ELECT211-WEEK2-LESSONS 1

INTRODUCTION TO ICT
Today, all people use computers and rely on computers to perform their tasks whether
personal or professional.

Professionals are different in their fields and skills, but one thing is common to all of them,
they use computers to do their jobs.
➢ accountant uses computers for financial management.
➢ programmers use them to create programs.
➢ teachers prepare lectures and presentations.
➢ architects create blueprints; >>students use computers for various reasons like
creating reports and thesis and for research purposes.

Businesses, companies, and organizations use computers to process data, store and
retrieve information, and provide results and outputs.

The computer - an electronic device that accepts data and instructions, performs logical
and mathematical operations, and generates the outputs of the processing. The outputs or
results are the information that we need.

Characteristics and Capabilities of Computer

1. SPEED - The computer can work very fast. It takes only a few seconds for
calculations that we take hours to complete. A computer can perform millions
(1,000,000) of instructions and even more per second.
2. ACCURACY - The degree of accuracy of a computer is very high and every
calculation is performed with the same accuracy. The degree of accuracy of a
computer is very high and every calculation is performed with the same accuracy.
3. DILIGENCE - A computer is free from tiredness, lack of concentration, fatigue, etc. It
can work for hours without creating any errors.
4. VERSATILITY - means the capacity to perform completely different types of work. It
means the capacity to perform completely different types of work. You may use your
computer to prepare payroll slips.
5. POWER OF REMEMBERING - the computer has the power to store any amount of
information or data. A computer has the power of storing any amount of information
or data. Any information can be stored and recalled if you require it, for any number
of years.
6. NO IQ (INTELLIGENCE QUOTIENT) - a computer is a dumb machine, and it cannot
do any work without instruction from the user. A computer is a dumb machine, and
it cannot do any work without instruction from the user. It performs the instructions
at tremendous speed and with accuracy. It is you to decide what you want to do and
in what sequence. So a computer cannot take its own decision as you can.
 7. NO FEELINGS - It does not have feelings or emotions, taste, knowledge, or
experience. It does not have feelings or emotions, taste, knowledge, or experience.
Thus, it does not get tired even after long hours of work. It does not distinguish
between users.
8. STORAGE - The Computer has an in-built memory where it can store a large amount
of data. The computer has an in-built memory where it can store a large amount of
data. You can also store data in secondary storage devices.

When do we use the term ICT and how does it differ from IT?
ICT is often used in a more general sense and is described as using computers and other
digital technologies to assist individuals or institutions in handling or using information.
While IT, IT pertains to the industry that involves computers, software, networking, and
other IT infrastructure to help relay or manage information. Simply put, IT aids in the use of
ICT.

What is Information Technology?

Information technology (IT) is the use of any computers, storage, networking, and other
physical devices, infrastructure, and processes to create, process, store, secure, and
exchange all forms of electronic data.

Importance of Information Technology

We use information technology to do schoolwork, research for work, recreation, and
almost anything else that can be imagined. Family and friends can stay connected through
internet applications and smart devices. We are living in the information age and are
constantly inundated from every area of our lives with information technology. It is now a
part of our everyday lives and has greatly impacted society.

Advantages of Information Technology

➢ Protecting and Storing Information - Electronic storage systems are being created to
hold the information that is being shared over the internet and internal intranets.
Secure maintenance of customer and company files is vital to the integrity of the
company. Security systems are put in place to protect your electronic information
and keep it from being wiped out or damaged during a system breakdown.
➢ Automated Processes - The ability to find ways to complete more work in a shorter
amount of time is essential to the success of a company. Information technology
improves a company’s efficiency by implementing automated processes to make
employees more capable of handling a larger workload.
➢ Communication - Communication in every aspect of human interaction is essential.
In the business world, communication is imperative to the success of the company.
Emailing, video conferencing, and chat rooms allow for easier communication
between employees and supervisors as well as employees and clients.
➢ Remote Access or Telecommuting - When a company has implemented an
information technology system, many times employees can access the company’s
network electronically. This enables employees to work from home or while on the
 road. This gives the employees more flexibility and they are more productive
because they can still work when not in the office.

