What is Information

Technology?
Information Technology (IT)

Information technology (IT) is the use of any computers,

storage, networking and other physical devices,
infrastructure and processes to create, process, store,
secure and exchange all forms of electronic data.
IT Software and Hardware

IT includes several layers of physical equipment

(hardware), virtualization and management or
automation tools, operating systems and applications
(software) used to perform essential functions. User
devices, peripherals and software, such as laptops,
smartphones or even recording equipment, can be
included in the IT domain. IT can also refer to the
architectures, methodologies and regulations governing
the use and storage of data.
Importance of Information Technology
We are living in the information age and are constantly
inundated from every area within our lives with
information technology. It is now a part of our everyday
lives and has greatly impacted society. We use
information technology to do school work, research for
work, recreation and almost anything else that can be
imagined. Family and friends are able to stay
connected through internet applications and smart
devices.
 What is Information and
Communication Technology?
Information and Communication Technology

Communication has improved and evolved to

facilitate our daily activities. In the 21st century,
everything related to communication utilizes
technology to ‘send out’ or disseminate
information to a wider audience. Information can
be ‘sent out’ in many ways. The inventions of
cellular phones, television and other electronic
devices are important in enhancing
communication.
EVOLUTION OF ICT
ICT is the technology required for information
processing, in particular, the use of electronic
computers, communication devices and
software applications to convert, store, protect,
process, transmit and retrieve information from
anywhere, anytime.
Traditionally also radio, television, and print media were the
widespread technologies used for communication. The digital
revolution has changed the way these traditional technologies
function. The analog television has become digital television. In
addition to the printed newspaper we also have electronic
versions. Along with traditional radio, we also have online radio.

With this example, let us try to arrive at a definition of ICT. UNESCO

has defined ICT as forms of technology that are used to transmit,
process, store, create, display, share or exchange information by
electronic means. It includes not only traditional technologies like
radio and television, but also modern ones like cellular phones,
computer and network, hardware and software, satellite systems
and so on, as well as the various services and applications
associated with them, such as videoconferencing.
Look at the following table to get an understanding of range of
technologies that fall under the category of ICT.
Information Technologies
Creation Personal Computers, Digital camera, Scanner,
Smartphone
Processing Calculator, PC, Smartphone
Storage CD, DVD, Pen drive, Microchip, Cloud, USB Flash
drives, memory cards
Display PC, TV, Projector, Smartphone
Transmission Internet, Teleconference, Video conferencing,
Mobile technology, Radio

Exchange e-mail, Cellphone

Information

Information refers to the knowledge obtained from

reading, investigation, study or research.
The tools to transmit information are the telephone, television and radio.

We need information to make decisions and to predict the future. For example, scientists can
detect the formation of a
tsunami using the latest technology and warn the public to avoid disasters in the affected
areas.

Information is knowledge and helps us to fulfill our daily tasks. For example, forecasting the
stock exchange market.
Communication

Communication is an act of transmitting messages. It is a process

whereby information is exchanged between individuals using
symbols, signs or verbal interactions. Previously, people
communicated through sign or symbols, performing drama and
poetry. With the advent of technology, these ‘older’ forms of
communication are less utilized as compared to the use of the
Internet, e-mail or video conferencing.
Communication is important in order to gain knowledge. With
knowledge, we are more confident in expressing our thoughts and
ideas.
Technology
Technology is the use of scientific knowledge,
experience and resources to create processes and
products that fulfill human needs. Technology is vital
in communication.
Aiding Communication

Telephone and fax machines are the devices used in

extending communication.
Spreading Information

To broadcast information such as

news or weather reports effectively.
Radio, television, satellites and the
World Wide Web (www) are
powerful tools that can be used.
Information Processing Cycle

Collects Produces
data Processing information
(input) (output)
 Data and information are important in processing cycle. Let’s
differentiate the two for better understanding.
Data
A collection of raw facts and figures is called data. The word
raw means that facts have not been processed to get their exact
meanings.
Information
The processed data is called information. It is an organized
and processed form of data. It is more meaningful than data. Data
is used as input for the processing and information is the output of
this processing.
Input
The computer accepts data in this step. Data consists of raw facts and
figures. It is entered using different Input Devices such as keyboard or mouse.
Processing
In this step, data is converted into information. Information is an
organized and processed form of data. The central processing unit (CPU)
processes the data into information.
Output
The results are provided to the user in this step. It is performed using
different output devices such as monitors and printers.
Storage
It stores data, information and programs used by computer system. It is
performed using different storage devices storage devices such as hard disk,
CD, DVD USB flash memory.
USES OF COMPUTER NEGATIVE IMPACTS OF COMPUTER
• AT HOME • UNEMPLOYMENT
• EDUCATION
• WASTAGE OF TIME AND MONEY
• BUSINESS
• DATA SECURITY
• INDUSTRY
• MEDICAL FIELD • COMPUTER CRIME
• WEATHER FORECAST • PRIVACY VIOLATION
• LIBRARY • HEALTH RISKS
COMPONENTS OF COMPUTER
SYSTEMS
 Computer System

Hardware Software Peopleware

Input Devices System Development

System Software People

Output Devices Operation Personnel

Application
Software
Storage Devices Clientele

Users
Processing Device
1. HARDWARE

The physical components of the computer system.

