1.

0 Concept of ICT
1.1 Information and their characteristics

Data
Data is a raw and unorganized fact that required to be processed to make it meaningful. Data can be
simple at the same time unorganized unless it is organized. Generally, data comprises facts, observations,
perceptions numbers, characters, symbols, image etc.

Lifecycle of data consists of data creation, management of data and removal of obsolete data. For the
purpose of creating meaningful information, data should be introduced into the system or create inside
the system.

Remove
Data
Obsolete
Creation
Data

Data
Management

Keeping data securely and making them accessible necessarily are done while management of data.
Whenever data will be outdated and found to be unnecessary anymore, it’s the time to remove that data
from the system. This is known as the life cycle of data. Data can be identified as the inputs into a system
that intents to create meaningful information.

Information
Information can be defined as the data organized meaningfully. Creation of information can be identified
as processing of data. For the purpose of processing there should be instructions to follow.

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After processing data according to the instructions given, information is produced which is the outcome
the processed data. Although information is an output of a process the same information would be a
data for another process. Thus, data and information can be identified distinctly through examining inputs
and outputs of a particular process.

Data Vs Information
Individual pieces of data are rarely useful alone. For data to become information, data needs to be put
into context. Data can be classified into two types as quantitative and qualitative.

Quantitative data is numerical and acquired through counting or measuring. Quantitative data can be
presented with numbers and which can be arranged in a numerical order or can be subjected to arithmetic
process. Qualitative data is not measurable, but can be identified their properties. Examples: Qualitative
data – Goodwill of an organization

Usage of Information
Information is useful for making decisions of day-to-day life. To make plans, schedules, and policies
information are needed. Today’s information would helpful to predict how it would be in the future. For
an example, present information on currency exchange would be helpful to predict that for the following
month or for the following year.

Data processing and information creation can be done manually. Some drawbacks occur such as
consuming more time in entering and organizing data manually. Also, human errors in data processing
may lead to inaccurate information.

Manual methods are inefficient in sharing information and hard to provide a quality service to the
customer. Data inconsistency may occur in manual methods of manipulating data and information. Data
inconsistency is, occurring the same data in two different files in different formats or values. When same
data exist in different files, updates cannot be done easily.

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Data Processing

A system can be defined as an interrelated component work together to achieve a common objective. A
system is made up of inputs, processing and output. A school, a vehicle or a bicycle can be introduced as
a system. A system consists of interrelated components / sub systems and system should be analyzed to
identify inputs, outputs, subsystems and their individual responsibilities. In an information system data
input into the system is processed using processing instructions given and information is produced as
output. This is called an abstract model of information.

Abstract Model of Information A digital computer carries out the following five functions:

1. Takes data as input.

2. Stores the data/instructions in its memory and uses them as required.

3. Processes the data and converts it into useful information.

4. Generates the output.

5. Controls all the above four steps.

Though a computer system follows data input, processing data into information and output results, the
basic functions of a computer system are well overlapped on the Abstract Model of Information.

Cloud Computing

The term Cloud refers to a Network or Internet. A Cloud is present at a remote location and provides
services over a network. Applications such as e-mail, web conferencing, customer relationship
management (CRM) run in clouds. Cloud Computing refers to manipulating, configuring, and accessing

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the applications online. It offers online data storage, infrastructure and application. Cloud Computing
provides access to applications as utilities, over the Internet.

Big Data

The term is used in the data definition to describe the data that is in the petabyte range or higher.
Nowadays, web-based eCommerce has spread vastly, business models based on Big Data have evolved,
and they treat data as an asset itself. There are many benefits of Big Data as well, such as reduced costs,
enhanced efficiency, enhanced sales, etc.

1.2 Computer System

A computer system is a set of integrated devices that input, output, process, and store data and
information. Computer systems are currently built around at least one digital processing device. There are
five main hardware components in a computer system: Input, Processing, Storage, Output and
Communication devices.

Computer Hardware
The physical components (tangible parts) of a computer known as Hardware. Hardware components can
be categorized into Input Devices, Output Devices, Processing Devices, Networking Devices and Memory
Devices. In addition to those types of hardware there is a circuit board located inside a computer system
called mother board by means of which every hardware component are connected to each other.

