UNIT 01

BASIC CONCEPTS in COMPUTING

Unit-01: Lessons Composition

I. Lesson 1: Basic Definitions

Duration: 3 Hours per week (Week 1)

II. Lesson 2: Basic operations and Components of a

Computer System
Duration: 3 Hours per week (Week 2)

III. Lesson 3: Processing Data: Transforming Data

Into Information
Duration: 3 Hours per week (Week 3)

IV. Lesson 4: Storing Data

Duration: 3 Hours per week (Week 4)
INTRODUCTION
Lesson 1, Basic Definitions, aside from the course description, aims to give a
general overview of what a computer is and lay the foundation of the science of
computing. The module contents examine the overall aspect of computing, its
relationship to Information Communication Technology, components, operating
systems, and internal organization of the computer system, which include CPU
elements, memory, internal storage, and input/output units. The module contains
concepts of computer storage devices, its functionality, the CPU terminology,
memory functionality, trend and concepts, monitor and their controllers, video
graphic, driver software, et cetera. Basic knowledge of data representation, data
communication, networking, operating systems, database systems, web server and
its properties, internet communication, and security will also be acquired in this
module.

ICT has become a necessary and acknowledged piece of regular day to day
existence for some individuals. ICT is expanding in significance in individuals' lives,
and it is expected that this pattern will proceed, to the degree that ICT education will
turn into a useful necessity for individuals' work, social, and individual lives.

In the previous decades, data and correspondence advancements have

furnished society with a vast range of new correspondence abilities. For instance,
individuals can impart progressively with others in various nations utilizing
innovations, for example, texting, voice over IP (VoIP), and video-conferencing.
Interpersonal interaction sites like Facebook permit clients from everywhere
worldwide to stay in contact and convey consistently.

Present day data and technology advances have made the world a "global
village," in which individuals can speak with others worldwide as though they were
living nearby. Hence, ICT is regularly concentrated with regards to how present day
correspondence innovations influence society.
OBJECTIVES/COMPETENCIES:

● Explain why computer literacy is important to success in today’s world.

● Define the terms, Information Communication Technology, computer, and
describe the relationship between data and information.
● Describe the different computer components: input devices, output devices,
system unit, storage devices, and communications devices.
● Explain the importance of different type types of computers.
● Discuss the advantages and disadvantages that users
experience when working with computers.
● Explain the main primary components of the computer
and its use.
● Analyze the future impact of computing on humanity.

A pre-test of your computer knowledge…

● Observing the lives in your community, could you describe how computers
affect the lives of the people?
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● Could you describe life without any smart device and the Internet?
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Lesson 1.1 - DATA AND INFORMATION

Data as a general concept refers to the fact that some existing information or
knowledge is represented or coded in some form suitable for better usage or
processing. It is a series of observations, measurements, facts, and communication.
Computer data are information that is stored or saved inside a computer or a
computing device.1 There are multiple types of data. Some of the more common
types of data include the following:

• Single character
• Boolean (true or false)
• Text (string)
• Number (integer or floating-point)
• Picture
• Sound
• Video
Data is raw, unorganized facts that need to be processed. Data can be
something simple and seemingly random and useless until it is organized. Each
student's test score is one piece of data. 2 When data is processed, organized,
structured, or presented in a given context to make it useful, it is called information.
The average score of a class or the entire school is information that can be derived
from the given data. The word comes from a singular Latin word, datum, which
originally meant "something given." Its first usage dates back to the 1600s. Over time
"data" has become the plural of datum. "Information" is an older word that dates
back to the 1300s and has Old French and Middle English origins. It has always
referred to "the act of informing," usually regarding education, instruction, or other
knowledge communication.

Data and Information – Input, Storage (Volatile/Non Volatile), Process, Output

 Information is something that can be measure quantitatively. In the
computing world, information often means as computer data. The primary unit of
computer information is a bit. One bit of data consists of two values: 1 and 0. All
computer data or information are converted to 1’s and 0’s, which can be understood
and the process by any computing devices. A representation of computer information
is shown below:

Information is also organized or classified data, which has some meaningful values
for the receiver. Information is the processed data on which decisions and actions
are based 3.

For the decision to be meaningful, the processed data must qualify for the following
characteristics:

● Timely − Information should be available when required.

● Accuracy − Information should be accurate.
● Completeness − Information should be complete.4

Information

1 0

“Hello World” 101100011010000111010100011101010010100101000

0011010001010100101010011110000110101011000110100
0011101010001110101001010010101100110000110011110
0111001001100100100010010011100000011111101010101
010100001100101000101000101001000

Representation of computer information in terms of 1’s and 0’s.

