Introduction to information

Technology
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (BMS 1143)

FACLUTY OF HEALTH SCIENCES

Conducted by : Dharani Abeysinghe
(Department of IT)
Email: [email protected]
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (BMS 1143) 1
Learning outcomes
• At the end of the lesson you will be able to :

 Understand about the computer system

 Learn about different types of computers
 Understand about computer hardware and software.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (BMS 1143) 2

What is ICT?

• ICT is short for Information & Communications Technology.

• ICT covers all forms of Computer and Communications equipment as well as the
software used to create, store, transmit, receive, interpret, and manipulate
information in its various formats.
• Information comes in various formats and it is all around us:
-Voice Conversation -Text
-Pictures -Data
-Motion Pictures or Video -Multimedia Presentations
-Radio and Wireless Broadcast -Television Broadcast

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• ICT deals with all the systems involved in creating, storing, sending or
transmitting, receiving and manipulating these kinds of information.

• The systems behind ICT include both hardware devices and the software that
allow the hardware devices to carry out or to be used for their intended
functions.

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History and evolution of ICT
• The term "information technology" evolved in the 1970s.

• Since the 1950s, four generations of computers have evolved.

• Each generation reflected a change to hardware of decreased size but

increased capabilities to control computer operations.

• With the advancement, information technology has overstuffed to cover many

features of computing and technology, and this word is more familiar than ever
before.

• Information technology subject can be quite large, encompassing many fields.

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• IT professionals perform different types of responsibilities that range from
installing applications to designing complex computer networks.

• Data management, networking, database, software design, computer hardware,

management and administration of whole system are some key functions of IT.

• IT (Information Technology) is combined word of computer and communications

or "InfoTech".

• Hence recently it has become popular to broaden the term to explicitly include
the field of electronic communication so that people tend to use the
abbreviation ICT (Information and Communications Technology).

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Current development

• Every day, people use computers in new ways.

• Computers are increasingly affordable.

• They continue to be more powerful as information-processing tools as well as

easier to use.

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Why ICT is important?

• Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is all around us.

• In offices, schools, libraries, industries and homes ICT is increasingly being used.

• It has become progressively more important to acquire skills in ICT for several
reasons.

• ICT technologies such as the Internet enables people to access and share
information.

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• Distant learning and online education has become the order of the day thanks to
advancements in ICT.

• The knowledge of ICT provides opportunities for people to work both

collaboratively and independently in completing different tasks.

• Companies are able to reduce cost of operations and improve efficiency by using
the right ICT systems to conduct their businesses.

• With the appropriate ICT systems, information and data can be stored and
retrieved more efficiently and reliably.

• The application of ICT to accomplish tasks is not limited to any particular business
or industry.
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What is a computer?

• A computer is a machine or device that performs processes, calculations and

operations based on instructions provided by a software or hardware program.

CPU
Input Output

Data Information
Memory

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Computer - Generations
Generation Description
The period of first generation: 1946-1959. Vacuum tube based.
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2 The period of second generation: 1959-1965. Transistor based.

The period of third generation: 1965-1971. Integrated Circuit

3 based.

The period of fourth generation: 1971-1980. Very Large Scale

4 Integrated (VLSI) microprocessor based.

The period of fifth generation: 1980-onwards. Ultra Large Scale

5 Integration (ULSI) microprocessor based.

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 First generation of computers

Advantages: Disadvantages:
• These were very big in size, weight was
• It made use of vacuum tubes which about 30 tones.
are the only electronic component • These computers were based on vacuum
available during those days. tubes.
• These computers could calculate in • These computers were very costly.
milliseconds. • It could store only a small amount of
information due to the presence of magnetic
drums.
• Require a large cooling system.
• Very less work efficiency.
• Limited programming capabilities and punch
cards
• Large amount of energy consumption.
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Second generation of computers
Advantages: Disadvantages:
• Due to the presence of transistors instead
of vacuum tubes, the size of a computer • A cooling system was required.
was reduced as compared to first • Constant maintenance was
generation computers.
required.
• Less energy and not produce as much heat
as the first generation. • Only used for specific purposes.
• Assembly language and punch cards were
used for input.
• Low cost than first generation computers.
• Better speed, calculate data in
microseconds.
• Better portability as compared to first
generation.