It consists of the tangible parts of the computer.

Input Devices
• The data or instruction given to the computer is called Input.
• The hardware component used to enter data and instruction into
computer is called Input Devices.
• Most commonly used input devices are keyboard, mouse, scanner,
microphone and digital camera.
• Other Input Devices: Barcode Reader, Joystick, Magnetic Ink Reader, Paper Tape
Reader, Light Pen, etc.
A keyboard is an input device that contains keys users press to
enter data and instructions into a computer.
It is a type-writer device use for inputting data. It is the most
commonly used input device.
The Keyboard Parts

1. Typing area - It holds alphabetic character such as letter, special characters

and numbers.

2. Function keys - The functions keys are located at the top of a keyboard and
grouped into four. There are 12 functions keys starting from F1 through F12.
These keys
3. Numeric keypad - Numeric keypad is the other part of
computer keyboard. Usually, it is located at the right side of
a keyboard. It is arranged like a standard calculator used to
enter numerical data.

4. Cursor and monitor controls - These are keys found between the typing keypad
and the numeric keypad. It has two groups of keys, arranged top and bottom.
a. The top keys holds Insert, Home, Page Up, Page Down, Delete, and End
keys. Insert key switches between insert and overtype modes. Home key brings you
back at the beginning of a page. Page Up and Page Down keys help you to
move one page or screen up or down. Delete key erases a text or page. The End
key takes you at the end of a page.
b. The bottom keys are independent directional keys, which let you to move
the cursor Left, Right, Up and Down. Status lights, Escape key, Print Screen/SysRq,
Scroll Lock, Pause/Break are user for frequent functions.
Input Devices

Keyboard

6
Types of Keyboard
Standard

• Desktop computer keyboards, such as the 101-key US traditional

keyboards or the 104-key Windows keyboards, include
alphabetic characters, punctuation symbols, numbers and a
variety of function keys.

6
Types of Keyboard
• Standard
• Laptop
• Gaming and Multimedia
• Thumb-sized
• Virtual
• Foldable

7
Types of Keyboard
Laptop Keyboard

• The laptop computer keyboard is

a small version of the typical
QWERTY keyboard.
• A typical laptop has the same
keyboard type as a normal
keyboard, except for the fact that
most laptop keyboards condense
the symbols into fewer buttons to
accommodate less space.

7
Types of Keyboard
Gaming and Multimedia Keyboard

• The gaming keyboards are designed for the convenience of

the gamers and these types of keyboards provide the required
controls on the keyboards like back lighting.
Types of Keyboard
Thumb-sized keyboard

• Smaller external keyboards have been introduced for devices

without a built-in keyboard, such as PDAs (personal digital
assistant), and smartphones.
• Small keyboards are also useful where there is a limited
workspace.
Types of Keyboard
Virtual Keyboard

• The virtual keyboards are not actually physical keyboards, but

they are simulated using a software.
Types of Keyboard
Foldable Keyboard

• Foldable keyboards are extremely good for travelling.

• Simply roll them up and then unroll them when you need them
again.
Keyboard Layouts

• QWERTY
• QWERTZ
• AZERTY
• DVORAK
Keyboard Layouts
QWERTY

• Common layout
Keyboard Layouts
QWERTZ

• Used in Germany, Hungary and Czech Republic

Keyboard Layouts
AZERTY

• It is used by most French speakers based in Europe

Keyboard Layouts
DVORAK

• Alternative for QWERTY

• Dvorak layout uses less finger motion, increases typing rate, and
reduces errors compared to the standard QWERTY
 Home Keys of the Fingers

FINGER LEFT HAND RIGHT HAND

LITTLE A ;

RING S L

MIDDLE D K

INDEX F J

THUMB SPACE BAR SPACE BAR

 Keyboard Shortcut Keys
Shortcut Keys Description
Alt + F File menu options in current program.
Alt + E Edit options in current program
F1 Universal Help in almost every Windows program.
Ctrl + A Select all text.
Ctrl + X Cut selected item.
Shift + Del Cut selected item.
Ctrl + C Copy selected item.
Ctrl + Ins Copy selected item
Ctrl + V Paste
Shift + Ins Paste
Ctrl + P Print the current page or document.
Home Goes to beginning of current line.
Ctrl + Home Goes to beginning of document.
End Goes to end of current line.
Ctrl + End Goes to end of document.
Shift + Home Highlights from current position to beginning of line.

