Online Diploma in Islamic Studies - Information Technology
Module - 3
What is Information Technology
What is Information Technology
Information technology or IT is the use of computers to store, fetch, transmit, and manipulate
information or data. IT is considered to be a part of information and communications technology
or ICT.
An information technology system is a computer system which includes associated hardware,
software and peripheral equipment that is operated by a limited group of users.
There are four distinct phases of IT development throughout history:
1. Pre-mechanical
2. Mechanical
3. Electromechanical
4. Electronic
From the academic perspective, information technology is an undergraduate degree
program/programs that prepare students to meet the computer technology needs of businesses,
governments, healthcares, schools, and other organizations.
From a commercial and employment perspective, information technology is the study, design,
development, application, implementation, support or management of computer-based
information systems. Many companies now have IT departments for managing the computers,
networks, and other technical areas of their businesses.
The responsibilities of the IT specialists who work in the industry includes network
administration, software development and installation, planning and management of the
organization's technology life cycle, selecting hardware and software products appropriate for
the organization, integrating those products with the organizational needs, installing,
customizing, and maintaining those applications for the organization’s computer users.
Difference between Data and Information
Data is a raw and unorganized fact that is required to be processed to make it meaningful. Data
is always interpreted by a human or machine, to derive its meaning. Data alone has no
significance. Numbers, statements, characters, symbols etc are examples of data.
Information is a set of data which is processed in a meaningful way according to given
requirements. It is processed data which has context, relevance, and purpose. It also involves
manipulation of raw data. Therefore, information cannot exist without data.
Reproduction and modification of this material in any form other than personal use is strictly prohibited without prior
written permission from Taibah Academy.
Online Diploma in Islamic Studies - Information Technology
Module - 3
What is Information Technology
Examples:
● The number 100 is data. 100 miles is information.
● The history of temperature readings all over the world for the past 100 years is data. If
we process these and find out the world’s temperature is increasing, this is information.
Branches of Information Technology
The following are the most common branches of IT:
● Software development: building/maintaining of software products.
● System administration: managing the IT infrastructure of an organization.
● Network administration: managing the network infrastructure of an organization.
● Hardware engineering: managing and troubleshooting the hardwares of an organization.
● Database administration: creating and managing the databases of an organization.
● Security administration: keeping organizational information safe from cyber attacks.
● Cloud computing: managing the cloud infrastructure of an organization.
● Software quality assurance: ensuring that all the functionalities of a software system is
free from bugs.
● Technical support: talking to clients and troubleshooting issues.
Reproduction and modification of this material in any form other than personal use is strictly prohibited without prior
written permission from Taibah Academy.
