Living in the IT Era

Information technology

 Is the study, design, development, implementation, support

management of computer-based information systems,
particularly software applications, computer hardware and
mobile devices.
 IT deals with the use of electronic computers and computer
software to convert, store, protect, process, transmit and
security retrieve information.
 Information technology is the technology used information to
store, manipulate, distribute or create information.
 The main tool in ICT or IT is the electronic devices, that
processes data according to a set of instructions which is a
computer.

Definition of Computer

 A programmable machine.
 Any device which aids humans in performing various kinds of
computations or calculations.
Three principal characteristics of computer
1. It responds to a specific set of instructions in well-defined manner.
2. It can execute a pre-recorded list of instructions.
3. It can quickly store and retrieve large amounts of data.

History of computer: Basic Computing Period

Earliest computers originally calculations were computed by humans,
whose job titles was computers.

 These human computers were typically engaged in the

calculation of mathematical expression.
 The calculations of this period were specialized and expensive,
requiring years of training in mathematics.
 The first use of the word "computer" was recorded in 1613,
referring to a person who carried out calculations, or
computations, and the word continued to be used in that sense
until the middle of the 20th century.
Tools in Computing
1. Tally sticks

 an ancient memory aid device to record and document

numbers, quantities, or even messages.
2. Abacus

 is a mechanical device used to aid an individual in

performing calculations.
 The abacus was invented in Babylonian in 2400 B.C.
  The abacus in the form we are most familiar with was
first used in China in around 500 B.C.
 It is used to perform basic arithmetic operations.
3. Napier's Bones

 Invented by John Napier in 1614.

 Allowed the operator to multiply, divide and calculate
square and cube roots by moving the rods around and
placing them in specially constructed boards
4. Slide Rule

 Invented by William Oughtred in 1622.

 Is based on Napier's ideas about logarithms.
 Used primarily for multiplication – division - roots
logarithms – trigonometry
 Not normally used for addition or subtraction.

5. Pascaline
  Invented by Blaise Pascal in 1642.
 It is too expensive.
6. Jacquard Loom

 The jacquard loom is a mechanical loom, invented by

Joseph-Marie Jacquard in 1881.
 It is an automatic loom controlled by punched cards.
7. Z1


The first programmable computer.

Created by Konrad Zuse in Germany from 1936 to
1938. To program the Z1 required that the used insert
punch tape into a punch tape reader and all output was
also generated through punch tape.
8. ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer)
 It was the first electronic general-purpose computer.
Completed in 1946.
Developed by John Presper Eckert and John
Mauchly.
9. UNIVAC 1 (Universal Automatic Computer 1)

 was the first commercial computer.

10. EDVAC (Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer)

 The first stored program computer

 Designed by John Von Neumann in 1952.
 It has memory to hold both stored program as well as
data.
11. The first portable computer
  The first computer company was the Electronic Controls
Company.
 Founded in 1949 by John Presper Eckert and John
Mauchly.
GENERATIONS OF COMPUTER

Hardware

 Any physical device or equipment used in or with a computer

system
 External hardware- any hardware device that is located
outside the computer.
1. Input device-a piece of hardware device, which is used
to enter information to a computer for processing.
2. Output device- a piece of hardware device that receive
information from a computer.
  Internal hardware- any piece of hardware device that is
located inside the computer.

Software

 A set of instructions or programs that tells a computer what to

do or how to perform specific task
 Main types of software
1. Application software- a computer program that provides
users with tools to accomplish a specific task.
2. System software- it is designed to run computer's hardware
and application software and make the computer system
available for use. It serves as the interface between
hardware, application software and the user.
 Main functions of system software-allocating system
resources, managing storage space, storing and
retrieval of files, providing security, etc.
 Main types of system software - operating system,
device driver, utility software, programming
software, etc.
Operating system (OS)- a software that controls and coordinates the
computer hardware devices and runs other software and application on
a computer. It is the main part of system software and computer will
not function without it.

 Main functions of an operating system-booting the computer,

managing system resources, managing files, handling input and
output, executing and providing services for application
software.
Device driver- software program that is designed to control a particular
hardware device that is attached to a computer.

 The main purpose of device driver- it acts as translator between

the hardware device and operating systems or applications that
use it.
 • It instructs computer on how to communicate with the device
by translating the operating system's instructions into a
language that a device can understand in order to perform the
necessary task.

Utility software- a type of software that helps set up, analyze,

configure strengthen, maintain a computer and performs a very specific
task.

System Software Application Software

General-purpose software that manages Software that performs specific tasks to
basic system resources & processes meet user needs
Written low-level assembly or machine Written in higher-level languages, such
code as Python & JavaScript
Must meet specific hardware language Does not take hardware inti account &
needs; interacts closely with hardware doesn’t interact directly with hardware
Installed at the same time as the OS, User or admin installs software when
usually by the manufacturer needed
Runs when the computer is on User triggers & stops the program

Works in the background & users don’t Runs in the foreground & users work
usually access it directly with the software to perform
specific tasks.
Runs independently Needs system software to run.

TYPES OF COMPUTER
1.Supercomputer

 The biggest and fastest computers.

 Designed such that they can process a huge amount of data, like
processing trillions of instructions or data in just a second.
 First developed by Roger Cray in 1976.

2.Mainframe Computer

 Designed in such a way that they can support hundreds or

thousands of users at the same time.
 It also supports multiple programs simultaneously.
 It has high storage capacity and great performance.
3.Minicomputer

 A medium size multiprocessing computer.

 There are two or more processors, and it supports 4 to 200 users
at one time.
 Used in places like institutes or departments for different work
like billing, accounting, inventory management etc.

4.Workstation Computer

 Designed for technical or scientific applications.

 It consists of a fast microprocessor, with large amount of RAM
and a high-speed graphic adapter.
 It is generally used to perform a specific task with great
accuracy.
5.Personal Computer (PC)
  Also known as a microcomputer.
 • It is basically a general-purpose computer designed for
individual use.
6.Tablets & Smartphones

 The types of computers that are pocket friendly and easy to

carry is these are handy.
 These devices have better hardware, capabilities, extensive
operating systems, and better multimedia functionality.