SCI802: ICT

Session One: Introduction to IT/ICT

&
Session Two: Introduction to Computer &its
Components
 Study Session 1: Introduction to ICT (Basics of ICT, Components
of an ICT System. (Information, Data, and people)

Aims and Objectives of Session One

The aim of this session is to give a brief introduction to ICT Skills and introduce the terminology related to the
subject.

Objectives:

 Describe what IT is.

 Describe what ICT is

 Describe what CS is

 Understand the relationship between Computer Skills and ICT

 Understand the aims and objectives of learning ICT Skills

 What is Information Technology (IT)

 The term Information Technology refers to an entire field that uses

computers, networking, software, and other equipment to manage
information electronically in a digital form.

 IT (Information Technology) encompasses all of the technology that we use

to gather, process, protect and store information. It refers to hardware,
software (computer programs), and computer networks.
 What is Information and Communication
Technology (ICT)

 ICT is an acronym of Information Communication technology. ICT refers to technologies

that provide access to information through telecommunications. It similar to Information
Technology, but with a specific focus on communication technologies.

 The term Information and Communication Technology can be considered as an extended

version of the term IT as it involves a „C‟ that represents the communication of data by
electronic means, usually over some distance. Here, communication refers to the media
broadcasting technologies, audio/video processing and transmission and telephony.
 What is Information and Communication
Technology (ICT)

 ICT includes any device, tool, or application that permits the exchange or collection of data
through interaction or transmission.

 ICT is an umbrella term that includes anything ranging from radio to satellite imagery to
mobile phones or electronic money transfers
 Components of (ICT)

Data: raw facts/ figures/statistics.

Hardware: physical components in a computer or peripherals

Software: names of computer programs

Information: converted data which gives it meaning.

Procedures: actions conducted in a series of a certain order to ensure the system will
run smoothly.

People: entering data by many different means, e.g. keyboard or voice recognition etc
Components of (ICT)
 Computer Science

 Computer Science is the mother of all computational disciplines (Computer

Engineering, Information Technology/Information Science, Software Engineering,
ICT, etc). In simple words, Computer Science is all about computers.

 In contrast with IT, CS is the science of computing with in depth knowledge of

working principles of computers whereas information technology is the science
designed to make best use of information systems to make work easier in business
environments.
 Study Session 2: Computer and its Components
(What is a Computer, Characteristics, Parts, Types,
Hardware and Software)
Aim:

This lesson aims to provide students with an understanding the basics and the role of computation.

Objectives:

 Describe what a computer is

 Identify the characteristics as well as the limitations of computers.

 Identify different types of computers from the ancient ones to modern ones.

 Explain what a computer system is as well as its parts.

 Computer

 Definition of Computer and its Components

 Characteristics

 Types

 Parts of Computer

 Hardware

 Software
 Aims and Objectives
Aim:
This lesson aims to provide students with an understanding the basics and the role of
computation.

Objectives:

 Describe what a computer is

 Identify the characteristics as well as the limitations of computers.

 Identify different types of computers from the ancient ones to modern ones.

 Explain what a computer system is as well as its parts.

 What is Computer?

A computer is an electronic device that manipulates information, or

"data". It has the ability to store, retrieve, and process data. You can use

a computer to type documents, send email, and browse the internet.

You can also use it to handle spreadsheets, accounting, database

management, presentations, games, and more.

 Characteristic of Computer
The computer's superiority lies in its special characteristics such as:
� Speed: Computer can perform tasks very fast
� Reliability: The high reliability of the components enables the computer to produce consistent results.

� Accuracy: This computing principle is known as Garbage in, garbage out (GIGO).
� Diligence: Unlike human beings, a computer is free from boredom, tiredness, lack of concentration
� Versatility: The computers are flexible enough to adapt to any type of work and outputs according to
what is fed and instructed.
� Storage: The computer has an in-built memory where it can store a large amount of data. This is
called Primary Storage. You can also store data in secondary storage devices such as floppies, which
can be kept outside your computer and can be carried to other computers. These are called Secondary
Storage.
� No Feeling: Computers do not have emotions. Their judgment is based on the instructions given to
them in the form of programs by someone.
� NO IQ: Computer is a dumb machine and it cannot do any work without instruction from the user.
 Types of Computers

