CHAPTER ONE

Overview of Computer and ICT

Introduction
Computer is an advanced electronic device that takes raw data as an input from the user and processes it
under the control of a set of instructions (called program), produces a result (output), and saves it for
future use. A computer is a programmable electronic device that accepts raw data as input and processes
it with a set of instructions (a program) to produce the result as output. It renders output just after
performing mathematical and logical operations and can save the output for future use. It can process
numerical as well as non-numerical calculations. The term "computer" is derived from the Latin word
"computare" which means to calculate.

A computer is designed to execute applications and provides a variety of solutions through integrated
hardware and software components. It works with the help of programs and represents the decimal
numbers through a string of binary digits. It also has a memory that stores the data, programs, and result
of processing. The components of a computer such as machinery that includes wires, transistors, circuits,
hard disk are called hardware. Whereas, the programs and data are called software.

It is believed that the Analytical Engine was the first computer which was invented by Charles Babbage
in 1837. It used punch cards as read-only memory. Charles Babbage is also known as the father of the
computer.

Fig: Computer [Laptop]

In general, a computer can be defined as: -

 It is an electronic device that converts data into information through a set of step-by-step
operations
 Is machine capable of solving problems and manipulating data
 It accepts data, processes the data by doing some mathematical and logical operations and
gives us the desired output

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Any digital computer carries out the following five functions: -
 Step 1 − Takes data as input.
 Step 2 − Stores the data/instructions in its memory and uses them as required.
 Step 3 − Processes the data and converts it into useful information.
 Step 4 − Generates the output.
 Step 5 − Controls all the above four steps.

Information Communication Technology

Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is the convergence of computing,
telecommunication and governance policies for how information should be accessed, secured,
processed, transmitted and stored.

In some parts of the world, ICT is used as a synonym for information technology (IT), but the two
terms can have slightly different meanings when used in different contexts. For example, in the
United States the label IT is used when discussing technology in terms of business operations --
while the label ICT is used more often in the context of education and government.

ICT has become an umbrella term in many parts of the world as digital communication links
replace analog links -- and the demand for professionals who have the knowledge and skills to
manage the convergence of these links grows.

ICT includes traditional data center infrastructure components as well as an increasing number
of content, software, hardware and support services delivered over the internet.

ICT COMPONENTS
ICT components include:
 Infrastructure - Hardware components that support the way information is created,
transferred, stored and managed.
 Software as a Service (SaaS) and local client applications that support digital design,
personal productivity and workflow management.
 Computer - Electronic components that support the exchange of digital information, including
subscription service delivery mechanisms.
 Knowhow – knowledge about how to use a technology

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 Fig: Information Communication Technology

Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is a variety of technologies that facilitate

communications. ICT is often used to describe the convergence of several technologies, and the use
of common transmission lines and communication formats to transfer diverse data types.

DATA
Data can be defined as a representation of facts, concepts, or instructions in a formalized manner,
which should be suitable for communication, interpretation, or processing by human or electronic
machine. Data is represented with the help of characters such as alphabets (A-Z, a-z), digits (0-9)
or special characters (+, -, /, *, <, >, = etc.)

The following diagram shows a Flow of Data

Fig: it shows the flow of data

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Information
Information is organized or classified data, which has some meaningful values for the receiver.
Information is the processed data on which decisions and actions are based. The processed data
must qualify for the following characteristics −
 Timely − Information should be available when required.
 Accuracy − Information should be accurate.
 Completeness − Information should be complete.

In General Information can be defined as: -

 Is a processed data presented in a form suitable for human interpretation
 Presented in the form of charts, summaries, averages and ranked lists so that it will be
very helpful in making ‘informed’ decision.
 Useful information is called knowledge.

Fig: Data and Information

Data Processing Cycle
Data processing is the re-structuring or re-ordering of data by people or machine to increase their
usefulness and add values for a particular purpose. Data processing consists of the following basic
steps - input, processing, and output. These three steps constitute the data processing cycle.

 Input − in this step, the input data is prepared in some convenient form for processing. The
form will depend on the processing machine. For example, when electronic computers are
used, the input data can be recorded on any one of the several types of input medium, such
as magnetic disks, tapes, and so on.

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  Processing − in this step, the input data is changed to produce data in a more useful form.
For example, paychecks can calculated from the time cards, or a summary of sales for the
month calculated from the sales orders.

 Output − at this stage, the result of the proceeding processing step is collected. The
particular form of the output data depends on the use of the data. For example, output data
may be paychecks for employees.

Characteristics of Computers
The Following are certain characteristics of computers.

High Speed
 Computer is a very fast device.
 It is capable of performing calculation of very large amount of data.
 The computer has units of speed in microsecond, nanosecond, and even the picosecond.
 It can perform millions of calculations in a few seconds as compared to man who will
spend many months to perform the same task.

Accuracy
 In addition to being very fast, computers are very accurate.
 The calculations are 100% error free.
 Computers perform all jobs with 100% accuracy provided that the input is correct.

Storage Capability
 Memory is a very important characteristic of computers.
 A computer has much more storage capacity than human beings.
 It can store large amount of data.
 It can store any type of data such as images, videos, text, audio, etc.