E.g.- System unit, Mouse, Keyboard, Monitor etc.

Computer Software
Computer software is classified as system software and application software. System software (systems
software) is the computer software designed to operate and control the computer hardware and to
provide a platform for running application software.

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System software can be separated into three different categories as follows.

1. Operating Systems –Windows, Linux, Mac OS

2. Utility Software– Virus Guard, Device drivers

3. Language Translators – Compiler, Interpreter

Liveware
The computer users are known as Liveware. It can be anyone who use the computer.

Firmware
Firmware is a computer program that is "embedded" in a hardware device, that is, an essential part of the
hardware. It is sometimes called embedded software. In computers firmware embedded in ROM and
which handles booting up process of computers.

1.3 Data Processing

Steps in data processing are Data gathering, Data validation, Data processing, Data output and Data
storage.

Data gathering Data gathering methods vary as manual methods, Semi-automated and automated
methods. Tools used in automated methods.

Interviews, questionnaires and observation can be done in order to collect data manually. Using
interviews detailed questions and answers may helpful for making the discussion fair enough to capture
deserved data. It’s a fast method to use of questionnaires which is most suitable for gathering quantitative
data and answering anonymously, may helpful to gather fair and confident data.

Data validation methods

Data type check – Check whether correct data type (numeric/text/date/currency etc) is input into the
system

Presence check – Presence of data (i.e. data entry field is not blank) is checked. It is compulsory to input
important

data Range check – Check whether the data is in allowed range (i.e. Marks have to be between 0 and 100)
commonly used when working with data which consists of numbers, currency or dates/times

Modes of data input

Direct and remote - In direct data input, data is input into the system directly without direct user
interference. In remote entry, system is designed specially to store data. Data storing and transactions are
taking place in different geographical places.

Online and offline – In online data input, the data is input at the same time transaction taking place, where
data of different transactions input after a specific time period as a batch in offline method.

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Data processing
Data input and processing occur as a batch in batch processing. It is easy to handle huge amount of data
as a batch. So, data stored until the system comes online to process the data in one 'batch'. Batch
processing is done in billing systems and pay roll system.

In real time processing of data, input, processing and output as well as data storing occur simultaneously.
Any type of monitoring system, any type of booking system, computer controlled systems such as
automatic production line, an aircraft auto-pilot, the system controlling a nuclear power stations uses real
time processing.

Output methods
Direct presentation to the user can be done by using a monitor, multimedia projector or a printer. Soft
copies are presented with monitors and multimedia projectors whereas printer output printed copies
which is said to be hard copies. Storing methods are used to store data securely for further processing
needs.

Storage methods
Local storages such as Hard Disks Drives, Compact Disk, Digital Versatile Disks and Tape Drives can be used
to store data inside the local computer. Remote storage such as cloud space can be used to store data
securely. To get remote data when needed it is required the access to the internet.

1.4 Application of ICT In Different Domains

Education
The computer helps in providing a lot of facilities in the education system. The computer provides a tool
in the education system known as CBE (Computer Based Education). CBE involves control, delivery, and
evaluation of learning as follows.

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Healthcare
Computers have become an important part in hospitals, labs, and dispensaries. They are being used in
hospitals to keep the record of patients and medicines. It is also used in scanning and diagnosing different
diseases. ECG, EEG, ultrasounds and CT scans are also done by computerized machines.

Agriculture
ICT is applied in the field of agriculture, animal farm houses and fisheries industries. ICT is used to control
light, moisture and air inside the greenhouses. Robotic machines are used to monitor plant growth levels,
record them and harvesting in large scale farm lands. Crop harvesting and seedling planter robotics are
also useful to keep efficiency of agriculture industry. Automatic weed removers and insect control devices
protect the crop from weed plants and insects respectively. Monitoring devices are used to monitor
factors affect crop production such as weather, climatic changes, rainfall, wind direction, soil fertility and
water content.

Business and finance

A computer has high speed of calculation, diligence, accuracy, reliability, or versatility which has made it
an integrated part in all business organizations. Computer is used in business organizations for payroll
calculations, budgeting, sales analysis, financial forecasting, managing employee database and
maintenance of stocks etc.

