Information Technology, the Internet, and You

Lecture 1

Dr. Hala Najwan Sabeh

EMAIL [email protected]
 Learning Objectives

1. Explain the parts of an information system: people,

procedures, software, hardware, data, and the Internet.
2. Distinguish between system software and application
software.
3. Differentiate between the three kinds of system software
programs.
4. Define and compare general-purpose, specialized, and mobile
applications.
 Learning Objectives cont.

5. Identify the four types of computers and the five types of

personal computers.
6. Describe the different types of computer hardware, including
the system unit, input, output, storage, and communication
devices.
7. Define data and describe document, worksheet, database,
and presentation files.
8. Explain computer connectivity, the wireless revolution, the
Internet, cloud computing, and IoT.
 Information System

An information system (IS) is a combination of people,

procedures, software, hardware, data, and the Internet.
 Parts of an Information System

An information system has several parts:

1. People: are end users who use computers to make themselves more productive.
2. Procedures: specify rules or guidelines for computer operations.
3. Software/ Program: Consists of the step-by-step instructions that tell the
computer how to do its work
4. Hardware: includes keyboard, mouse, display, system unit, tablets,
smartphones, and other devices.
5. Data: consists of unprocessed facts, including text, numbers, images, and
sounds.
6. The Internet: allows computers to connect to people and other computers.
Parts of an Information System
Parts of an Information System
 Concept check

1) Define an information system (IS)

2) List the parts of an information system.
3) What is a program?
 People

• People or End Users are the most

important part of an information
system.
 Software

• Software is another name for programs – in most cases these

terms are interchangeable
• Software/Programs: are instructions that tell the computer
how to process data into the form you want
• There are two major kinds of software:
1) System Software (Software used by computers)
2) Application Software (Software you use)
 System Software

• System software enables the application software to interact with the

computer hardware.
• System software is “background” software that helps the computer manage
its own internal resources.
• System software is not a single program. Rather, it is a collection of
programs, including the following:
1) Operating Systems
1) Utilities
2) Device Drivers
 System Software cont.

•Two best known Operating systems are:

•Windows 10
•Apple’s Mac OS

Windows 10 macOS
 System Software cont.

• The function of the Operating System:

1) Coordinates computer resources
2) Provides the user interface
3) Runs applications
 System Software cont.

Types of the Operating System

1) Embedded operating system
– Used by Smartphones and tablets
• Real-time operating systems (RTOS)
2) Standalone operating system
– Used by desktops
3) Networking operating systems
– Used to run networks
 System Software Continued

• Utilities
• Perform specific tasks related to
managing computer resources
• Antivirus Program
• Protects from viruses
– Can damage your software or hardware
– Comprise the security and privacy of
personal data
 Application Software
• Application Software / End-user software: these are the types of programs you have to know to
be considered computer competent

• Types of application software

1. General-Purpose applications
• Widely used programs
– Browsers
– Word Processor
2. Specialized applications
• More narrowly focused
– graphics
3. Mobile Apps
• Designed for mobile devices
– Social media apps
 Concept check

1) Which part of an information system is the most

important?
2) Describe the two major kinds of software.
3) List the two best known operating systems.
4) List the types of the operating system?
5) What are the functions of the operating system?
6) Define and compare general-purpose applications,
specialized applications, and mobile apps.
7) List the types of the application software.
 Hardware – Types of Computers
There are four types of computers:
1) Supercomputers (Most powerful computers)
2) Mainframe computers (Process large amounts of data)
Supercomputer

3) Midrange computers (Servers)

4) Personal computers (PCs)
 Hardware – Types of Computers
1) Supercomputers: are the most powerful type of
computer. These machines are special, high-
capacity computers used by very large
organizations. Supercomputers are typically
used to process massive amounts of data. For
example, they are used to analyze and predict
worldwide weather patterns.

