Mzumbe University Mbeya

Campus College
LAW 110
INTRODUCTION TO INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND
COMPUTER APPLICATIONS LAW

Asst.Lecturer: Maria Malamsha

 Course Objectives
This course is objectively set to:
To have knowledge of ICT application.
To acquire knowledge on the relevance of ICT in
legal profession.
To have a clear understanding of the interaction
between ICT Law and other branches of law
like contract law, criminal law, and law of
evidence.
To enable students to apply their knowledge to
various legal issues relating to information and
communication technology and consequently be
able to advice clients accordingly.
Course Objectives
INTRODUCTION TO INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Name of course AND COMPUTER APPLICATIONS LAW
Course Code LAW 110
Semester 1
Credit point 10 (Core)
Contact hours per
5 (3 Hrs Lecture; 2Hrs Tutorials)
week
Compulsory in LL.B I
Prerequisite course None
Delivery Mode Lecture, Seminars, Presentation, case study

Evaluation Mode Group Assignment - 15%

Individual Assignment - 15%
Test 1 - 20%
Final exam -50%
Assistant Lecturer Maria Malamsha
Introduction to
computer concepts
 Meaning of Information Communication
Technology (ICT)
• ICT: refers to the use of digital tools, systems, and
platforms to manage, process, store, and communicate
information.
• Lawyers often approach ICT as a field that covers legal
aspects related to electronic data handling,
cybersecurity, digital privacy, intellectual property, and
regulatory compliance.
 Meaning of Information Communication
Technology (ICT)
For lawyers, ICT encompasses:
1. Communication and Collaboration: ICT tools such as
email, video conferencing, Zoom and secure messaging
platforms facilitate instant communication within legal
teams and with clients, regardless of location.
2. Legal Research and Knowledge Sharing: Digital
databases and online libraries, including Westlaw and
LexisNexis, have revolutionized legal research. Lawyers
can access statutes, case law, and legal commentaries
from any device connected to the internet, greatly
reducing the time needed for research.
 Meaning of Information Communication
Technology (ICT)
3. Data Protection and Privacy: Laws governing
the protection of personal and sensitive data,
often in line with regulations.
4. Cybersecurity Laws: Legislation around
protecting systems, networks, and data from
digital attacks.
5. Electronic Evidence and E-Discovery: The use
of electronic information as evidence in legal
proceedings, including the management of
electronic records.
 Meaning of Information Communication
Technology (ICT)
6. Intellectual Property Law: Laws that cover
digital copyrights, patents, and trademarks,
especially with digital content and software.
7. Contracts and Digital Agreements: Legal
aspects of contracts executed or managed
digitally, including issues like electronic
signatures.
8. Telecommunications Law: Regulations
surrounding the infrastructure and services for
digital communication.
INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS
Computer: is an advanced electronic device that takes raw
data as input from the user and processes these data
under the control of set of instructions (called program) and
gives the result (output) and saves output for the future
use.
Data: is the collection of raw facts and figures, which are
unorganized. Example numbers, text, characters,
symbols or picture i.e. string of characters: "John, 28,
New York"
Information: is the group of processed data that carries a
logical meaning. Example “John, a 28-year-old, lives in
New York.
Functions of computers
Input: Receives data from users (e.g., keyboard, mouse).
Output: Displays or transmits processed data to the user
(e.g., monitor display).
Processing: Transforms input into meaningful output
(e.g., performing calculations).
Storage: Saves data for future use (e.g., storing files on a
hard drive).
Communication: Exchanges data with other devices or
networks (e.g., internet access)
1
1 Functions of a Computer

A computer uses
Flash drive,
external and cd
for permanent
storage
Generations of Computers
The computer has evolved from a large-size to a
smaller but much more powerful machine.
 Computer Generations
The computer has evolved from a large-size to a smaller but much
more powerful machine.
ICs (3rd G)