Disadvantages of Information Technology

➢ Expenses of Implementation and Maintenance - Setup costs for implementing an
information technology system within a home or business can be very costly.
Software training can also take another big bite out of the budget. Information
technology.
➢ Elimination of Jobs - By implementing IT systems into a company, tasks take less
time, and therefore, employees have more time throughout the day. Paperwork is
processed and filed immediately, reports are generated with the touch of a button,
and financial statements are generated automatically. Companies are finding that
they can combine jobs and need a smaller staff to operate fully.
➢ Breaches in Security - When information is stored electronically, there are more
chances of security breaches. Hackers are evolving along with technology, and they
are never up to any good. Security systems that were state-of-the-art last year are
now out-of-date and in desperate need of upgrading. To protect company data, a
security specialist should be kept on staff.

What is ICT?
ICT is the technology required for information processing, in particular, the use of
electronic computers, communication devices, and software applications to convert,
store, protect, process, transmit and retrieve information from anywhere, anytime.
➢ Information - refers to the knowledge obtained from reading, investigation, study, or
research. We need information to make decisions and to predict the future. For
example, scientists can detect the formation of a tsunami using the latest
technology and warn the public to avoid disasters in the affected areas.
➢ Communication - is an act of transmitting messages. It is a process whereby
information is exchanged between individuals using symbols, signs, or verbal
interactions. Previously, people communicated through signs or symbols,
performing drama and poetry. With the advent of technology, these ‘older’ forms of
communication are less utilized as compared to the use of the Internet, e-mail, or
video conferencing.
➢ Technology - is the use of scientific knowledge, experience, and resources to create
processes and products that fulfill human needs. Technology is vital in
communication.

Uses of Information Communication Technology in our daily lives

➢ Communication - Nowadays people are in touch with the help of ICT. It is the
cheapest means of communication. Through chatting, E-mail, voice mail, and
social networking people communicate with each other.
➢ Job Opportunities - Being able to use ICT systems effectively allows employees
more time to concentrate on areas of their job role that require soft skills. For
example, many pharmacies use robot technology to assist with picking prescribed
 drugs. This allows highly trained pharmaceutical staff to focus on jobs requiring
human intelligence and interaction, such as dispensing and checking medication. In
the employment sector, ICT enables organizations to operate more efficiently, so
employing staff with ICT skills is vital to the smooth running of any business.
➢ Education - In some contexts, ICT has also become integral to the teaching-learning
interaction, through such approaches as replacing chalkboards with interactive
digital whiteboards, using students’ own smartphones or other devices for learning
during class time, and the “flipped classroom” model where students watch
lectures at home on the computer and use classroom time for more interactive
exercises. Schools use a diverse set of ICT tools to communicate, create,
disseminate, store, and manage information.
➢ Socializing - Young people can maintain social connections and support networks
that otherwise wouldn't be possible and can access more information than ever
before. The communities and social interactions young people form online can be
invaluable for bolstering and developing young people's self-confidence and social
skills. The internet and social media provide young people with a range of benefits,
and opportunities to empower themselves in a variety of ways.

Positive Impacts of ICT in our Society

➢ Access to information - Increase in access to information and services that has
accompanied the growth of the Internet. Some of the positive aspects of this
increased access are better, and often cheaper, communications, such as VoIP
phones and Instant Messaging.
➢ New tools, new opportunities - ICT gives access to new tools that did not previously
exist: digital cameras, photo-editing software, and high-quality printers, screen
magnification or screen reading software enables partially sighted or blind people to
work with ordinary text rather than Braille.
➢ Communication - Cost savings by using e.g. VoIP instead of the normal telephone,
email, messaging instead of post, video conferencing instead of traveling to
meetings, e-commerce web sites instead of sales catalogs. Access to larger, even
worldwide, markets.
➢ Information management - Data mining of customer information to produce lists for
targeted advertising. Improved stock control, resulting in less wastage, better cash
flow, etc. Security: ICT solves or reduces some security problems, e.g. Encryption
methods can keep data safe from unauthorized people, both while it is being stored
or while it is being sent electronically.
➢ Distance learning: students can access teaching materials from all over the world.
➢ Creation of new more interesting jobs - Examples would be systems analysts,
programmers, and software engineers, as well as help desk operators and trainers.