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Third generation of computers
Advantages: Disadvantages:
• These computers were cheaper as
compared to second-generation computers. • IC chips are difficult to
• They were fast and reliable. maintain.
• Use of IC in the computer provides the small • The highly sophisticated
size of the computer.
technology required for the
• Improved the performance.
manufacturing of IC chips.
• Big storage capacity.
• Instead of punch cards, mouse and keyboard • Air conditioning is required.
are used for input.
• They used an operating system for better
resource management and used the concept
of time-sharing and multiple programming.
• These computers reduce the computational
time from microseconds to nanoseconds.
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Fourth generation of computers
Advantages: Disadvantages:
• Fastest in computation and size • The Microprocessor design
get reduced as compared to the and fabrication are very
previous generation of computer. complex.
• Heat generated is negligible. • Advance technology is
• Small in size as compared to required to make the ICs.
previous generation computers.
• Less maintenance is required.
• All types of high-level language
can be used in this type of
computers.
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Fifth generation of computers
Advantages: Disadvantages:
• It is more reliable and works • They need very low-level
faster. languages.
• It is available in different sizes and • They may make the human
unique features. brains dull and doomed.
• It provides computers with more
user-friendly interfaces with
multimedia features.

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Computer – Types & capabilities

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PC (Personal Computer)
• A PC can be defined as a small, relatively inexpensive computer designed for an individual
user.

• PCs are based on the microprocessor technology that enables manufacturers to put an entire
CPU on one chip.

• Businesses use personal computers for word processing, accounting, desktop publishing, and
for running spreadsheet and database management applications.

• At home, the most popular use for personal computers is playing games and surfing the
Internet.

• Although personal computers are designed as single-user systems, these systems are
normally linked together to form a network.
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 Workstation
• Workstation is a computer used for engineering applications (CAD/CAM), desktop publishing,
software development, and other such types of applications which require a moderate
amount of computing power and relatively high quality graphics capabilities.

• Workstations generally come with a large, high-resolution graphics screen, large amount of
RAM, inbuilt network support, and a graphical user interface.

• Most workstations also have mass storage device such as a disk drive, but a special type of
workstation, called diskless workstation, comes without a disk drive.

• Common operating systems for workstations are UNIX and Windows NT.

• Like PC, workstations are also single-user computers like PC but are typically linked together
to form a local-area network, although they can also be used as stand-alone systems.
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Minicomputer
• It is a midsize multi-processing system capable of supporting up to 250 users
simultaneously.

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Mainframe
• Mainframe is very large in size and is an expensive computer capable of
supporting hundreds or even thousands of users simultaneously.

• Mainframe executes many programs concurrently and supports many

simultaneous execution of programs.

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Supercomputer

• Supercomputers are one of the fastest computers currently available.

• Supercomputers are very expensive and are employed for specialized

applications that require immense amount of mathematical calculations
(number crunching).

• For example, weather forecasting, scientific simulations, (animated) graphics,

fluid dynamic calculations, nuclear energy research, electronic design, and
analysis of geological data (e.g. in petrochemical prospecting).

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Computer components
• All types of computers follow the same basic logical structure and perform the following
five basic operations for converting raw input data into information useful to their users.
Operation Description
Take Input The process of entering data and instructions into the computer system.

Store Data Saving data and instructions so that they are available for processing as and when
required.
Processing Data Performing arithmetic, and logical operations on data in order to convert them into
useful information.
Output Information The process of producing useful information or results for the user, such as a printed
report or visual display.
Control the workflow Directs the manner and sequence in which all of the above operations are
performed.

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 Type of computer Specifications
It is a single user computer system having moderately
PC (Personal Computer) powerful microprocessor.

It is also a single user computer system, similar to

Workstation personal computer however has a more powerful
microprocessor.

