Module 1.1
Module 1.1
Overview:
This module provides an overview about Information Communication Technology,
elements of a computer system and its classifications. It tackles also the classification
capabilities
and limitation of Computer. It discuss the history of computing.
Module Objectives:
LIVING IN
THE IT ERA
Module 1: Overview of Information and Communication Technology
Overview:
This module provides an overview about Information Communication Technology,
elements of a computer system and its classifications. It tackles also the classification
capabilities
and limitation of Computer. It discuss the history of computing.
Module Objectives:
Overview:
This module provides an overview about Information Communication Technology,
elements of a computer system and its classifications. It tackles also the classification
capabilities
and limitation of Computer. It discuss the history of computing.
Module Objectives:
Module 1.1:
Overview of Information and
Communication Technology
Overview:
This module provides an overview about Information Communication Technology,
elements of a computer system and its classifications. It tackles also the classification
capabilities and limitation of Computer. It discuss the history of computing. Module
Objectives:
After successfully completing this module you should be able to:
Define ICT;
Contrasts elements of the computer system and its functions;
Categorizes computer;
Identify various events/ improvement in the computing world;
Qualifies the understanding of computer usage;
Contrasts professions and careers in the computing field;
Qualifies computing domains, computing disciplins and computing
knowledge areas.
After successfully completing this module you should be able to:
Define ICT;
Contrasts elements of the computer system and its functions;
Categorizes computer;
Identify various events/ improvement in the computing world;
Qualifies the understanding of computer usage;
Contrasts professions and careers in the computing field;
Qualifies computing domains, computing disciplines and computing knowledge areas.
Course Materials:
Diverse set of technological tools and resources used to transmit, store, create, share or
exhange
information. These technological tools and resources include computers, the Internet
(websites,
blogs and emails), live broadcasting technologies (radio, television and webcasting),
recorded
broadcasting technologies (podcasting, audio and video players and storage
devices) and
telephony (fixed or mobile, satellite , visio / video-conferencng, etc).
Course Materials:
Diverse set of technological tools and resources used to transmit, store, create, share or
exhange
information. These technological tools and resources include computers, the Internet
(websites,
blogs and emails), live broadcasting technologies (radio, television and webcasting),
recorded
broadcasting technologies (podcasting, audio and video players and storage
devices) and
telephony (fixed or mobile, satellite , visio / video-conferencng, etc).
Course Materials:
Diverse set of technological tools and resources used to transmit, store, create, share or
exchange information. These technological tools and resources include computers, the
Internet (websites, blogs and emails), live broadcasting technologies (radio, television
and webcasting), recorded broadcasting technologies (podcasting, audio and video
players and storage devices) and telephony (fixed or mobile, satellite , vision / video-
conferencing, etc.).
1. Hardware:
The physical components of a computer constitute its Hardware. These include
keyboard, mouse, monitor and processor. Hardware consists of input devices and
output devices that make a complete computer system.
2. Software
A set of programs that form an interface between the hardware and the user of a
computer system are referred to as Software.
They are of six types:
a. System software is a set of programs to control the internal operations such as reading
data from input devices, giving results to output devices and ensuring proper
functioning of components is called system software.
c. Operating system is a set of tools and programs to manage the overall working of a
computer using a defined set of hardware components is called an operating system. It
is the interface between the user and the computer system.
e. Language processors is a special software to accept data and interpret it in the form of
Machine /Assembly language understandable by a computer. It also ensures the
correctness of language syntax and errors.
f. Connectivity software:
A set of programs and instructions to connect the computer with the main server to
enable sharing of resources and information with the server and other connected
computers.
3. People ware
The most important element of a computer system is its users. They are also called live
ware of the computer system.
The following types of people interact with a computer system:
a. System Analysts are people who design the operation and processing of the system.
b. System Programmers are people who write codes and programs to implement the
working of the system
c. User are persons who operate the system and use it for different purposes. Also called
the end users.
A computer system mainly has three components viz. Input Unit, Central Processing
Unit and Output Unit. These components are the building blocks of a computer
and define its architecture.
The relationship among these components is well established by the following diagram:
1. Input Unit:
Input unit is responsible for controlling the various input devices that are used to enter
data into the computer. The commonly used input devices are mouse, keyboard, light
pen, optical scanner etc. While some input devices are designed for special
purposes such as Optical Character Recognition (OCR), Magnetic Ink Character
Recognition (MICR) and Bar Code Reader etc., there are other devices that accept input
by responding to physical touch and voice such as ATMs.
b. Memory Unit:
The data has to be stored in the memory blocks of the computer before it is
retrieved for actual processing.
c. Control Unit:
It controls and coordinates the activities of all the components of the computer system.
