CSC 101

APPLICATIONS OF INFORMATION
AND COMMUNICATION
TECHNOLOGIES
 Course Details

Course Code: CSC 101

Course Title:
Applications of Information and Communication Technologies
Credit Hours: 2 + 1
Course Objectives:
This course is an introduction to a broad class of computer
issues. It is designed for students who are not CS majors and
who have had little or no previous experience with computers.
 Course Outline - I

• Overview of ICT and Computing Systems: Introduction;

Computing Models; Computing Devices, Types &
Components; (2 weeks)
• Computer Codes & Number Systems (1 week)
• Operating Systems; System Software; Application
Software; Introduction to Databases & Information
Systems; (2 weeks)
• Computer Networks and Internet; E-commerce; (2 weeks)
• Security & Privacy; and Intellectual Property Rights; (1
week)
• ICT Applications: Heath Industry, Banking, Expert Systems,
and Digital Currencies; (1 week)
 Course Outline – II

• Emerging Trends: Cloud Computing, IoT, Augmented

Reality; Uses of Artificial Intelligence. (1 week)
• Problem Solving using Computer Programming:
Concepts, Types, Process; Algorithm Representation;
Program Development Lifecycle; (1 week)
• Programming Language (Python): Data Types; Variables
& Expression; Elementary Programming; Control
Structures; Loops; and Functions. (4 weeks)
 Recommended Books

Textbook:
Computer Science Illuminated, Nell Dale and John Lewis, Jones &
Bartlett Learning, LLC, 2020
Understanding Computers: Today and Tomorrow, Comprehensive,
Deborah Morley, Charles S. Parker, Cengage Learning, 2017.
Python Basics: A Practical Introduction to Python 3, David Amos, Dan
Bader, Joanna Jablonski, and Fletcher Heisler, Real Python, 2021
Python Programming an Introduction to Computer Science, John M.
Zelle, Franklin, Beedle & Associates Inc, 2016.
Reference Books:
Foundations of Computer Science, Behrouz Forouzan, McGraw-Hill,
2017.
Problem Solving & Programming, Maureen Sprankle, Jim Hubbard,
Prentice Hall, 2012.
 Marks Distribution of
course
• Assignments ……….…….10%

• Quizzes ..…………….. 15%

• Mid Term ……….….. 25%

• Final Exam .………………50%

6
 15th Edition
Understanding
Computers
Today and Tomorrow
Comprehensive
Chapter 1
Introduction to
the World of
Computers

Deborah
Morley Copyright 2015 Cengage
Learning
 Overvie
w
• This chapter covers:
– What computers are, how they work, and how they are
used
– Computer terminology
– An overview of the history of computers
– The basic types of computers in use today
– How to access resources on the Internet
– Societal impacts of computers

8
 Computers in Your
Life
• Why learn about computers?
– Pervasive computing
• Also known as ubiquitous computing
• Computers have become an integral
part of our lives
– Basic computer literacy
• Understanding what a
computer is and how it works

9
 Computers in Your
Life
• Before 1980
– Computers were large and expensive
– Very few people had access to them
– Computers were mostly used for high-volume
processing tasks
• Microcomputers in the early 1980s
– Inexpensive personal computers
– Computer use increased
dramatically

10
 Computers in Your
Life
• Today
– Nearly 90% of US households include a computer, and
most use computers at work
– Electronic devices are converging into single units with
multiple capabilities
• Check e-mail on living room
television
• View Internet content on mobile
devices
– Computer literacy is an essential
skill for everyone

11
Computers in Your
Life

12
 Computers in the
Home
• Computers used for a variety of tasks:
– Looking up information and news
– Exchanging e-mail
– Shopping and paying bills
– Watching TV and videos
– Downloading music and movies
– Organizing digital photographs
– Playing games
– Making vacation plans

13
 Computers in the
Home
• Used for reference, productivity, and entertainment
• Wireless networking
– Computers can be used in nearly any location
• Smart appliances
– Traditional appliances with built-in computer or
communication technology
• Smart homes
– Household tasks are monitored and controlled by a main
computer in the house

