppleWorks.
4. Database software - Use this software to store data such as address,
membership and other text information. A database can be used to easily sort
and organize records. The following examples are MS Access, Filemaker Pro,
AppleWorks, and MS Works.
 5. Presentation software - Use this software to create multimedia stacks of
cards/screens that can effectively present a lesson or a sales pitch. The user
often clicks on buttons to advance to the next screen in a sequence. The
following examples are MS PowerPoint, AppleWorks (slideshows), HyperStudio,
Flash, Director, HyperCard, Digital Chisel, SuperCard, and Corel Envoy.
6. Internet Browsers - This software allows one to surf the Web. Often they can
read email and create Web pages too. The following examples are Netscape
Navigator (or Netscape Communicator), MS Internet Explorer, AOL Browser,
Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Opera Web Browser, and Safari Web Browser.
7. Email programs - These programs send and receive email. The following
examples are Netscape Messenger (part of Netscape Communicator), MS
Outlook Express, MS Outlook, Eudora, and AOL browser.
8. Graphics Programs (pixel-based) - This software allows one to touch up
photographs and create graphics from scratch. The following examples are
Adobe Photoshop, Paint Shop Pro, AppleWorks, MS Works, MS Paint (comes
free on Windows PC's), and Painter.
9. Graphics Programs (vector-based) - This software creates graphics that are
similar to illustrations or cartoon drawings. The following examples are Adobe
Illustrator, Corel Draw, AppleWorks, MS Works, and MS Word.
10. Communications software - This software allows two computers with modems
to communicate through audio, video, and/or chat-based means. The
following examples are MS NetMeeting, AOL Instant Messenger, IRC, ICQ, and
CU-SeeMe.

Capabilities of Software
a. Object Linking and Embedding (OLE). It allows information to be shared between
applications, e.g. a spreadsheet created in Excel can be imported into Word.
b. Portability of Data. People, who have different types of computers with different
operating systems and applications, often need to transfer files and programs
among their computers. FTP (File Transfer Protocol) allows files to be transferred
over the Internet among different types of computers.
c. Upgradability. Software upgrades can provide new and useful features but they
can also cause problems, such as documents may not be compatible versions,
e.g. a Word 6 file can be read in Word 97 but a Word 97 file cannot be read in
Word 6; data formatting may be lost if a Word 97 document is saved to Word 6
format because Word 97 contains new features that Word 6 does not have;
upgraded software frequently required more memory, more disk space and a
faster processor, so hardware need to be upgraded.
 Humanware

It describes the customer experience of software and hardware. More particularly,

it has to do with the facilities of a computer system being developed based on the
interests and needs of a user.

It is also called as the living ware. It refers to the users of the computer system,
either direct or indirect users.

System Computer
Analyst Operator
Computer
Engineers Software
Engineers
Project
Manager
Technicians
Database
Administrator Peopleware
Web Developer

Programmer Server
Administrator
Individual people who
uses computer in their Information
job, entertainment etc. Technology
Specialist

Figure 3.39. Different types of humanware

Computer Engineers.
o they are engage in software design and application to address the needs
of a particular industry or sector. They are primarily responsible for the
update in the software as well as providing additional customization of
current software to ensure the system’s functionality.
Software Engineers
o they are primarily responsible for the design and development of the
software of the computers, as well as its testing and evaluation.
Information Technology Specialists
o they tasked to plan and coordinate the installation, operation,
troubleshooting and maintenance of the computer’s software and
hardware systems.
Website Designer
o they are engage in the construction of the navigation schemes of a
website.
Compute Technicians
 o They in charge with the repair and maintenance of computers and its
servers
o They also build or configure new hardware as well as installing and bringing
up to date the software
o They are also tasked with the creation and maintenance of computer
networks.

Computer Operator
o They are responsible for monitoring and controlling computer systems
especially mainframe computer systems in a company or organization.
System Analyst
o They work to solve problems related to computer technology. Many
analysts set up new computer systems, both the hardware and software;
add new software applications to increase computer productivity.

Project Manager
o They are the person who has the overall responsibility for the successful
initiation, planning, design, execution, monitoring, controlling and closure
of a project.

Programmer
o They refer to a specialist in one area of computer programming or to a
generalist who writes code for many kinds of software.
Database Administrator
o They are responsible for the performance monitoring, security, integrity,
troubleshooting, as well as backup and data recovery of a database. They
use specialized software to store and organize data.
Server Administrator
o It has the overall of a server. This is usually in the context of a business
organization, where a server administrator overseas the performance and
condition of multiple servers in the business, or it can be in the context of a
single person running a game server.
Uses and Application of Computers in Modern Times

These are some applications of computer according to Albano,G., Canlas, R.,

Fabregas, A. et.al. 2007.

