Information Technology

Development
Topic 1

[Reference: Vermaat, M. E., Sebok, S. L., Freund, S. M., Frydenberg, M., & Campbell, J. T. (2017).

Enhanced discovering computers (1st ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.]
Learning Outcomes
1. Describe the relationship between data and
information
2. Describe the five components of a computer
3. Understand different categories of software
4. Understand different categories of computers
5. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages that users
experience when working with computers
Data and Information
• Data is a collection of raw and unprocessed items, which
can include text, numbers, images, audio, and video.
• Information is processed data that conveys meaning and
is useful to people.
Information Processing Cycle

Communication

Data Information

Input Process Output

Storage
Components of a Computer
• Input device
• Output device
• System unit
• Storage
• Communications device
Input Devices
• Hardware that allows users to enter data and
instructions into a computer
Examples of Input Devices
Stylus
• Keyboard Mouse

• Mouse
• Touch pad
• Touch screen
• Stylus Keyboard

• Scanner

Scanner Touch screen

Touch pad
Output Devices
• Hardware that
conveys information
from a computer to
one or more people
Examples of Output Devices
• Monitor Monitor Headphone

• Printer
• Speaker
• Headphone
• Projector

Speaker Printer Projector

System Unit
• A case that
contains
electronic
components
used to
process data
Components in a System Unit
Storage
• Storage holds data, instructions, and information for future use.
• Storage media are physical • A storage device is hardware
materials on which data, that is used to record and
instructions, and information retrieve items to and from
are stored. storage media.
• Examples of storage media: • Examples of storage devices:
memory card, optical disc memory card reader, optical
drive
Storage
• Are both hard disk and USB flash drive storage media or storage
devices?
Communications Devices
• Hardware capable of transmitting data, instructions, and
information between a sending device and a receiving
device
• Examples of communications devices:
• Digital modem
• Network card
Computer Software
• Software, also called a program, consists of a series of
related instructions, organised for a common purpose,
that tells the computer what tasks to perform and how
to perform them.
• Two categories of software:
• System software
• Application software Operating
System system (OS)
software System
Software
Application utility (tool)
software
System Software
• System Software consists of the programs that control
or maintain the operations of the computer and its
devices.
• Types of system software:
• An operating system is a set of programs that coordinates
all the activities among computer hardware devices and
allows users to run application software.
• A system utility (tool) is used to perform maintenance-
type tasks usually related to managing devices, media, and
programs.
Operating System (OS) Functions
starts the
computer
administer manage
security programs

control a manage
network memory
Functions of
an
provide file operating
system coordinate tasks
management
and configure
and
devices (I/O)
other tools

provide the
monitor user
performance establish an interface
internet
connection
Operating System (OS) Examples
Examples of operating systems by category

Server Desktop / Laptop Mobile

Microsoft Microsoft Google

Windows Server Windows Android

Mac OS X Server Mac OS Apple iOS

Microsoft Windows
UNIX UNIX
Phone

Linux Linux

Chrome OS
System Utility (tool) Examples
Examples of system utilities by category