Negative impacts of ICT in our Society

➢ Job loss - Manual operations are being replaced by automation. e.g. robots
replacing people on an assembly line. Job export. e.g. Data processing work being
sent to other countries where operating costs are lower. Multiple workers are being
 replaced by a smaller number who are able to do the same amount of work. e.g. A
worker at a supermarket checkout can serve more customers per hour if a bar-code
scanner linked to a computerized till is used to detect goods instead of the worker
having to enter the item and price manually
➢ Reduced personal interaction - Most people need some form of social interaction in
their daily lives and if they do not get the chance to meet and talk with other people
they may feel isolated and unhappy.
➢ Reduced physical activity -This can lead to health problems such as obesity, heart
disease, and diabetes.
➢ Cost - A lot of ICT hardware and software is expensive, both to purchase and to
maintain. An ICT system usually requires specialist staff to run them and there is
also the challenge of keeping up with ever-changing technology.
➢ Competition - this is usually thought of as being a good thing, but for some
organizations being exposed to greater competition can be a problem. If the
organization is competing for customers, donations, or other means of funding
nationally or even internationally, they may lose out to other organizations that can
offer the same service for less money.

ELECT211-WEEK3-LESSONS 2
Introduction to History of Computers
In the earliest Computers, initial calculations were computed by humans, whose job title
was computers. These human computers were typically engaged in the calculation of
mathematical expressions. The calculations of this period were specialized and expensive,
requiring years of training in mathematics. The first use of the word "computer" was
recorded in 1613, referring to a person who carried out calculations, or computations, and
the word continued to be used in that sense until the middle of the 20th century.

The evolution of computers has six generations namely: pre-modern era, first, second,
third, fourth, and fifth generations.
A. Pre-Modern Era
There are three classifications of devices that evolved during the pre-modern
era namely manual-mechanical devices, electromechanical, and electronic
devices.
➢ Manual-Mechanical Devices are devices that are operated manually
by the user. Examples of manual mechanical devices are:
1. Tally Sticks - A tally stick was an ancient memory aid device to
record and document numbers, quantities, or even messages.
2. Abacus - It is also called a counting frame and is considered
the first man-made computing device. In fact, it was used for
centuries. It uses beads and it was invented in China.
 3. Napier’s Bones - It is a manually operated device used for
calculating products, quotients, square and cube roots. It was
invented by John Napier in 1614.
4. Oughtred’s Slide Rule - It is a mechanical analog computer
consisting of movable bars with a precise scale that uses
approximations for solving problems like multiplication,
division, roots, logarithms, and trigonometry. It was invented
by William Oughtred.
5. Pascaline Calculator - It is also called Adding Machine. It is the
first mechanical calculating device that uses cogged wheels
that can be used to add and subtract two numbers. It was
invented by Blaise Pascal in 1642.
➢ Electromechanical Devices:
1. Stepped Reckoner - Invented by Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz in
1672. The machine can add, subtract, multiply, and divide
automatically.
2. Babbage’s Difference and Analytical Engines - These engines
embodied most of the design of modern computers. The
Difference engine can compute tables, and the Analytical
engine is completely automatic and can calculate any
mathematical problems. It was invented by Charles Babbage.
3. Arithmometer - A mechanical calculator invented by Thomas
de Colmar in 1820, The first reliable, useful, and commercially
successful calculating machine. The machine could perform
the four basic mathematic functions. The first mass-produced
calculating machine.
➢ Electronic Devices. The principal components of electronic devices
are circuit boards, transistors, or silicon chips, and use electrical
switches and circuitry instead of mechanical relays. Examples of
electronic devices are:
1. ABC (Atanasoff-Berry-Computer) - The first special-
purpose digital computer that solves simultaneous equations.
It was developed by John Atanasoff.
2. Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator (ENIAC) - The
first fully electronic general-purpose digital computer ever
completed by John Mauchly and J. Presper Eckert.
3. Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer (EDVAC)
- Mauchly and Eckert started working on it two years
before ENIAC even went into operation. Their idea was to have
the program for the computer stored inside the computer. This
would be possible because EDVAC was going to have more
internal memory than any other computing device to date.
Memory was to be provided through the use of mercury delay
lines. It is a completely internally programmed machine. This
 is simply the enhancement of ENIAC to overcome its
limitations.
4. Electronic Delay Storage Automatic Calculator (EDSAC). It is
also known as an Electronic Binary Digital computer that uses
a binary representation of data and internally stored programs;
the first full-size stored-program computer, built at the
University of Cambridge, England by Maurice Wilkes and
others to provide a formal computing service for users. EDSAC
was built according to the von Neumann machine principles.
B. First Generation Computers (1951-1958)
The size of computers during the first-generation computers are mainframes.
The major hardware features are vacuum tubes and magnetic drums, and the
processing speed is 1,000 instructions per second.