Diligence
 Unlike human beings, a computer is free from monotony, tiredness, and lack of
concentration.
 It can work continuously without any error and boredom.
 It can perform repeated tasks with the same speed and accuracy.

Versatility
 A computer is a very versatile machine.

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  A computer is very flexible in performing the jobs to done.
 This machine can used to solve the problems related to various fields.
 At one instance, it may be solving a complex scientific problem and the next moment it
may be playing a card game.

Reliability
 A computer is a reliable machine.
 Modern electronic components have long lives.
 Computers are designed to make maintenance easy.

Automation
 Computer is an automatic machine.
 Automation is the ability to perform a given task automatically. Once the computer
receives a program i.e., the program is stored in the computer memory, then the program
and instruction can control the program execution without human interaction.

Reduction in Paper Work and Cost

 The use of computers for data processing in an organization leads to reduction in paper
work and results in speeding up the process.
 As data in electronic files can be retrieved as and when required, the problem of
maintenance of large number of paper files gets reduced.
 Though the initial investment for installing a computer is high, it substantially reduces the
cost of each of its transaction.

Limitation of Computers
Following are certain disadvantages of computers.

No I.Q.
 A computer is a machine that has no intelligence to perform any task.
 Each instruction has to be given to the computer.
 A computer cannot take any decision on its own.

Dependency
 It functions as per the user’s instruction; thus, it is fully dependent on humans.

Environment

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  The operating environment of the computer should be dust free and suitable.

No Feeling
 Computers have no feelings or emotions.
 It cannot make judgment based on feeling, taste, experience, and knowledge unlike
humans.

Application Area of Computers

The following are some of the application areas of a computer.

Business
A computer has high speed of calculation, diligence, accuracy, reliability, or versatility which has
made it an integrated part in all business organizations. Computer is used in business
organizations for: -

 Payroll calculations  Financial forecasting

 Budgeting  Managing employee database
 Sales analysis  Maintenance of stocks, etc.

Banking
Today, banking is almost totally dependent on computers.
Banks provide the following facilities −
 Online accounting facility, which includes checking current balance, making deposits and
overdrafts, checking interest charges, shares, and trustee records.
 ATM machines which are completely automated are making it even easier for customers
to deal with banks.

Insurance
Insurance companies are keeping all records up-to-date with the help of computers. Insurance
companies, finance houses, and stock broking firms are widely using computers for their
concerns.

Insurance companies are maintaining a database of all clients with information showing −
 Procedure to continue with policies  Next due installment of a policy
 Starting date of the policies  Maturity date

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  Interests due  Bonus
 Survival benefits

Education
The computer helps in providing a lot of facilities in the education system.
 The computer provides a tool in the education system known as CBE (Computer Based
Education).
 CBE involves control, delivery, and evaluation of learning.
 Computer education is rapidly increasing the graph of number of computer students.
 There are a number of methods in which educational institutions can use a computer to
educate the students.
 It is used to prepare a database about performance of a student and analysis is carried out
on this basis.

Marketing
In marketing, uses of the computer are following −
 Advertising − With computers, advertising professionals create art and graphics, write
and revise copy, and print and disseminate ads with the goal of selling more products.
 Home Shopping − Home shopping has been made possible through the use of
computerized catalogues that provide access to product information and permit direct
entry of orders to be filled by the customers.

Healthcare and Medicine

Computers have become an important part in hospitals, labs, and dispensaries. They are being
used in hospitals to keep the record of patients and medicines. It is also used in scanning and
diagnosing different diseases. ECG, EEG, ultrasounds and CT scans, etc. are also done by
computerized machines.

Following are some major fields of health care in which computers are used.
 Diagnostic System − Computers are used to collect data and identify the cause of illness.
 Lab-diagnostic System − All tests can be done and the reports are prepared
 Patient Monitoring System − These are used to check the patient's signs
 Pharma Information System − used to check drug labels, expiry dates, harmful side effects
 Surgery − Nowadays, computers are also used in performing surgery.
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Engineering Design
Computers are widely used for Engineering purpose. One of the major areas is CAD (Computer
Aided Design) that provides creation and modification of images. Some of the fields are −
 Structural Engineering − Requires stress and strain analysis for design of ships,
buildings, budgets, airplanes, etc.
 Industrial Engineering − Computers deal with design, implementation, and
improvement of integrated systems of people, materials, and equipment.
 Architectural Engineering − Computers help in planning towns, designing buildings,
determining a range of buildings on a site using both 2D and 3D drawings.

Military
Computers are largely used in defense. Modern tanks, missiles, weapons, etc. Military also
employs computerized control systems. Some military areas where a computer has been used
are −
 Missile Control  Military Operation and Planning
 Military Communication  Smart Weapons

Communication
Communication is a way to convey a message, an idea, a picture, or speech that is received and
understood clearly and correctly by the person for whom it is meant. Some main areas in this
category are: −
 E-mail  FTP
 Chatting  Telnet
 Usenet  Video-conferencing

Government
Computers play an important role in government services. Some major fields in this category are:
 Budgets  Computerization of voter’s lists
 Sales tax department  Computerization of PAN card
 Income tax department  Weather forecasting
 Computation of male/female ratio

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