14
 Computers in
Education
• Youth today: the computing generation
• Computer labs and classrooms
– Most students today have access to computers at school
– Some schools integrate e-books into the curriculum
• Wireless hotspots
– Colleges and universities are even more integrated
– Some have computer requirements for enrollment
• Supplied or Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)
• Distance learning
– Students participate from locations other than the traditional
classroom setting using computers and Internet access

15
Computers in
Education

16
 Computers on the
Job
• Computers have become a universal on-the-job tool for
decision-making, productivity, and communication
– By all types of employees
– For access control and other security measures
– For service professional use
– Extensively by the military
– Requires continually refreshing computer skills
– Common uses:
– Decision making, productivity, off-site communications,
and authentication

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Computers on the
Job

18
 Computers on the
Go
• Computers are encountered in nearly every aspect of daily life
– Consumer kiosks
– ATM transactions
– POS systems at retail stores
– Self-checkout systems
– Consumer authentication systems
– Portable computers or mobile devices
– GPS systems

19
 Technology and You
Box
Restaurant iPad Ordering Systems
– Used in conjunction with e-menus
– Customers can place and pay for orders
– Can provide more resources to customers

20
 What Is a Computer and What
Does It Do?
• Computer
– A programmable, electronic device that accepts data,
performs operations on that data, and stores the data
– Follows instructions, called programs, which determine the
tasks the computer will perform
• Basic Operations
– Input: Entering data into the computer
– Processing: Performing operations on the data
– Output: Presenting the results
– Storage: Saving data, programs, or output for future use
– Communications: Sending or receiving data
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What Is a Computer and What
Does It Do?

22
 Data vs.
Information
• Data
– Raw, unorganized facts
– Can be in the form of text, graphics, audio, or video
• Information
– Data that has been processed into a meaningful form
• Information Processing
– Converting data into information

23
 Computers Then and
Now
• The computer as we know it is a fairly recent invention
• The history of computers is often referred to in terms of
generations
• Each new generation is characterized by a major technological
development
• Precomputers and early computers (before approx. 1946)
– Abacus, slide rule, mechanical calculator
– Punch Card Tabulating Machine and Sorter

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 Computers Then and
Now
• First-generation computers (1946-1957)
– Enormous and powered by vacuum tubes
– Used a great deal of electricity and generated a lot of heat
– ENIAC and UNIVAC
• Second-generation computers (1958-1963)
– Used transistors
– Computers were smaller, more powerful, cheaper, more
energy-efficient, and more reliable
– Punch cards and magnetic tape were used to input and
store data

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 Computers Then and Now

1A-26

Third-Generation Computers (approximately 1964–1970)

•The replacement of the transistor with integrated circuits (ICs)

•Integrated circuits incorporate many transistors and

electronic circuits on a single tiny silicon chip, allowing third-
generation computers to be even smaller and more reliable

•Keyboards and monitors were introduced for input and

output; hard drives were typically used for storage
 Computers Then and Now

1A-27

Fourth-Generation Computers (approximately 1971–present)

•Made it possible to place an increasing number of transistors on
a single chip

•Invention of the microprocessor, a microprocessor contains the

core processing capabilities of an entire computer on one single
chip

•Typically use a keyboard and mouse for input, a monitor and

printer for output, and hard drives, flash memory media, and
optical discs for storage

•Witnessed the development of computer networks, wireless

technologies, and the Internet.
 Computers Then and
Now

• Fifth-generation (now and the future)

– Infancy stage
– May be based on artificial intelligence (AI)
– Will likely use voice, touch input, and speech recognition
– May be based on optical computers and utilize
nanotechnology

28
 Computers Then and Now
1A-29
 Hardwar
e
• Hardware: The physical parts of a computer
– Internal hardware
• Located inside the main box (system unit) of the
computer
– External hardware
• Located outside the system unit
• Connect to the computer via a wired or wireless
connection
– Hardware devices are associated with all five computer
operations

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 Hardware

input processing
Keyboard CPU
Mouse GPU
Microphone storage
Scanner Hard drive
Digital camera CD/DVD/Blu-ray disc
Digital pen/stylus CD/DVD/Blu-ray drive
Touch pad/touch screen Flash memory card
Gaming controller Flash memory card reader
Fingerprint reader USB flash drive
OUTPUT communications
Monitor/display screen Modem
Printer Network adapter
Speakers Router
Headphones/headsets
Data projector
 Hardwar
e
• Input Devices
– Used to input data into the computer
– Keyboards, mice, scanners, cameras, microphones, touch
pads, touch screens, fingerprint readers, etc.
• Processing Devices
– Perform calculations and control computer’s operation
– Central processing unit (CPU) and memory
• Output Devices
– Present results to the user
– Monitors, printers, speakers, projectors, etc.