examples of the computer during this generation:

➢ Universal Automatic Computer (UNIVAC). It is the first commercial
business computer and was developed by John Eckert and John
Mauchly.
➢ IBM 701 which is the first-generation IBM computers. The most
popular 1st generation computer is IBM 650.

C. Second Generation Computers (1959-1963)

The major hardware features of second-generation computers are transistors
and magnetic cores. Its processing speed is 1,000,000 instructions per second and
the size is mainframe.

examples of the computer during this generation:

➢ TRADIC is one example of a second-generation computer. It is the first
transistorized computer.
➢ UNIVAC II, IBM 7070, 7090, and 1400 series.

D. Third Generation Computers (1964-1970)

During the third generation, minicomputers already became available. The
major hardware features are integrated circuits or “chips” and the processing speed
is 10,000,000 instructions per second.

example of the computer during this generation:

➢ IBM System 360. It is the first general-purpose machine used in
science and business.

E. Fourth Generation Computers (1971-present)

The fourth generation started in 1971 up to the present. The size of a
computer varies from mainframes, minicomputers, and microcomputers. The major
hardware features are microprocessors or large-scale integrated circuits. The
 minimum processing speed is 100,000,000 instructions per second. As these small
computers became more powerful, they could be linked together to form networks,
which eventually led to the development of the Internet. Fourth-generation
computers also saw the development of GUIs, the mouse, and handheld devices.

F. Fifth Generation Computers (Present-Future)

Based on Artificial Intelligence (AI). Still in development. The use of parallel
processing and superconductors is helping to make artificial intelligence a reality.
The goal is to develop devices that respond to natural language input and are
capable of learning and self-organization. There are some applications, such as
voice recognition, that are being used today.

Classification of Computers
The computers can be classified according to purpose, according to data handled,
and according to capacity.