Shift + End Highlights from current position to end of line.

Ctrl + Left arrow Moves one word to the left at a time.
Ctrl + Right arrow Moves one word to the right at a time.
• A mouse is a pointing device that fits under the palm of your hand
comfortably. Most widely used pointing device on desktop
computers. A mouse can be wired or wireless
 Mouse Operations

Pointing Clicking Left-click

Double- Triple-
Dropping
click click

Right-
Dragging Hovering
click
Clicking - Pointing to an item and quickly pressing and releasing the mouse
button.
Left clicking - clicking the left button while the pointer is over something on the
screen will select it.
Right clicking - clicking the right button while the pointer is over something on
the screen will bring up a menu of options. This menu lists thing that can be
done with that object. (ex. copy and paste)
Double-clicking - Double-clicking means clicking twice with your left mouse
button very fast. This is used to begin programs.
Dragging - Holding down the mouse button while over an object will grab on to
it.
Dropping - After dragging an item, releasing the mouse button will leave (drop)
the object at the new place on the screen.
Pointing Devices
Type of Mouse

• Mechanical: Has a rubber or metal

ball on its underside that can roll in
all directions.
• Optical: Uses a laser to detect
the mouse's movement.
Pointing Devices
Trackball

• A trackball is a mouse lying on its back.

• To move the pointer, you rotate the ball
with your thumb, your fingers, or the palm
of your hand
• It does not require much space to use it
Pointing Devices
Based on touching a surface

• Example:
– Touchpad
– Graphic tablet
– Touch screen
– Light pen
– Stylus
Pointing Devices
Touchpad

• A small, touch-sensitive pad used as

a pointing device on some portable
computers.
• By moving a finger or other object
along the pad, you can move the
pointer on the display screen.
Pointing Devices
Graphic Tablet

• A graphics tablet (or digitizer,

digitizing tablet, graphics pad,
drawing tablet) is a computer input
device that allows one to hand-
draw images and graphics, similar
to the way one draws images with a
pencil and paper.
Pointing Devices
Touchscreen

• A touchscreen is an electronic
visual display that can detect the
presence and location of a touch
within the display area.
• The term generally refers to
touching the display of the device
with a finger or hand.
Pointing Devices
Light Pen

• A light pen is a computer input

device in the form of a light- sensitive
wand used in conjunction with a
computer's CRT display.
• It allows the user to point to displayed
objects or draw on the screen in a
similar way to a touchscreen but with
greater positional accuracy.
Pointing Devices
Stylus

• A stylus is a small pen-shaped instrument that is used to input

commands to a computer screen, mobile device or graphics
tablet.
Pointing Devices
Joystick

• A joystick allows an individual to move an

object in a game such as navigating a
plane in a flight simulator.
Pointing Devices
Gamepad

• A gamepad, game controller, joypad, or video game controller is

a peripheral device designed to be connected to a computer or
console gaming system.
• It has multiple buttons and may have one or two mini joysticks.
 Output Devices
• The data processed into useful information is called Output.
• The hardware components used to display information to the user
are called Output Devices.
• Most commonly used output devices are monitor, printer and
speaker.
• Are instruments of interpretation and communication between
human and computer systems of all sizes. It performs the output
function. Examples are as follows:
• Printer
• Monitor
• Speaker & Headphone
• LCD Projector
• Scanner
• Plotter
• Printer - a computer peripheral designed to print computer-generated text
or graphics on a paper
Types of Printer
a)Letter-quality printer
b)Dot-matrix printer
c) Inkjet printers
d)Laser printers
• Monitor - Is an output device that produces an on-screen display, including
all internal support circuitry. It is also called a video display unit (VDU) or
cathode ray tube (CRT).
• A data projector is a device that takes the text and images displaying on a
computer screen and projects them on a larger screen
-LCD projector
-Digital light processing (DLP) projector
 Processing Device

System Unit is the main processing device of the computer

system. It is a box that contains different electronic
components of the computer used to process data. All
computer systems have a system unit. The electronic
components in the system units are connected to
motherboard. Motherboard is known as system board or main
board. Motherboard is the communication medium for the
entire computer system.

