DEFINITION OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY 

Information Technology:

The combination (merging) of computer and communication is called Information Technology. Information Technology is the technology that uses computing with high speed communication links to spread information from one place to another. The interconnection of computer enables people to send and receive information. The communication links also are used to interact with different people in the world. Computer is an important component of information technology. It makes possible to use information technology for solving problems.

The world has become a global village due to advancement in information technology. It means that people living in the world know one another as if they are living in a village. Information can be transferred from one place to another place easily and quickly. It manages a network of computers for creating WEB Pages, producing videos digitally, selling, buying, and any type of business on the Internet. For example, telephone and radio equipments and switches used for voice communication. 

A computer and communication system is made up six elements.

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I) People 2) Procedure 3) Data/Information 4) Hardware 5) Software 6) Communication

1-           PEOPLES

It means the users or people who runs and execute the entire data processing task and computer installations or the people who works in the data processing environment’. The personnel include System Analysts. Programmers, Data entry operators, and Data processing officers.

2-           PROCEDURE 

Procedures are rules, policies, and methods for operating computers. The operation of a data processing system requires procedures for use in obtaining and preparing data in order to operate the computer and for distributing the output from the computer. This procedure includes control steps such a’s actions to be taken to show errors in the data and malfunctioning of the equipment etc.

3-           DATA

Fact and figure is called data. Data is raw material of IS. Data can take many forms, including .Text data. Audio data, video data, voice data graphics and image data.

4-           HARDWARE

Physical parts of computer system. For example input devices, output devices and CPU such as keyboard, Mouse, motherboard, CD-ROM etc.

5-           SOFTWARE

The Software consists of programs whose purpose is to< communicate with computer. The Software includes operating system i.e. MS- DOS. PC-DOS. UNIX. .XENIX, and Linux etc. General purpose programs i.e. database packages like FoxPro, Dbase, Java etc.

6-           COMMUNICATION

Data Communication/Telecommunication technologies’ and network like the internet which is necessary for all types of organization and their computer-based data processing. Telecommunication network consist of computers, communications processor and other device interconnected by communication media and control by communication soft ware.

Q. Define Computer?

Ans. Computer:

Computer is an electronic device, which can accept the input data. process the data, and gives the result of the process data according to instruction.

A computer is a system, of an interrelated, interacting components that performs the basic function of input, processing, output, storage, and control. There are three basic component of computer that is Input. CPU. And Output.

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ICT DIT Diploma

Q). Explain History of Computer?

History of Computers: 

The history of Computer is very old; i.e. it goes back to some 500 years BC. The first computing machine was used by the Chinese before 15th century .The name of this machine was Abacus. ‘

However in 1812 an English mathematician from Cambridge University. Mr. Charles Babbage designed a machine called DIFFERENCE ENGINE. This, machine was capable of calculating powers of numbers. Babbage also gave the idea of an ANAEYTICAE ENGINE, which was supported to be general-purpose machine having the ability to calculate various arithmetic and/or algebraic formulas.

Store data and print results. He died soon and never converted his dreams into reality. The analytical engine was not a successful machine but it gave birth to the research in the field of computers.

In 1946, John MaUchly and J,P. Eckert developed an Electronic, Numerical Integrator and Computer (ENIAC) at the Moore school of Engineering and Technology, Pennsylvania USA. This was the first truly successful computer after Mark-I and Mark-II developed at Manchester University. There were three main drawbacks in the ENIAC as follows:

1.    It used serial lines for processing.

2.    Mo storage facility was available.

3.    It used decimal numbers instead of binary number system.

These problems were successfully overcome with the development of John V.on Neumann‘s Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer (EDVAC) developed in 1950. It was the first computer capable of doing non-scientific work. Besides, most of today‘s computers are based on the working of EDVAC. The development of these machines materialized the existence of computers and they became a commercial entity used in many government organizations. As EDVAC was the first machine that was used by the people for solving their problems, but still it was not a useful machine because it could not solve all the problems of that time. Therefore, efforts were rode to develop such a machine, which can solve all our problems. In this connection, the scientists make developments from time to time and improve the previous machine into a latest one. Due to these improvements, we have now Computers, which can solve all types of problems.