32
 Hardwar
e
• Storage Devices
– Used to store data on or access data from
storage media
– Hard drives, CD/DVD discs and drives,
USB flash drives, etc.
• Communications Devices
– Allow users to communicate with others and to
electronically access remote information
– Modems, network adapters, routers, etc.

33
Hardwar
e

34
 Softwar
e
• Software
– The programs or instructions used to tell the computer hardware
what to do
– Software is traditionally purchased on a CD or DVD or is
downloaded from the Internet
– Can also be run directly from the Internet (Cloud Software)
• System Software
– Operating system starts up the computer and controls its operation
– Without OS, computer cannot function
– Boots the computer and launches programs at the user’s direction
– Most software today uses a variety of graphical objects via icons,
buttons, tiles, etc.
– Windows, Mac OS, Linux, Android, etc.
35
 Softwar
e
• Windows 8 interface
– Start button, Start screen, tiles, charms, etc.

36
 Application
Software
• Application Software
– Performs specific tasks or applications
• Creating letters, budgets, etc.
• Managing inventory and customer databases
• Editing photographs
• Scheduling appointments
• Viewing Web pages
• Exchanging e-mail
• Burning DVDs
• Designing homes
• Playing games

37
 Application
Software
• Examples of application software
– Word processing programs
– Multimedia programs
– Web browsers
– E-mail programs

• There are also application programs that help users write their
own programs in a form the computer can understand using a
programming language
38
 Computer Users and
Professionals
• Computer Users (end users)
– People who use a computer to obtain information
• Computer professionals include:
– Programmers
• Write programs computers use
– Systems analysts
• Design computer systems
– Computer operations personnel
• Manage day-to-day computer operations(such as
maintaining systems or troubleshooting user-related
problems)
– Security specialists
• Secure computers and networks against hackers 39
 Computers To Fit Every
Need
• Six basic categories of computers:
– Embedded computers
– Mobile devices
– Personal computers
– Servers
– Mainframe computers
– Supercomputers

40
 Embedded
Computers
• Embedded Computers
– Embedded into a product and designed to perform specific
tasks or functions for that product
– Cannot be used as general-purpose computers
– Often embedded into:
• Household appliances
• Thermostats
• Sewing machines
• Treadmills
• Answering machines
• Cars

41
 Trend
Box
Tiny PCs
– Can look like a USB flash drive or small circuit board
– Typically connect your TV to the Internet to display Web
content
– Some are full computers

42
 Mobile
Devices
• Mobile Device
– A very small device with some type of built-in computing
or Internet capability
– Typically has a small screen
and keyboard
– Examples:
• Smartphones
• Handheld gaming
devices
• Portable digital media
players
• Media tablets
43
• Smart watches
 Personal Computers
(PCs)
• Personal Computer (PC)
– Small computer designed to be used by one person at a
time
– Also called a microcomputer
– Available in different sizes and shapes
• Desktop Computers
– On or next to a desk
– Tower case, desktop case,
or all-in-one
– PC-compatible or Mac
– Not portable

44
 Portable
Computers
• Portable Computers
– Designed to be carried around easily
– Fully functional computers
– Notebook (laptop) computers
• Typically use a clamshell design
– Tablet computers
• Usually use a digital pen/stylus or touch screen
• No physical keyboard; can use on-screen or attached
keyboard
– Hybrid notebook-tablet computers
– Netbooks
• Smaller and have more limited features than conventional
notebooks
45
Portable
Computers

