ICT AND ETHICS NOTES

Computer is an electronic device that transforms data into meaningful information by processing
it.

The major characteristics of computers are:

1. High speed
2. Accuracy
3. Diligence
4. Versatility
5. Storage
6. Programmability

The computer consists of the following parts:

Hardware: are the physical computer parts that are visible and tangible i.e. the physical
Components of your computer.

Software: are computer instructions or programs which, as opposed to hardware are intangible
and they tell the computer what to do.

There are two types of software. They include:

Application software – is a set of programs, which are written to perform specific tasks. Some
types of software that can be used on an installed operating system: An application program is
the type of program that you use once the operating system has been loaded.
Examples include word-processing programs i.e. Microsoft Word,
Spreadsheets i.e. Microsoft Excel and databases i.e. Microsoft Access

System software is set of programs, responsible for running the computer, controlling various
operations of computer systems and management of computer resources. Operating
System (OS) falls under this category.
Types of Computers
1. Mainframe Computer
They are large, powerful and expensive computers, often used within large systems and
organizations, can be used by more than one user simultaneously.
2. Personal Computer – PC
The first PC was made by IBM in 1981, it was originally made for executing a single task by a
single user at the time. Today: a single person can execute many tasks simultaneously
(multitasking).
3. Apple Macintosh (Mac)
They are personal computer made by Apple Company,
4. Laptop computer (notebook)
They are relatively small computers, easily carried around i.e. portable. They consist of LCD
display and a small keyboard,
5. Personal Digital Assistant - PDA (Palm)
They are small computers that can fit into a pocket or user's palm, meant for performing basic
personal/business functions:
• Managing personal or business tasks and assignments,
• maintaining the address book,
• accessing and browsing the Internet,
• Sending/receiving e-mails, etc.
PDAs have now been replaced by modern smart phones and ipads that combine the features of a
PDA with a mobile phone and camera.

Classification of computers:-
Computers may be classified based on the following: -
i) Mode of data representation/ operating principles

ii) Based on area of application

iii) Based on size and capability

iv) Based on the number of users

ClASSIFICATION OF COMPUTERS
A. Classification based on mode of data representation or operating principles
Computers can be classified into three major classes based on the mode of data representation
or operating principles used.
1. Analog Computers
2. Digital Computers
3. Hybrid Computers

1. Analog Computers
1. An analog computer is a form of computer that uses continuous physical phenomena such as
electrical, mechanical, or hydraulic quantities to model the problem being solved.
It operates by measuring rather than counting.

2. Digital Computers
1. A computer that performs calculations and logical operations with quantities represented as
digits, usually in the binary number system
2. These are the systems that are computationally complete and capable of solving all of the
problems that can be solved algorithmically.
Examples: Desktop, laptop etc.

Hybrid Computers (Analog + Digital)

1. A combination of computers those are capable of inputting and outputting in both digital and
analog signals. A hybrid computer system setup offers a cost effective method of performing
complex simulations.
2. It uses both types of signals – analog as well as digital – as input.
3. Mostly used with process control equipment in continuous production plants e.g., oil
refineries, Areas of application are nuclear power plants, mines, intensive care units of hospitals
(ICUs), chemical process plants etc.
 B. Classification based on area of application
Modern computers depending upon their applications are classified as: -
1. Special Purpose Computers
2. General Purpose Computers
a) Special Purpose Computers: - A special purpose computer is designed only to meet the
requirements of a particular task or application. The instructions needed to perform a particular
task are permanently stored into the internal memory, so that it can perform the given task on a
single command. It therefore doesn’t possess unnecessary options and is less expensive.

b) General Purpose Computers: - A General Purpose computers are designed to meet the needs
of many different applications. In these computers, the instructions needed to perform a
particular task are wired permanently into the internal memory. When one job is over,
instructions for another job can be loaded into the internal memory for processing. This, a
general purpose machine can be used to prepare pay-bills, manage inventories, print sales report
and so on.

C. Classification based on size and Capability

Based on size and capability, computers are broadly classified into

I) Microcomputers (Personal Computer)

A microcomputer is the smallest general purpose processing system
Examples: - IBM PCs, APPLE computers

Microcomputers can be classified into 2 types:

1. Desktops
2. Portables
The difference is portables can be used while travelling whereas desktops computers cannot be
carried around.

The different portable computers are: -

1) Laptop this computer is similar to a desktop computers but the size is smaller. They are
expensive than desktop. The weight of laptop is around 3 to 5 kg
 2) Ipads
3) Palmtop (hand held)

ii) Mainframe computers: - Computers with large storage capacities and very high speed of
processing (compared to mini- or microcomputers) are known as mainframe computers. They
support a large number of terminals for simultaneous use by a number of users like ATM
transactions. They are also used as central host computers in distributed data processing system.

ii) Supercomputer: - Supercomputers have extremely large storage capacity and computing
speeds which are many times faster than other computers. A supercomputer is measured in terms
of tens of millions Instructions per second (mips), an operation is made up of numerous
instructions. The supercomputer is mainly used for large scale numerical problems in scientific
and engineering disciplines such as Weather analysis.

