CHAPTER 01

ICT

~ Introduction To Computers:
1. What is Computer?
· An electronic device for storing and processing data, typically in binary form, according
to instructions given to it in a variable program.

2. The Components of Computer:

· These are the 5 major components of a computer that you need to know about:

1. Motherboard

2. Central Processing Unit (CPU)

3. Graphical Processing Unit (GPU)

4. Random Access Memory (RAM)

5. Storage device

3. Advantages and Disadvantages of using

Computer: -
Advantages of Using Computer:
The usage of computer gives following advantages in comparison to manual MIS:
1. Speed:

The speed of carrying out the given instruction logically and numerically is incomparable
between a computer and human being.Therefore, from speed point of view, computer’s
functioning is very fast.

2. Accuracy:

Computer calculates very accurately and computer never does mistake although we often
hear about the false results of computers. This may be due to the error in data entry or due to
poorly designed program. Since, human beings do data entry and programming; hence, the
error may make the results false. Otherwise, computer never does mistake. It works on the
principle of “Garbage In, Garbage Out”.

3. Versatility:

Previously, the computer was thought as only a calculating machine, but a computer cans also
carryout logical operations. Any job can be computerized with the help of appropriate
software. Limited sets of instructions are enough to carry out a computer processing.

4. Reliability:

The information stored in computer is in digital forms. The information can be stored for long
time and have long life. If maintained properly, at least data processing and storage
components are guaranteed for several years. A user may feel comfortable and be reliable,
while using information stored in computer.

5. Storage:

Human brain can store a piece of information to some limitation of numbers and up to some
extent of time. When he is asked to reproduce the information after a long period, he may
find himself in a difficult situation to recall the information. Human being generally distorts
the information.

6. Automatically:

A computer performs automatically in user friendly and menu driven program. Electronic
equipment like tape recorder, television, and calculator, VCR etc. can be operated with basic
knowledge of operation. In the same manner with some basic knowhow technique, a
computer can be operated.

7. Compactness:
Now a day, the size of the computer has reduced drastically. The modern computers are
laptop and tabletop computers. They do not occupy more space. Moreover, laptop has
provided mobility to the computer. Now we can carry computer with us and through remote
accessing, we may be in touch with our office.

8. Repetitiveness:

Computer can be used repetitively to process information. It does not feel mental fatigue as in
case of human being. There will be no difference in the speed and accuracy of the information
presentation if a computer operates continually even for 1, 2 or any number of days. We can
understand the importance of the unique features when company is sending information to
its shareholders.

9. Diligence:

A computer is an electronics device. It does not suffer from the human traits of lack of
concentration. So, the results will be continuously of the same standard.

10. No Feelings:

Computers are devoid of emotions. They have no feelings and no instincts because they are
machine. Although men have succeeded in building a memory for the computer, but no
computer possesses the equivalent of a human heart and soul.

Disadvantages of Using Computer:

The usage of computer gives following disadvantages in comparison to manual MIS:

1. Lack of common sense:

Computer is only an electronic device. It cannot think. If we provide an incorrect data, it does
not have the commonsense to question the correctness of the data. For overcoming this
problem, several Software Specialists are engaged in the project of developing intelligence to
the computer. To it, they have given name as Artificial Intelligence. They are willing to develop
the feeling and inhumation in this device.

2. Memory without brain:

Computer can store data in its memory. However, if a wrong instruction is provided, it does
not have a brain to correct the wrong instructions.
3. Slavery:

A computer is a slave; it cannot execute the program by itself. It requires instructions to

execute the program and generate information. Thus, we see that the computer cannot do
anything by itself. It has a relationship of master and slave. Until master is not instructing,
slave will not perform any function. In the same way computer does.

4. Network and the Internet: -

· A network is a collection of computer systems and devices that are linked together
utilizing LAN, WAN, CAN, or HAN.

· The internet is a global system that connects various sorts of electric devices
worldwide.

