Module 1 1

Introduction to Computing
CSCC 101

Lesson 1: Fields in CS/ IT/IS College of Computer Science

DMMMSU - SLUC
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Lesson 2
Information Technology,
the Internet, and You

Objectives:

On completion of this module, you will learn to …

- Explain the parts of an information system: people, procedure, software,

hardware, data, and the internet.
- Distinguish between system software and application software.
- Differentiate between the three kinds of system software
- Define and compare general-purpose, specialized, and mobile applications.
- Identify the four types of computers and the five types of personal computers.
- Describe the different types of computer hardware, including the system unit,
input and, output, storage, and communication devices.
- Define data and describe document, worksheet, database and presentation
files.
- Explain computer connectivity, the wireless revolution, the internet, cloud
computing and Internet of Things.

Lesson 2: Information Technology, the College of Computer Science

Internet, and You DMMMSU - SLUC
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Information System
We deal with information systems in our daily life. Think of all things you can do
online like registering for classes, paying bills, searching for jobs, or making travel
reservations. Those examples show that IS are integral to our daily lives. Thanks to IS
we may have a simpler life.
Before stating the importance of Information Systems, you should get a little picture
of the difference between Information Systems (IS) and Information Technology (IT).
IS is an umbrella term for the systems, people and processes. The field of information
systems bridges business and computer science. Meanwhile IT falls under the IS
umbrella but deals with the technology involved in the systems themselves. IT can be
defined as the study, design, implementation, support or management of computer-
based information systems. Many people assume that Information Technology (IT) and
Information Systems (IS) are the same, because people assume they are all computer-
based.
IS improves our quality of life. IS provides flexibility of time and location. A student
can do their homework at home; check assignments from their teachers even no face
to face meeting done that day. Indirectly, it affects our quality of life.
To understand more about Information system, the diagram below and components
are presented in detailed.

People

Connectivity Procedures

Information
System

Data Software

Hardware

Components of Information System

Lesson 2: Information Technology, the College of Computer Science

Internet, and You DMMMSU - SLUC
 Module 1 4

The six (6) Components of Information system

1. People - the end users of the computer system.
2. Procedures– the rules or guidelines for people to follow when using software,
hardware, and data are procedures.
3. Software – a program consists of the step-by-step instructions that tell the
computer how to do its work. Software is another name for a program or
programs. The purpose of software is to convert data (unprocessed facts) into
information (processed facts).
o For example, a payroll program would instruct the computer to take the
number of hours you worked in a week (data) and multiply it by your pay
rate (data) to determine how much you are paid for the week
(information).
4. Hardware - the equipment that processes the data to create information. It
includes the keyboard, mouse, monitor, system unit, and other devices.
Hardware is controlled by software.
5. Data - the raw, unprocessed facts, including text, numbers, images, and
sounds, are called data. Processed data yields information. Using the previous
example of a payroll program, the data (number of hours worked and pay rate)
is processed (multiplied) to yield information (weekly pay).
6. Connectivity - typically uses the Internet and allows users to greatly expand
the capability and usefulness of their information systems.

Two major kinds of software

❖ System Software - The user interacts primarily with application software.

- enables the application software to interact with the computer hardware.
- it is "background" software that helps the computer manage its own internal
resources.
- it is not a single software rather it is a collection of programs.

Types of System Software

1. Operating systems are programs that coordinate computer
resources, provide an interface between users and the computer,
and run applications. Microsoft's Windows 8 and Apple's Mac OS X
are two of the best-known operating systems for today's
microcomputer users.
2. Utilities perform specific tasks related to managing computer
resources. One of the most essential utility programs that every
computer system should have is an antivirus program. These
programs protect your computer system from viruses or malicious
programs that are all too often deposited onto your computer

Lesson 2: Information Technology, the College of Computer Science

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from the Internet. These programs can damage software and

hardware, as well as compromise the security and privacy of your
personal data. If your computer does not have an antivirus
program installed on it, you need to get one. To see how you can
install a free antivirus program on your computer, see Making IT
Work for You: Installing a Free Antivirus Program on page 10.
3. Device drivers are specialized programs designed to allow
particular input or output devices to communicate with the rest
of the computer system.

❖ Application Software- might be described as end user software.

Types of Application Software
1. General-purpose applications are widely used in nearly all
career areas. They are the kinds of programs you have to know
to be considered computer competent. One of these general-
purpose applications is a browser to navigate, explore, and find
information on the Internet. The three most widely used
browsers are Mozilla's Firefox, Microsoft's Internet Explorer, and
Google's Chrome.

2. Specialized applications include thousands of other programs

that are more narrowly focused on specific disciplines and
occupations. Two of the best known are graphics and web
authoring programs.