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ADVANTAGES OF COMPUTERS

The use of computer was not so common several years ago as it is today.

The following are advantage s/important of computer

1.    Speed:-Computer works at a very high speed and are much faster than humans. A computer can perform billions of calculations in a second. The time used by a computer to perform an operation is called the processing speed. Computer speed is measured in Mega Hertz (MHz)

2.    Storage:-A computer can store large amount of data permanently user can use this data at any time.

3.    Processing:-A computer can process the given instruction. It can perform different type of processing like addition, subtract, division etc.

4.    Accuracy:-Accuracy means to provide result without any error. Computer can process large amount of data and generate accurate result.

5.    Communication:-Most computers today have the capability of communicating with other computer. We can connect two or more computer by communication device such as modem, NIC card.

6.    Versatile:-A computer can perform different type of task. We can use computer in hospital, bank. Office or at home etc.

7.    Cost reduction:-We can perform a difficult task in less time and less cost. For example we have hire many people to handle an office. The same work can be performed by a single person.

There are three type of Computer

a) Digital Computers. b) Analog Computers, c) Hybrid Computers,

a. Digital Computers:

 In these Computers, information is represented by variables which having discrete values, i.e. il operates on the inputs that are ON-OFF switching. Digital computers process data. Which is in the form of digits? In these Computers all operations take place at a very high speed and produce very accurate and precise results, e.g. Digital computer. .Calculators. Digital Watches, etc.

a)      Analog Computers:-

 These machines process information, which is of, continues nature and which is not discrete or separate. An Analog computer is used for measurement. The speed of analog is fast but not so accurate. Analog computer measure Temperature, Pressure. Current Voltage and Depth etc. These quantities continue in nature and have millions of varieties. OR in other words we can say that in these Computers, information is represented in continues form. e.g..

Automobile Speed Meter, Current, Analog watch, etc.

Differentiate between Analog and Digital Computers: – Analog Computers measure while Digital Computers count. Analog Computers are fast but not so accurate, while Digital Computers are fast as well as more accurate..

b)      Hybrid Computer:-

Hybrid Computers combine the properties of both Digital Computers and Analog Computers for solving the problems e.g. Hybrid Computers have the speed of Analog Computers and accuracy of Digital Computers. These Computers are used in some specialized applications, e.g. Flight Radar System, National Defense, Hybrid Watches, digital petrol pumps etc.

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a) Mainframe Computers: 

These are the most expensive, largest and fastest Computers, used in large Organizations. Mainframes have the facilities to communicate with large amount of data and support several input and output devices. The cost of typical mainframe is in million rupees and can serve as much as 150 users. . ‘

These Computers have Memory of several hundred Mbs, and operate at a speed of measure in nanoseconds, e.g. IBM/360, IBM/3090, etc. b) Mini Computers: 

These Computers are larger than PCs, both in size and other facilities such as„speed, storage capacity, etc. These Computers have the capabilities to serve many Users at one time. They are costly as compared to PCs. Their speeds are rated between 1 and 50 MIPS. E.g.  Vax/11730. IBM/8370, etc. c) Micro Computers:

These are also called Personal Computers (PC). These are the most popular digital Computers used in all fields of life. These are small in memory and have less processing capability. These are also called Chip Computers, because its entire circuitry is fabricated on a single chip, the microcomputer of today is equivalent to the main frame of tomorrow, e.g 1BM-PC, XT. A 1. Compatibles, 286. 386.486, 586, P-l. P-H, P-1II, P-IV etc.

d) Super Computers: –

Super Computers are also called “Number Crunchers‖ because, they are specialized Computers for dealing with numbers, i.e. they are capable of performing over 10 Mega flops (i.e. millions floating point operations per second). These Computers are very much expansive. Two families of commercially available Super Computers are the GRAY-I and Cyber205 built by 111iac-iv. These are specially used in Atomic reactor, defense system of NASA. (USA)

Super computer is mostly used for weather predication, weapon design, preparing model of chemical and biological system, and studying the neural network of brain. These are specially used in Atomic reactor.