5. What is Computer Software?

· Instructions that tell a computer what to do. Software comprises the entire set of
programs, procedures, and routines associated with the operation of a computer
system. The term was coined to differentiate these instructions from hardware—i.e.,
the physical components of a computer system.

Types of Computer Software are as follows:

6. Categories of Computer: -
· Personal Computer

· Mobile Computer and Mobile Devices

· Game Console

· Servers

· Mainframes Computer

· Supercomputers

· Embedded Computers

~ Personal Computer:
Personal computers are often called PCs - originally classified a s microcomputers. A
desktop PC usually comes with a tower that holds the main circuit boards and disk drives of
the computer, and a collection of peripherals, such as a keyboard, mouse, and monitor

~ Mobile Computer and Mobile Devices:

 A mobile device is a general term for any type of handheld computer. These devices are
designed to be extremely portable, and they can often fit in your hand. Some mobile devices
—like tablets, e-readers, and smartphones—are powerful enough to do many of the same
things you can do with a desktop or laptop computer.

~ Game Console:
A specialized desktop computer used to play video games. The two most popular consoles
are Sony's PlayStation and Microsoft's Xbox. Nintendo's Wii was also a contender that
simulated physical participation in activities such as bowling and playing tennis.

~ Servers:
Network computer, computer program, or device that processes requests from a client
(see client-server architecture). On the World Wide Web, for example, a Web server is a
computer that uses the HTTP protocol to send Web pages to a client's computer when the
client requests them.

~ Mainframes Computer:
Mainframes are computers. At their core, mainframes are high-performance computers
with large amounts of memory and data processors that process billions of simple
calculations and transactions in real time.

~ Supercomputer:
A supercomputer allows multiple users to access supercomputing at the same time. It has
a very high storage capacity. The computer can handle applications that require real-time
processing. General purpose supercomputers can be further divided into three subcategories:
vector processing supercomputers, tightly connected cluster computers, and commodity
computers

~ Embedded Computers:
The list goes on and on. An embedded computer, which is an integral component of most
embedded systems, is a combination of hardware and software that is designated to perform
a highly specific function.

Embedded computers are everywhere. They are in phones, microwaves, airplanes,

automobiles, calculators.
7. Elements of an Information System: -
Information System has five components – hardware, software, data, and
telecommunications:

1. Hardware:

This is the physical component of the technology. It includes computers, hard disks,
keyboards, iPads, etc. The hardware cost has decreased rapidly while its speed and storage
capacity has increased significantly. However, the impact of the use of hardware on the
environment is a huge concern today. Nowadays, storage services are offered from the cloud,
which can be accessed from telecommunications networks.

2. Software:

Software can be of two types, system software and application software. The system software
is an operating system that manages the hardware, program files, and other resources while
offering the user to control the PC using GUI. Application software is designed to manage
particular tasks by the users. In short, system software makes the hardware usable while
application software handles specific tasks.

An example of system software is Microsoft windows, and an example of application software

is Microsoft Excel.

Large companies may use licensed applications which are developed and managed by
software development companies to handle their specific needs. The software can be
proprietary and open source, available on the web for free use.

3. Data:

Data is a collection of facts and is useless by themselves, but when collected and organised
together, it can be very powerful for business operations. Businesses collect all the data and
use it to make decisions that can be analysed for the effectiveness of the business operations.

4. Telecommunications:

Telecommunication is used to connect with the computer system or other devices to

disseminate information. The network can be established using wired or wireless modes.
Wired technologies include fiber optics and coaxial cable, while wireless technologies include
radio waves and microwaves.

~ Examples of Computer Usage:

Every day, people around the world rely on different types of computers for a variety of
applications. To illustrate the range of uses for computers, this section takes you on narrative
tour of five categories of users:

· Home user

· Small office/home office (SOHO) user

· Mobile user

· Power user

· Enterprise user