Introduction to

Information Technology

HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT GROUP

Commission on Information and Communications Technology
 What is Data?

 A collection of independent raw

facts, numbers, letters, symbols

 Refers to the facts and

figures relating to events that
take place

 Refers to things “known”

 What Is Information?

 Information is data made meaningful based on the

needs of the user through manipulation.
Desirable Qualities of Information

 Relevance
 Completeness E
C EF COS
N FE T
 Timeliness V
A CT
IV
E E
EL
 Accuracy R

 Cost Effective

CO
S

CY
MP

RA
LE

CU
TE
N

AC
ES
TIMELINESS
 Classifications of Information
Operational Information
Daily details that go into running an organization, such
as receipts, invoice, payslips, etc.

Management Information
Used to manage the planning, organizing and
controlling of an organization

Strategic Information
Mission critical and relates directly with the thrust of
the organization or the bigger organization required to
act in accordance with the environment or market or
competition.
 Data versus Information
 Data is a collection of facts in the forms of numbers, letters,
special symbols or combination of these

8:00 a.m.

P10,000/month

 Information is data that has been organized and processed

so that it will become meaningful
 What is a System?

It is a group of organized interdependent components that

interact with and complement one another to achieve one or
more predetermined goals

Example
• Digestive System
• Local Bus Service System
• School System
• Computer System
 Characteristics of a System

Composed Hierarchical
of Parts
Unitary
Whole

Parts Interact Goal-Oriented

Bounded
 Types of System

Very few systems are totally self-contained. Most exist in an
environment which affects them in some way or another.
Systems accept inputs form their environment and providing
outputs to it.

ENVIRONMENT ENVIRONMENT
INPUTS OUTPUTS
SYSTEM SYSTEM

CLOSED
A Closed system is one
with no inputs or outputs,
it is completely isolated
from its environment
OPEN
An Open System is one with
inputs and outputs. Since all
the systems we deal with in a
computing context are open
system
 System Components
 The components of a system may be physical objects, but they
can equally well abstract concepts

PROCESSING

OUTPUTS

PAYCHECK
APPLICATION
SOFTWARE
INPUT
ENVIRONMENT
 Data Processing Concepts

Input-Process-Output Model
 Refers to a conceptual framework wherein input in the form of
data is processed which would result in the generation of an
output in the form of information

DATA INFORMATION

INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

 Data Processing Cycle

Processing

Flow of data from

the moment it is
recorded until the
Output
time it becomes a Preparation
usable piece of
Input information
Preparation

Storage or

Origination Feedback
 Data Processing Steps

ORIGINATION PHASE
It refers to the initial capture of data on some form or
document.
• Data Capture/Recording

INPUT PREPARATION PHASE

It is the accurate recording or transcribing of data forms
to permit convenient handling in whatever system the
forms are being used.
• Editing
• Coding
• Verifying
 Data Processing Steps
PROCESSING PHASE
The actual conversion of data into useful and meaningful
information by means of one or more of the following
processes:
• Classifying
• Sorting
• Calculating
• Summarizing

OUTPUT PREPARATION PHASE

The process of generating the information and providing it to
the user. This may be done in the following:
• Reproducing
• Communicating
 Data Processing Steps
STORAGE & FEEDBACK PHASE
• Storing
• Feedback
 Data Processing Methods

 Manual
Data
Processing

 Electronic Data
Processing

 Mechanical
Data Processing

 Electromechanical
Data Processing
 What is Information Technology?

The use of computer, data communications, office system

methodologies and tools to generate information.
 Communications Technology

 Transmission of information over the network

Information and Communication Technology
 Trends in ICT

 Increase In Raw Computing

Power
 Increase In Storage Capacity
 Increasing Diversity
 Falling Prices
 Increasing Functionality And
Flexibility
 Increasing User-Friendliness
 Improved Connectivity
 What is a Computer?


An electronic data processing machine capable of
performing mathematical and logical operations
and processing large volumes of data at high
speeds.
 Characteristics of a Computer

Speed. The computer was invented as a high-speed calculator.

Electrical pulses travel at incredible speeds and, because the computer is
electronic, its internal speed is virtually instantaneous in terms of seconds or even
milliseconds. Units of speed are microsecond (millionths), nanosecond (thousand
millionths) and latterly even picosecond (million-millionths). A powerful computer is
capable of adding together two 18-digit number in 300 to 400 nanoseconds.