Supercomputer
 Hardware – Types of Computers
2) Mainframe computers: are capable of great processing speed and data
storage.
3) Midrange computers, also referred to as servers, are computers with
processing capabilities less powerful than a mainframe computer yet
more powerful than a personal computer. Originally used by medium-
size companies or departments of large companies to support their
processing needs.
4) Personal computers, also known as PCs, are the least powerful, yet the
most widely used and fastest-growing type of computer.
 Personal Computer Types
There are five types of personal computers:
1. Desktop
2. Laptop (Notebook)
3. Tablet
4. Smartphones
5. Wearables
 Personal Computer Types
There are five types of personal computers:
1. Desktop is small enough to fit on top of a desk yet too big to carry around
2. Laptop are portable, lightweight and bit into most briefcases
3. Tablet – iPad for example, are smaller, lighter and less powerful than
laptops and use a virtual keyboard.
4. Smartphones is the most common handheld computer. Smartphones are
cell phones with wireless connections to the Internet and processing
capabilities
5. Wearables – such as the Apple Watch
 Personal Computer Hardware
Hardware for a personal computer system consists of a variety of different
devices. This physical equipment falls into four basic categories: system unit,
input/output devices, secondary storage, and communication.

Four basic categories of personal computer Hardware (physical equipment ):

1) System Unit
2) Input/Output
3) Secondary Storage
4) Communications
 System Unit

• System Unit is the houses most

of the electronic components
• Two important components of
System Unit:
1) Microprocessor
2) Memory
 System Unit

1)Microprocessor - controls and manipulates data to

produce information.
2)Memory is a holding area for data, instructions,
and information
 System Unit

• One type of Memory, random-access memory (RAM).

• RAM or random-access memory is one type of memory that:
1. Holds data currently being processed
2. Holds the processed information before it is output
3. Is Temporary storage, contents are lost when power is off
 Input/Output Devices

➢ Input devices translate data and programs that humans can understand into
a form that the computer can process.
• The most common input devices are the keyboard and mouse.
➢ Output devices translate the processed information from the computer into
a form that humans can understand.
• The most common output device is a monitor.
 Secondary Storage

• Secondary storage holds data and programs even if power is off

1) Hard disk
2) Solid-state storage
• No moving parts
• More reliable
• Requires less power
3) Optical disc
• CDs, DVDs, Blu-ray discs
 Communications

• Communication devices: provide the ability for personal

computers to communicate
• Modems: is a widely used communication device that modifies
audio, video, and other types of data into a form that can be
transmitted across the Internet.
 Concept check

1) What are the four types of computers?

2) Describe the five types of personal computers.
3) List the five types of personal computers.
4) Describe the four basic categories of personal computer
hardware.
5) List the four basic categories of personal computer
hardware.
 Data
• Data is raw, unprocessed facts, including text, numbers,
images, and sounds.
• Processed data becomes information.
• Digital data is stored electronically in files
• Four common types of files:
1) Document
2) Worksheet
3) Database
4) Presentation
 Files

1. Document files, created by word processors (Word) to save

documents such as memos, term papers, and letters.

2. Worksheet files, created by electronic spreadsheets (Excel) to

analyze things like budgets and to predict sales.
 Files

3. Database files, typically created by database management

programs to contain highly structured and organized data. For
example, an employee database file might contain all the workers’
names, Social Security numbers, job titles, and other related pieces
of information.
4. Presentation files, created by presentation software to save
presentation materials. For example, a file might contain audience
handouts, speaker notes, and electronic slides.
 Connectivity and the Mobile Internet

• Connectivity: is the capability of your personal computer to share

information with other computers.
• Network: is a communications system connecting two or more
computers.
• The largest network in the world is the Internet. It is like a giant highway
that connects you to millions of other people and organizations located
throughout the world.
• The web provides a multimedia interface to the numerous resources
available on the Internet.
 Forces of Technology
• Three things driving the forces of technology
1. Cloud computing: uses the Internet and the web to shift many computer
activities from a user’s computer to computers on the Internet. Rather than
relying solely on their computer, users can now use the Internet to connect
to the cloud and access more powerful computers, software, and storage.
2. Wireless technology
• Changing the way we communicate
– Tablets, smartphones, wearable devices
3. The Internet of Things (IoT)
• Continuing development of the Internet
• Allowing all types of devices to communicate
 Careers in IT

• Webmaster • Technical Writer

• Develops and maintains – Prepares instruction
websites and web resources manuals, technical reports,
• Software Engineer and other scientific or
• Analyzes users’ needs and technical documents
creates application software • Network Administrator
• Computer Support Specialist – Creates and maintains
• Provides technical support computer networks
to customers and other
users
 Concept check

1) Define data, then list the four common types of files.

2) Define connectivity and networks.
3) What is cloud computing?