1. According to Purpose (PURPOSE)

A. General-purpose computers have the ability to store different programs
of instruction and thus, perform a variety of operations. Examples of
general-purpose computers are personal computers, laptops, and
tablets.
B. Special-purpose computers are designed to perform one specific task.
The program of instructions is built into, or permanently stored in the
machine. Examples of special-purpose computers are highway tolls, air
traffic control, satellite tracking, airline reservations, and automated
teller machines.
2. According to Data Handled (TYPE)
A. Analog Computers. The name analog comes from the word “analogous”
meaning similar. Analog computers are used for scientific, engineering,
and process control purposes. They deal with quantities that are
continuously variable. One example is the analog speedometer in an
automobile.
B. Digital Computers refer to machines that specialize in counting. It
operates by counting values that are discrete, or separate and distinct.
C. Hybrid Computers. Although both analog and digital computers are
extremely used in widely accepted in various industries, manufacturers
designed a computer that combines the best features of both types. This
special-purpose machine called a hybrid computer combines the
measuring capabilities of the analog computer and the logical and
control capabilities of the digital computer. It offers an efficient and
economical method of working out special types of problems in science
and various areas of engineering. Some Hybrid machines contain special
equipment to convert analog voltages into digital voltages, and vice-
versa.
 3. According to Capacity (SIZE)
A. Microcomputers are the smallest, least expensive, and most used types
of computers. They have small memories, less processing power, are
physically smaller, and permit fewer peripherals compared to super and
mainframe computers. They are more commonly known as personal
computers or simply PCs. The term was initially used to refer to IBM-
compatible computers.
B. Minicomputers - are general-purpose devices without the monumental
expenses associated with a larger system. Their processing power is
below that of mainframe systems but above the capabilities of personal
computers. Also known as mid-range computers, these became popular
in the late 1960s but have become almost extinct because of the
popularity of personal computers. The latter can now perform most of the
tasks reserved for minis.
C. Mainframe computers - are large-sized computer types. They are equally
powerful but fall short in terms of the computation ability in
supercomputers. They are like big file servers, enabling multiple users
from nearby and remote locations to access resources at the same time.
Also known as big iron, these systems can handle massive amounts of
data going in and out simultaneously. This makes them popular with
businesses.
D. Supercomputers - These are arguably the most powerful in terms of
speed and accuracy. They are types of computers used in solving
complex mathematical computations. They can execute trillions of
instructions per second, which is calculated in floating point operations
per second (FLOPS).

ELECT211-WEEK4-LESSON3
A computer is an electronic device that accepts data, performs operations, displays
results, and stores the data or results as needed. It is a combination of hardware and
software resources that integrate and provide various functionalities to the user. Hardware
is the physical components of a computer like a processor, memory devices, monitor,
keyboard, etc., while software is a set of programs or instructions that are required by the
hardware resources to function properly.

Components of a Computer
There are basically three important components of a computer:

• Input Unit
• Central Processing Unit(CPU)
• Output Unit
Input Unit

The input unit consists of input devices that are attached to the computer. These
devices take input and convert it into binary language that the computer understands.
Some of the common input devices are a keyboard, mouse, joystick, scanner, etc.

The Input Unit is formed by attaching one or more input devices to a computer.
A user inputs data and instructions through input devices such as a keyboard, mouse, etc.
The input unit is used to provide data to the processor for further processing.
Central Processing Unit

The CPU is called the brain of the computer because it is the control center of the
computer. It first fetches instructions from memory and then interprets them to know what
is to be done. If required, data is fetched from memory or input device. Thereafter CPU
executes or performs the required computation, and then either stores the output or
displays it on the output device. The CPU has three main components, which are
responsible for different functions: Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU), Control Unit (CU), and
Memory registers.

Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU): The ALU, as its name suggests performs mathematical
calculations and makes logical decisions. Arithmetic calculations include addition,
subtraction, multiplication, and division. Logical decisions involve the comparison of two
data items to see which one is larger smaller or equal.

➢ The Arithmetic Logical Unit is the main component of the CPU.

➢ It is the fundamental building block of the CPU.
➢ The arithmetic and Logical Unit is a digital circuit that is used to perform
arithmetic and logical operations.

Control Unit: The Control unit coordinates and controls the data flow in and out of the
CPU, and controls all the operations of ALU, memory registers, and also input/output units.
It is also responsible for carrying out all the instructions stored in the program. It decodes
the fetched instruction, interprets it, and sends control signals to input/output devices until
the required operation is done properly by ALU and memory.

➢ The Control Unit is a component of the central processing unit of a computer

that directs the operation of the processor.
➢ It instructs the computer’s memory, arithmetic, and logic unit, and input and
output devices on how to respond to the processor’s instructions.
➢ To execute the instructions, the components of a computer receive signals from
the control unit.
➢ It is also called the central nervous system or brain of the computer.
Output Unit

The output unit consists of output devices that are attached to the computer. It
converts the binary data coming from the CPU to human understandable form. The
common output devices are monitors, printers, plotters, etc.

The output unit displays or prints the processed data in a user-friendly format.
The output unit is formed by attaching the output devices of a computer.
The output unit accepts the information from the CPU and displays it in a user-readable
form.