 System Unit
The inside of the system unit on a desktop personal
computer includes:
Drive bay(s)
Power
supply
Sound card

Video card

Processor

Memory
The motherboard is the main circuit board of the system unit. A
computer chip contains integrated circuits
• Central Processing Unit
 Simply termed as “processor”
 It is referred to as the “brain of the computer”
Parts of the CPU
1. Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)
Performs all arithmetic operations and logical processes required
to solve a computer problem.
2. Control Unit (CU)
Little supervisor of the computer.
It directs and coordinates the operations of the entire computer
according to the instructions laid out.
3. Memory Unit (MU)
 It is where the computer programs and data are stored during
processing.
• Storage Devices
The hardware components used to store data, instruction and
information permanently are called Storage Devices. It is called non-
volatile because its contents remain save. Some examples of storage
devices are USB Flash Drives, hard disk and optical disk.
• Memory consists of electronic components that store instructions
waiting to be executed by the processor, data needed by those
instructions, and the results of processing the data. Stores three basic
categories of items:

The operating Data being

system and Application processed and
other system programs the resulting
software information
Types of memory unit
A. Read Only Memory (ROM) -Non-Volatile Memory
 Contains all system programs that are used for starting the operations of
the computer.
Ex: tapes and direct-access storage devices like diskette, flash disk, and
memory cards.
B. Random Access Memory (RAM)-Volatile Memory
 Is the computer’s primary working memory in which program instructions
and data are stored so that they accessible directly to the CPU.
 It is often called read/write memory.
C. Virtual memory
 Is a method of extending a apparent size of a RAM by using part of the
hard disk as an extension RAM.
D. Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS)
 Is a chip which is installed on the motherboard
•Hard disk contains one or more inflexible, circular platters that use
magnetic particles to store data, instructions, and information.
Contains a disk plotter that spins continuously at a speed within a
sealed enclosure.

An external hard disk is a separate

free-standing hard disk that connects
to your computer with a cable or
wirelessly

A removable hard disk is a hard disk

that you insert and remove from a
drive
•USB flash drives plug into a USB port on a computer or mobile
device
•Optical Disc - Is a plastic disk, 4.75 inches in diameter that uses
optical storage techniques to store up to 80 minutes or 700 MB or
more than 450 diskettes
A CD-ROM can be read from but not written to
• Read from a CD-ROM drive or CD-ROM player

A CD-R is a multisession optical disc on which

users can write, but not erase

A CD-RW is an erasable multisession disc

• Must have a CD-RW drive
Digital Video Disk (DVD) - Optical Discs Has the same size of a CD can store up to
1.7 GB of data.
A DVD-ROM is a high-capacity optical disc on which users can read but not write or erase
• Requires a DVD-ROM drive

A Blu-ray Disc-ROM (BD-ROM) has a storage capacity of 100 GB

DVD-RW, DVD+RW, and DVD+RAM are high-capacity rewritable DVD formats

Other Storage Devices

Diskette or floppy disk
•Is a removable and widely used secondary storage medium that uses
magnetically sensitive flexible disk enclosed in a plastic envelop or case.
(1.44M)
External Hard Drive
Memory unit is the amount of data that can be stored in the storage unit. This
storage capacity is expressed in terms of Bytes.
The following table explains the main memory storage units
S.No. Unit & Description
Bit (Binary Digit)
1 A binary digit is logical 0 and 1 representing a passive or an active state of
a component in an electric circuit.
Nibble
2
A group of 4 bits is called nibble.
Byte
3 A group of 8 bits is called byte. A byte is the smallest unit, which can
represent a data item or a character.
Word

A computer word, like a byte, is a group of fixed number of bits processed

as a unit, which varies from computer to computer but is fixed for each
4 computer.

The length of a computer word is called word-size or word length. It may

be as small as 8 bits or may be as long as 96 bits. A computer stores the
information in the form of computer words.
The following table lists some higher storage units
S.No. Unit & Description
Kilobyte (KB)
1
1 KB = 1024 Bytes
Megabyte (MB)
2
1 MB = 1024 KB
GigaByte (GB)
3
1 GB = 1024 MB
TeraByte (TB)
4
1 TB = 1024 GB
PetaByte (PB)
5
1 PB = 1024 TB
Relationship between Hardware and Software
 Hardware and software are mutually dependent on each other. Both of
them must work together to make a computer produce a useful output.
 Software cannot be utilized without supporting hardware.
 Hardware without a set of programs to operate upon cannot be utilized and
is useless.
 To get a particular job done on the computer, relevant software should be
loaded into the hardware.
 Hardware is a one-time expense, while software development is very
expensive and is a continuing expense.
 Different software applications can be loaded on hardware to run different
jobs.
 Software acts as an interface between the user and the hardware.
• If the hardware is the ‘heart’ of a computer system, the software is its ‘soul’.
Both are complementary to each other
 2. SOFTWARE
Refers to the set of instructions that is to be executed by the
computer called the program.