� It is said that the ENIAC, which is considered as the first electronic general-purpose
computer was of size of a large room (See Figure 2.1 and 2.2 below). However, with the
advance of technologies the size of a today‟s computer has become smaller as of a small
wrist watch. These computers have different processing powers as well.
Sizes of ENIAC Computers
 Types of Computers
The computers can be mainly classified into four categories as briefly described below.
This classification is done based on the size and the data processing power.
 Microcomputers: most common type of computers in the society. Can be used at
your workplace, at school or on your study desk at home. Used by single user at a
time. Small in size. Also called Personal Computers (PCs).
Notebook; PDA; Wearable and Tablets
 Mini Computers
� Minicomputers: used by multi-users. In the middle when the computers are
ranged from smallest to largest. Used in laboratories.
Mini Computer, as name suggests, is a type of computer that offers most features
and capabilities that large computer generally offers. It generally supports multiple
users at a time so one can say that it is a multiprocessing system. It is a smaller
computer designed for business applications and services, and also can do time-
sharing, batch processing, online processing, etc.
 Mainframes Computers
 Mainframes: Largest in size. Capable of handling and processing
very large amounts of data quickly.
 Mainframes Computers

 At their core, mainframes are high-performance computers with large amounts of memory and
processors that process billions of simple calculations and transactions in real time.

 The mainframe is critical to commercial databases, transaction servers, and applications that
require high resiliency, security, and agility.

 IBM z15
 IBM z14
 IBM System z13
 IBM z Enterprise System
 IBM System z10
 IBM System z9
 Super computers
Super computers: Used for performing complex scientific and
numerical computations such as weather forecasting, fluid dynamics,
nuclear simulations, theoretical astrophysics. Sometimes called as
“Workstations”
 PARTS OF COMPUTER
Parts of computer can be define as physical and non-physical equipment that makes
up a computer.

A complete computer system consists of four main parts as follows

 1.0 Hardware

 2.0 Software

 3.0 Data

 4.0 User (Live ware)

 Hardware
Aim: Aim of this session is to discuss and give a brief idea on computer hardware.
Objectives:

 Describe what hardware is

 Classify computer hardware according to the usage of them
 Give examples for each category of computer hardware
 Identify the different ports of a PC
 Identify why your computer is slow
 Identify the factors affecting on performance of computers
 Hardware

Hardware are those that can be seen and touched are referred to as the
Computer Hardware (or simply „hardware‟). In other words, the physical
equipment that are involved in the function of the computer are called its
hardware.

The computer hardware is typically divided into four main categories:

 Processing Devices
 Memory Devices
 Input/, Output Devices
 Storage Devices.
Categories of Hardware
Central Processing Unit
 Processing Devices

 CPU: The Central Processing Unit is an electronic device which runs

computer programs: a set of sequential instructions. It is also called as the
Computer Processor or the brain of the computer.
 You can see that there are two major components namely the Control Unit
(CU) and the Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU).
 The CU is the circuitry that controls the flow of data through the
processor, and coordinates the activities of the other units within it. In a
way, it is the "brain within the brain", as it controls what happens inside
the processor, which in turn controls the rest of the PC.
 The ALU is a digital circuit that performs arithmetic and logical
operations.
 CU and ALU

 1.1.1 The Control Unit (CU) as you know, a computer program or set of instructions
must be stored in memory for a computer to process data. The CPU uses its CU to
execute these instructions. Further, the CU directs and coordinates most of the
operations of the computer. The speed at which the processor carries out its operations
is measured in megahertz (MHz). The higher the number of MHz the faster the
computer can process information. The Intel i7, Athlon, Celron, and Duron, Ultra
Spark are some examples for the brands of processors available in the market.