Lesson 1.2 - What is Information Communication
Technology (ICT)?
ICT stands for "Information and Communication Technologies." It refers
to technologies that provide access to information through telecommunications 4. It is
similar to Information Technology (IT) but focuses primarily on communication
technologies. ICT includes the Internet, wireless networks, cell phones, and other
communication mediums.

In the past few decades, information and communication technologies have

provided society with a vast array of new communication capabilities. For example,
people can communicate in real-time with others in different countries using
technologies such as instant messaging, voice over IP (VoIP), and video-
conferencing. Social networking websites like Facebook allow users from all over the
world to remain in contact and communicate regularly 6.

Modern information and communication technologies have created a "global

village," in which people can communicate with others across the world as if they
were living next door. For this reason, ICT is often studied in the context of how
modern communication technologies affect society.
Lesson 1.3 - What is a Computer?
A computer is a machine or device that
performs processes, calculations, and operations
based on instructions provided by a software or
hardware program. It can accept data (input),
process it, and then produce outputs. Computers can also store data for later uses in
Figure: The vastness of Information Communication Technology that affects the
storage devices and retrieve themlives
whenever it is necessary.
of the people 7

Modern computers are electronic devices used for a variety of purposes

ranging from browsing the web, writing documents, editing videos, creating
applications, playing video games, etc.8

Basic Parts of Computer

A PC is comprised of various parts. These parts cooperate to do specific

tasks. These parts are called “devices,” and they are:

1.3.1 - The Input devices;

1.3.2 - The System Unit or Processing device;

1.3.3 - The Output devices;

1.3.4 - The Storage devices.

Lesson 1.3.1 - The Input Devices

In a computer system, the input devices are hardware peripherals that are
used for communication between humans and computers. Input devices send signal
to the computer as input to command a computer machine what to do. Some of the
popular input devices are:

● KEYBOARD
The keyboard is one of the many ways to
communicate with a computer. It looks like a
typewriter, has many buttons and are called
“keys”. You use the keyboard to type letters,
numbers, and symbols to give instructions to the
computer.

● MOUSE
The mouse is another important tool for
communicating with computers. Commonly known as
a pointing device, it lets you point to objects on the
screen, click on them, and move them. The mouse
allows you to control the movement of an on-screen
pointer, and when you move the mouse, the cursor
will also move. You can use the mouse to tell the computer what to do.

● MICROPHONE
A microphone is a sound-detecting device that can be
attached to a computer. It allows you to input sounds like
speech and songs into the computer. You can record your
voice with the help of a microphone.
● WEB CAMERA
A web camera is used to take live photos videos. You can
save them in the computer. All cameras are made of
semiconductor device called CCD, which means, Charged
Coupled Device. It is the sensor that sense images and convert
it to digital signals.

● JOYSTICK
A joystick makes computer games a lot more fun. When it is
moved, it passes information to the computer. Most joysticks are
used in game applications and program simulation of animations.

● SCANNER
A Scanner scans and copies pictures and pages, and
turns them into images that can be saved on a computer. It is
often part of a printer and one of the features of it. Scanners
are like Xerox machines that can directly duplicate text and
images.

Things to explore…

● Do you wonder how those input devices operate?

● Could you try to open any input devices (e.g. mouse, keyboard, & joystick)
and identify its internal electronics parts?
● Could you do a research work and document what sensors are used in the
different input devices that humans used to communicate to a computer?
●
Lesson 1.3.2 - The System Unit or Processing Device

The System Unit or Processing device is the metal and plastic box that
contains the main components of the computer, including the motherboard,
memories, central processing unit (CPU), on/off button, and power supply. When you
think, you use your brain. In the same manner; system unit has the CPU as the main
brain of the processing device. It tells the other parts of the computer what to do. It is
the controlling part of a computer that controls all the input and out peripheral
devices.

A system unit and its basic components. Figure courtesy of

sites.google.com/ComputerSavvy.

Lesson 1.3.3 - The Output Devices

An output device is a part of a complete computer hardware that receives

data and signals from a system unit and then translates that data into another form.
That form as output may also be data or signals like audio, video, character texts, or
paper hard copy printed as document. The difference between an output device and
an input device is that an input device sends data into the computer, whereas an
output device receives data and signals from the system unit. Some examples are:
 ● MONITOR
The monitor works with a video card, located
inside the computer case, to display images and text on
the screen. Most monitors have control buttons that
allow you to change your monitor's display settings, and
some monitors also have built-in speakers. The monitor is like a window or a
rectangular screen that are made of special semiconductors that light when a
signal is triggered by the system unit. Inside the screen are texts and graphics
that perform interaction between human and the computer.

● PRINTER
A printer prints the results of your work from the
computer screen on a sheet of paper. This is called a
printout. It takes data from the system unit and output
those data as printed document. Those printed
documents are composed of texts and images.