It consists of the intangible parts of the computer.

Program
Serve as an interface between the hardware and peopleware
for the computer system operations.
 Types of Software
. Application Software
1

This refers to all programs specially designed to solve

problems or for any electronic data processing jobs.
Application software is capable of dealing with user
inputs and helps the user to complete the task. It is also
called end-user programs or only an app. It resides
above system software. The end user uses application
software for a specific purpose. It can be a single
program or a group of small programs that referred to as
an application suite.
Types of Application Software
 Word Processing Software is used to manipulate, format the text, to create memos,
letters, faxes, and documents. It provides list of features like thesaurus, the option
provides synonyms, antonyms and related words for chosen word or phrase.
Examples: Microsoft word, Lotus Word Pro, Word pad and Corel Wordperfect.

 Spreadsheet Software is used to perform manipulate and calculations. In this

software, data is stored in intersection row and column. The intersection of row and
column is known as a cell.
Examples: Microsoft Excel, Lotus 1-2-3- for windows

 Presentation Software is a program to show the information in the form of slides. We

can add text, graphics video and images to slides to make them more informative.
Presentation Software helps the presenter to present their ideas with ease and
visual information easy to understand.
Examples: Microsoft’s PowerPoint and Apple’s keynote
Database Software. Database is a collection of data related to
any applications.
Examples: MySQL, MS Access, Microsoft SQL Server and Oracle
Multimedia Software. Multimedia is a combination of text,
graphics, audio and Multimedia software used in the editing of
video, audio and text. Multimedia software used in the growth of
business, educations, information, remote system and
entertainment.
Simulation Software. Simulation is an imitation of real world
environment. The simulation creates a physical environment of
the real world to represent the similar behavior, function and key
nature of the selected topic.
2. Custom programs
 It is customized program created by programmers to specifically
answer the computerization needs of a business, company or
organization.
 Programming languages like C++, Visual basic, PHP and others are
used to create custom programs.
 In other words, these are user-developed programs.
Examples:
 Inventory System
 Enrollment system
 Registration System
 Grading System
 Election System
2. System Software
 It includes all program used to operate and maintain the
computer system.
 It controls all input/output functions and coordinates the flow of
operations during processing.
 It is main software that runs the computer
 It serves as the interface between the hardware and the end user
 When turn on the computer, it activates the hardware, after that, it
controls and coordinates their function.

Examples: Operating System (OS), System Compilers, Interpreter,

Assemblers, etc.
Types of System Software

1. Operating System is the system software that works as an

interface to enable the user communicate with the computer.
2. Utility Software is intended to analyze, configure, monitor, or help
maintain a computer.
3. Programming Languages is a formal language, which comprises
a set of instructions that produce various kinds of output. The term
Programming language usually refers to high-level languages,
such as BASIC, C, C++, COBOL, Java, FORTRAN, Ada, and Pascal.
Classified generally as:
Machine Language is a collection of binary digits or bits that the computer reads and
interprets, which instruct computers how to perform elementary operation. It is the only
language a computer is capable of understanding.
• Example:
Example of machine language (binary) for the text “HELLO WORLD”
01001000 01100101 01101100 01101100 01101111 00100000 01010111 01101111 01110010
01101100 01100100
Assembly Language - Represents machine-language instructions using English-like
abbreviations. Assemblers convert assembly language to a machine language.
• Speeds programming, reduces bugs.
High-level languages such as C, FORTRAN, or Pascal that enables a programmer to write
programs that are more or less independent of a particular type of computer. Typically, are
procedural or object-oriented.
• -Fortran: Used for scientific and engineering applications
• -COBOL: For business applications that manipulate large volume of data
• -C: Development language of the UNIX OS
• -C++/JAVA: Popular object-oriented languages.
• -C#: Object-oriented development language for the .Net platform.
 3. PEOPLEWARE
Are the users of the computer system.

Components of Peopleware
1. System Development People
 these are those who design and produce the computer system
Examples:
 Programmers
 Analyst
2. Operation Personnel
 are those who run the computer and related equipment
Examples:
 Data Entry Personnel
 Data Control Personnel
3. Users
 these are individuals who directly use the computer
Examples:
 Agents
 Cashier
 Clerks

4. Clientele
 are those who receive the benefits of the system
Examples:
 Students
 Customers