It reads data from the memory, decodes the instructions, looks after its execution, and
fetches the next instruction
3. Output Unit
It controls various output devices like printer, graphic plotter, speech synthesizer,
monitor (also known as Visual Display Unit or VDU) to produce the desired output and
present it to the user. It ensures the convertibility of output into human readable form
that is understandable by the user.
Classification of Computers
1. Analog Computer
An analog computer (spelt analogue in British English) is a form of computer
that uses continuous physical phenomena such as electrical, mechanical, or hydraulic
quantities to model the problem being solved.
2. Digital Computer
A computer that performs calculations and logical operations with quantities
represented as digits, usually in the binary number system.
1. Super Computer
The fastest and most powerful type of computer Supercomputers are very expensive and
are employed for specialized applications that require immense amounts of
mathematical calculations. For example, weather forecasting requires a supercomputer.
Other uses of super computers include animated graphics, fluid dynamic calculations,
nuclear energy research, and petroleum exploration. The chief difference between a
supercomputer and a mainframe is that a supercomputer channels all its power into
executing a few programs as fast as possible, whereas a mainframe uses its power to
execute many programs concurrently.
2. Mainframe Computer
A very large and expensive computer capable of supporting hundreds, or even
thousands, of users simultaneously. In the hierarchy that starts with a simple
microprocessor (in watches, for example) at the bottom and moves to
supercomputers at the top, mainframes are just below supercomputers. In some
ways, mainframes are more powerful than supercomputers because they support more
simultaneous programs. But supercomputers can execute a single program faster than a
mainframe.
3. Mini Computer
A midsized computer. In size and power, minicomputers lie between workstations and
mainframes. In the past decade, the distinction between large minicomputers and
small mainframes has blurred, however, as has the distinction between small
minicomputers and workstations. But in general, a minicomputer is a multiprocessing
system capable of supporting from 4 to about 200 users simultaneously.
external reasons. Any failure of the
computer in a highly automated
industry is disastrous. Hence,
the industry in such situations has
a backup facility to take over tasks
without losing much of the time.
4. Adaptability - the quality of it to
complete a different type of tasks:
simple as well as complex.
Computers are normally versatile
unless designed for a specific
operation. Overall, a daily purpose
computer is used in any area of
application: business, industry,
scientific, statistical, technological.
A general purpose computer,
when introduced in a company,
can replace the jobs of multiple
specialists due to its flexibility. A
computer system can replace the
functions of all these specialists
because of being very versatile.
5. Storage - the ability of the
computer to store data in itself
for accessing it again in future.
Nowadays, apart from having
instantaneous access to data,
computers have a huge ability
to
store data in a little physical
space.A general computer
system has a capacity of storing
and
providing online millions of
characters and thousands of
pictures. It is obvious from the
above
discussion that computer
capabilities outperform the human
capabilities. Therefore, a
computer,
when used rightfully, will tenfold
the effectiveness of an
organization.
4. Micro Computer or Personal Computer
Desktop Computer: a personal or micro-mini computer sufficient to fit on a
desk.
Laptop Computer: a portable computer complete with an integrated screen and
keyboard. It is generally smaller in size than a desktop computer and larger than a
notebook computer.
Palmtop Computer/Digital Diary /Notebook /PDAs: a hand-sized computer.
Palmtops have no keyboard but the screen serves both as an input and output device.
5. Workstations
A terminal or desktop computer in a network. In this context, workstation is just a
generic term for a user's machine (client machine) in contrast to a "server" or
"mainframe."
2. Accuracy - means the level of precision with which calculations are made and
tasks are performed. One may invest years of his life in detecting errors in computer
calculations or updating a wrong record. A large part of mistakes in Computer Based
Information System (CBIS) occurs due to bad programming, erroneous data, and
deviation from rules. Humans cause these mistakes. Errors attributable to hardware
are generally distinguished and corrected by the computer system itself. The computers
rarely commit errors and do all types of tasks precisely.
3. Reliability - the quality due to which the user can stay dependable on the
computer. Computers systems are well-adjusted to do repetitive tasks. They never get
tired, bored or fatigued. Hence, they are a lot reliable than humans. Still, there can be
failures of a computer system due to internal and external reasons. Any failure of the
computer in a highly automated industry is disastrous. Hence, the industry in such
situations has a backup facility to take over tasks without losing much of the time.