D. Classification based on the number of users

Based on number of users, computers are classified into: -

1. Single User: - Only one user can use the resource at any time.

2. Multi User: - A single computer shared by a number of users at any time

INPUT DEVICES they are devices that accept instructions and data from you the user.

They include:

Keyboard is the most common and very popular input device which helps in inputting data to
the computer.

Scanner It is used when some information is available on a paper and it is to be transferred to

the hard disc of the computer for further manipulation. Scanner captures images from the source
which are then converted into the digital form that can be stored on the disc. These images can
be edited before they are printed
.

Mouse is a hand held device, used as a pointer.

Trackball a pointing device, is has a mouse lying on its back. To move the pointer, you rotate
the ball with your thumb, your fingers, or the palm of your hand. This is a ball which is half
inserted and by moving fingers on ball, pointer can be moved. Since the whole device is not
moved, a track ball requires less space than a mouse. A track ball comes in various shapes like a
ball, a button
Joystick is also a pointing device which is used to move cursor position on a monitor screen.
Many games require a joystick for the proper playing of the game.
Microphone is an input device, which takes voice as input is an input device to input sound that
is then stored in digital form. The voice communication is more error-prone than information
through keyboard. There are two types of microphones available:
1. Desktop Microphone
2. Hand held Microphone

Camera (web, digital)

Bar code reader is a device used for reading bar coded data (data in form of light and dark
lines). Bar coded data is generally used in labeling goods, numbering the books etc. It may be a
hand held scanner or may be embedded in a stationary scanner. Bar Code Reader scans a bar
code image, converts it into an alphanumeric value which is then fed to the computer to which
bar code reader is connected.

Light Pens Used to allow users to point to areas on a screen. IT utilizes a light-sensitive detector
to select objects on a display screen. Light pen is a pointing device which is similar to a pen. It is
used to select a displayed menu item or draw pictures on the monitor screen.

OUTPUT DEVICES

Monitor There are two kinds of viewing screen used for monitors.
  Cathode-Ray Tube (CRT)
 Flat- Panel Display

Cathode-Ray Tube (CRT) Monitor

The CRT display is made up of small picture elements called pixels. The smaller the pixels, the
better the image clarity, or resolution. It takes more than one illuminated pixel to form whole
character, such as the letter ‘e’ in the word help.

A finite number of characters can be displayed on a screen at once. The screen can be divided
into a series of character boxes - fixed location on the screen where a standard character can be
placed. Most screens are capable of displaying 80 characters of data horizontally and 25 lines
vertically. There are some disadvantages of CRT:

 Large in Size
 High power consumption
 They are bulky

Flat-Panel Display Monitor

The flat-panel display refers to a class of video devices that have reduced volume, weight and
power requirement in comparison to the CRT. You can hang them on walls or wear them on your
wrists. Current uses of flat-panel displays include calculators, video games, monitors, laptop
computer, graphics display.

The flat-panel display is divided into two categories:

 Emissive Displays - The emissive displays are devices that convert electrical energy into
light. Examples are plasma panel and LED (Light-Emitting Diodes).
 Non-Emissive Displays - The Non-emissive displays use optical effects to convert
sunlight or light from some other source into graphics patterns. Example is LCD(Liquid-
Crystal Device)
Projector used to project information from the computer.

Printer is an output device, which is used to print information on paper after a document is
created on the computer, it can be sent to a printer for a hard copy (printout). Some printers offer
special features such as colored and large page formats
Plotters A plotter is an output device similar to a printer, but normally allows you to print
Large images.

Speakers are another type of output device, which allow you to listen to voice like music, and
conversation with people.
Earphones are output devices whose functions are similar to those of speakers.

STORAGE DEVICES

A storage device is any hardware capable of holding information either temporarily or

permanently

There are two types of storage devices used with computers:

Primary storage device, such as RAM

Secondary storage device, like a hard drive. Secondary storage can be removable, internal, or
external storage.

They include:

USB Flash drive

Floppy Disks or diskettes: Floppy disk drives allow you to save work on small disks and take
the data with them.

CD and DVD discs

Internal hard disk

External hard disk

Online storage device

Network disk drive

COMPUTER SOFTWARE

SYSTEM SOFTWARE

The operating system is a special type of program that loads automatically when you start your
computer.
An operating system is a system software that provides an interface for a user to communicate
with the computer, manages hardware devices (disk drives, keyboard, monitor, etc.), manages
and maintains disk file systems and supports application programs. Some popular Operating
systems are UNIX, Windows and Linux.
An operating system is a complex program that keeps the hardware and software components of
a computer system coordinated and functioning. It is like the owner of a small shop, who keeps
everything in order by attending to customers, accepting deliveries, stocking the shelves, doing
the bookkeeping, and so on. The shopkeeper must promptly attend to tasks as they arise. Without
the shopkeeper the shop could not function.
Most computer systems can potentially run any of several operating systems

Following are some of important functions of an operating System.

1. Memory Management: Memory management refers to management of Primary Memory or
Main Memory. Main memory provides a fast storage that can be access directly by the CPU. So
for a program to be executed, it must be executed in the main memory.