 1.1.2 ALU performs the arithmetic, comparison, and logical operations. Arithmetic
operations include addition (+), subtraction (-), multiplication (*) and division (/).
Comparison operations include comparing one data item to another to determine if the
first item is greater than (>), equal (=), or less than (<) to the second item. Logical
operations work with conditions such as AND, OR, NOT.
 Memory Devices

Memory acts as the internal storage of a computer. The programs that are stored in
external storages are loaded into the memory before they start running.
 2.1 Computer Memory
A character is stored in the computer as a group of 0s and 1s, called a Byte. The size
of the memory is measured by the number of bites available. The following
equalities give the measuring units of the memory.
8 Bits = 1 Byte
 1024 Bytes = 1 Kilobyte (1KB)
 1024KB = 1 Megabyte (1MB)
 1024 MB = 1 Gigabyte (1 GB)
 1024 GB = 1 Terabyte (1 TB)
 Random Access Memory (RAM)
 The Random Access Memory (RAM) is a volatile form of a
computer memory. This small memory is capable of memorizing
temporarily. It can be read and written. That is, you can both write
data into RAM and read data from RAM. Together with the CPU,
RAM determines the computer's speed. A computer with a large
RAM and a CPU can actually run faster than a computer with a
powerful CPU but with a low RAM.
 Read Only Memory

 Read Only Memory (ROM) As RAM is volatile, the computers need

a non-volatile memory to read larger programs. This is known as the
Read Only Memory (ROM). The programs which are needed to start
up your computer (Ex: to boot the computer) are stored in ROM.
 2.4 Cache
Most of today‟s computers improve their processing times by using cache
(pronounced cash). Memory cache, also called a cache store or RAM cache, helps
speed the processes of the computer by storing frequently used instructions and data
thus reducing the access time of data. When the processor needs an instruction or
data, it first searches in the cache.
 3.0 Input Hardware

 Input Devices: A computer executes instructions and processes data into information
and stores the information for future use. Input devices are used to enter instructions
and data into the computer.

 What is Input? Input is any data or instructions you enter to the memory of a
computer. Once input is in memory, the CPU can access it and process the input into
output.
There are four types of input
 Data
 Programs
 Commands
 User responses.
 Four Types of Input

� Data is a collection of unorganized facts that can include words, numbers, pictures,
sounds, and videos. A computer manipulates and processes data into information,
which is useful.
� Program A program is a series of instructions that tells a computer how to perform the
tasks necessary to process data into information. Programs are kept on storage media
such as a floppy disk (not used now), hard disk, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM. Programs
respond to commands issued by the user.
� Command: A Command is an instruction given to a computer program. Commands
can be issued by typing keywords or pressing special keys on the keyboard.
� User Response: A User Response is an instruction which is given by you to the
computer by replying to a question posed by a computer program. For example, Do
you want to save the changes you made? Based on the response given by the user, the
program performs certain actions.
 Input Devices

An Input Device is any hardware component that allows you to enter data, programs, commands, and user responses into
a computer. Some of the commonly used input devices are listed below.
 Keyboard
 Pointing devices
• Mouse
• Trackball
• Joystick
• Touchpad
• Light Pen
 Scanners
 Voice input systems
 Web Cam
 Bar code readers
 Keyboard

 A computer Keyboard is an input device which keys in letters,

numbers and other symbols (or characters) into a computer. The
process of using a keyboard to enter data is called typing. The
keyboard is usually joined to a computer using a wire, but it can also
be wireless (such as those that use Bluetooth).
 Pointing Devices

The Mouse: A computer mouse is a hand-held pointing device which

controls the motion of a pointer on the screen to enable smooth control
of the graphical user interface.
 Scanner

� A scanner is a device that captures images from photographic prints,

posters, magazine pages, and similar sources from computer editing
and display. This input device copies from paper into your computer.
 Bar Code

� A bar code reader uses laser beams to read bar codes. The Bar
code is a trip of vertical bars of varying widths that creates a unique
reference for the particular item
Other examples of input devices
 Output Devices

Output is data that has been processed into a useful form called information.
A computer processes input into output. Computers generate several types of
output, depending on the hardware and software being used and the
requirements of the user. You may choose to display or view this output on a
monitor, print it on a paper using a printer, or listen to it through speakers or a
headset.
Accordingly the four common types of output are
 Text
 Graphics
 Audio
 Video.
 Types of Output

Text: consists of characters that are used to create words, sentences and
paragraphs. A character can be a letter, number, punctuation mark, or any
other symbol that requires one bite of computer storage space.
Graphics: Graphics are digital representations of non-text information such
as drawings, charts, pictures and photographs. Graphics also can be animated,
giving them the illusion of motion. Animations are created by displaying a
series of still images in rapid sequence.
Audio: Audio is Music, speech, or any other sound. You might have learnt at
school that sound waves, such as the human voice or music are analog. To
store such sounds, a computer converts the sounds from a continuous analog
signal into a digital format. Most output devices require that the computer
converts the digital format back into analog signals.
 Types of Output

