GKC331/351/361/391/781 Unit - 3 : Science

UNIT - 3. SCIENCE

1. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
In the broadest sense, information technology refers to both the hardware and
software that are used to store, retrieve, and manipulate information. At the lowest
level you have the servers with an operating system. Installed on these servers are
things like database and web serving software. The servers are connected to each
other and to users via a network infrastructure. And the users accessing these
servers have their own hardware, operating system, and software tools.

Information technology (IT) has been defined by the Information Technology

Association of America, or the ITAA as being the study, design, development,
implementation support and/or management of any computer based information
systems. This relates particularly to software applications and computer hardware.
Information technology deals with using electronic computers and software to
convert, store, protect, process, retrieve with security or transmit any information.

IT is a wide based term and encompasses many areas. Professionals in

information technology may perform a wide variety of tasks that range from
installing computer applications to designing widely complex computer networks
and information databases. Everything from data management, networking,
engineering computer hardware, software design, database design and management
and administration of systems is included in the term of information technology.
When covering the aspects of IT as a whole, the use of computers and information
are typically associated.

1.1 TYPICAL COMPUTER HARDWARE

A typical computer consists of a case or chassis in a tower shape (desktop)
and the following parts:

(17)
GKC331/351/361/391/781 Unit - 3 : Science

Motherboard: It is the "body" or

mainframe of the computer, through
which all other components interface.

Central processing unit (CPU) - Performs

most of the calculations which enable a
computer to function, sometimes referred
to as the "brain" of the computer. Various
processors are available in the market
from different manufacturers, e.g Intel
(Pentium III, Pentium IV, Dual Core, Core
2 Duo, Xeon, etc.), AMD (Athlon, Phenom, Sempron, …), etc.

Computer fan - Used to prevent overheating of the

computer; a fan is almost always attached to the
CPU, and the computer cabinet will generally have
several fans to maintain a constant airflow.

Random Access Memory (RAM) - It is also known

as the physical memory of the computer. Fast-access
memory that is cleared when the computer is
powered-down. RAM attaches directly to the
motherboard, and is used to store programs that are currently running. This
memory is not in the direct control of the user but is accessed by the processor
according to its own needs.

Internal Buses - Connections to various internal components.

• PCI
• PCI-E
• USB
• HyperTransport
• CSI
• AGP (being phased out)

External Bus Controllers - used to connect to external peripherals, such as printers

and input devices. These ports may also be based upon expansion cards, attached to
the internal buses.

Power supply - This is an enclosed box with a cooling fan that normally comes with
the cabinet. It is a Switch Mode Power Supply (SMPS). It supplied controlled power
to the various devices in the computer.

(18)
GKC331/351/361/391/781 Unit - 3 : Science

Storage controllers - Controllers for hard disk, CD-ROM and other drives like
internal Zip conventionally for a PC are IDE/ATA; the controllers sit directly on the
motherboard (on-board) or on expansion cards, such as a Disk array
controller. IDE is usually integrated, unlike SCSI Small Computer System
Interface which can be found in some servers. The floppy drive interface is a
legacy MFM interface which is now slowly disappearing. All these interfaces are
gradually being phased out to be replaced by SATA and SAS.

Video display controller - Produces the output for the visual display unit. This will
either be built into the motherboard or attached in its own separate slot (PCI, PCI-E,
PCI-E 2.0, or AGP), in the form of a Graphics Card.

Removable media devices -

• CD (compact disc) - the most common type of removable media, inexpensive

but has a short life-span.

• CD-ROM Drive - a device used for reading data from a CD.

• CD Writer - a device used for both reading and writing data to and from a
CD.

• DVD (digital versatile disc) - a popular type of removable media that is the
same size as a CD but stores 6 times as much information. It is the most
common way of transferring digital video.

• DVD-ROM Drive - a device used for reading data from a DVD.

• DVD Writer - a device used for both reading and writing data to and from a
DVD.