● SPEAKERS/HEADPHONES
The speakers and headphones are the output
devices that produce different types of sounds
processed by the computer. Speakers are made of
electrical components called transducers that convert
electrical signal from the processing unit to audible
signals. You can listen to songs or speeches stored in
the computer with the help of speakers.

A wonder of electronics to explore…

● Could you do a simple research of how does a printer or a monitor converts
data from a system unit to their corresponding output?
Lesson 1.3.4 - The Storage Devices

The storage devices that are used in computers are special devices made of
special materials. Some are made of special mechanical devices that are coupled
with magnetic materials. Many years ago, data was stored in papers and
cardboards. Nowadays, most storage devices are made of special semiconductor
materials using special and advanced physics technology. Both of the mechanical
and semiconductor types of storage materials used these advanced technologies to
store data and digital signals. Below are some of these storage devices.

● HARD DISKS
The hard disk is a part of a computer which is used for storing data.
Storing data devices are called storage devices.
These medium of storage are semi-magnetic disks
that are called platter. They help in storing any work
done on a computer permanently. Inside the system
unit is a hard disk that is made up of one or more
metallic disks. It stores a large amount of
information.

● FLOPPY DISKS
A floppy disk stores small amounts small
amounts of information. It works when it is inserted
into the floppy drive. The floppy drive is fixed in the
system unit. It is also made of magnetic devices
formed in a thin film type disk-shaped inside the disk
cartridge. Currently, floppy disks are not used
anymore because of its small storage capacity.

A little break…

Are you wondering how those little digital molecular bits stored in many storage
devices? You can do a simple research document on those memory technology.
● COMPACT DISKS
A Compact Disk or CD stores many times
more information than a floppy disk. It is made
using glass and laser technology. Data are stored
using sophisticated light technology and light
beam aimed into the glass disk by mechanical
precision achieving high data storage capacity. This compact disk works when
it is inserted into the CD drive wherein a laser reader and sensor read the
data impose from the compact disks. The CD drive is fixed in the CPU. Take
note that compact disk is a light sensitive storage device and improper
handling of it may result in the loss of data stored.

● USB FLASH DRIVE

A USB Flash Drive (Universal Serial Bus) is a
portable storage device, small and lightweight enough
to be transported on a keychain or in a pocket. It is
made of a special type of semiconductor device using
advanced semiconductor doping technology. The
average USB flash drive can hold about 2 billion
characters. Flash drive is also called thumb drive.

● RAM or RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY

A RAM (Random Access Memory) is the
internal, physical memory hardware device
installed in the motherboard of the system unit.
This storage device helps the central
processing unit (CPU) in the execution of the operating system (OS),
application programs and other data application. Like the flash drive, RAMs
are made of special semiconductor materials that stores electrical signals as
digital data. Random Access Memory is a volatile memory material meaning
data will be lost if the system’s power is not present.
Lesson 1.3.5 Characteristics of Computer
Below are most of the characteristics of a computer.

● It is an inanimate object.
o It needs outside intervention for it to run.
o It can only do things for which it is intended.

● It is electronic.
o It is made up of electronic circuits.
o It is powered by electricity.

● It is automatic.
o It can set up its internal operations on its own.
o The various functions are executed automatically by way of a stored
computer program.

● It can manipulate data.9

o Following specific rules, it can perform arithmetic functions such as
addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and other complex
mathematical operations.

● It has a memory.
o It can remember what it has done.
o It can store instructions in its memory and follow these through
unaided.
o It can store a large amount of data in a compact and easily retrievable
form.

● It has logic functions.

o It can perform specific decision instructions automatically.
o It can determine whether a specific statement is true or false.
Lesson 1.3.6 - Capabilities and Limitation of Computer
CAPABILITIES

1. Speed. It operates at the speed of electronic flow, measured in billionth and

trillionth of a second.

2. Repetitiveness. It can perform the specified tasks repeatedly.

3. Accuracy. When the machines are programmed correctly, and when input
data is error-free, the accuracy of the output is relatively assured.

4. Decision-making capability/ logical operations. It can decide based on the

data and commands that the users input.

5. Store and retrieve information. It can save and retrieve information for
future use.

6. Ability to check itself. Computers can check their work.

7. Ability to communicate with other users or machines. It can share files

and resources, among other computers.

LIMITATIONS

1. It cannot generate on its own.

2. It cannot correct the wrong instructions.
3. It cannot come up with an original decision.
4. It can only be used to which it is intended.
5. It is subject to physical failure.
Lesson 1.4 - ANALOG, DIGITAL, AND HYBRID
COMPUTERS

There are three basic kinds of computers. These kinds are based on the
hardware structure and the way physical quantities are represented in a computer.
The following are the three types.