Video: Video consists of images that are played back at speeds that
give the appearance of full motion. Video often is captured with a
video input device such as video camera or VCR. Most video signals
are analog; however, most of the modern video devices record the
video images digitally.
 Output Devices
An output device is any computer component capable of conveying information to a user.
Some commonly used output devices are listed below.
Display devices
 Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) monitors
 Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) monitors / Flat-panel displays
 LED Monitors
Gas plasma monitors
Printers
 Impact printers
Daisy Wheel and Dot Matrix printers
Non-Impact Printers
- Ink Jet printers
Output Devices
 Storage Devices

In this section we will discuss about the storage media and storage devices.
 Storage refers to the media on which data, instructions, and information
are kept, as well as the devices that record and retrieve these items.

 Memory holds data and instructions temporarily while they are being
processed by the CPU. Storage, also called Secondary, Auxiliary storage,
or Mass storage, holds items such as data, instruction, and information for
future use.

 Storage is non-volatile which means that items in storage remains even

when power is removed from the computer
 Storage Devices

 A storage medium is the physical material on which the items are kept.
Examples are Flash Drives; CDs
 A storage device is the mechanism used to record and retrieve items to and
from a storage medium.
 Storage devices can function as source of input and output.
 For example, each time a storage device transfers data, instructions, and
information from a storage medium into memory (a process called
Reading); it functions as an input source.
 When a storage device transfers these items from memory to a storage
medium (a process called Writing), it functions as an output source.
 Storage Devices

 Floppy disks: A floppy disk is a data storage medium that is composed of a disk
of thin, flexible floppy magnetic storage medium encased in a rectangular plastic
shell. Floppy disks are read and written by a floppy disk drive.

 Fixed hard disks A hard disk drive is the device used to store large amounts of
digital information in computers and related equipment like iPods and games
consoles such as the Xbox 360 and PS3
 Storage Devices

 Hard Disk drive which is often referred to as Hard Disk or Hard Drive is a device
to store and retrieve data in a computer. The hard drive can store important
system files like the operating system, program files and other data.
 Storage Devices

 Portable Hard Disks: Portable hard disk is an interesting and useful device
because you can carry data about all over the place and transfer information,
programs, pictures, etc. between computers. Modern portable hard disks have a
massive capacity like 500GB.
 Storage Devices

 Memory sticks/Pen drives: USB flash drives are typically removable and
rewritable, much smaller than a floppy disk. Storage capacities typically range
from 64 MB to 64 GB. USB flash drives offer potential advantages over other
portable storage devices, particularly the floppy disk.
 System Unit

 The System Unit: The System Unit of the computer is the box-like casing which
contains the major electronic components that are responsible for the main functions of
the computer.
 It should be mentioned here that many people use to refer to this as the CPU incorrectly.

 This erroneous reference may be due to CPU: The brain of the commuter being that
significant. However, the electronic devices such as CPU, memory, hard disk drive are
located inside the System Unit.

 In addition to the above parts, Motherboard, Floppy Disk Drive, Power Supply unit,
and CD-ROM Drive are the other major components that you can find within the system
unit. A brief description of each above component is given next
 Motherboard

 The motherboard is sometimes called the system board, planner board or main
board.
 It is the main circuit board of a computer. The motherboard contains several
connectors for attaching additional boards. Usually, the motherboard contains the
CPU, BIOS, memory, mass storage interfaces, serial/parallel ports, expansion
slots, and all the controllers required to control standard peripheral devices, such
as the display screen, keyboard, and disk drive.
Motherboard
 Power Supply Unit

 Power Supply Unit (PSU) is another very important unit found in

the system unit. Usually we connect the power code of the computer
to the domestic mains supply. Therefore, PSU converts Alternating
Current (AC) from mains supply to Direct Current (DC) with the
required different voltages needed to power different components of
the computer.
 CD-ROM Drive

 Most probably, you might have seen the Compact Disks (CDs)
which are commonly used as a storage media. The CD-ROM drive
is a high capacity optical data storage device with a removable disk,
it writes data onto or reads data from a storage medium.
 Computer Software

Aim: This session aims to provide the basic ideas of Software to the
Students.
Objectives:
 Describe what software is
 Classify computer software according to the usage of them
 Give examples for each category of computer software
 Computer Software

 Software, also called a computer program or simply a program, is a series of

instructions that tells the hardware of a computer what to do. For example, some
instructions direct the computer to allow you to input data from the keyboard and
store it in memory. Other instructions cause data stored in memory to be used in
calculations such as adding a series of numbers to obtain a total.