• DVD-RAM Drive - a device used for rapid writing and reading of data from a
special type of DVD.

• Blu-ray - a high-density optical disc format for the storage of digital

information, including high-definition video.

• BD-ROM Drive - a device used for reading data from a Blu-ray disc.

• BD Writer - a device used for both reading and writing data to and from a
Blu-ray disc.

• HD DVD - a high-density optical disc format and successor to the standard

DVD. It was a discontinued competitor to the Blu-ray format.
(19)
GKC331/351/361/391/781 Unit - 3 : Science

• Floppy disk - an outdated storage device consisting of a thin disk of a flexible

magnetic storage medium.

• Zip drive - an outdated medium-capacity removable disk storage system, first

introduced by Iomega in 1994.

• USB flash drive - a flash memory data storage device

integrated with a USB interface, typically small
(approximately the size of a pen, thus also called
pendrive), lightweight, rewritable, and portable.

• Tape drive - a device that reads and writes data on a magnetic tape, used for
long term storage.

Internal storage: Hardware that keeps data inside the computer for later use and
remains persistent even when the computer has no power.

• Hard disk - for medium-term storage of data.

• Solid-state drive - a device similar to hard disk, but containing no moving

parts.

• Disk array controller - a device to manage several hard disks, to achieve

performance or reliability improvement.

Sound card: Enables the computer to output sound to audio devices, as well as
accept input from a microphone. Most modern computers have sound cards built-in
to the motherboard, though it is common for a user to install a separate sound card
as an upgrade.

Networking: Connects the computer to the Internet and/or other computers.

• Modem - for dial-up connections – it converts analog data to digital form and
vice versa, has a speed limitation.

• Network card - for DSL/Cable internet, and/or connecting to other

computers.

• Direct Cable Connection - Use of a null modem, connecting two computers

together using their serial ports or a Laplink Cable, connecting two computers
together with their parallel ports.

• Dial up connections broad band connections

(20)
GKC331/351/361/391/781 Unit - 3 : Science

Other peripherals

In addition, hardware devices can include external components of a computer

system. The following are either standard or very common.

Input

• Keyboard - a device, to input text and characters by

depressing buttons (referred to as keys), similar to a
typewriter. The most common English-language key
layout is the QWERTY layout.

• Pointing devices

o Mouse - a pointing device that detects two

dimensional motion relative to its supporting
surface.

o Trackball - a pointing device consisting of an exposed portruding ball

housed in a socket that detects rotation about two axes.

o Xbox 360 Controller - A controller used for Xbox 360, which with the
use of the application Switchblade(tm), can be used as an additional
pointing device with the left or right thumbstick.

• Gaming devices

o Joystick - a general control device that consists of a handheld stick that

pivots around one end, to detect angles in two or three dimensions.

o Gamepad - a general game controller held in the

hand that relies on the digits (especially thumbs) to
provide input.

o Game controller - a specific type of controller

specialized for certain gaming purposes.

• Image, Video input devices

o Image scanner - a device that provides input by

analyzing images, printed text, handwriting, or an
object.

o Webcam - a low resolution video camera used to

(21)
GKC331/351/361/391/781 Unit - 3 : Science

provide visual input that can be easily transferred over the internet.

Audio input devices

o Microphone - an acoustic sensor that provides input by converting

sound into an electrical signals

Output: Audio-Video output devices

o Printer

o Monitor

o Audio output devices

o Speakers

o Headset

1.2 COMPUTER SOFTWARE

Computer software or just software is a general term used to describe a
collection of computer programs, procedures and documentation that perform some
tasks on a computer system. The term includes application software such as
processors which perform productive tasks for users, system software such
as operating systems, which interface with hardware to provide the necessary
services for application software, and middleware which controls and co-

(22)
GKC331/351/361/391/781 Unit - 3 : Science

ordinates distributed systems. Software includes websites, programs, video

games etc. that are coded by programming in computer languages like C++, Matlab,
Lisp, Java, HTML, etc.

