LESSON 1: INFORMATION

TECHNOLOGY
 Intro to Information Technology

Information technology is the use of

computers and software to manage
information.
In some companies, this is referred to as
Management Information Services or MIS, or
simply as Information Services or IS.
 Intro to Information Technology

It refers to anything related to computing

technology, such as :
• Networking
• Hardware
• Software
• Internet
 IT Jobs

IT jobs include:
• Computer programming
• Network administration
• Computer engineering
• Web development
• Technical support
 Intro to Information Technology

• IT Department: an organization
responsible for the architecture,
hardware, software and networking of
computers in the company.
• IT Professionals: perform a number of
duties to ensure that employees have
full access to the computer systems.
 Intro to Information Technology

• Governance:  Providing the operating

parameters for individuals' and
operating units use of the IT systems,
networks, architecture, etc.
 Intro to Information Technology

• Infrastructure:  Providing the operating

network and circuitry and all
equipment needed to make the
IT system work.
 Intro to Information Technology

• Functi onality: Providing the

capacity for operating applications
development, storing and securing
the electronic information.
Computer Hardware
 Computer Hardware

Hardware is a general term that refers

to the physical artifacts of technology. It
also means the physical components of a
computer system in the form of
computer hardware.
 Categories of Comp. Hardware

• Input device is any machine that feeds

data into a computer.

• Output device is any machine capable

of representing information from a
computer.
 Computer Hardware

• Process devices are machines

involved in processing of data.
• Storage devices or memory devices
are the machines where files are
kept.
 Computer Hardware

The diagram shows the direction of information flows.

Input Devices
 Input Devices

This are the devices used to input data

and instructions into the computer or
any other computational device.
 Input Devices

1. The Keyboard the keyboard is one

of the primary input devices used in
a computer.
 Input Devices

2. The Mouse is one of the primary

input devices used with today's
computers.
 Input Devices

3. A Scanner is an input device that

scans documents like photographs
and pages of text.
 Input Devices

4. A Web cam is a combination of

web and video camera.
 Input Devices

5. A Joystick is an input device
commonly used to control video
games.
 Input Devices

6. A Microphone is a device
for converting sound waves
into electric power that has
wave characteristics
essentially similar to those
of the sound.
Output Devices
 Output Devices

Are any devices that produce

output information from a
computer.
 Output Devices

1. The Monitor displays the

computer’s user interface and open
programs.
 Output Devices

2. A Printer is an output device that

prints documents.
 Output Devices

3. Speakers receive audio input from a

device such as a computer or an
audio receiver.
 Output Devices

4. A Projector is a device that uses

light and lenses to take an image
and project a magnified image onto
a larger screen or wall.
Processing Devices
 Processing Devices

1. Processing devices are responsible

for controlling the storage and
retrieval of information.
 Processing Devices

2. The Motherboard is the main circuit

board of your computer and is also
known as the mainboard or logic
board.
 Processing Devices

3. A Video card can be used to process

the graphics portion of the processing
load.
 Processing Devices

4. The Sound card is a

component inside the
computer that provides
audio input and output
capabilities.
Storage Devices
 Storage Devices

A storage device is any type of

hardware that stores data. The most
common type of storage device,
which nearly all computers have, is a
hard drive.
 Storage Devices

1. A Memory card or flash memory

card memory card is a small storage
medium used to store data such as
text, pictures, audio, and video.
 Storage Devices

2. A Flash Drive is a small, portable

fl ash memory card that plugs into
computers.
 Storage Devices

3. An External Hard Disk is a hard

drive that is outside of the
computer case in its own enclosure.
 Storage Devices

4. A Floppy Disk is a portable,

inexpensive storage medium that
consists of a thin, circular, flexible
plastic.
 Storage Devices

5. A DVD or digital video disc is a
type of optical disk technology
similar to the CD-ROM.
 Computer Software

Computer software is defined as a

set of programs and procedures that
are intended to perform specific tasks
on a computer system.
 Basic Terms

• Application Software such as word

processors which perform productive
tasks for users.
 Basic Terms

• Firmware is software programmed

resident to electrically programmable
memory devices on main boards or
other types of integrated hardware
carriers.
 Basic Terms

• Middleware controls and co-

ordinates distributed systems.
• System Software such as operating
systems, which interface hardware
to provide the necessary services for
application software.
 Basic Terms

• Software Testing is a domain

independent of development and
programming.
 Basic Terms

• A Testware is an umbrella term or

container term for all utilities and
application software that serve in
combination for testing a software
package.
System Software
 System Software

System software refers to the files

and programs that make up your
computer's operating system.
Summary of Kinds of System Software

• Operating System
• Boot firmware
• Database Management System
• Output Interface
• Virtual Machine Monitors
• Link Editors (Linkers)
Summary of Kinds of System Software

• Loaders (Loading Programs)

• Shell
• Utility Software
• BIOS
• Device Drivers
• Hypervisor
 Application Software

Application Software is an
application or program that runs on
your computer.
 Classifications

• Word Processing Software: This

software enables users to create
and edit documents.

• Database Software: Database is a

structured collection of data.
 Classifications

• Spreadsheet Software: Excel, Lotus

1-2-3 and Apple Numbers are some
examples of spreadsheet software.

• Multimedia Software: They allow

users to create and play audio and
video files.
 Classifications

• Presentation Software: The software that is

used to display information in the form of a
slide show is known as presentation software.

• Enterprise Software: It deals with the needs

of organization processes and data flow.
 Classifications

• Information Worker Software:

Individual projects within a
department and individual needs of
creation and management of
information are handled by
information worker software.
 Classifications

• Educational Software has the

capabilities of running tests and
tracking progress.

• Simulation Software is used to

simulate physical or abstract systems.
 Classifications

• Content Access Software is used to

access content without editing.

• Application Suites consists of a

group of applications combined to
perform related functions.
 Classifications

• Software that aid Engineering and

Development of Products are
software used in the design and
development of hardware and
software products.
 Classifications

• Enterprise Infrastructure Software

provides common capabilities
needed to support Enterprise
Software systems.
 Word Processor

Used to create, edit, and print

document. Of all computer applications,
word processing is the most common.
 Spreadsheet

A spreadsheet is a document that stores

data in a grid of rows and columns. Rows are
typically labeled using numbers, while
columns are labeled with letters.
 Presentation

Presentation software allows users to

create anything from basic slide shows to
complex presentations.
 Database

A database is a data structure that stores

organized information. Most databases
contain multiple tables which include
several fields.
 Organizer

Microsoft Outlook is an e-mail client and

personal information manager (PIM) that's
available as part of Microsoft’s Office suite.
 Peopleware

Peopleware refers to the role of

people in the computing process. While
hardware and software make up a
computer system, both are designed to
be used by humans.
END OF DISCUSSION