Mobile apps or mobile applications are small programs designed for mobile
devices such as smart phones, tablet computers, and other mobile devices.
There are over half a million apps. The most popular mobile apps are for text
messaging, Internet browsing, and connecting to social networks.
Four Types of Computers
Supercomputers are the most powerful type of computer. These machines are
special high-capacity computers used by very large organizations. IBM's Blue
Gene supercomputer is one of the fastest computers in the world.
Mainframe computers occupy specially wired, air-conditioned rooms. Although
not nearly as powerful as supercomputers, mainframe computers are capable
of great processing speeds and data storage. For example, insurance companies
use mainframes to process information about millions of policyholders.
Midrange computers, also referred to as servers, are computers with
processing capabilities less powerful than a mainframe computer yet more
powerful than a microcomputer. Originally used by medium-size companies or
departments of large companies to support their processing needs, today
midrange computers are most widely used to support or serve end users for

Lesson 2: Information Technology, the College of Computer Science

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such specific needs as retrieving data from a database or supplying access to

application software.
Microcomputers are the least powerful, yet the most widely used and fastest-
growing type of computer.

Four types of microcomputers

1. Desktop computers are small enough to fit on top of or alongside a desk
yet are too big to carry around.
2. Notebook computers, also known as laptop computers, are portable and
lightweight and fit into most briefcases.
3. Tablets, also known as tablet computers, are the newest type of
computer. They are smaller, lighter, and generally less powerful than
notebooks. The best-known tablet is Apple's iPad.
4. Handheld computers are the smallest and are designed to fit into the
palm of one hand. Personal digital assistants (PDAs) and smartphones are
the most widely used handheld computers.

Categories of Microcomputer Hardware

1. System unit. The system unit is a container that houses most of the electronic
components that make up a computer system.

o Two important components of the system

▪ Microprocessor - controls and manipulates data to produce
information.
▪ Memory is a holding area for data, instructions, and information.
• One type, random-access memory (RAM), holds the
program and data that is currently being processed.
o This type of memory is sometimes referred to as
temporary storage because its contents will
typically be lost if the electric power to the
computer is disrupted.

2. Input/output. Input devices translate data and programs that humans can
understand into a form that the computer can process. The most common
input devices are the keyboard and the mouse.
o Output devices translate the processed information from the computer
into a form that humans can understand. The most common output
devices are monitors and printers.
3. Secondary storage. Unlike memory, secondary storage holds data and
programs even after electric power to the computer system has been turned
off.
o Kinds of secondary media
▪ Hard disks are typically used to store programs and very large
data files. Using rigid metallic platters and read/write heads that

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move across the platters, data and information are stored using
magnetic charges on the disk's surface.
▪ Solid-state storage in contrast does not have any moving parts, is
more reliable, and requires less power. It saves data and
information electronically similar to RAM except that it is not
volatile.
• Three types of solid-state drives (SSDs):
o Flash memory cards that are widely used in
portable devices;
o USB drives that are a widely used compact storage
medium for transporting data and information
between computers and a variety of specialty
devices; and
o Optical discs use laser technology to store data and
programs.
▪ Three types of optical discs
1. compact discs ( CDs),
2. digital versatile (or video) discs (DVDs),
3. Blu-ray discs.

4. Communication: A modem is a widely used communication device that

modifies audio, video, and other types of data communications into a form
that can be processed by a computer. Modems also modify computer output
into a form that can be transmitted across standard cable and telephone lines.

Data
Data is raw, unprocessed facts, including text, numbers, images, and sounds. As
we mentioned earlier, processed data becomes information. When stored
electronically in files, data can be used directly as input for the system unit.
Four common types of files
1. Document files - created by word processors to save documents such as
memos, term papers, and letters.
2. Worksheet files - created by electronic spreadsheets to analyze things like
budgets and to predict sales.
3. Database Files – typically created by database management programs to
contain highly structured and organized data. For example, an employee
database file might contain all the workers' names, Social Security numbers,
job titles, and other related pieces of information.
4. Presentation files - created by presentation graphics programs to save
presentation materials. For example, a file might contain audience handouts,
speaker notes, and electronic slides.

Lesson 2: Information Technology, the College of Computer Science

Internet, and You DMMMSU - SLUC
Summative Test Module 1 8

Connectivity
Central to the concept of connectivity is the network. A network is a
communications system connecting two or more computers. The largest network in
the world is the Internet. It is like a giant highway that connects you to millions of
other people and organizations located throughout the world.
The web provides a multimedia interface to the numerous resources available
on the Internet.
Cloud computing uses the Internet and the web to shift many computer
activities from a user's computer to computers on the Internet.

College of Computer Science

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