UNIT 01: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DEFINED

OUTLINE

UNIT 01: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DEFINED

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY- use of any computer, storage, networking, and other physical device to create,

process, store, secure and exchange all forms of electronic data.

DIGITAL LITERACY- An individual’s ability to find, evaluate, and compose clear information through writing and other

media on various digital platforms.

SOME COMPUTER ROLES IN OUR LIVES

1. Tiny embedded computers control alarm clocks, entertainment centers and home appliances

2. Today’s automobiles cannot run efficiently without embedded computer systems

3. An estimated 10 mil people work from home instead of commuting to work because of PCs and networking

technologies

4. People use social media for communications nearly 10 times as often as snail mail and 5 times more than a

telephone.

5. Routine daily tasks such as banking, buying groceries are affected by computer technologies

UNIT 02: COMPONENTS OF A COMPUTER SYSTEM

OUTLINE
UNIT 02: COMPONENTS OF A COMPUTER SYSTEM
A. Computer System
B. Hardware
a. Input Devices
b. Peripheral Devices
c. System Unit
 Motherboard
 Processor (CPU)
 Memory
1) RAM
2) ROM
d. Storage Devices
e. Communication Devices
f. Memory Classification
 Data Retention
 Access Technique
 Access Rights
C. Software
D. Data
E. User
a COMPUTER is a machine, a collection of parts that work together.

COMPUTER SYSTEM- collection of parts, a computer combined with hardware and software used to perform

desired tasks. No matter the size and capability of a computer system, it consists of four (04) parts: hardware,

software, data, and the user.

HARDWARE- the tangible, physical computer equipment and devices which provide support for the

 Major functions of the computer system encompass the physical components and devices that enable a

computer system's key functions, including data input and information output. These components are

interconnected, and they can be classified based on their specific functions.

 INPUT DEVICES- enter data or instructions into a computer system.

A. Manual Input Devices- needs to be operated by human to input data.

B. Automatic Input Devices- can input data on their own.

(Temporary Output Device- monitors. Permanent Output Device- printers which output information onto

paper as hard copy.)

 PERIPHERAL DEVICES- Almost all input and output devices. These are non-essential hardware

components that usually connect to the system externally. The system can operate without them.

 SYSTEM UNIT- houses the electronic components to process data.

A. Motherboard- Main circuit board of the system unit. Central to any computer system.
 B. Processor- CPU Central Processing Unit. Brain of the Computer. Interprets and carries basic instructions.

Controls and responsible for performing calculations and data processing.

C. Memory- store instructions waiting to be executed and data by those instructions.

1. ROM (Read only memory)- permanently store instructions.

o BIOS (Basic input/output system) or the boot program.

o Information stored in ROM is known as READ ONLY.

o ROM is fast memory.

o ROM is Non-Volatile memory.

Other examples of ROM include:

- DVD/CD ROMS bought in stores containing pre-recorded music and movie files. These are played back at home

but cannot be altered.

- ROM in printers which is used to store different font types.

2. RAM (Random Access Memory)- temporarily store information that is currently in use. (Word documents-videos)

o RAM can be read or written to; information can be changed all the time.

o RAM is a fast memory. GB.

o RAM is volatile memory and stores data non-permanently.

o More RAM=faster performance.

 STORAGE DEVICES- Secondary storage devices, like hard drives and memory sticks, store data and

programs for future use and act as backups. They come in two categories: internal (inside the computer)

and external (outside the computer).

There are several types of storage devices:

Magnetic Storage Device: This includes hard drives, which are the main internal storage in computers, and external

hard drives used for portable data and backups.

Optical Storage Device: These use lasers and lights to save and retrieve data. Examples include Blu-ray discs (a

digital optical storage) and CD-ROM discs (read-only).

DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-RW, and DVD+RW: DVD-R and DVD+R are write-once, while DVD-RW and DVD+RW are

rewritable, with differences in formatting and compatibility.

Flash Memory Device: Replacing magnetic storage, these are economical and dependable. Examples include

memory cards, memory sticks, and Solid-State Drives (SSD).

USB Flash Drive: Small and portable, these connect through USB ports.

Online and Cloud Storage: Becoming popular for data access from various devices. Cloud storage is managed

remotely and offers both free and paid versions.

Network Media: Includes audio, video, images, and text shared over the internet by a community of users.

 COMMUNICATION DEVICES- are hardware tools that enable computers to send and receive data via

analog or digital signals. (Examples include Bluetooth, Infrared, modems, network cards, smartphones, and

Wi-Fi devices.)

MEMORY CLASSIFICATION

Data Retention:

a. Volatile Memory: This type of computer memory requires continuous power to maintain stored data. Data is lost

when the power is cut off from the device.

b. Non-Volatile Memory: This memory retains stored data even after the computer's power is turned off.

Access Technique:

a. Random Access: In this type of computer memory, the contents can be accessed in any order, allowing for random

access.

b. Sequential Access: This memory only permits accessing contents in a sequential order from start to finish. An

example is a movie stored on a BluRay Disc, which must be played sequentially from beginning to end.

Access Rights:

a. Read/Write Access: This type of computer memory allows both reading and modifying of its contents. It can be

read and written to.

typically fixed during the production of the device.

 SOFTWARE consists of a series of instructions that instruct the computer on how to perform tasks. It

encompasses both programs and applications.

1. Systems software: This category of software is responsible for managing the computer itself. It includes

essential components like the operating system, file management utilities, and disk operating systems

(DOS). Systems software is crucial for enabling the execution of tasks on a computer. Examples include

utility software (antivirus, disk tools), system servers, device drivers, and graphical user interface (GUI)

systems like Windows.

2. Application Software: Also known as "applications," these are end-user programs designed for specific tasks

such as generating reports, managing spreadsheets, playing games, sending emails, and conducting online

research. Application software varies in complexity, ranging from simple calculators to advanced video

editing tools.

Examples: MS Office Word, Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft Edge, Calculator, Minesweeper, Steam

 DATA- consists of individual pieces of information used by computers to produce meaningful output.

(Example: The grades of fifty students in one class, all different pieces of data which doesn’t make much

sense yet, but when a chart is created from the data, and frequencies are developed. This now makes

sense immediately.)

 USERS- often called "peopleware," interact with computer systems, issuing instructions and utilizing

generated information. (Example: Programmer, Developer, Teacher using Excel, Student using Word).