 When you buy a computer, it usually has some software already installed in its
hard disk. Thus you can use the computer as soon as you receive it.

 Software is the key to productive use of computers. With the correct software, a
computer can become a valuable tool.
Categories of Software
 Classification of Software

 System Software: System software consists of the programs that control

the operations of the computer and its devices.

 System Software handles the smooth running of all the components of the
computer as well as providing general functionality for other programs to
use, tools to speed up the computer tools to develop new software and
programs to keep you safe from attacks.
 Functions that system software performs include starting up the computer;
opening, executing, running, applications; storing, retrieving, and copying
files; formatting disks; reducing file sizes; and backing up the contents of
a hard disk.
 Types of System Software

 Operating Systems (OS) The Operating System contains instructions that co-
ordinate all of the activities of hardware devices of your computer. It also contains
instructions that allow you to run any applications software. One may define the
Operating system as an interface between a user and all computer resources.

 When you start a computer, the operating system is loaded or copied into memory
from the computer hard disk. It remains in memory while the computer is sunning
and allows you to communicate with the computer and other software. A
computer cannot function without an operating system. It is an important
component of the computer system, because it sets the standards for the
application programs that run on it. All programs must “talk to” the OS
 Types of Operating System

 There are two types of operating system

 Single-user OS: A type of OS which allows only one user at a time. There can be
single-user OS either as single-user single-task or single-user multi-task. The Single-
user single-task OS has to deal with only one person at a time running only one
application at a time. MS DOS is an example for a single user single task OS.

 Think of the OS of your Personal Computer. It is designed mainly with one user (i.e.
you) in mind but that only user: you can deal with many applications running at the
same time. You may word process a document with a word processing application like
MS Word while listening to music played in the windows media player in parallel.
 Or you might be answering the school assignment while searching more facts on the
internet while a suitable video is being downloaded. This type of OSs is of single-user
multi-task OS. An example of such OS is Windows 95
 Types of Operating System

 Multi-user OS: In some situations, we need to share the single computer

among few users. So the OS should be a multi-user where more than one
user is logged on to the computer and uses it at the same time.
 These multi users may work with remote desktop connections. Further,
these different users may need to run different applications at the same
time.
 So the OS must support multi-task facility as well. Obviously the
computer should be a powerful one.

 Each user draws on a big power of the computer in a shared way.

 Types of Operating System

This type of Multi –user multi-task OSs have to manage some tasks as listed below:
 Each user logged on to the system, their workspace and so on.
 Allocate resources to the jobs they want to run.
 Keep logs of how much processing time and resources they use
 Work out the most efficient use of computer processing cycles
 Maintain security
Following are some examples of such OS:
 Windows XP, 7, 8 etc.
 Unix
 Linux (Ubuntu, Centos, Fedora etc.)
 Categories of Operating System

Desktop OS vs. Server OS: The OS can also be categorized as Desktop OS and
Server OS depending on whether the OS is to be installed in a desktop computer or
a server. For example, the latest versions of the Windows
OS family can be categorized as follows: Desktop OS: windows XP, windows 7,
Windows 8
Server OS: Windows 2000Server, Windows 2005Server, Windows 2008Server
As most of you are using Desktop Personal Computers, following web article is
extracted in order to give you an overview on the different operating systems you
may use.
Source: http://www.geek.com/desktop-computer-buyers-guide/operating-system/
 Categories of Operating System

