Module 1.

Introduction to Computers, Elements of a Computer System and The Capabilities and

Limitations of Computers

Computer System

➤ is an electronic device which consists of several components that together provide the capability of
executing a stored program.

➤ It is a device that accepts data, processes and stores these, and

produces a result. ➤ It performs four basic functions such as input, process, storage and output.

Computer system consists of:

Input devices which allow users to input data for processing;

Storage devices where the processed information are stored;

Central processing unit (CPU) which interprets and executes data or instruction;

Output devices where the outcomes are displayed.

Computer system has three main elements:

Hardware - refers to the physical components of a computer that you can actually touch, such as
keyboard, monitor, central processing unit, mouse and printer.
Software is untouchable. It is a set of instructions used to direct the hardware on how to turn data into
useful information for people to use. There are programs used by user to interact with the computer.

Peopleware - the people who use the computer system or simply the IT professionals.

Elements of a Computer System:

A. Hardware

Hardware may be classified into: input devices, output devices, the central processing unit (CPU) and
secondary storage.

1. Input Devices

Input Hardware consists of external devices that is, components outside of the computer's CPU - that
provide information and instructions to the computer.

Examples: Keyboard, Terminal, Touch Tone Device, Mouse, etc.

2. Output Devices

Output Hardware consists of devices which communicate the result of processing back to the user by
converting electrical signals form the Arithmetic/Logic Unit into a form recognizable by a human
operator.

Examples: Monitors, Printer, Speakers, etc.

3. Central Processing Unit (CPU)

The processing and conversion of data from input to output is done in the central processing unit. Its
main function is to perform arithmetic and logical operations on data taken from the primary storage or
on information entered through any input device. The CPU is composed of five basic components: main
storage,

registers, buses, ALU and the control unit.

4. Secondary Storage

The secondary storage is where data are stored permanently.

Examples: Magnetic Tape, Magnetic Disk, Optical Disk.

B. Software

The set of instructions or programs that tells the computer how to do a specific task is called software.
Software are classified into two: System Software and Application Software.

System Software performs tasks necessary to the efficient management of the hardware. It refers to
computer programs or library files whose purpose is to help run the computer system. It includes
operating systems, utility programs, compilers and interpreters.

Application Software is a program that helps solve and meet user problems and needs directly. They are
designed to perform specific functions, which make daily activities easier and facilitate the performance
of work efficiently and effectively. Application software can serve as productivity tools; assist in graphics
and multimedia projects, support home, personal and educational use and facilitate communication.

There are three basic types of application software

Commercial software - comes prepackaged and is available for software

vendors.

Shareware

are software developed and released as demonstration

versions of their commercial product. Open Source Software - is created by generous programmers and
released to the public domain for free and for public use.

C. Peopleware

The skilled workers in the Information Technology field are considered as the peopleware. The major
compositions of these IT professionals are the management group, systems and procedures group,
programming group and the computer operations group.

Module 2. Introduction to Information System, Why Study Information System and Types of Information
System

Four Management Functions Performed by Managers:

1. Planning - it involves formulation of objectives to guide all members of the organization toward the
goals to be achieved, the methods to achieve these goals and the probable outcomes and challenges to
encounter. Organizational plans could be short term or long term.
2. Organizing - is identifying resources and coordinating these to achieve goals that may include review
of current organizational setup, creation of sub-groups or departments if needed.

3. Directing - refers to communicating instructions necessary to perform specific tasks to be done.

4. Controlling- entails the performance evaluation to identify matters that need to be corrected or
changed that affect productivity and efficiency of workgroups.

Types of Information Systems:

1. Office Automation Systems this system incorporates electronics spreadsheets, word processors and
presentation tools.

2. Communication Systems generally aids organizations in their communication needs among different
sub-groups and level of organization. This system has sub-categories.

3. Transaction Processing Systems entails procedures of recording, incorporating and summarizing data
for reporting.

4. Management and Executive Information Systems this systems provides managers with information
that can be used in the problem- solving and decision n-making process.

5. Decision Support Systems - do not only provide information relevant to operations but they also have
data manipulation tools in models that simulate scenarios in the workplace.

6. Expert Systems - are one type of execution systems that evolved as a offshoot of artificial intelligence.
Are systems which support the intellectual works of professional engage in design, diagnosis or
evaluation of complex situations requiring expert in a well defined area.

The Communication Process

Shannon Communication Model process information source sends a message using a transmitter which
is then received by the destination through a receiver. As this goes on, a noise source may or may not
interfere with the process.

Data are raw, unprocessed facts; facts that may take the form of a number, an image, sound or
statement that are processed into information.

Information is processed and organized data and thus is more meaningful

and useful which aims to produce information.

System is a collection of related components established to work.

Characteristics of Information

1. Accurate - Information need to be always exact and not erroneous; inaccurate information may create
more problems than solutions.

2. Verifiable - Information could be confirmed for accuracy at any given time.

3. Up-to-Date - Current information is valuable based on current data

available. 4. Organized - It should be organized according to the needs of the user.

5. Relevant - Information should be appropriate to the need of the person who receives and uses it for
his purpose. 6. Complete - Information should not be partial or incomplete for it may
lead to disastrous decisions.

7. Cost Effective - It is important that the capture and processing of information is cost-effective.

Elements of the Information System:

1. People who are the qualified personnel to develop and maintain the system. They are trainable users
of the system or the operators.