● Analog
● Digital
● Hybrid

Lesson 1.4.1 - What is an Analog Computer?

An analog computer is a special type of computer, where to use data in

continuous form, not discrete, and a changeable constant stream of data is known as
“Analog Data.” Analog PCs can store simple information in steady physical amounts
like electrical potential, liquid weight, or mechanical movement, lastly, it creates the
outcome utilizing measures. Analog PCs are used in such zones, where to require
information to be measure straightforwardly without changing into numbers. Simple
PC utilizes the projects for converting complex equations into an analog circuit.
Analog computers are the first computers being developed and provided the basis
for the development of modern digital computers. Analog computers are widely used
for specific specialized engineering and scientific applications, calculation and
measurement of analog quantities. They are frequently used to control processes
such as those found in an oil refinery where flow and temperature measurements are
essential. They are used, for example, in the papermaking and chemical industry.
Analog computers do not require any storage capability because they measure and
compare quantities in a single operation. The output from an analog computer is
generally in the form of readings on a series of the dial (Speedometer of a car) or a
graph on a strip chart.
Lesson 1.4.2 - Different applications of Analog Computers5

● Hybrid Controller
● Simulation of a Spaceship
● Mass-Spring-Damper System
● Simulation of Car-Suspension System
● Vehicle Simulation
● Speedometer
● Telephone lines
● Frequency of Signal and Voltage
● Oscilloscope
● Television
● Analog Sound Processor
● Operational Amplifiers
● Mechanical Integrators
● Wheel balancing computer
An Analog type computer

Lesson 1.4.3 - Types of Analog Computers

1.4.3.1 - Slide Rules

1.4.3.2 - Differential Analysers
1.4.3.3 - Castle Clock
1.4.3.4 - Electronic Analog Computers
1.4.3.5 - Mechanical Analog Computers
1.4.3.6 - Pneumatic Analog Computer
1.4.3.7 - Hydraulic Analog Computer
1.4.3.1 - Slide Rules

A Slide Rule is the most straightforward type of analog computer, and this
computer helps to produce an approximate result for simple mathematical
operations. All users slide the hashed rod to line up along with several marking in the
other rod, and it helps to read this equipment depending on the line up of different
kinds of hash marks.

A slide rule that is mostly used in engineering

calculations5

1.4.3.2 - Differential Analysers

Differential Analysers were analog
computers designed to solve for all differential
equations. These computers had a large size for
modern computers because today those
computers fill space like a PC. In the image is
an obsolete differential analyzer that was used
in Calculus.10

1.4.3.3 – Castle Clock

Castle Clock has a better representation of several
uses to mechanical analog computers; Al-Jarazi
developed the castle Clock Analog Computer. This
computer was able to store different programming
commands. Castle Clock computer’s height was 11 feet,
and it takes a round of moon and sun. The computational
part of this computer permitted users to set 11 variable
length of the day depends on the running season. In the picture above is a sample
castle clock from Dinan, France.

1.4.3.4 - Electronic Analog Computers

The electronic analog computer

was developed in the USA, and initially,
they were used in the different missiles,
airplane layout, and in-flight simulator.
Electronic Analog Computer contains
thousands of vacuum tubes, but further
some time replaced by transistors.
The latest analog computers are designed to use electrical signals flowing through
several resistors and capacitors, instead of mechanical interaction of their
components. The voltage of the signal produces the result in the form of graphic
displays. Mostly, these types of computers are enabled for different computing and
defense technology system.12

1.4.3.5 - Mechanical Analog Computers

Mechanical analog computers are
designed along with different components
such as gears and lever, which do not use
electronic parts. It produces output while
turning of gears, and it can perform
multiplication and division operations.
Examples are – Cosmic Engine, Pascaline,
Stepped Reckoner etc.
1.4.3.6 Pneumatic Analog Computer
Pneumatic analog computers use the compressed air in the form of a
power source that is very simple and inherently analog, and these computers are
mostly used in the military and non-residential building areas. Input signal lines were
calculated by the use of controlled air supplied to the inside of the computer, and the
desired output signal in the form of air pressure was achieved through configurations
in the analog box. Most pneumatic analog computer principle today was integrated
into many medical devices like the mechanical and digital ventilators that were used
in almost all hospitals for helping patients with lung problems.

Pneumatic Analog computer box, with schematic diagram, courtesy of

John H. Andresen13 (1971) of the United States Air Force

1.4.3.7 - Hydraulic Analog Computer

A hydraulic analog computer uses liquid, mostly oil, to perform
mathematical calculations. The first
analog computer was used to solve
differential equations. It was invented by
Mihalo Petrovic Alas14 (1892), a member
of the Serbian Royal Academy of
Sciences, and was a professor of
Theoretical Mathematics and Physics at
Belgrade. The MONIAC15 (based on
Alas’ works), also known as the Phillips
Hydraulic Computer and the Finance
phalograph, was created in 1949 by the
New Zealand economist Bill Phillips to
model the national economic processes of the United Kingdom, while Phillips was a
student at the London School of Economics.