 Graphics  Connectivity  Businesses  Energy  Sciences

 Transportation  Law enforcement  Paperworks  Banking and Commerce
 Agriculture  Government  Education  Home  Robotics
 Retailing  Health and  Human Connectivity
 Personal Medicine  Information Systems/Data Processing
Computing  Artificial
Intelligence

 Graphics. Computers provide picture representation of statistical reports; through

graphics, better analysis can be achieved.
 Retailing. Products (from meat to magazines) are packed with zebra-stripped bar
code that can be read by computer scanners at supermarket checkout stands to
determine prices and help manage inventory.
 Businesses. Computers help businesses to predict their future sales, profits, costs
etc. making companies more accurate in their accounts.
 Energy. Energy companies use computers to locate oil, coal, natural gas, and
uranium. Electric companies use computers to monitor vast power networks.
 Paperwork. Paper works are being reduced tremendously because of the storage
capability of computers. Transaction printing is minimized because of on-line
processing of remote terminals/main computers. Only final reports are needed for
print-out.
 Transportation. Computers are used to help run rapid transit systems; load
container ships; safeguard airport take-offs and landings; monitor air traffic and
schedule travel.
 Law enforcement. Latest innovations in computerized law enforcement include
national fingerprint files, and computer modeling of DNA, which can be used to
match traces from alleged criminal body, such as blood in a crime scene.
 Banking and Commerce. Computers speed-up record keeping and allow banks
to offer same day service and even do-it-yourself banking over the phone.
Computers have helped fuel the cashless economy, enabling the widespread use
of credit cards and instantaneous credit checks by banks and retailers.
 Agriculture. Farmers can now use small computer to help with the billing, crop
information, cost per acre, feed combinations and market price checks. Cattle
ranchers can also use computer for information about livestock breeding and
performance.
 Government. National government use computer to forecast weather, manage
parks, process immigrants, produce government security and insurance systems,
give benefit checks and collect taxes. Local governments also use computer in
counting ballots during election.
 Education. The Department of Education (DepEd) and the Commission on Higher
Education (CHED) require the integration of computer subjects in every school
level from nursery level to tertiary level, not only to acquire basic computer literacy
but also to become knowledgeable on information and communications
technology fundamentals.
 Home. Personal computers are being used at home to keep records, write letters,
prepare budgets, draw pictures, publish newsletters and connect with others.
 Health and Medicine. Computers help monitor the gravely ill at the Intensive Care
Units and provide cross-sectional view of the body. Physicians can also use
computers to assist in diagnosis.
 Robotics. Computers have paved the way for robots to take over many of the jobs
that are unpleasant or too dangerous for humans, such as opening packages
believed to contain bombs.
 Sciences. Scientific researchers have long benefited from the high-speed
capabilities of computers. It can simulate environments, emulate physical
characteristics and allow scientists to provide proofs in a cost effective manner.
Also many mice (and other animals) have been spared since computers have
taken over their research files.
 Connectivity. Allows a person to communicate with other people who have
computers, whether for business or personal reasons. In addition, computers can
give the person the option of working at their homes instead of in city offices.
 Human Connection. Children in particular consider the computer their main
educator tool. Disabled persons with the help of the computers can be productive
and more capable.
 Information Systems/Data Processing. Information System or Data Processing refers
to a category of computer use that enables organization to utilize to the fullest the
data they possess.
 Personal Computing. Small and medium-size businesses as well as individuals form
the bulk of personal computing practitioners. Personal computing means the use
of stand-alone computers equipped with all the system, utility, and application
software and I/O devices that an individual needs to perform one or more tasks.
 Artificial Intelligence. Artificial intelligence is an area of computer research which
aims to endow the computer with certain forms of human intelligence such as the
capability to understand natural language or to reasons under uncertain
condition.
Field of Artificial Intelligence is divided into four categories:

1. Knowledge-based and expert system refers to man’s knowledge based on his

judgment algorithmic sense about a specific application area.
2. Natural languages refer to software that enables computer systems to accept,
interpret and execute instructions written in the native or natural language or the
end user.
3. Simulation of human sensory capabilities in computer system, such as seeing,
hearing and touching, has been made possible, although in varying report,” the
computer will obligingly follow.
4. Robotics refers to the use of computerized robots in the manufacturing sector.
Industrial robots, which are usually equipped with an arm and a hand, can be
instructed to do repetitive tasks such as screwing on the bolts or painting cars.

WHY COMPUTERS ARE CONSIDERED POWERFUL THINKING MACHINES

 Internationally, the spread and appropriation of ICTs is a key globalization driver

and knowledge carrier.
 In these circumstances, societies need to build communications systems
and manage them well, develop infrastructure and the capacity to use it,
and implement good policy and regulation. In the right environments,
both business and non-profit enterprise are effective in rapidly expanding
 Marshall McLuhan coined the term ‘global village’ in 1962, was referring to the
removal of space and time barriers in human communication as a result of the
communication revolution taking place. Today, we are living in a global village in
every sense of the term.
 The use of ICTs assist in sharing information more effectively and delivering better
services to the public.
 Wisely deployed, ‘ICTs, can potentially impact almost every sector,
making development budgets, private sector and commitments from
development partners go further in terms of cost effectiveness, impact
and reach’ (UNDP 2005,p. 1).
 ICTs help to increase transparency and accountability and decrease corruption.
 They promote economic growth by improving the interface with business
and empowering citizens to participate in advancing good governance.
 ICTs also help to accelerate the pace of sustainable human development and to
increase the effectiveness of new and more responsive solutions in the fields of
health, education and related MDG focus areas’ (UNDP 2005, p. 1).
 There’s a belief that ICT potentially has the capacity towards the improvement of
many different aspects of life, from alleviating poverty to strengthening the
democratic polity.