4. Adaptability - the quality of it to complete a different type of tasks: simple as
well as complex. Computers are normally versatile unless designed for a specific
operation. Overall, a daily purpose computer is used in any area of application:
business, industry, scientific, statistical, and technological. A general purpose
computer, when introduced in a company, can replace the jobs of multiple
specialists due to its flexibility. A computer system can replace the functions of all these
specialists because of being very versatile.
5. Storage - the ability of the computer to store data in itself for accessing it
again in future. Nowadays, apart from having instantaneous access to data,
computers have a huge ability to store data in a little physical space. A general
computer system has a capacity of storing and providing online millions of
characters and thousands of pictures. It is obvious from the above discussion that
computer capabilities outperform the human capabilities. Therefore, a computer, when
used rightfully, will tenfold the effectiveness of an organization.
They can be programmed to take such decisions, which are purely procedure-oriented.
If a computer has not been programmed for a particular decision situation, it will not
take a decision due to lack of wisdom and evaluation faculties. Human beings, on the
other hand, possess this great power of decision-making.
1801: In France, Joseph Marie Jacquard invents a loom that uses punched wooden
cards to automatically weave fabric designs. Early computers would use similar punch
cards.
1936: Alan Turing presents the notion of a universal machine, later called the Turing
machine, capable of computing anything that is computable. The central concept of the
modern computer was based on his ideas.
1937: J.V. Atanasoff, a professor of physics and mathematics at Iowa State University,
attempts to build the first computer without gears, cams, belts or shafts.
1939: Hewlett-Packard is founded by David Packard and Bill Hewlett in a Palo Alto,
California, garage, according to the Computer History Museum.
1941: Atanasoff and his graduate student, Clifford Berry, design a computer that can
solve 29 equations simultaneously. This marks the first time a computer is able to store
information on its main memory.
1946: Mauchly and Presper leave the University of Pennsylvania and receive funding
from the
Census Bureau to build the UNIVAC, the first commercial computer for business and
government applications.
1947: William Shockley, John Bardeen and Walter Brattain of Bell Laboratories
invent the transistor. They discovered how to make an electric switch with solid
materials and no need for a vacuum.
1953: Grace Hopper develops the first computer language, which eventually becomes
known as COBOL. Thomas Johnson Watson Jr., son of IBM CEO Thomas Johnson
Watson Sr., conceives the IBM 701 EDPM to help the United Nations keep tabs on
Korea during the war.
1958: Jack Kilby and Robert Noyce unveil the integrated circuit, known as the
computer chip. Kilby was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2000 for his work.
1969: A group of developers at Bell Labs produce UNIX, an operating system that
addressed compatibility issues. Written in the C programming language, UNIX was
portable across multiple platforms and became the operating system of choice among
mainframes at large companies and government entities. Due to the slow nature of the
system, it never quite gained traction among home PC users.
1970: The newly formed Intel unveils the Intel 1103, the first Dynamic Access
Memory (DRAM) chip.
1971: Alan Shugart leads a team of IBM engineers who invent the "floppy disk,"
allowing data to be shared among computers.
1973: Robert Metcalfe, a member of the research staff for Xerox, develops
Ethernet for connecting multiple computers and other hardware.
1974-1977: A number of personal computers hit the market, including Scelbi &
Mark-8 Altair, IBM 5100, Radio Shack's TRS-80 — affectionately known as the "Trash
80" — and the Commodore PET.
1975: The January issue of Popular Electronics magazine features the Altair 8080,
described as the "world's first minicomputer kit to rival commercial models." Two
"computer geeks," Paul Allen and Bill Gates, offer to write software for the Altair, using
the new BASIC language. On April 4, after the success of this first endeavor, the two
childhood friends form their own software company, Microsoft.
1976: Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak start Apple Computers on April fool’s Day and
roll out the Apple I, the first computer with a single-circuit board, according to Stanford
University.
The TRS-80, introduced in 1977, was one of the first machines whose
documentation was intended for non-geeks (Image credit: Radioshack)
1977: Radio Shack's initial production run of the TRS-80 was just 3,000. It sold like
crazy. For the first time, non-geeks could write programs and make a computer do what
they wished.
1977: Jobs and Wozniak incorporate Apple and show the Apple II at the first
West Coast Computer Faire. It offers color graphics and incorporates an audio cassette
drive for storage.
1983: Apple's Lisa is the first personal computer with a GUI. It also features a drop-
down menu and icons. It flops but eventually evolves into the Macintosh. The Gavilan
SC is the first portable computer with the familiar flip form factor and the first to be
marketed as a "laptop."