Lesson 1.4.4 Comparison Between Analog and Digital Computer 17

Analog Computer Digital Computer

● It displays data continuously form. ● It displays data in discretely form

such as “0” and “1”.

● Its measurement unit is physical values ● It transforms all data into binary
like temperature and pressure. form (0 and 1), and then it executes
all operations on them.

● Its signal’s type is an electromagnetic ● Its signal’s type is a sequence of

wave. voltage pulses.

● The transmission of analog signal works ● Its transmission is done with the
as without its content. content of the signal.

● It does not contain its memory unit and ● It contains a memory unit for storing
computing terminals. the result.

● No having input/output devices ● Having input/output devices

● It enables physical devices to ● It produces the text or visual output

determine the continuously variable along with high accuracy. For
data.  For example – The thermometer example – monitor and printer.

● Examples are – Speedometer, ● Examples are – All Personal

telephone lines, Astrolabe, Oscilloscope Computers like IBM PC, HP PC, DELL
PC, and more.

● Applications are – Determine of several ● Applications are – Home Usage,

physical quantities and other scientific small or large scale business, and
operations. other personal usages.

● Components are resistors and ● Components are logic gates,

capacitors. processors, and toggle switches.

● Lack of abilities in all areas to digital ● It can emulate all behavior of analog
computer computers.

● Slow speed ● Faster to Analog computer

● Need technical staff to operate it. ● No need for qualified staff to

operate it.

● Need a low level of electrical noise in ● No effect of electrical noise in the

the circuit to get accuracy. digital computer
Lesson 1.5 - Types of Computers by Classifications
There are four types of computers with their classification, such as:
● 1.5.1 - By Size and Capacity
● 1.5.2 - By Operating System Capabilities
● 1.5.3 - Based on Number of Microprocessors
● 1.5.4 - Based on the Number of Users

1.5.1 - By Size and Capacity

Super Computer
In the old days, large enterprises and organizations used the supercomputer
because they required large-scale computing power. A supercomputer is
architectural and operational depend on parallel and grid processing because, with
the help of thousands of processors, all processes are executed simultaneously.
Supercomputer mostly implemented in large scale scientific and engineering
areas, because where required maintenance for a large amount of database.
Some examples are:
● Titan
● Sequoia
● K Computer
● Mira
● JUQUEEN
● Super MUC

Functions are:

● Industrial function A supercomputer, courtesy of Microsoft Corporation

● Space exploration
● Weather forecasting
● Nuclear testing
Mainframe Computer

Mainframe computer uses primary memory such as (RAM) and multiple

processors. It serves as a central processing
unit for all workstations and terminals points
associated with it. A mainframe computer was
designed to be used to process large amounts
of data in pet bytes. It able controls thousands
of users at one time. Mainframe ‘means a
frame to hold multiple processors and main
A Mainframe for banking application, courtesy
memory. of IBM

Some examples are:

● Banking
● Government
● Education system
Functions are:
● Government data processing
● Banking
● Insurance

Mini Computer
The minicomputer is introduced in
the mid-1960. This type of computer is a
small size compared to a supercomputer
and mainframe computer. In which had
been used the different technologies such
as transistors and core memory. “Digital
Equipment Corporation” was made the
first minicomputer with the US $161000.In
this computer also, multiple persons can
A desktop minicomputer, courtesy of IBM
work at a time without waiting.
Some examples of minicomputers are:
● Tablet PC
● Desktop minicomputer

Functions are:
● Process monitoring
● Data acquisition
● Feedback Control

Micro Computer
The microcomputer is small in size. You can say it equivalent to personal
computers. Microcomputers use different technologies like CPU (one single chip),
Microprocessor, Input/output devices, and other storage parts. This is a multi-User
computer that is a significant advantage.

Some examples are:

● PDA
● PC
● Smartphone
● Notebooks
Functions are:
● Application processing
A microcomputer for education purposes,
● Education
courtesy of GPD Computer Corporation
● Amusement
Embedded Computer

An embedded computer is a microcontroller technology-based system, and this has

been designed for a specific task. An embedded computer does not need more
power for massive computing. These computers can support some devices.