Software encompasses an extremely wide array of products and technologies

developed using different techniques like programming languages, scripting
languages etc. The types of software includes

• web pages developed by technologies like HTML, PHP, Perl, JSP, ASP. NET,
XML

• desktop applications like Microsoft Word, Open Office developed by

technologies like C, C++, JAVA, C#, etc.

• video games like Super Mario, Call of Duty, etc. for personal
computers or video game consoles. These games can be created
using CGI designed by applications like Maya, 3D Studio Max, etc.

Software usually runs on an operating system (which is software also) like

Microsoft Windows, Linux, Sun Solaris etc. so that they operate as expected.

1.3 TYPES OF SOFTWARE

Practical computer systems divide software systems into three major classes:
system software, programming software and application software, although the
distinction is arbitrary, and often blurred.

System software helps run the computer

hardware and computer system. It includes operating
systems, device drivers, diagnostic tools, servers, windowing
systems, utilities and more. The purpose of systems software
is to insulate the applications programmer as much as possible
from the details of the particular computer complex being
used, especially memory and other hardware features, and
such accessory devices as communications, printers, readers,
displays, keyboards, etc.

Programming software usually provides tools to assist

a programmer in writing computer programs, and software
using different programming in a more convenient way. The
tools include text editors, compilers, interpreters, linkers and
so on.

(23)
GKC331/351/361/391/781 Unit - 3 : Science

Application software allows end users to accomplish one or more specific

tasks. Typical applications include industrial automation, business
software, educational software, medical software and computer games.

1.4 LICENSE
Software produced for use by general public is normally made available
either free or on payment.

• Free software is called Freeware and is usually

available on the internet for free download.
Examples of freeware: Adobe Acrobat Reader, AVG
Free, Linux (Fedora), etc.

• Software that has to be purchased is provided with a

license by the manufacturer. The software's license
gives the user the right to use the software in the
licensed environment. Examples: Windows (XP /
Vista), MS Office, Matlab, Norton Anti Virus,
CorelDraw, etc.

1.5 COMPUTER NETWORK

A computer network is a group of interconnected computers. Networks may
be classified according to a wide variety of characteristics.

Network Classification

The following list presents major categories used for classifying networks.

Scale

Based on the scale networks can be classified as Local Area Network (LAN),
Wide Area Network (WAN), Metropolitan Area Network (MAN), etc.

Connection method

Computer networks can also be classified according to the hardware technology

that is used to connect the individual devices in the network such as Optical fibre,
Ethernet, Wireless LAN etc.

• Ethernet uses physical wiring to connect devices. Often deployed devices are
hubs, switches, bridges, and/or routers.

(24)
GKC331/351/361/391/781 Unit - 3 : Science

• Wireless LAN technology is designed to connect devices without wiring.

These devices use radio waves as transmission medium.

Functional relationship (Network Architectures)

Computer networks may be classified according to the functional

relationships which exist among the elements of the network, e.g., Active
Networking, Client-server and Peer-to-peer (workgroup) architecture.

Network topology

Computer networks may be classified according to the network

topology upon which the network is based, such as Bus network, network,
Ring, Mesh network, Star-bus network, Tree or Hierarchical topology network, etc.

1.6 INTERNET WORK

In modern practice, the interconnected networks use the Internet Protocol.
There are at least three variants of internetwork, depending on who administers and
who participates in them:

• Intranet
• Extranet
• Internet

Intranets and extranets may or may not have connections to the Internet. If
connected to the Internet, the intranet or extranet is normally protected from being
accessed from the Internet without proper authorization. The Internet is not
considered to be a part of the intranet or extranet, although it may serve as a portal
for access to portions of an extranet.

Intranet

An intranet is a set of networks,

using the Internet Protocol and IP-based
tools such as web browsers and file transfer
applications that are under the control of a
single administrative entity. That
administrative entity closes the intranet to
all but specific, authorized users. Most
commonly, an intranet is the internal
network of an organization. A large intranet will typically have at least one web
server to provide users with organizational information.

