Information and communication technologies

(ICT)
DEFINITION
Information and communication technologies (ICT) is defined as a diverse set of technological
tools and resources used to transmit, store, create, share or exchange information. These
technological tools and resources include computers, the Internet (websites, blogs and emails), live
broadcasting technologies (radio, television and webcasting), recorded broadcasting technologies
(podcasting, audio and video players, and storage devices) and telephony (fixed or mobile, satellite,
visio/video-conferencing, etc.).

What is a computer?
A computer is an electronic device that manipulates information, or data. It has the
ability to store, retrieve, and process data. You may already know that you can use a
computer to type documents, send email, play games, and browse the Web. You can
also use it to edit or create spreadsheets, presentations, and even videos.

Early History of Computer

Since the evolution of humans, devices have been used for calculations for
thousands of years. One of the earliest and most well-known devices was
an abacus. Then in 1822, the father of computers, Charles Babbage began
developing what would be the first mechanical computer. And then in 1833 he
actually designed an Analytical Engine which was a general-purpose computer. It
contained an ALU, some basic flow chart principles and the concept of integrated
memory.

Uses of Computer:
1. A computer helps you to type a document.

2. A computer helps you to listen to music.

3. A computer helps you to use the internet.

4. A computer helps you to send e-mail.

5. A computer helps you to play games.

6. A computer helps you to draw a picture.

7. A computer helps you to watch a movie.

8. A computer helps you to chat with a friend.

MONITOR - A computer monitor is an output device that displays information in pictorial or textual form. A discrete
monitor comprises a visual display, support electronics, power supply, housing, electrical connectors, and external
user controls.

Computer case - A computer case, also known as a computer chassis, is the enclosure that contains most of
the hardware of a personal computer. The components housed inside the case (such as
the CPU, motherboard, memory, mass storage devices, power supply unit and various expansion cards) are
referred as the internal hardware, while hardware outside the case (typically cable-linked or plug-and-play devices
such as the display, speakers, keyboard, mouse and USB flash drives) are known as peripherals.

Speakers - Computer speakers, or multimedia speakers, are speakers sold for use with computers, although
usually capable of other audio uses, e.g. for an MP3 player. Most such speakers have an internal amplifier and
consequently require a power source, which may be by a mains power supply often via an AC adapter, batteries, or
a USB port. The signal input connector is often a 3.5 mm jack plug (usually color-coded lime green per the PC
99 standard); RCA connectors are sometimes used, and a USB port may supply both signal and power (requiring
additional circuitry, and only suitable for use with a computer). Battery-powered wireless Bluetooth speakers require
no connections at all.

Keyboard - A computer keyboard is a peripheral input device modeled after the typewriter keyboard[1][2] which uses
an arrangement of buttons or keys to act as mechanical levers or electronic switches. Replacing early punched
cards and paper tape technology, interaction via teleprinter-style keyboards have been the main input
method for computers since the 1970s, supplemented by the computer mouse since the 1980s.

Mouse - A computer mouse (plural mice, also mouses)[nb 1] is a hand-held pointing device that detects two-
dimensional motion relative to a surface. This motion is typically translated into the motion of the pointer (called a
cursor) on a display, which allows a smooth control of the graphical user interface of a computer.

Printer - In the field of computing, a printer is considered a peripheral device that serves the purpose of creating a
permanent representation of text or graphics, usually on paper. While the majority of outputs produced by printers
are readable by humans, there are instances where barcode printers have found a utility beyond this traditional use.
[1]
Different types of printers are available for use, including inkjet printers, thermal printers, laser printers, and 3D
printers.
Motherboard - the motherboard is the backbone that ties the computer’s components together at one spot and
allows them to talk to each other. Without it, none of the computer pieces, such as the CPU, GPU, or hard
drive, could interact. Total motherboard functionality is necessary for a computer to work well.

Cpu - The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the primary component of a computer that acts as
its “control center.” The CPU, also referred to as the “central” or “main” processor, is a
complex set of electronic circuitry that runs the machine’s operating system and apps. The
CPU interprets, processes and executes instructions, most often from the hardware and
software programs running on the device. There are two major manufacturers of
computer processors, Intel® and AMD®. For both manufacturers, there are three
general lines of processors. In all cases, a computer's CPU must be compatible
with the motherboard, memory, power supply, and any graphics cards.
 Gpu - What does GPU stand for? Graphics processing unit, a specialized processor originally
designed to accelerate graphics rendering. GPUs can process many pieces of data
simultaneously, making them useful for machine learning, video editing, and gaming
applications. GPUs may be integrated into the computer’s CPU or offered as a discrete hardware
unit.

Hdd - A hard drive or hard disk drive (HDD) is a type of data storage device that is used in laptops and desktop computers.
An HDD is a “non-volatile” storage drive, which means it can retain the stored data even when no power is supplied to the
device. Operating systems (OS) tell the HDD to read and write data as needed by programs. The speed that the drive reads
and writes this data is solely dependent on the drive itself.

Ssd - An SSD, or solid-state drive, is a type of storage device used in computers. This non-
volatile storage media stores persistent data on solid-state flash memory. SSDs replace
traditional hard disk drives (HDDs) in computers and perform the same basic functions as
a hard drive. But SSDs are significantly faster in comparison. With an SSD, the device's
operating system will boot up more rapidly, programs will load quicker and files can be
saved faster.

Different Types of SSDs

There are several types of SSDs available in the market today. Here are some of the most
common types.

 SATA SSDs: These are the most common type of SSDs and use the same interface as
traditional hard drives. They are compatible with most laptops and desktops, but
their performance is limited by the SATA interface.
 NVMe SSDs: These SSDs use the NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express) interface,
which provides faster data transfer speeds compared to SATA SSDs. They are ideal
for high-performance applications such as gaming, video editing, and data centers.
 M.2 SSDs: M.2 SSDs are smaller in size than traditional SATA SSDs and are commonly
used in ultra-thin laptops and tablets. They use either the SATA or NVMe interface,
depending on the model.
 PCIe SSDs: These SSDs use the PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express)
interface, which provides even faster data transfer speeds compared to NVMe
SSDs. They are commonly used in high-end gaming PCs and workstations.
 SAS SSDs: SAS (Serial Attached SCSI) SSDs are designed for enterprise-level
applications that require high reliability, data security, and scalability. They use a
SAS interface and are commonly used in data centers and servers.
Ram - What Is RAM?

RAM is a common computing acronym that stands for random-access memory.

Sometimes it’s called PC memory or just memory. In essence, RAM is your
computer or laptop’s short-term memory. It’s where the data is stored that your
computer processor needs to run your applications and open your files.
Ufs - UFS is commonly used for storage in smartphones and high-end tablets due to its high speed and
reliability. With UFS, mobile devices can offer faster app loading times, quicker data access, quicker boost, and
improved overall performance. Digital Cameras and Camcorders.