What is Hardware?
It refers to the physical and tangible components of the computer system.

Components of the Internal Hardware

1. CPU - The central processing unit (CPU) executes all the instructions, and it is considered the
brain of the computer system.
2. Memory - It stores data and instructions before the execution and the processed data as well.

Types of Memory
A. Internal Memory
• Primary Memory.
1. Random-Access Memory (RAM) – It is a volatile type of memory referred to as Main
Memory
2. Read-Only Memory (ROM) – contains permanently stored instructions that cannot
be changed.
B. External Memory
• Secondary Memory - Also known as Auxiliary Memory. It is a non-volatile type of memory
that is responsible for keeping files permanently.

3. Input and Output Unit - It allows communication between the computer and its outside world via
input and output devices.

Other parts that go along with the Processor:

1. Bus - It is an electronic circuit that sends data and messages between the other
components.
2. Ports - They attach input and output devices to the computer.
3. Expansion slots - It allow the addition of extra features.
4. Registers - These are special temporary storage that quickly accepts, stores, and
transfers data and instructions for immediate use.
Components of the External Hardware

Input Hardware - it accepts or collects data and converts it into a form suitable for
processing.

• Keyboard - It is the most used input device.

• Terminals - It consists of a keyboard, a video display screen, and a communication line to a
mainframe computer.
THREE TYPES OF TERMINALS
1. Dumb – can be used only to input data to and receive information from a computer
system.
2. Smart – can do input and output and has some limited processing capability.
3. Intelligent – a fledge microcomputer with a communication link.
POINTING DEVICES
1. Mouse – a pointing device that allows you to control an on-screen cursor.
2. Trackball – the upside-down version of the mouse. A ball mounted in the box is
rolled with the fingers to move the cursor.
3. Joystick – a video display screen that picks up input from the user through the touch
of a finger.
4. Light pen –It is a point-and-draw input device that allows you to draw directly on the
screen.
5. Digitizing tablet – a pen-like device with which the user “sketches” an image or puck.
6. Pen-based systems – a pen-like stylus to enter handwriting and marks into a
computer.
SCANNING DEVICES
1. Scanning Device - It translates images of text, drawings, photos, and the like into
forms of data that can be understood by the computer.
2. Bar code readers – photoelectric scanners that translate the bar code symbols into
digital forms
Mark and Character recognition devices
1. MICR (Magnetic-Ink Character Recognition) – it reads the strange-looking numbers
printed at the bottom of bank checks
2. OMR (Optical Mark Recognition) – it reads pencil marks
3. OCR(Optical Character Recognition) – it reads special preprinted characters
4. Fax Machine (Facsimile Transmission Machine) – it scans an image and sends it as
an electronic signal over telephone lines
5. Imaging Systems/Image Scanner/ Graphics Scanner – it converts text, drawings, and
photographs into forms
6. Smart cards – they contain a microprocessor and a memory chip.
7. Optical Cards – It's a plastic, laser-recordable card used with an optical card reader.
Other Devices
1. Voice Recognition Systems – they convert human speech into digital code.
2. Audio- Input Device – they record or play analog sounds
3. Video- Input Devices – signals that come from a VCR or a camera recorder
4. Electronic cameras – they capture images in electronic form
5. Sensors – they collect specific kinds of data directly from the environment
Storage Hardware

It temporarily or permanently stores data used for processing and the output of such processing.

Two types:

1. Primary Storage – refers to main memory (RAM).

2. Secondary Storage- refers to storage devices that retain data and instruction in a relatively
permanent (non-volatile) form.
A. Diskettes
B. Hard disks
C. Optical storage – use a laser beam to pack information densely on are
movable disk
D. Magnetic tapes – sequential file storage represented by various
arrangements of magnetized spots along the width of the tape
E. Magnetic disk – a metal plotter where data is represented by magnetized
spots on the tracks.
F. Magnetic strip – a recording of a data cell device capable of storing 400
million of data
G. Paper tape – a continuous strip of paper wound on a reel where data is
represented by holes punched on the paper.
H. Drum – a recording medium of data represented by magnetized spots that
are coated with a magnetically sensitive material divided into tracks.
I. Continuous forms – long sheets of paper where data is represented through
printouts.
J. Computer Output Microfilm (COM)- stores large volumes of information
printed or photographed as a very small image on sheets or rolls of film
called Microfiche.