Security tools File, disk, and system management tools

Personal firewall File manager

Antivirus program Search utility

Internet filter Image viewer

Uninstaller

File compression tool

Backup tool
Application Software
• Application software consists of programs designed to
make users more productive and/or assist users with
personal tasks.
• Examples of application categories:
• A productivity application assists users in becoming more
effective and efficient while performing daily activities at
work, school, and home.
• A graphics and media application enables power users such
as engineers, architects, desktop publishers, and graphic
artists to work with graphics and media.
Productivity Application Types
Types of Productivity Applications
Type Function Example
Create and manipulate documents Microsoft Word,
Word containing mostly text and graphics such
processing OpenOffice.org Writer
as letters, memos, and reports
Create visual aids for presentations to Microsoft PowerPoint,
Presentation communicate ideas, messages, and other
OpenOffice.org Impress
information
Organise data in rows and columns and Microsoft Excel,
Spreadsheet performs calculations on the data OpenOffice.org Calc
Project Plan, schedule, track, and analyse the Microsoft Project,
management events, resources, and costs of a project GanttProject
Record and report financial transactions Microsoft Office
Accounting of a business Accounting Professional
Graphics and Media Application Types
Types of Graphics and Media Applications
Type Function Example
Computer-Aided Create engineering, architectural, and Microsoft Visio, AutoCAD
Design (CAD) scientific designs and models
Create sophisticated publications that contain
text, graphics, and many colours such as Microsoft Publisher, Adobe
Desktop publishing textbooks, corporate newsletters, product InDesign
catalogues, and annual reports
Draw, enhance, and modify pictures, shapes, Adobe Illustrator,
Paint/image editing and graphics CorelDRAW
Edit and customise digital photos such as
Photo editing retouching photos, adding special effects, Adobe Photoshop, GIMP
removing or rearranging objects in a photo
Modify a segment of a video, called a clip, Windows Movie Maker,
Video editing reorder a series of clips or add special effects Adobe Premiere
Modify audio clips, produce studio-quality Adobe Audition,
Audio editing soundtracks, and more Sony Sound Forge
Create webpages that include multimedia and Microsoft Expression Web,
Webpage authoring interactive content, and organise, manage,
Adobe Dreamweaver
and maintain websites
Categories of Computers

Desktop Computers

Mobile Computers and

Mobile Devices

Game Consoles

Servers

Supercomputers

Embedded Computers
Desktop Computers
• A desktop computer is a type of computer whereby all the
components fit entirely on or under a desk or table.
• An all-in-one (AIO) or all-in-one desktop, by constrast, does
not have a tower and instead houses the display, system unit,
and possibly an optical drive, in the same case.
Mobile Computers
• Laptop / Notebook computer
• Tablet PC
Laptops
• A laptop, also called a notebook computer, is thin,
lightweight mobile computer with a screen in its lid and a
keyboard in its base.
• It is designed to fit on your lap and for easy transport.
Tablet PCs
• A tablet PC is usually smaller than a laptop but larger
than a phone.
• It is a thin, lighter-weight mobile computer that has a
touch screen.
• Examples of tablet PCs:
• A slate tablet does not contain a physical keyboard.
• A convertible tablet has a screen in its lid and a keyboard in its
base, with the lid and base connected by a swivel-type hinge.
Examples of Tablet PCs
Mobile Devices
• Handheld computer
• Smartphone
• Phablet
Handheld Computers
• A handheld computer is a computer small enough to fit
in one hand.
• Many handheld computers are industry-specific and
serve the needs of mobile employees, such as parcel
delivery people or warehouse employees.
Smartphones
• A smartphone is an Internet-capable phone with a touch
screen.
• It usually includes a calendar, an address book, a
calculator, a notepad, games, browsers, and numerous
other apps.
Phablets
• A phablet is a device that combines features of a
smartphone with a tablet.
• It is larger than a smartphone but smaller than a full-
sized tablet.
Game Consoles
• A game console is a mobile computing device designed
for single-player or multiplayer video games.

Handheld game consoles Standard game consoles

Servers
• A server is a computer dedicated to
provide one or more services to other
computers or devices on a network.
• A server can support from two to
several thousand connected
computers and devices at the same
time.
Supercomputers
• A supercomputer is the
fastest, most powerful, and
the most expensive
computer.
• Supercomputers are
capable of processing many
trillions of instructions in a
single second.
Embedded Computers
• An embedded computer is a special-purpose computer
that functions as a component in a larger product.
Advantages & Disadvantages of
Using Computers

Advantages Disadvantages
• Speed • Health risks
• Reliability • Violation of privacy
• Consistency • Public safety
• Storage • Impact on labour force
• Communications • Impact on environment
Current Developments
• Humanoid robots are systems which mimic human
behaviours. Humanoids provide a platform to study the
construction of systems that behave and interact like
humans. A broad range of applications ranging from daily
housework to complex medical surgeries, deep ocean
exploration, and other potentially dangerous tasks are
possible using humanoids. In addition, the study of
humanoid robotics provides a platform to understand
the mechanisms and offers a physical visual of how
humans interact, think, and react with the surroundings
and how such behaviors could be reassembled and
reconstructed.
Reference: Vadakkepat, P. & GOSWAMI, A. (2017). Humanoid robotics: A reference. Netherlands: Springer.
Humanoid Robots