46
 Thin Client and Internet
Appliances
• Thin Client
– Uses resources housed inside a central server as opposed
to hard drive
– Lower cost, increased security and easier maintenance
– Limited or no local storage
– Not able to function as a computer if network is down
• Internet Appliance
– Specialized network computer designed for Internet access
– Some use apps to deliver news, sports scores, weather,
music, and other Web-based information
– Smart TVs , smart refrigerators
– Gaming consoles 47
 Inside the Industry
Box
Tech Clothing
– Allows you to carry multiple
devices safely
– Can use devices while they
are being worn
– Make airport checkpoints
easier

48
 Serve
rs
• Server
– A medium-sized computer used to host
programs and data for a small network
– Sometimes referred to as a minicomputer
– Users connect via a network with a
computer, thin client, or dumb
terminal
– A server is usually located in an out-
of-the-way place and can serve
many users at one time
– Used in small- to medium-sized
businesses (such as medical or
dental offices), as well as in school 49
 Mainframe
Computers
• Mainframe Computer
– Powerful computer used by many large organizations to
manage large amounts of centralized data
– Standard choice for hospitals, universities, large
businesses, banks, government offices
– Located in climate-controlled data centers and
connected
to the rest of the company computers via a
network
– Larger, more expensive, and more powerful
than servers
– Usually operate 24 hours a day
– Also called high-end servers or enterprise-class 50
Mainframe
Computers

51
 Supercomput
ers
• Supercomputer
– Fastest, most expensive, most powerful type of computer
– Generally run one program at a time, as fast as possible
– Can cost several million dollars each
– Tend to be very large and contain a large number of CPUs
– Titan is one of the fastest computers in the world
– Sending astronauts into space, controlling missile
guidance systems and satellites, forecasting the weather,
exploring for oil, breaking codes, and designing and
testing new products

52
Supercomput
ers

53
 Quick
Quiz
1. A tablet PC is an example of a(n) .
a. Desktop computer
b. Portable PC
c. Internet appliance
2. True or False: The terms mainframe computer and
supercomputer are interchangeable; both refer to the
largest, most powerful computers.
3. A smartphone is an example of a(n)
.

Answers:
1) b; 2) False; 3) mobile device
54
 Computer Networks and the
Internet

• Computer Network
– A collection of hardware and other devices that are
connected together
– Users can share hardware, software, and data
– Users can communicate with each other
• Network Servers
– Manage resources on a network

55
 Computer Networks and
the Internet
• Computer networks exist in many sizes and types
– Home networks
– School and small office networks
– Large corporate
– Public wireless networks
– Mobile telephone networks

56
Computer Networks and
the Internet

57
 What Is Internet?

• Internet
– The largest/most well-known computer network in the
world
– A network of networks
– Individuals connect using an Internet service provider
(ISP)
– backbone network  regional network ISP servers
– Backbone networks form enormous network of
networks—the Internet
– exchanging e-mail messages and accessing content
located on Web pages
58
 What is the World Wide
Web

• World Wide Web

– One resource (a vast collection of Web pages) available
through the Internet
– Web sites contain Web pages stored on Web servers
– A group of web pages belonging to one individual or
company is called a Web site
– Viewed using a Web browser (Internet Explorer, Chrome,
Safari, Firefox, Opera, etc.)
– Offers a wide variety of information
What Are the Internet and
the World Wide Web?

60
 Accessing a Network or
the Internet
• Need a modem or network adapter to connect
• Some networks require a username and password
• Internet connections can be:
– Direct (always-on) connections
– Dial-up connections
• Internet addresses are used to access resources on the
Internet
– IP (Internet Protocol) address
• Numeric address that identifies computers
(207.46.197.32)
• Unique string of characters
61
 IP Addresses and Domain
Names
• Domain Names
– Correspond to IP addresses
– Text to reach a particular
website
– Identifies type of organization
or its location
– Three part structure
(Subdomain, SLD, TLD)

62
 Uniform Resource Locators
(URLs)
• Uniform Resource Locators (URLs)
 Address of a specific location on the web
 Uniquely identifies a Web page, including
• Protocol or standard being used
• Web server hosting the page
• Names of folders in which the Web page file is stored
• Web page’s filename
• https://faculty.comsats.edu.pk/BlankSheet?
courseId=152848&SheetId=0