It is a multi-user computer system, capable of

Mini Computer supporting hundreds of users simultaneously.

It is a multi-user computer system, capable of

Main Frame supporting hundreds of users simultaneously. Software
technology is different from minicomputer.

It is an extremely fast computer, which can execute

Supercomputer hundreds of millions of instructions per second.
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Hardware & Software

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Computer Hardware
▸ Computer hardware is a collective term used to describe any of the physical
components of an analog or digital computer.
▸ Computer hardware can be categorized as having either internal or external
components.

Internal External
Hardware Hardware
-CPU -Input devices
-RAM -Output devices
-GPU
-Power supply

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Internal Hardware
▸ Processor (CPU)
The component that processes and executes inputs received from hardware and software.
▸ Motherboard
A main board that provides basic connection between all the other hardware components and
devices (internal and external).
▸ Memory (RAM)
A temporary data storage space that stores the information the CPU is actively using.
▸ Storage device
A storage device where data is stored on a permanent basis. It’s slower but less volatile than the
RAM.
▸ Power supply unit

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External Hardware
▸ Input components : ▸ Output components :
 Mouse  Monitors
 Keyboard  Printers
 Microphone  Speakers
 Camera  Headphones and
earphones.
 Touchpad
 Scanner
 USB flash drive or memory
card.

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Computer accessories

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Computer software

• Software, commonly known as programs or apps, consists of all the instructions

that tell the hardware how to perform a task.

• Computer software includes all executable and non-executable data, such as

documents, digital media, libraries, and online information.

Four Categories
-Programming
-System
-Application
-Malicious( Malware)

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System software

• The system software is a collection of programs designed to operate, control,

and extend the processing capabilities of the computer itself.

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• It’s primary work is to control, integrate and manage the individual hardware
components of a computer system.

• It serves as the interface between the hardware and the end users.

• System software is generally prepared by the computer manufacturers.

• These software products comprise of programs written in low-level languages,

which interact with the hardware at a very basic level.
• Some examples of system software are Operating System, Compilers, Interpreter,
Assemblers, etc

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Examples of system software

• Device drivers :This type of software controls particular hardware which is

essentially attached to the system.

• Firmware : It is actually a permanent software which is embedded in the system’s

read-only memory. It is essentially a set of instructions which are permanently
stored onto to the hardware device.

• Language processor : Language processor or translator program is the program

that converts the instructions written in human convenient form into machine
code.

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• Utility software : They are the software that helps to manage, maintain and
control computer resources or simply the software to get the system utilities
done.

• OS : An operating system is a software which performs all the basic tasks like file
management, memory management, process management, handling input and
output, and controlling peripheral devices such as disk drives and printers.

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Application software
Application software is commonly defined as any program or number of
programs designed for end-users.

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• They enable the user to complete tasks, such as creating documents,
spreadsheets, databases and publications, doing online research, sending
email, designing graphics, running businesses, and even playing games.

• Application software may consist of a single program, such as Microsoft's

notepad for writing and editing a simple text.

• It may also consist of a collection of programs, often called a software package,

which work together to accomplish a task, such as a spreadsheet package.

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Examples of application software

• Payroll Software
• Student Record Software
• Inventory Management Software
• Income Tax Software
• Railways Reservation Software
• Microsoft Office Suite Software
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft PowerPoint

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Hardware vs. Software
Criteria Hardware Software

Inter dependency Hardware starts functioning To deliver its set of

once software is loaded. instructions,
Software is installed on
hardware.

Failure Hardware failure is random. Software failure is systematic.

Hardware does have Software does not have an
increasing failure at the last increasing failure rate.
stage.

Durability Hardware wears out over Software does not wear out
time. over time. However, bugs are
discovered in software as time 40
Applications of computers
▸ Computers are generally being applied or used in various fields.
▸ They are used in,
 Business and marketing
 Banking
 Education
 Healthcare
 Engineering design
 Military
 Communication
 Government

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Thank you!!!

Next theory class … Computer networks…

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