Accuracy. The computer's accuracy is consistently

high. Errors in the machinery can occur but, due to
increased efficiency in error-detecting techniques,
these seldom lead to false results. Almost without
exception, the errors in computing are due to human
rather than to technological weaknesses, i.e. to
imprecise thinking by the programmer, or to inaccurate
data, or to poorly designed systems.
 Characteristics of a Computer

Storage. A computer can store a large amount of data permanently. User can
use this data at any time. We can store any type of data in a computer. Text,
graphic, pictures, audio and video files can be stored easily. The storage capacity
of the computer is increasing rapidly.

Automation. A computer is much more than an

adding machine, calculator or check-out till, all of which
require human operators to press the necessary keys
for the operations to be performed. Once a program is
in the computer's memory, the individual instructions
are then transferred, one after the other, to the control
unit for execution. The CPU follows these instructions
until it meets a last instruction which says 'stop
program execution'.
 Characteristics of a Computer

Versatility. Computers seem capable of performing almost any task, provided

that the task can be reduced to series of logical steps. For example, a task such as
preparing a payroll or controlling the flow of traffic can be broken down into a
logical sequence of operations. Yet the computer itself has only limited ability and,
in the final analysis, it actually performs only four basic operations:

It exchanges information with the outside world via I/O devices.

It transfers data internally within the CPU.
It performs the basic arithmetical operations.
It performs operations of comparison.

Diligence
Being a machine, a computer does not suffer from the
human traits of tiredness and lack of concentration.
 Capabilities of Computers
 Ability to perform certain logic operations. Computer
has the ability not only mathematical calculations but also
it can perform logical operations.

 Ability to provide new dimensions. Computer can

process and perform complex mathematical and
trigonometric functions.

 Ability to store and retrieve information.

 Ability to control error. Computer can perform

automatic operations, detect errors and can make
responses to user.

 Ability to check itself. The ability to control error is the

ability to check its own process.
 Benefits of Computers

 easier research
 multi-language translation
 better gaming and entertainment
 online tutoring
 easier to communicate with
 makes business better
 makes it easier to shop
 Limitations of Computers
 Dependence on prepared instructions. The computer performs only
what it is programmed to do and nothing else.

 Inability to derive meanings from objects.

 A computer does not have feelings.

 Inability to generate information. It needs someone to feed the data

for processing. A computer is nothing more than a piece of electronic
equipment that can be manipulated by human to achieve its goals.

 It cannot correct wrong instructions. A computer generally cannot

detect and cannot correct on its own.

It does not have the common sense to correct the incorrect data, but
it can inform you that there is an error.
 Why Computers Sometimes Fail

 Input Errors or Errors in Instructing a Computer -- users

must know the different commands that computers understand,

 Communication Gap -- computer cables must be properly

connected to avoid device malfunction.

 Improper Control -- the care to self is the care to the device.

This means give strong care for the device and give attention,

 Lack of Standard -- compatibility to its peripherals means well

operability of the entire component. The standard of the device
makes it efficient to run and operate in a well functioned
machine.
 Types of Computer

Types of computer

Digital computer Analog computer Hybrid Computer

Main frame
Micro Computer Super Computer Mini Computer
Computer

Home PC
 Classifications of Computer

(1) Based on operating principles:

Analog computers: represent data in the form of

continuous electrical signals having a specific
magnitude

Digital computers: store and process data in the digital

form.

Hybrid computers: a combination of analog computer and

digital computer because it encompasses the best
features of both.
 Classifications of Computer

We can classify the computers according to the

following three criteria:

(1) Based on operating principles

(2) Based on applications
(3) Based on size and capability
 Classifications of Computer

(2) Based on applications:

General purpose computers: can work in all

environments.

Special purpose computers: can perform only a

specified task.
 Classifications of Computer

(3) Based on size and capability

Microcomputers: Designed to be used by individuals.

Mini Computers: Can handle more data and more input

and output than micro computers.

Mainframe Computers: A very large computer

Super Computers: The fastest type of computer that can

perform complex operations at a very high speed.
 Classifications of Computer

(3) Based on size and capability

Microcomputers: Designed to be used by individuals.

 Classifications of Computer

Mini Computers: Can handle more data and more input

and output than micro computers.
 Classifications of Computer

Mainframe Computers: A very large computer. Mainframes

deal with problems constrained by input/output and which
demand reliability above all else. These are well suited for
performing thousands upon thousands of concurrent
transactions.
 Classifications of Computer

Super Computers: The fastest type of computer that can

perform complex operations on a large data set at a very
high speed. These are designed to work on types of
problems whose primary constraint is calculation speed.