2. Computer Equipment - the hardware to be used by the people to process information.

3. Data or information that are encoded and manipulated.

4. Software - the set of instruction that instructs the equipment what to do to process data or
information.

5. Procedure - the guidelines for the effective and optimal operation of the system.

6. Telecommunications - the media composed of the hardware and software that facilitate the
transmission of electronic data within the system

A. Analysis

1. Investigation - The first part in systems analysis is the investigation that determines its feasibility,
whether or not there really is a need to establish the system.
2. Information Sources - basis for analysis of the system

These include the following:

a) Interviews

b) Documentation

c) Observation

d) Questionnaires

e) Benchmarking

3. Feasibility:

Technical Feasibility

refers to the availability of the needed

hardware, software and telecommunication equipment. Economic Feasibility - means that the benefits
would outweigh the costs in establishing and maintaining the system.

. Operational Feasibility means that the system, at least theoretically, would work in the organization.
4. Requirements

Types: System Requirements and User Requirements

B. System Design/Development

The primary purpose of designing the system is to ascertain the means to meet the system requirements
identified in the list of requirements. After the analysis phase, when the requirements are determined,
the assigned project team may now design the system based on the proposed business process. The
design phase entails assessment of the supposed solutions to a problem and the identification of the
hardware, software and telecommunications equipment necessary to bring about these solutions.

C. Implementation

After testing the system and errors, if any, are corrected, it will then be put into operation so people will
start using the new system. This phase has two parts: Training and Conversion. To train people is to
teach them exactly

how they will use the new system. Conversion, in contrast, is the process of switching from the old
system, if any, to the new one.

D. Maintenance and Support

The IS development life cycle does not end with the implementation of the system. Maintenance is also
a part of the responsibility of IS professionals. Maintenance of the system may involve monitoring the
performance of the system to check performance measures with those indicated in the system
requirements so that necessary changes may be employed.

Module 3. World Wide Web, Connecting to the Internet, Internet Service, Web Browsers
Dr. Tim Berners-Lee designed a set of links to connect all information found in the giant superhighway.

HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) - the document formatting language used to link these documents.
It allows text to be formatted based on a generally accepted standard.

world wide web (www) the link which established the physical connection of documents from one
computer to another formed like a spider web. It usually called the Web for short-is a collection of
different websites you can access through the Internet.

Website is made up of related text, images, and other resources. Websites can resemble other forms of
media-like newspaper articles or television programs-or they can be interactive in a way that's unique to
computers. The purpose of a website can be almost anything: a news platform, an advertisement, an
online library, a forum for sharing images, or an

educational site.

web browser - you can access and view websites using a type of application Internet is a global network
of physical cables, which can include copper telephone wires, TV cables, and fiber optic cables.

Server is where websites are stored, and it works a lot like your computer's hard drive.

To connect to the internet, we need the hardware, a connection via telephone lines, an Internet Service
Provider (ISP), and a web browser.

Hardware the hardware needed to be connected consist of the personal computer(preferably with
multimedia capabilities) supported by a phone line connection to the ISP provider. This phone line
connection may be in the form of a moderm, DSL, ISDN or T1 line.
Modem - The most popular type of account or connection is with the use of modems (Modulator-
Demodulator). A modem is a device for transmitting data over phone wires, converting digital form into
an analog form and back again to digital form.

DSL(Digital Subscriber Line) is a broadband access service connection available from major companies
like PLDT, Bayantel and Digitel. It provides high-speed access and connectivity to the internet, minimum
speed of which may be about five times faster than the ordinary phone lines.

ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) is a digital technology that enables a single pair or copper
wire to transmit voice, data, image at a high speed, singly or all together, with virtually no
communication error.

T1 Line is a high-speed international digital leased service that allows point-to-point connections
between the Philippines and places abroad.

ISP (Internet Service Provider) - is the company that sells access to the internet. It provides the server
computer and the software to connect to the internet.

Web Browser - to explore the web, we need a graphical interface software called web browser. This is a
program which allows the user to view an HTML document, usually called a web page. The collection of
linked web pages with a common topic or focus is known as a web site.

The distinct parts of the URL: transfer protocol specification, the domain, and the document name.

Example:

Website name type of site

http://www.dakilangguro 101 edu/sscomalimono htmi

resfer protocol

domain name document name specification

These transfer protocols define the set of rules that the computer needs to follow or use to be able to
transfer files from one computer to another on the internet. Is found in the beginning of the URL, ca
either be an http:// (hypertext transfer protocol); ftp:// (file transfer protocol), gopher:// (gopher site),
news: (address of newsgroup), mailto: (links to an email address) telnet: (telnet site) or wais:// (wais
site).

The domain contains the website name and the type of site. The website name is a unique name which
is associated to a unique identification number on an Internet host computer. The type of site defines
the category of the which can either be a .com (commercial site), .edu (educational institution), .gov
(government agencies), .org (organizations other than government agencies), or .net (network services
provider or resource) to name a few.

The document name may contain the directory and the name of the file. The directory, which may be
multiple in most cases, defines where the web server may find the file needed. The name of file is also
specified in some cases and may generally have an .htm or html extension.

Other things you can do on the Internet:

Email is one of the oldest and most universal ways to communicate and share information on the
Internet

Social media allows people to connect in a variety of ways and build communities online. There are
many other things you can do on the Internet. There are thousands of ways to keep up with news or
shop for anything online. You can pay your bills, manage your bank accounts, meet new people, watch
TV, or learn new skills. You can learn or do almost anything online.