Engineering
CAD (Computer Aided Design) that provides creation and modification of drawing. 3D virtualization also
can be done in engineering industry before development of buildings, machinery, and vehicles also. Some
machinery can be developed virtually and can be monitored functioning animations on screens.

Tourism
Internet has facilitated prospective tourist services, communication, and information access. Bringing a
better quality of service to the tourism industry, the Internet has pulled down prices, made information
widely available, and allowed sellers and buyers to connect more easily and make transactions.

1.5 Impact of ICT in the society

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Social and economic benefits of ICT Benefits provided by ICT such as social benefits and economic benefits
would tend people to embrace the information communication technology.

ICT impact in entertainment and leisure industry has improved the way in which we can entertain
ourselves by enhancing and providing people with different ways of entertaining ourselves such as online
games and chat with friends etc.

ICT has bridged access to information from anywhere anytime which improves information dissemination
around the world. Cloud computing activates better application, services, security, reliability and
availability of information.

Social, economic, environmental, ethical, legal and privacy issues caused by ICT
ICT adoption in industries causes thousands of job losses. This is because computers reduce the number
of people needed to perform a particular task.

Negative impacts of entertaining using ICT are time wastage, health issues. Continuous use of ICT for
entertainment such as playing games brings health issues. For instance, constant use of thumbs, wrists
and eyes can lead to problems such as eyes strain, RSI and other physical problems.

“Digital divide” is an economic and social inequality with regard to access to, use of, or impact of
information and communication technologies. Access to appropriate technological resources similar and
improvements in ICT education will helpful to overcome digital divide.

Electronic waste or e-waste is becoming a severe problem around the world. The major problem with e-
waste is that the toxic chemicals such as lead, arsenic and cadmium can leach into the soil over time and
contaminate the drinking water.

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Questions:

1. There are 3 statements regarding to the data and information

A. Data could be exist as numbers, sounds or images.

B. Data should be entered to a system in order to get information.
C. A thing which exists as data in an instance could be an information in another instance.

(1) A Only (2) A,B (3) B,C (4) A,C (5) A,B,C

2. What is not an activity in the data processing life cycle

(1) Keep data securely

(2) Ability of get data easily when needed
(3) Create information
(4) Keep data randomly in the system
(5) Remove the obsolete data.

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3. Quantitative and qualitative data are?

(1) ICT exam marks / total students in the class

(2) Average speed of a vehicle within a hour / tastiness of a food
(3) Colour of a flower / Marks should obtain for the grade A
(4) Average rainfall of Sri Lanka / The total rainfall in the year 2019.
(5) The percentage of ICT passed students / A named chart.

4. what is not a characteristic of valuable information

(1) Timeliness (2) Accuracy (3) Enhanced understandability

(4) Less uncertainty (5) Cleanliness

5. Consider the 3 statements regarding to the big data

A. Cannot process using the traditional methods

B. Social media creates big data
C. Big data is easy to process

(1) A (2) A,B (3) A,B,C (4) B,C (5) A,C

6. What is the most valuable moment for cricket fans when Sri Lanka was winning the 2014 t20 world
cup.

(1) Final match started moment

(2) The moment Thisara Perera scored the winning run
(3) The moment Lasith Malinga lift the world cup
(4) When see the news by the news papers
(5) when they see the arrived cricket team at the air port

7. What is Cloud Computing?

a) Cloud Computing means providing services like storage, servers, database, networking, etc
b) Cloud Computing means storing data in a database
c) Cloud Computing is a tool used to create an application
d) None of the mentioned

8. Which of the following is a type of cloud computing service?

a) Service-as-a-Software (SaaS)
b) Software-and-a-Server (SaaS)
c) Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)
d) Software-as-a-Server (SaaS)

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1. Compare data vs information
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2. Give 5 examples for cloud computing

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3. What is GPU and its usage?

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4. Describe the following in cloud computing

a. Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

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b. Platform as a Service (PaaS)

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c. Software as a Service (SaaS)

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5. Describe how ICT applied in Media/Journalism and Law enforcement sectors

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6. List down 5 positive and negative impacts of ICT to the society

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7. What is the golden rule of information?

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8. Name 3 data validation methods

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9. What is plagiarism?

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10. What is software piracy?

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