2. Processor Management:
In multiprogramming environment, OS decides which process gets the processor when and how
much time. This function is called process scheduling. Operating System does the following
activities for processor management:
 Keeps tracks of processor and status of process.
 Allocates the processor (CPU) to a process
3. Device Management: OS manages device communication via their respective drivers.
4. File Management: Operating System does the following activities for file management:
Keeps track of information, location, users, status etc. The collective facilities are often known
as file system.
Decides who gets the resources.
Allocates the resources.
De-allocates the resources.
5. Security -- By means of password and similar other techniques, preventing unauthorized
access to programs and data.
6. Control over system performance -- Recording delays between request for a service and
response from the system.
7. Job accounting -- Keeping track of time and resources used by various jobs and users.
8. Error handling -- Production of dumps, traces, error messages and other debugging and error
detecting aids.
9. Coordination between other software and users -- Coordination and assignment of
compilers, interpreters, assemblers and other software to the various users of the computer
systems.

TYPES OF OPERATING SYSTEMS

1. Batch operating system

The users of batch operating system do not interact with the computer directly. Each user
prepares his job on an off-line device like punch cards and submits it to the computer operator.
To speed up processing, jobs with similar needs are batched together and run as a group. Thus,
the programmers leave their programs with the operator. The operator then sorts programs into
batches with similar requirements.
The problems with Batch Systems are following.
a) Lack of interaction between the user and job.

b) CPU is often idle, because the speeds of the mechanical I/O devices are slower than CPU.

c) Difficult to provide the desired priority

2. Time-sharing operating systems
Time sharing is a technique which enables many people, located at various terminals, to use a
particular computer system at the same time. Time-sharing or multitasking is a logical extension
of multiprogramming. Processor's time which is shared among multiple users simultaneously is
termed as time-sharing. The main difference between Multiprogrammed Batch Systems and
Time-Sharing Systems is that in case of multiprogrammed batch systems, objective is to
maximize processor use, whereas in Time-Sharing Systems objective is to minimize response
time.
Multiple jobs are executed by the CPU by switching between them, but the switches occur so
frequently. Thus, the user can receive an immediate response. For example, in a transaction
processing, processor execute each user program in a short burst or quantum of computation.
That is if n users are present, each user can get time quantum. When the user submits the
command, the response time is in few seconds at most.
Operating system uses CPU scheduling and multiprogramming to provide each user with a small
portion of a time. Computer systems that were designed primarily as batch systems have been
modified to time-sharing systems.
Advantages of Timesharing operating systems are following
a) Provide advantage of quick response.

b) Avoids duplication of software.

c) Reduces CPU idle time.

Disadvantages of Timesharing operating systems are following.

a) Problem of reliability.

b) Question of security and integrity of user programs and data.

c) Problem of data communication.

3. Distributed operating System

Distributed systems use multiple central processors to serve multiple real time application and
multiple users. Data processing jobs are distributed among the processors accordingly to which
one can perform each job most efficiently.
The processors communicate with one another through various communication lines (such as
high-speed buses or telephone lines). These are referred as loosely coupled systems or distributed
systems. Processors in a distributed system may vary in size and function. These processors are
referred as sites, nodes, and computers and so on.
The advantages of distributed systems are following.
a) With resource sharing facility user at one site may be able to use the resources available at
another.
b) Speedup the exchange of data with one another via electronic mail.
c) If one site fails in a distributed system, the remaining sites can potentially continue operating.
d) Better service to the customers.
e) Reduction of the load on the host computer.
f) Reduction of delays in data processing.

4. Network operating System

Network Operating System runs on a server and provides the server with the capability to
manage data, users, groups, security, applications, and other networking functions. The primary
purpose of the network operating system is to allow shared file and printer access among
multiple computers in a network, typically a local area network (LAN), a private network or to
other networks. Examples of network operating systems are Microsoft Windows Server 2003,
Microsoft Windows Server 2008, UNIX, Linux, Mac OS X, Novell NetWare, and BSD.
The advantages of network operating systems are following.
a) Centralized servers are highly stable.

b) Security is server managed.

c) Upgrades to new technologies and hardware can be easily integrated into the system.

d) Remote access to servers is possible from different locations and types of systems.
The disadvantages of network operating systems are following.
a) High cost of buying and running a server.

b) Dependency on a central location for most operations.

c) Regular maintenance and updates are required

5. Real Time operating System

Real time system is defines as a data processing system in which the time interval required to
process and respond to inputs is so small that it controls the environment. Real time processing is
always on line whereas on line system need not be real time. The time taken by the system to
respond to an input and display of required updated information is termed as response time. So in
this method response time is very less as compared to the online processing.
Real-time systems are used when there are rigid time requirements on the operation of a
processor or the flow of data and real-time systems can be used as a control device in a dedicated
application. Real-time operating system has well-defined, fixed time constraints otherwise
system will fail. For example Scientific experiments, medical imaging systems, industrial control
systems, weapon systems, robots, and home-appliance controllers, Air traffic control system etc.