Examples are:

● DVD Player/Recorder
● Medical Equipment
● Printer
● Fax Machines
● Washing Machine
● Industrial Equipment An embedded computer for Industrial Control systems
● Home Automation

1.5.2 - By Operating System Capabilities

An operating system is the most critical software that runs on a computer. It

manages the computer's memory and processes, as well as all of its software and
hardware. It also allows you to communicate with the computer without knowing how
to speak the computer's language. Without an operating system, a computer is
useless.18

Your computer's operating system (OS) manages all of the software and
hardware on the computer. Several different computer programs are running
simultaneously, and they all need to access your computer's central processing unit
(CPU), memory, and storage. The operating system coordinates all of this to make
sure each program gets what it needs.

Example of Operating Systems

Operating systems usually come pre-loaded on any computer you buy. Most
people use the operating system that comes with their computer, but it's possible to
upgrade or even change operating systems. The most common operating systems
for personal computers are Microsoft Windows, macOS, Unix, and Linux.

Modern operating systems use a graphical user interface, or GUI (pronounced

gooey). A GUI lets you use your mouse to click icons, buttons, and menus, and
everything is displayed on the screen using a combination of graphics and text. 12a

Microsoft Windows

Microsoft created the Windows operating system in the mid-1980s. There

have been many different versions of Windows, but the most recent ones are
Windows 10 (released in 2015), Windows 8 (2012), Windows 7 (2009), and Windows
Vista (2007). Windows comes pre-loaded on most new PCs, which helps to make it
the most popular operating system in the world.

macOS

macOS (previously called OS X) is a line of operating systems created by

Microsoft Windows operating system, courtesy of Microsoft Corporation

Apple Corporation. It comes preloaded on all Macintosh computers or Macs. Some

of the specific versions include Mojave (released in 2018), High Sierra (2017), and
Sierra (2016).
According to StatCounter Global Stats, macOS users account for less than
10% of global operating systems—much lower than the percentage of Windows
users (more than 80%). One reason for this is that Apple computers tend to be more
expensive. However, many people do prefer the look and feel of macOS over
Windows.

Linux

Linux (pronounced LINN-UX) is a family of open-source operating systems,

which means they can be modified and distributed by anyone around the world.
Linux is different from proprietary software like Windows, which can only be modified
by the company that owns it. The advantages of Linux are that it is free, and there
are many different distributions—or versions—you can choose from.

According to StatCounter Global Stats, Linux users account for less than 2%
of global operating systems. However, most servers run Linux because it's relatively
easy to customize.19

Apple’s macOS operating system, courtesy of Apple Corporation

Linux, an open source operating system created Linus Torvalds

Linux has many distributions today, and some are Ubuntu, Fedora, Linux
Mint, OpenSUSE, PCLinuxOS, Debian, Mandriva, Red Hat, Kali, Sabayon/Gentoo,
etc. They have the entire common core Linux, but the difference is in their different
capabilities and usage applications.
1.5.3 - By Based on Number of Microprocessors

1. Sequential Computers:
The sequential computing is traditional architecture. In this model, all
instructions are performed one by one, so the speed of this computing is slow
compare to parallel computing.

2. Parallel Computers:
Parallel computing is an imaging type of model in which many processors or
applications execute simultaneously. In parallel computing splits the overload
work into more than one processor and computation simultaneously.

Classification of Parallel Computing:

● Bit-level parallelism
● Instruction-level parallelism (ILP)
● Data Parallelism
● Task Parallelism

1.5.4 - By Based on Number of Users

1. Single User
In this model, only one user can perform a task at a time.

2. Multi-User
In this model, only multiple users can perform tasks at a time.
3. Network Types
In this model, which has unique functionality, the connection between computers
and other terminals is connected with the local area network.
Lesson 1.6 -APPLICATIONS OF ICT

Information and communication technologies are becoming tangled with our

everyday lives in the industry, the service sector, transport, logistics, health care,
housing, education, and our leisure time, almost without discerning it.

As human beings, we are always attached to a lot of essential things in our

life. Jobs, education, retailing, and banking these are the compulsory things in our
life. It was tough to get in touch with these before technology changed our life and
made it easier for us.14a It has contributed a lot to exchange our experience from
writing a letter which could take one month to arrive in the receiver, to writing an e-
mail which can be received by the receiver in just one minute, from going to the shop
to choose and buy things to select and buy using E-commerce and no one even
needs to go to the shop to collect their goods. Sticking with the book for the whole
day can be very amusing for the students. Thanks to IT, this introduced us to an
innovative way of studying. Some of the topics are described in more detail below,
which are changed because of IT.