VLSIs
Microproc
Transistor essor (4th
s (2nd G) G)
Computer
Generations

Vacuum ULSIs
Microproc
tubes (1st essor (5th
G) G)
First Generation Computers
(1940-1956)
The first computers used vacuum tubes in their
memory
Used vacuum tubes in their memory
Large in physical size
Consumed a lot of power and Produced a lot of
heat
Their internal memory capacity was low
Slow in processing data
Very costly
Example: ENIAC
Advantages and Disadvantage

Advantages:
First device to hold memory
Disadvantages:
Large in size
Vacuum tubes burn
frequently
They were producing heat
Maintenance problems
Second Generation Computers
(1956-1963)
Transistors replaced vacuum tubes in the
second generation of computers.
They were relatively faster than the
1st generation computers
Less costly than first generation
computers

Example: CDC 3600 etc.

 Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages:
Size reduced considerably
The very fast
Very much reliable
Disadvantages:
They over heated quickly
Maintenance problems
Third Generation Computers
(1964-1971)
They Used integrated circuits (ICs)
in their memory
They were faster than second
generation computers
Slightly smaller in size than 1st &
2ndgeneration computers
They used a wide range of peripheral
devices
Examples: IBM 360, UNIVAC 1108, etc.
Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages:
ICs are very small in
size
Improved performance
Production cost cheap
Disadvantages:
IC’s are sophisticated
Fourth Generation Computers
(1971-present)
The micro-processor brought the fourth generation
of computers
Fourth generation computers also saw the
development of GUI’s, the mouse and handheld
Examples: IBM PC, Apple Macintosh. etc.
Fifth Generation Computers
(present and beyond)
5th generation devices are based on artificial
intelligence (AI).
Example: Desktop, Laptop, Notebook, Tablet,
Smartwatch, Smartphones
Characteristics:
They are very powerful, with very high
processing speeds
The computers can perform multiprocessing
Have virtually very high memory sizes
Can support complex programs
Use advanced hard disks and optical disks for
storage, e.g. DVDs, flash disk, external drive
Summary:
Generation Duration Electronic
component used
First Generation computer 1940-1956 Vacuum Tubes
Second Generation 1956-1963 Transistors
computer

Third Generation computer 1964-1971 Integrated Circuits

Fourth Generation 1971-present Microprocessor

computer

Fifth Generation computer Present and Artificial

beyond Intelligence (AI)
and Bio-chip
Components of a
computer systems
Components of computer system

The various components of the computer system are

classified into two groups.
a). Software
b). Hardware
Software: Software is a collection of programs (set of
instructions). The execution of software programs is
performed by hardware.

Hardware: Hardware is the physical tangible

component of the computer system. This type of
component is touchable. Example: Mouse, CPU
a) Software
➢Software is a collection of programs used to operate
computers and execute specific tasks.
The two main categories of software :
1. Application software is a computer software package
that performs a specific functions.
E.g. Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Payroll
software
2. System software is a type of program that is
designed to run a computer hardware and application
programs. E.g. Operating System
Operating System
An operating system (OS) is system software that
manages computer hardware, software resources,
and provides common services for computer
programs.
Example: MS-window, mac OS, android, iOS

Main functions:
1. To establish a user interface
2. Runs applications software.
3. Manages the computer hardware, such as CPU,
memory, hard disk etc.
Operating System…
b) Hardware
Hardware of the computer system are:
1. Input device
2. Output device
3. Central Processing Unit
4. Storage device
5. Communication device
1. Input Devices
The devices that are used to enter data
and instructions into the computers
Mostly commonly used input devices
are keyboards, scanner and mouse
2. Central Processing Unit
The CPU is referred to as the brain of
a computer system.
It is used to processed data/information
and provides output
Performs most of the calculations which
enable a computer to function
3. Communication Devices
These are hardware's that can send
and receive data, instructions and
information
Example: Modem, Wi-Fi devices
4. Output Devices
Output devices are used to display
processed data to the user.
Example: Monitor, printer, speaker
and projector
5. Storage Devices
A storage device is a piece of hardware that is
used for storing data.
They are called secondary memory
Digital storage is measured in
megabytes (MB), gigabytes (GB) etc.
Example: Hard disk, CD ROM
Computer primary memory
Primary memory includes RAM and ROM
Read Only Memory (ROM): Permanent
storage
Random Access Memory (RAM): Temporary
storage
RAM is volatile i.e. Stored information is lost if
power is removed
RAM is where programs are stored as they run.
Too little memory can slow down computer
Memory terminologies
Bits and Bytes
Bit is the smallest unit of data that a computer
can process and store.
Single bits are too small to be used, so they
are grouped together into units of 8bits.
Each 8-bit is called a byte.