Desktop OS vs. Server OS: The OS can also be categorized as Desktop OS and
Server OS depending on whether the OS is to be installed in a desktop computer or
a server. For example, the latest versions of the Windows
OS family can be categorized as follows: Desktop OS: windows XP, windows 7,
Windows 8
Server OS: Windows 2000Server, Windows 2005Server, Windows 2008Server
As most of you are using Desktop Personal Computers, following web article is
extracted in order to give you an overview on the different operating systems you
may use.
Source: http://www.geek.com/desktop-computer-buyers-guide/operating-system/
 Utility Software

Utility Software: Utility software or utility programs are some small programs
which performs specific task, usually related to managing a computer, its devices, or
its programs. Most operating systems include several utility programs. Also, you can
buy them as stand-alone software that offer improvements over the ones supplied
with the OS. Following are some of the specific tasks done by commonly used
utility programs:
 Viewing files
 Compressing files
 Diagnosing problems
 Scanning disks
 Defragmenting disks
 Utility Software

 Uninstalling software
 Backing up files and disks
 Checking for viruses
 Displaying screen savers
Following figures show some of the user interfaces of the above utility programs.
 Library Program Software

 Library programs are collections of some pre-written codes or resources that

are used to develop other programs. For an example, you might have noticed that
all Microsoft Programs look like the same or have the same look and feel in the
interfaces though the application differs.

 Another classical example is, the computer game developers often buy and use
pre-done graphical user interface libraries and develop new games as they need to
save time and cost of entire development process.
 Programming Languages

 Program is a set of instructions written for performing a specific task. These

instructions are just like English words. We call that these programs are written in
programming languages that can be understood by human beings. These written
programs are called that Source codes.
 However, some programs run on a machine code that is executed directly on
computer architecture. Machine code is not easily read by humans and it is a
long series of bits (i.e. ones-1 and zeros-0).
 Therefore, the source code is to be converted into machine code which is called
an object program. This translation can be done by translator. Simply, the
translators translate source code into machine code.
 Application Software
 Re-call the classification of software given in Figure 4.1. Accordingly, the second
major class of Software is the Application Software. Application software
consists of programs designed to perform specific tasks of users. Application
Software, also called a software application or an application, can be used for the
following purposes, among others:
 As a productivity/business tool
 To assist with graphics and multimedia projects
 To support household activities, for personal business, or for education
 To facilitate communications
 A variety of application software is available that you can buy from software
vendors in retail stores or on the Web. A specific software product, such as
Microsoft Word, often is called Software Package.
 Application Software
 Re-call the classification of software given in Figure 4.1. Accordingly, the second
major class of Software is the Application Software. Application software
consists of programs designed to perform specific tasks of users. Application
Software, also called a software application or an application, can be used for the
following purposes, among others:
 As a productivity/business tool
 To assist with graphics and multimedia projects
 To support household activities, for personal business, or for education
 To facilitate communications
 A variety of application software is available that you can buy from software
vendors in retail stores or on the Web. A specific software product, such as
Microsoft Word, often is called Software Package.
 General Purpose Application Software

 General Purpose Application Software is also called „off-the-shelf‟ applications.

These are the software you use at home, university, or at work place to make you
more effective and efficient while performing daily activities. These include
applications such as
 Word processor
 Spreadsheets
 Databases
 Desktop publishing packages
 Presentation packages
 Graphics packages
 Text editors etc.
General Purpose Application Software
General Purpose Application Software
Special Purpose Application Software

� Special Purpose Application Software is the software created for

execution of a single specific task. Some examples are Chess game,
calculator, camera application in your mobile phone which allows
you only to capture and share pictures, web browsers, media
players, calendar programs.
 Bespoke Application Software

Bespoke Application Software: Some organizations may feel that the

general purpose software are not suitable for their task and it does not
exactly what they want or it does not tallying with the current system
in the organization.
In this type of situation, they decide on designing and developing
software specifically for them.
These softwares are also called as the „tailor-made software‟ or
„Bespoke software‟ as they are made to a specific user and customized
for a specific task only.
 Self Assessment Question
Self Assessment Questions
1. What is Software?
2. Differentiate System software and Application software.
3. What are the responsibilities of Operating Systems?
4. Define the following with suitable examples.
a. Single–user OS
b. Multi-user OS
5. What are utility programs? Define some tasks performed by them.
6. What is meant by library programs?
7.What are program language translators? Briefly describe three translating
approaches.
8. State the advantages and disadvantages of Bespoke Application Software.
THANK YOU