Some of the applications of ICT are:

● Education ● Government ● Product Development

● Agriculture ● Industry ● Games

● Healthcare ● Entertainment ● Tourism

● Manufacturing ● Military ● Medicine

● Telecommunications ● Politics ● Aeronautics

● Communication ● Religion ● Logistics

● Business ● Banking ● Foods

● Everyday life ● Transport ● Engineering

1.6.1 Selected Applications of ICT20
Jobs
Information and technology have
helped a lot in the field of jobs. IT industry
introduced some unique and rare jobs
which weren't very popular even in late
1980. This field has appeared as a solution
to increase the number of employments
and reduce the number of unemployment in
our society. The IT industry created a lot of
job facilities for people who have skills in IT. It has created jobs like- Web developer,
IT network administrator, computer game designer, IT technicians, etc. The IT
industry also helped many people to become successful self-employer. For example-

Steve Jobs, who was the founder of Apple Inc. along with Ronald Wayne. Bill Gates
is the founder of “Microsoft.” Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of the famous social
networking site, “Facebook.” This is also helpful because they have also employed
people in their own company, which is also part of the IT industry.
It has not only created jobs for many people, but it has also taken away many
positions in society. For example- nowadays, people like to buy their products online,
which has led to a reduction in floor jobs. For instance- Comet has gone into
administration because it can’t cope with online competition from other online
shopping like Amazon and eBay.
Education
Technology helped us in our
education as well. This has introduced
the most comfortable way of learning
and teaching for both students and
teachers. It has also introduced us to
know about modern discoveries and
even historical things as well. We can
use the internet everywhere in different books, and again we can watch videos on
the internet to get more ideas about the topic that we want to research on.
Nowadays, we use a projector in our school and other educational fields to
discuss the work with the whole class.
We can also get ideas by reading blogs about different things and also
discuss each other’s views about some topics that are related to education using
blogs. We can again ask a question from our teacher using emails while we are at
home, which could be very important, especially before the exam day and we can
also research on the internet, and we don't have to look at the books and find the
right page. This saves a lot of time for the students. We can also take help from our
friends to learn in a collaborative environment.
Although there are some advantages of using IT in our education, it also has
some disadvantages as well. Nowadays, people rely on the Internet too much that
they believe in everything that is written on the web page. It has also taken jobs from
the library because most of the people rely on the internet library because they can

buy their favorite books on the internet. So libraries are shutting down because
people depend on the Internet library.

Money and Banking

IT has also shown its valuable points on money and banking, which helped us
a lot to buy necessary things using E-commerce, which includes online shopping,
online selling, etc. It also helped a lot of companies to deal with other companies.
We can use online money and banking service 24/7 hours a day. This means people
can use this benefit whenever they want from any part of the world. We can also go
to different countries and use our same banking
account to make money or put money in our
store. This is possible because of the WAN
(Wide area Network.) We can also get a
monthly statement using the internet, so we can
compare our information every month and make
our plan for the upcoming months. Money
transfer for another country through banking will
be a simple task. IT has also introduced us to
an Eco-friendly world by using fewer papers

for money and banking. All the information can be stored on our computer, and we
don't have to worry about losing important documents.
We sometimes face significant problems using IT in Money and banking.
Many people make malicious software that is used to hack other information on the
computer. So when someone stores their bank information on their computer, those
hackers steal their data and use it for their gain. Sometimes it can happen to any
company, and as a result, they can lose all of their consumers' data. Phishing is
another method used by those people to hack information using the internet. The
company also needs to hire a lot of staff who have IT skills, which means a lot of
resources need to be spent on staff and computers to store customers’ information.

Business
Communication is an essential technique that is used to make a business

very famous. In earlier days, people used to communicate differently. They had to go
to everyone's house to promote their products, which could take a long time to
promote their work. They sometimes used to take a long journey so that they can
deal with someone, and they can expand their business. Since technology has
arrived, people still using the technique, which is communication, but they have
changed the method of promoting their products or dealing with someone who is far
from one another. Instead of going to everyone's house separately, people are
making an advertisement, which not involves one area or a country but the whole
world and we can also use IT to communicate someone who too far from each other.
We can use the e-mailing method to
learn more about our customers. They
can again frequently ask us some
questions related to our business.
But sometimes we can't rely
heavily on writing e-mails because we
can't sometimes share what we are
feeling or what we are want to ask. So it
becomes very compulsory for us to have face to face communication with them. This
is when we exploit IT in our life. Video conferencing assembled us via the internet.
We can use this technique to communicate with someone face to face, and we can
use this benefit for meeting or if we are trying to work together with other companies
which can be situated in other countries.
Information Technology also has some adverse effects on Business. We rely
too much on technology, and so we always put whatever we do on our computers.
So it increases the cost of a company as the company needs to use LAN and WAN
to expand its businesses. Our servers can also crash or get damaged, and it can

cost millions of pounds for the company to repair. The chance of losing the whole
companies files are random as well. It can sometimes make it easier for hackers to
break the firewall of the company and use it for their purposes. So the company
needs an extra employer, which is a network administrator who deals with these
things and therefore, the company has to pay him as well.

