Lecture 1

Introduction to Information
Technology (IT)

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Lecture Overview

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 The Computer
• Def: an electronic device which when
given some data (input), manipulates it
to produce the desired results (output),
all under the influence of stored
instructions.
• Compute”– means to calculate.

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 Data and Information
• Computers process data(input) into
information (output).
• Data – raw unprocessed facts and
figures.
• Information- processed meaningful data
that can be used in decision making.

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• Data processing - the activity of
manipulating raw facts to generate
meaningful information.
• A computer is said to be a data processor
because it can process, store and retrieve
data when ever desired.

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Data Processing Cycle

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Data Processing Cycle Cont’d
• The four-step process that data moves through
as it is processed by a computer:
i. Input – transfer of data from the outside
world into the computer.
ii. Processing – transformation of the data into
information
iii. Output – availing processed information to
users.
iv. Storage – saving data for future reference.
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 Characteristic Features of a Computer

1. Automatic
• does not require human intervention
once given a job.
2. Speed
• can process a job at very high speeds.
• E.g. 10-6 (microsecond); 10-9
(nanosecond); 10-12 (picosecond).
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 Characteristic Features of a Computer
Cont’d
3. Accuracy & Consistency
• Computers are consistently accurate.
• However given incorrect input, it produces
wrong output i.e. GIGO.
4. Diligence
• Unlike human beings, computers are free
from monotony, tiredness, and lack of
concentration.
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 Characteristic Features of a Computer
Cont’d
5. Versatility
• can accomplish a wide variety of tasks
E.g. exam, payroll processing etc.
6. Power of remembering
• can store large amounts of data and for a
very long time.

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 Characteristic Features of a Computer
Cont’d
7. No I.Q.
• Computers have no ability to reason logically.
• They rely on the intelligence instilled into a
program by the human programmer.
8. No feelings
• unlike human beings, computers are devoid of
emotions.

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 Information Technology (IT)
• IT – is application of computers to store,
transmit, retrieve & manipulate data.
• Typically used in the context of business
operations rather than personal use.
• Considered a subbranch of the wider ICT
discipline.

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 Information and Communication
Technologies (ICT)
• the integration of computer and
telecommunication systems to enable users to
access, store, transmit, and manipulate
information.
• ICT forms the backbone of organizations’
information systems.

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 Information System
• a set of interrelated components that collect,
process, store, retrieve and distribute
information to support decision making and
control in an organization.
• An information system consists of the
following components: people, computers,
procedures, and data.
• Example: Maseno MIS

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 ICT Application Areas
1. Education
• Computers are used in education sector
through:
online classes, online examinations, referring e-
books
They help in increased use of: audio-visual aids,
handouts, presentations etc.

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 ICT Application Areas Cont’d
2. Healthcare
• Hospitals and doctors use computers to
maintain patient records.
• Doctors use e-mail and cell phones to
correspond with patients
• Diagnostic System − Doctors use the
Web and medical software to assist with
researching and diagnosing health
conditions.
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 CT Application Areas Cont’d
• Lab-diagnostic System − Computers and
computerized devices assist doctors,
nurses, and technicians with medical
tests .
• Patient Monitoring System − monitor
patients’ vital signs in hospital rooms and at
home.

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 ICT Application Areas Cont’d
• Pharmacy Information System −
Computer is used to check drug labels,
expiry dates, harmful side effects, file
insurance claims etc.
• Surgeons use computer-controlled devices to
provide them with greater precision during
operations, such as for laser eye surgery and
robot-assisted heart surgery

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 ICT Application Areas Cont’d
• Surgeons implant computerized devices, such
as pacemakers, that allow patients to live
longer.
• telemedicine- Through telemedicine, health-
care professionals in separate locations
conduct live conferences on the computer.

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ICT Application Areas Cont’d

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 ICT Application Areas Cont’d
3. Science and Research
• All branches of science, biology, astronomy,
meteorology etc. , use computers to assist
them with collecting, analyzing, and modeling
data.
• Scientists also use the Internet to
communicate with colleagues around the
world.

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 ICT Application Areas Cont’d
• Breakthroughs in surgery, medicine, and
treatments often result from scientists’ use of
computers.
• Example: Tiny computers now imitate
functions of the central nervous system, retina
of the eye, and cochlea of the ear.
• A cochlear implant allows a deaf person to
listen.

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 ICT Application Areas Cont’d
• Electrodes implanted in the brain stop tremors
associated with Parkinson’s disease.
• Cameras small enough to swallow sometimes
called a camera pill — take pictures inside
your body to detect polyps, cancer, and other
abnormalities.

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ICT Application Areas Cont’d

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 ICT Application Areas Cont’d
4. Banking and Finance
• computers are used to store details of customers
and transactions.
• conduct transactions, such as withdrawal and
deposit of money through ATMs.
• mBanking – conduct transactions via mobile
platform e.g. deposit, withdrawal, balance enquiry.
• eBanking – conduct transactions via the Internet.
• EFTs - inter –organizational funds transfer
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 ICT Application Areas Cont’d
5. Business and Commerce
• Nowadays, computers are totally integrated
into business.
• Budgeting
• Sales analysis
• Financial forecasting
• Managing employee database
• Maintenance of stocks, etc.
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 ICT Application Areas Cont’d
6. eCommerce
• Is buying and selling of goods over the
Internet.