Super computer is also used in business and industries field.

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GENERATION OF COMPUTER

Although, the development of Computers is a continuous process, however, it can be categorized into the following generations based on the technology used for the Computer systems.

          1.           First Generation (1942-1955):-

All the Computers developed in this generation were based on Vacuum-Tubes technology. For example. EN1AC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer), Mark-1. Mark-11 ets.

Advantage

•                       Vacuum tube technology made possible to make electronic digital computers.

•                       These computer could calculate data in millisecond.

Disadvantage

•                       These were very large.

•                       Consumed a large amount of energy.

•                       Very slow

•                       Expensive.

•                       Use machine language only

•                       Heated very soon due to thousands of vacuum tubes.

2. Second Generation (1955-1964):-

The Computers of this generation were based on Transistor technology (Vacuum tube replace by transistor) and they opened tlie gateway fO the commercial development for sale of computers. The trahsistors-were small in size, fast in operation and less expensive than vacuum tubes, e.g. . EDVAC, IBM-1401 Advantages

Smaller in size as compared to first generation computers.

•                       Less energy used • Produce less heat

•                       Less costly.

•                       Speed of these Computers was high.

•                       Use of assembly language instead of machine language

          3.            Third            Generation(l 964-1975)

The Computers of this generation were based on integrated circuits (ICs) technology (transistor replace by ICs). In early 1960 the electronic technology of solid-state was introduced. The development of integrated circuits (ICs) is called solid-state technology or Small Scale Integration (SSI). The integrated circuits (ICs) are the collection of many electronic devices like transistors on a single chip of silicon. This technology enabled the computers to enter into electronic revolution. IBM-360 etc.

Advantages

•                       Smaller in size as compared to previous generation

•                       Less energy used

•                       Produce less heat

•                       More good speed, calculate data in nano seconds.

•                       Less expensive

•                       Could be use high ievcl language Disadvantage

•                       Air condition was required

•                       High technology required for the manufacture of IC Chips.

4. Fourth Generation Computer(1975-Present)

In this generation, microprocessors where used. Microprocessor is small chip containing thousands of ICs on it. It greatly reduced the size of computer.

In this generation Microprocessor was introduced, due to which microcomputers were made. For example, IBM-PC etc.

Advantage

•                      Very small in size

•                      Less power consumption

•                      Less heat generated

•                      Best speed

•                      General purpose

•                      Commercial production Disadvantage

•                      High advance technology required for manufacturing microprocessor

5.                     Fifth Generation(AI)(1980-1990)

The rapid progress in computer technology is still continued and active research is going on in different fields of computer technology but there is no well-defined categorization after fourth generation. The reason may be that now the developments are taking place in a variety of fields of computer hardware and software as compared to the previous developments, which mostly took place in the fields of electronics.

Hence the Computers of this generation were based on the principles of AI and also in this generation, Software development, was give more importance than Hardware, as a result of which Artificial Intelligence was introduced, e.g. Robotics, Computer Vision etc.

6.                     Sixth Generation(ANN’S)(Since 1990):-

The Computers of this generation are based on the principles of Artificial Neural Network System (ANNS). As a result, now the Computers can think and decide for solving different problems, e.g. Character recognition etc.

What is Data? Explain different types of data.