Health
 When we get sick, we don't want to
go to many places other than home. But
from home going for a consultation to a
doctor, we need to move physically.
Taking an appointment, talking to the
receptionist, describing the problem we
have, and then waiting for it increases our
illness. This is when IT comes to helping us. Nowadays, we don't need to go to the
doctor's and describe our problems; we can use the Internet to contact our doctor.
We can use also use IT to do face to face communication with our doctor even
though we are at home. We can again frequently ask a question to our doctors, and
they can also answer us using E-mails.
Making an appointment is not necessary to contact our doctors, and we can
get our prescriptions at whatever point we need. We can likewise utilize this office to
find out about our ailment and how to fix ourselves. We can look on the web to
explore about the illness and the medication we need to use to show signs of
improvement. It can benefit students who are studying to become doctors and who
like to know more about different kinds of medicines.
IT provides us with a lot of advantages. But it also has some disadvantages. If
someone uses a computer for a long time, then they can get a headache, it can also
cause neck pain, can make them nothing apart from sitting in front of the computer.
Some teenagers also put too much time on their games instead of studying or taking
part in different physical activities. Some people even get stretch if they get bullied
on the internet, which may stop them from going outside, and they sometimes feel
scared to talk to anybody.

Crime and Policing

IT has introduced a lot of things that prevent people from committing a crime.
CCTV camera, GPRS system, using a database for finding criminals' information is
not an ordinary thing, which is not impossible without the blessing of IT. In ordinary

days police use GPRS to track someone's car, mobile phone if it has been stolen.
Authority uses a CCTV camera to detect criminals' faces. A fingerprint is another
particular method with which the
police can identify the thieves. This
is making our lives safer and very
easy in many ways. For example-
big supermarkets like ASDA or
Tesco don't need to think about
too much if someone tries to still
their products, because some
products have got chips which can be detected if that product isn't swiped over the
bar code reader. They can also use CCTV cameras to help them protecting their
products.
The main disadvantage created by the technology system is that anyone who
knows how to make a program, they can hack others device using viruses, Phishing,
and also Malicious software. They can be very threatening because they can take
your information, which can be very confidential for you. I.e., Your bank card.
Sometimes people also delete other files to annoy people, which can lead someone
to lose their essential work as well.

Retailing
IT has impacted on Retailing, and we are immensely enjoying the benefit of
using IT on Retailing. We are using IT on Retailing, which helps us to buy anything
24/7 every day. We can use this facility to choose whatever we want at any time we
want. We can select a range of items on the internet, and we don't even have to go
to a place to choose whatever we want. We
can also reserve the items on the internet. We
can pay for the items on the internet with a
safe internet payment option, which is PayPal.
We can also choose products from different
countries on the internet and buy them using
the advantage of IT. IT also helped
companies to make more money and spend

less on their business. The company does not need to hire more staff for the
company.
 Although it has some advantages in retailing, there is some disadvantage as
well. It can sometimes become very discouraging for small shops as they can't
compete with big supermarkets like Tesco, which has both online shopping and
average shopping facility for the consumers. So they have to close their shops.
Sometimes the customers can't get their necessary staff when they needed because
of the late delivery.
Let us reflect…
Most people who appreciate ICT wonder in the power of it and how it is useful
and helpful. Also, insights have given to you that through ICT, the work on the job
field can be done more effectively.
As a student, how can you develop your knowledge base on the basics of
computing? Can you measure the fundamental effect of Information Communication
Technology for your future?
How much have you learned?
POST-TEST FOR LESSON 1

Name: __________________________________ Date: ____________________

Course & Section: ________________________ Result: __________________

Direction: Answer the following:

A. Differentiate data from information:

B. Discuss the characteristics, capabilities and limitations of computer.

C. What are the different types of computers? Discuss each.

D. What is ICT?

E. What are the importance and applications of ICT in our daily living?
Lesson 1 Final Requirements:
Write a research article (not less than 500 words) on the following topics that
will be submitted in a week time.

● Memory Technology of the Modern Day Memory Devices

● Importance of ICT as a Student, Your Vision Five Years from Now

Suggested Readings:
● Books/Journals:
o Complete ICT for Cambridge IGCSE® Second edition, Complete ICT
for Cambridge IGCSE
o INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT) [Concepts

and Application], Yekini Nureni (2014).A Journal at Researchgate.net

o Introduction to Information and Communication Technology in
Education. (Moursund, 2015)
o Computers Made Easy, From Dummy To Geek by James Bernstein,
2018
o Scientific Research in Information Systems-A Beginner's Guide by Jan
Recker (2012)

● Websites:
o TechCrunch.com
o TheNextWeb.com
o Wired.com
o Tech2.com
o Gizmodo.com
o Mashable.com
o TheVerge.com
o DigitalTrends.com
o TechRadar.com
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