1985: The first dot-com domain name is registered on March 15, years before the
World Wide Web would mark the formal beginning of Internet history. The Symbolics
Computer Company, a small Massachusetts computer manufacturer, registers
Symbolics.com. More than two years later, only 100 dot-coms had been registered.
1986: Compaq brings the Deskpro 386 to market. Its 32-bit architecture provides as
speed comparable to mainframes.
1993: The Pentium microprocessor advances the use of graphics and music on PCs.
1994: PCs become gaming machines as "Command & Conquer," "Alone in the Dark
2," "Theme Park," "Magic Carpet," "Descent" and "Little Big Adventure" are among
the games to hit the market.
1996: Sergey Brin and Larry Page develop the Google search engine at Stanford
University.
1997: Microsoft invests $150 million in Apple, which was struggling at the time,
ending Apple's court case against Microsoft in which it alleged that Microsoft copied the
"look and feel" of its operating system.
1999: The term Wi-Fi becomes part of the computing language and users begin
connecting to the Internet without wires.
2001: Apple unveils the Mac OS X operating system, which provides protected
memory architecture and pre-emptive multi-tasking, among other benefits. Not to be
outdone, Microsoft rolls out Windows XP, which has a significantly redesigned GUI.
2003: The first 64-bit processor, AMD's Athlon 64, becomes available to the
consumer market.
2004: Mozilla's Firefox 1.0 challenges Microsoft's Internet Explorer, the dominant
Web browser. Facebook, a social networking site, launches.
2006: Apple introduces the MacBook Pro, its first Intel-based, dual-core mobile
computer, as well as an Intel-based iMac. Nintendo's Wii game console hits the market.
2009: Microsoft launches Windows 7, which offers the ability to pin applications to
the taskbar and advances in touch and handwriting recognition, among other features.
2010: Apple unveils the iPad, changing the way consumers view media and
jumpstarting the dormant tablet computer segment.
2011: Google releases the Chrome book, a laptop that runs the Google Chrome OS.
2015: Apple releases the Apple Watch. Microsoft releases Windows 10.
2016: The first reprogrammable quantum computer was created. "Until now, there
hasn't been any quantum-computing platform that had the capability to program
new algorithms into their system. They're usually each tailored to attack a
particular algorithm," said study lead author Shantanu Debnath, a quantum
physicist and optical engineer at the University of Maryland, College Park.
VIDEOS TO WATCH:
1.1. Viewing of videos showing about Information Communication Technology
a. Information Communication Technology
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PDQKu2-bAc
b. Elements of the Computer System
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1JzpptGrKQ
c. Classification of Computers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgWlKK62YRg
d. Capabilities and Limitations of Computers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBbK6dzBlPQ
e. History of Computing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5nskjZ_GoI
1.2 Read:
a. Information Communication Technology
http://aims.fao.org/information-and-communication-technologies-ict
b. Elements of the Computer System
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167564808701369#:~:text=It
%20 is%20generally%20composed%20of, that%20became%20operational%20in
%20194
4.
c. Classification of Computers
https://www.vskills.in/certification/tutorial/it-support/classification-of-computers-2/
d. Capabilities and Limitations of Computers
http://abarientoskeene.weebly.com/capabilities-and-limitations-of-computer.html
e. History of Computing
https://www.computerhistory.org/timeline/computers/
Activities / Assessment:
1. Writing term papers on the following topics:
1.1 Information Communication Technology definition
1.2 Write an essay about the elements of the computer system
1.3 Classification of Computers
1.4 Capabilities and Limitations of Computer
1.5 Make a timeline of History of Computer, note the important events
2. Design the futuristic computer for 2050. Name your computer and list down its
capabilities.
References:
(https://searchcio.techtarget.com/definition/ICT-information-and-communications-
technology-or-technologies)
http://uis.unesco.org/en/glossary-term/information-and-communication-technologies-
ict
https://ecomputernotes.com/fundamental/introduction-to-computer/write-a-detailed-
note-on-classification-of-computers#:~:text=Computers%20differ%20based%20on
%20their,purpose%2C%20data%20handling%20and%20functionality.&text=According
%20to%20data%20handling%2C%20computers%20are%20analog%2C%20digital
%20or%20hybrid.
https://www.toppr.com/guides/accountancy/application-of-computers-in-
accounting/capabilities-and-limitations-of-computer-systems/#:~:text=Answer%3A
%20The%20capabilities%20of%20a,get%20tired%2C%20bored%20or%20fatigued.
https://www.livescience.com/20718-computer-history.html
(https://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/accounting/computerized-accounting/computer-
system-elements-and-components-with-diagram/63263)