63
 Uniform Resource Locators
(URLs)
• Protocols:
– Hypertext Transfer Protocol (http://) is typically used to
display Web pages (https:// is used for secure Web pages)
– File Transfer Protocol (ftp://) is often used for file
exchange from a server to a client on computer network

64
 E-mail
Addresses
• Identifies an email box to which messages are delivered
• E-mail addresses consist of:
– Username
• An identifying name (local part)
– The @ symbol
– Domain name for the computer that will be handling the
person’s e-mail (mail server)
• Pronouncing Internet addresses

65
 How It Works
Box
Campus Emergency Notification Systems
– Enable students and teachers to be notified of dangerous
activity, weather, etc. in a timely manner
– Can be sent via text messages,
e-mail messages, Facebook pages,
Twitter feeds, digital signage
systems, etc.

66
 Surfing the
Web
• Web browser
– Used to display Web pages
• Browser starting page or home page
– The first page displayed when the browser is opened
• To navigate to a Web page, you can:
– Type a URL in the Address bar
– Click a hyperlink – graphics or text linked to other Web
pages
– Select a Favorite/Bookmark or page from the History
list

67
 Searching the
Web
• Search site:
– Helps you locate what you are
looking for
– Typically search using
keywords
• Reference sites
– Look up addresses,
telephone numbers, ZIP codes,
maps, etc.

68
 E-
Mail
• Electronic mail (e-mail)
– Electronic messages exchanged between computers on a
network
• One of the most widely used Internet applications
• e-mail messages can include attached files, such as
documents, photos, and videos
• Can be conventional e-mail program, Web-based, or
mobile-based
• Web-based e-mail is typically free

69
 E-
Mail
Mobile e-mail may require a fee
• Other types of mobile communications
– Short Message Service (SMS)
– Multimedia Message Service (MMS)

70
E-
Mail

71
 Computers and
Society
• The vast improvements in technology over the past decade have had
a distinct impact on daily life, at home and at work
• Many benefits of a computer-oriented society
– Ability to design products before construction leads to safer products
– Earlier medical diagnoses and more effective treatment
– Devices that allow physically and/or visually challenged individuals to
perform job tasks
– Documents e-mailed or faxed in moments
– The ability to shop, pay bills, research products, participate in online
classes, and look up vast amounts of information 24 hours a day, 7
days a week, 365 days a year via the Internet is a huge convenience
– Download information, music, programs, movies, and more on
demand
72
 Risks of a Technology-Oriented
Society
• Computer-oriented society also has risks
– Stress and health concerns
– Spam
– Computer viruses and malware
– Identity theft and phishing
– Facing a “Big Brother” situation
– Privacy issues
• How data is collected
• How secure is the collected data
• Misuse of this data
73
 Security Issues

• Most common online security risks today is your computer

becoming infected with a malware program
• Causes damage to the infected computer
• Used to try to locate sensitive data on your computer
• Malware and other security threats are increasingly being
directed toward smartphones and other mobile devices
• It is crucial to install security software on your computer and
mobile devices
• Our privacy is at risk because the potential for privacy
violations increases

74
 Differences in Online
Communications
• Differences in online communications
– Less formal than traditional
– Netiquette
• Be polite and considerate of others
• Refrain from offensive remarks
– Abbreviations (acronyms) and emoticons
• Acronyms, such as BTW (by the way)
• Illustrations of faces, such as 
Computers and
Society

76
 Computers and
Society
• The Anonymity Factor
– Gives many individuals a sense of freedom
– Can also be abused
• Information Integrity
– Use common sense when evaluating online content
– Check your source--not all information on the Internet is
accurate

77
 Quick
Quiz
1. Index.html is an example of a(n) .
a. URL
b. IP address
c. Web page filename
2. True or False: All information published to Web pages is
accurate.
3. In the e-mail address [email protected], abc.com is the
.

Answers:
1) c; 2) False; 3) domain name

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 Summa
ry
• Computers in Your Life
• What is a Computer and What Does It Do?
• Computers to Fit Every Need
• Computer Networks and the Internet
• Computers and Society

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