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 ICT Application Areas Cont’d
7. Communication
• Communication channels include:
i. E-mail
ii. Chatting
iii. Usenet
iv. FTP
v. Telnet
vi. Video-conferencing

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 ICT Application Areas Cont’d
8. Creative and Performing Arts
• Computers are extensively used in dance,
photography, arts and culture. The fluid
movement of dance can be shown live via
animation. Photos can be digitized using
computers.

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 ICT Application Areas Cont’d
9. Engineering and Design
• Structural Engineering − Requires stress and
strain analysis for design of ships, buildings,
budgets, airplanes, etc.
• Architectural Engineering − Computers help in
planning towns, designing buildings,
determining a range of buildings on a site
using both 2D and 3D drawings.

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 ICT Application Areas Cont’d
10. Military
• Some military areas where a computer
has been used are −
• Missile Control
• Military Communication
• Military Operation and Planning
• Smart Weapons

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 ICT Application Areas Cont’d
11. Government
• Budgets
• Sales tax department
• Income tax department
• Computation of male/female ratio
• Computerization of voters lists
• Computerization of PAN card

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 ICT Application Areas Cont’d
12. Manufacturing and Industry
• Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) refers to
the use of computers to assist with manufacturing
processes such as fabrication and assembly.
• Often, robots carry out processes in a CAM
environment.
• CAM is used by a variety of industries, including
oil drilling, power generation, food production,
and automobile manufacturing.
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ICT Application Areas Cont’d

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 ICT Application Areas Cont’d
13. Transport & Hospitality Industry
• Many vehicles manufactured today include
some type of onboard navigation system.
• Some mobile users prefer to carry specialized
handheld navigation devices.
• In preparing for a trip, you may need to reserve
a car, hotel, or flight.
• Many Web sites offer these services to the
public.
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 ICT Application Areas Cont’d
14. Media and publishing
• Special software assists graphic designers in
developing pages that include text, graphics,
and photographs;
• Special software also artists in composing and
enhancing songs
• filmmakers in creating and editing film;
• Many media houses and publishers make their
works available online.
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ICT Application Areas Cont’d

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 Benefits of Computers in
Organizations
1. Business process Automation
• Computers have helped automation of many
industrial and business systems.
• Examples: manufacturing industries, power
distribution systems, airline reservation
systems, transportation systems, banking
systems, and so on.

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 Benefits of Computers in Organizations
Cont’d
2. Stores large amount of data
• Business and commercial organizations need
to store and maintain voluminous records and
use them for various purposes such as
inventory control, sales analysis, payroll
accounting.

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 Benefits of Computers in Organizations
Cont’d
3. Improves Productivity
• With the introduction of word processing
software, Computers have recently been
applied to the automation of office tasks and
procedures.
• This is aimed at improving the productivity of
both clerical & managerial staff.

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 Benefits of Computers in Organizations
Cont’d
4. Sharing of data and information
• Due to networking of computers, use of e- mail
and internet has improved efficiency in
information sharing in organizations.
5. Competitiveness
• With advancement in IT sector, corporates are
spreading business around the world thus,
increasing their presence and entering new
markets.
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 Benefits of Computers in Organizations
Cont’d
6. Cost Reduction
• The extensive availability of internet based
information means that companies have a
wider choice of suppliers which leads to a
more competitive pricing.

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 Benefits of Computers in Organizations
Cont’d
7. Marketing
• Corporates engaged in e-business can take help
of their respective websites to create brand
awareness of their products, thus, creating new
avenues of promotion of their products.

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 ICT Drawbacks
1. Violation of Privacy: individuals have found
their privacy violated and identities stolen
when data is not well protected.
2. Public Safety: innocent computer users have
fallen victim to crimes committed by
dangerous strangers.
3. Impact on Labor Force: has led to job losses
in some instances e.g. Business outsourcing

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 ICT Drawbacks Cont’d
4. Health Risks: Prolonged or improper
computer use can lead to health injuries or
disorders. E.g. eye strain, wrist pain etc.
5. Impact on Environment: Computer
manufacturing processes and computer waste
are depleting natural resources and polluting the
environment.

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History & Evolution of Computers
1. Abacus

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History & Evolution of Computers Cont’d

• probably the earliest of counting devices.

• It consists of rectangular wooden frame with
two compartments and beads sliding along
steel wires for counting.
• Multiplication and divisions are done using
repeated additions and subtractions.
• they are still used to teach arithmetic to
children.
• The blind may also use an abacus.
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History & Evolution of Computers Cont’d

2. Napier’s logs and bones

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History & Evolution of Computers Cont’d

• 3. Slide rule

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History & Evolution of Computers Cont’d

4. Calculating machines and Pascal’s calculator:

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History & Evolution of Computers Cont’d

• 5. Babbage difference and analytical engines.

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History & Evolution of Computers Cont’d

• 6. Lady Ada Lovelace

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History & Evolution of Computers Cont’d

• 7. Herman Hollerith’s Machine

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History & Evolution of Computers Cont’d

• 8. ABC Computer:

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History & Evolution of Computers Cont’d

• 10. EDSAC-Electronic Delay Storage Automatic

Calculator:

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History & Evolution of Computers Cont’d

• 11. UNIVAC-I – Universal Automatic

Computers:

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