Byte is the basic unit of measurement

on a computer.
A byte is used to represent and hold a
character such as a letter, number etc.
Kilobyte (KB), Megabyte (MB), gigabyte (GB)
and terabyte (TB)
Conversions:
1KB = 1000 bytes

1MB = 1000KB
= 1,000,000 bytes

1GB = 1000MB
= 1000,000,000 bytes

1TB = 1000GB
= 1000,000,000,000 bytes
Characteristics of Computer
Characteristics of Computer
1.Speed: Computers are superfast machines and
can process millions of instructions per second.
2.Accuracy: Computers perform calculations with
100% accuracy. They are capable of executing
hundreds of instructions without any errors.
3.Diligence: A computer can perform millions of
tasks or calculations with the same consistency and
accuracy. It doesn’t feel any fatigue
4.Memory/storage: Computers are capable of
storing large amounts of data in their storage
devices in condensed forms.
Characteristics of Computer…

5.Versatility: Versatility refers to the capability

of a computer to perform different kinds of works
with same accuracy and efficiency.
6.Reliability: A computer is reliable as it gives
consistent result for similar set of data i.e., if we
give same set of input any number of times, we
will get the same result.
7.Automation: Computer performs all the tasks
automatically i.e. it performs tasks without
manual intervention.
Limitations of Computers
The computer cannot think on its own, It can
only do what is has been programmed to do.
Types of computers
Types of Computers
On the basis of size, there are five types of
computers:
Supercomputer
Mainframe computer
Minicomputer
Microcomputers (Personal Computer)
Embedded Computers
1. Supercomputer
Supercomputers are the biggest and fastest
computers in the world.
They are designed to process huge amount of
data.
Can process trillions of instructions in a second.
It has thousands of interconnected processors.
They are used in scientific and engineering
applications such as weather forecasting, scientific
simulations and nuclear energy research.
➢Examples: IBM Summit
Supercomputer
2. Mainframe Computer
Mainframe computers are designed to support
hundreds or thousands of users simultaneously.
They are mostly used by governments and large
organizations for bulk data processing, critical
applications, transaction processing, Banking, airline
reservations, government databases.
They are ranked below supercomputers.
Examples: IBM zSeries
Mainframe computer
3. Minicomputers
Minicomputer is a medium size
multiprocessing computer.
It supports 4 to 200 users at one
time.
It is smaller than a mainframe computer.
Minicomputers are used in institutes and
departments for tasks such as billing,
accounting, insurance company and Human
resource management.
Examples: DEC PDP-11, IBM AS/400.
4. Microcomputer (Personal computer)
A microcomputer is small and compact.
Microcomputer vary in processing power but is a
computer intended for individual general purpose use
They include desktops, laptops, and workstations.
It's intended for personal use, education, business or
gaming and video production and audio production
Examples: Dell XPS, MacBook Pro, Lenovo ThinkPad
5. Embedded Computer
It is basically very small and often embedded within
other devices.
These are specialized computers designed to
perform dedicated functions within other systems.
They are not standalone devices and are usually
built into products where computer control is
required.
This kind of computer is suitable for Automotive
systems, home appliances, medical devices,
industrial machines.
For example, Controllers in microwaves, sensors in
cars, embedded chips in smart home devices.
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