Output Hardware

It provides a means for the user to view information produced by the computer system.
Two forms:
a. Hardcopy – it is when an information has been recorded in a tangible
medium, such as paper or microfilm
b. Softcopy – it is when an output is temporarily displayed on the screen

Hardcopy Output Hardware:

• Printer – it is capable of printing characters, symbols, and graphics.

Categories:

1. Impact printer – it has contact with papers like daisy wheel printers, dot-matrix
printers, and line printers
 2. Non-impact printers –it has no contact with paper like laser printer, ink-jet printers,
and thermal printers.

• Plotter – they are specialized output devices that can produce high-
quality graphics in a variety of colors.

3 types:
A. Pen plotter – the most popular type of plotter
B. Electrostatic plotter – Electrostatic charges create tiny dots on specially
treated paper.
C. Thermal plotter – its pins are electronically heated and are used with heat-
sensitive paper to produce images.

Softcopy Output Hardware:

• Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) – the most popular softcopy output device
used on microcomputers
• Flat Panel Displays – They are used with portable computers.

Software
System software- facilitating applications programs.
Types of system software

• Operating system - refers to a group of related programs that supervise the

execution of an application program
1. Operating environment - refers to programs that sit on top of the OS
2. Utilities - a single term for all types of programming aids
3. Programming damages - the programs used to write other programs
4. Language processor - used to convert source program into a form suitable for
execution. (Compilers, Assemblers, Interpreters)
• Application software - use a program designed to solve problems.
Types of Application Software
1. Package Program - commonly called application package.
Types of Package Programs

• word processing software

• desktop publishing software
• spreadsheet software
• database management system
 • graphic software
• communication software
• integrated software
• groupware
• software suites
• desktop accessories
• personal information manager
• project management software
• multimedia software

2. Custom Program - specifically written for an organization.

Levels of Programming Languages

• Machine language
• Symbolic language
• High-level language

Peopleware
refers to the personnel involved in data processing operations.
Functional Areas of Peopleware:
• Systems Programming
• System analysts
• Application programming
• Computer Operations
Personnel:
• Data Entry Operator
• Computer Operator
• Computer Programmer
• System Analysts
• Computer Center Director
ELECT211-WEEK5-LESSON4

Information Age

What is the Information Age?

The Information Age is the idea that access to and control of information is the defining
characteristic of this current era in human civilization.
The Information Age- the Computer Age, the Digital Age, and the New Media Age- is
coupled tightly with the advent of personal computers. However, many computer historians trace
its beginnings to the work of the American mathematician Claude E. Shannon, known as the
"father of Information Theory."

Origin of the Information Age

In 1948, at age 32 and as a researcher at Nokia Bell Laboratories, Shannon published a
landmark paper proposing that information can be quantitatively encoded as a series of ones and
zeroes. Shannon showed how all information media, from telephone signals to radio waves to
television, could be transmitted without error using this single framework.

Milestones of the Information Age

By the 1970s, with the development of the Internet by the United States Department
of Defense and the subsequent adoption of personal computers a decade later, the
Information, or Digital, Revolution was underway.
More technological changes, such as the development of fiber optic cables and
faster microprocessors, accelerated the transmission and processing of information. The
World Wide Web, used initially by companies as an electronic billboard for their products
and services, morphed into an interactive consumer exchange for goods and information.
Electronic mail (email), which permitted near-instant exchange of information, was widely
adopted as the primary platform for workplace and personal communications.
The digitization of information has had a profound impact on traditional media
businesses, such as book publishing, the music industry, and -- more recently -- the major
television and cable networks. As information is increasingly described in digital form,
businesses across many sectors sharpened their focus on capitalizing on the Information
Age.