(25)
GKC331/351/361/391/781 Unit - 3 : Science

Extranet

An extranet is a network or internetwork that is limited in scope to a single

organization or entity but which also has limited connections to the networks of one
or more other trusted organizations or entities (e.g. a company's customers may be
given access to some part of its intranet creating in this way an extranet).

Internet

The Internet is a specific internetwork. It consists of a worldwide

interconnection of governmental, academic, public, and private networks based
upon the networking technologies of the Internet Protocol Suite. It is the successor of
the Advanced Research Projects Agency Network (ARPANET) developed
by DARPA of the U.S. Department of Defense. The Internet is also the
communications backbone underlying the World Wide Web (WWW). The 'Internet'
is most commonly spelled with a capital 'I' as a proper noun, for historical reasons
and to distinguish it from other generic internetworks.

1.7 APPLICATIONS OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Some Areas which Information Technology has revolutionized:

e-Business

Electronic Business, commonly referred to as "e-Business", is defined as the

utilisation of information and communication technologies (ICT) in support of all the
activities of business. Commerce constitutes the exchange of products and services
between businesses, groups and individuals and hence can be seen as one of the
essential activities of any business. Hence, electronic commerce or eCommerce
focuses on the use of ICT to enable the external activities and relationships of the
business with individuals, groups and other businesses. Electronic business methods
enable companies to link their internal and external data processing systems more
efficiently and flexibly, to work more closely with suppliers and partners, and to
better satisfy the needs and expectations of their customers.

e-business reaches out to individual customers (like you and me) by allowing
us to view images of the products on offer and select them for purchase. On
payment by any of the prescribed methods, the product is sent by courier. Some of
the popular sites for such businesses are: shopping.sify.com, redff.com,
indiatimes.com

(26)
GKC331/351/361/391/781 Unit - 3 : Science

e-Learning

Electronic learning or e-Learning is a type of education where the medium of

instruction is computer technology. No in-person interaction may take place in some
instances. e-learning is used interchangeably in a wide variety of contexts. It refers to
a planned teaching/learning experience that uses a wide spectrum of technologies,
mainly Internet or computer-based, to reach learners at a distance. Lately in many
Universities, e-learning defines a specific mode to attend a course or program of
study where the students study online.

MIT, one of the world leaders in

technological education, has a system of Open
Course Ware (OCW) through which any
person can access the video lectures and course
material used by them.

DEI has recently launched various

vocational and other graduate and post-
graduate courses under Distance Education
Program, through which it reaches out to accredited students in different locations
across India and abroad.

e-Governance:

e-Governance refers to the use of

internet technology as a platform for
exchanging information, providing services
and transacting with citizens, businesses, and
other arms of government. e-Governance may
be applied by the legislature, judiciary, or
administration, in order to improve internal
efficiency, the delivery of public services, or
processes of democratic governance. The
primary delivery models are Government-to-
Citizen or Government-to-Customer (G2C),
Government-to-Business (G2B), and Government-to-Government (G2G).

In India many features of government are computerized, e.g.

• information regarding applications to government vacancies (e.g. school

teachers, etc) is available on the internet

• Applications for passport can be made online

(27)
GKC331/351/361/391/781 Unit - 3 : Science

e-Banking:

e-Banking means any user with a personal computer

and a browser can get connected to his bank’s website to
perform any of the virtual banking functions. In internet
banking system the bank has a centralized database that is
web-enabled. All the services that the bank has permitted
on the internet are displayed in the menu. Any service can
be selected and further interaction is dictated by the nature
of service. The traditional branch model of bank is now
giving place to an alternative delivery channels with ATM
network. Once the branch offices of the bank are
interconnected through terrestrial or satellite links, there
would be no physical identity for any branch. It would a
borderless entity permitting anytime, anywhere and
anyhow banking.

(28)