A. Data is a plural form of the Latin word Datum. The collection of fact an Figure is called Data OR any thing in raw form. Data cannot be used for decision making or action taking. e.g. Name, Address, Number, Phone Number, Roll No etc. Types of data:

 There are different types of data

i. Alphabetic data type:-It consist letter from A-Z,      capital or from a-z small letter, e.g Abid

Peshawar, Pakistan, Khan ii. Numeric datatype;- It consist of digit from 0-9 e.g 123, 567 etc

iii.   Alphanumeric data type:- It consist alphabetic letter as well as numeric digit. Street no A/10 etc

iv.   Graphic data: It consists tables, charts, graphics and statements v. Audio data: It consists only sounds. For example radio news.

vi. Video data: It consists photos, image .and moving picture. Such as TV news. vii. Mixed data: It consists more than one type of data. Such as the combination of audio and video.

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Q. What is Information?

A. To organize the Data iri meaningful form upon which people can take necessary decision is called Information, e.g. 2,1,5.4 when sorted it become 1,2,4,5 which is information. Information is the meaningful, processed data, which is relevant and accurate and there by can be used in decision-making. Examples are voucher, bills, fee registration cards or library cards.

Differentiate between Data and Information

DATA PROCESSING CYCLE

Data processing life cycle is a collection of steps required to convert data into information. Different steps of data processing life cycle are as follows.

INPUT:  in this steps, dala is collected and given to the computer for Processing.

PROCESS: In this steps, computer processes data to generate _ information.

OUTPUT: In this step, the information is given to the user as output. STORAGE: In this steps, the information is stored in the computer for’ future use. This steps is optional,

CLASSIFICATION         OF    DATA        PROCESSING    SYSTEM MANUAL/CONVENTIONAL DATA PROCESSING.

The Conventional Data Processing/Traditional Data Processing system is the manual method of transforming data into information. The human beings themselves collect data, classify and arrange the data, perform manual calculation and hence produce the required output result.’ It is very simple and inexpensive: Upto the 20”’ century almost all data processing was done manually. Clerical persons used-paper, pen, and pencil to maintain recocds in offices. Such data processing caused frequently clerical mistakes and hence due to these miss-recorded transactions, the Company record was to be misrepresented. Information was often received too late to serve the organization purposes.

ELECTRONIC DATA PROCESSING (COMPUTER BASED DATA

PROCESSING SYSTEM)

An Information System that uses Computer and’their hardware and software is called Electronic data processing, Computer-Based Data processing or Computer Based Information System. Electronic Data Processing or Computer Based Information System uses Computer hardware, and software, the internet and other telecommunication system, network, Computer based data resource management technique and many other information technologies to transform data resources into information products for consumers and business professionals. Electronic computers complete all data manipulation and file updating electronically rather than mechanically! This increased data processing productivity and reduced its cost. The speed, accuracy and reliability of computers are more than Traditional data processing.

DATA PROCESSING SYSTEM:-

The system that process data and produce information is called Data processing system or Information  processing system. The diagrammatic representation of DPS is given below.

MODEL OF DATA PROCESSING SYSTEM.

There are mainly two of data processing systems which are discuss in previous topics.

ADNANTAGES OF ELECTRONIC DATA PROCESSING

Electronic data processing reshaping the basics of business. Now a day customer service, operation, products and marketing strategic and distribution dependent on electronic data processing. Electronic data processing system perform three important roles in any type of organization.

1.      Support of business operations.

2.      Support of managerial decision making  3.  Support of strategic competitive  dvantage.

In to day business and every field of life electronic data processing is important component. Through electronic data processing it is possible to become a global enterprise. Electronic data processing is used to restructure work by transforming business process.

Electronic data processing is used to simplified complex process. Receiving, recording, processing and retrieval of record in second. It is

Possible to access the desired record in second . Electronic data processing permits the organization to create, develop, and maintain database. Using electronic data processing to send, receive email and faxes. Access to internet and remote computer is possible through, it. EDP process thousand of transaction in second and the processing speed is very high. Electronic data processing process the transaction with high accuracy. 

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ICT DIT Diploma

ICT DIT Diploma