Introduction to

Information Technology
Week # 1

Compiled b Prof Anosha Khan 1

What is Information Technology?
 Information technology (IT) is a technology which uses
computers to gather, process, store, protect, and transfer
information.
 IT that uses computing with high speed communication
links to spread information from one place to another.
 Computer is a very important component of information
technology
 The world has become “global village” due to
advancement in IT.

Compiled b Prof Anosha Khan 2

Computer
 Computer is an advanced electronic device that takes raw
data as input from the user and processes it under the
control of set of instructions (called program), gives the
result (output), and saves it for the future use.
 Computer consists of hardware and software
 Software is a set of instructions that tells a computer what
to do
 Hardware is the physical part of a computer E.g. keyboard ,
mouse etc
 Relationship between hardware and software

Compiled b Prof Anosha Khan 3

Characteristics of Computers
 High Speed
 Accuracy
 Storage Capability
 Versatility
 Reliability
 Automation
 Reduction in Paper Work
 Reduction in Cost

Compiled b Prof Anosha Khan 4

Components of computers

Computer

software hardware

system application communication

input devices output devices system unit storage devices
software software devices

Compiled b Prof Anosha Khan 5

Hardware
 Hardware is best described as any
physical component of a computer
system that contains a circuit board, ICs,
or other electronics.
 A perfect example of hardware is the
screen on which you are viewing this
page. Whether it be a computer monitor,
tablet or smartphone; it's hardware.
 Without any hardware, your computer
would not exist, and software could not
be used.
Compiled b Prof Anosha Khan 6
Software
 software is a collection of instructions
that enable the user to interact with a
computer, its hardware, or perform
tasks.
 Without software, most computers
would be useless.
 For example, without your Internet
browser software, you could not surf
the Internet or read this page.
 Without an operating system, the
browser could not run on your
computer.
Compiled b Prof Anosha Khan 7
Types of softwares

Compiled b Prof Anosha Khan 8

System Software
 System software serves as the interface between the user,
the application software, and the computer’s hardware
 System softwares are sets of programs, responsible for
running the computer, controlling various operations of
computer systems and management of computer
resources.
 Operating system
 Utility programs
 Device Drivers
 Language processors

Compiled b Prof Anosha Khan 9

 Operating system
 A program that acts as an intermediary between a user of a
computer and the computer hardware.
 An operating system is a system software that provides an
interface for a user to communicate with the computer,
manages hardware devices (disk drives, keyboard, monitor, etc),
manages and maintains disk file systems and supports
application programs. Some popular Operating systems are
UNIX, Windows and Linux.
 Operating system goals:
 Execute user programs and make solving user problems easier.
 Make the computer system convenient to use.
 Use the computer hardware in an efficient manner.
Compiled b Prof Anosha Khan 10
Services of operating system
 An Operating System provides services to both the users and to the
programs.
 It provides programs, an environment to execute.
 It provides users, services to execute the programs in a convenient manner.
 Following are few common services provided by operating systems.
 Program execution
 load a program into memory and to run that program, end execution, either
normally or abnormally (indicating error)
 I/O operations
A running program may require I/O, which may involve a file or an I/O
device.
 Operating
Compiled b Prof Anosha Khan System manages the communication between user and
11 device
drivers
 File System manipulation
 The file system is of particular interest. Obviously, programs need
to read and write files and directories, create and delete them,
search them, list file Information, permission management.
 OS maintains a list of Files identity and location in FAT
 Communication
 OS handles routing and connection strategies, and the problems of
contention and security
 Error Detection
 OS needs to be constantly aware of possible errors
 May occur in the CPU and memory hardware, in I/O devices, in user
program
 For each type of error, OS should take the appropriate action to
ensure correct and consistent computing

Compiled b Prof Anosha Khan 12

 Resource Allocation
 When multiple users or multiple jobs running concurrently,
resources must be allocated to each of them
 Many types of resources - Some (such as CPU cycles, main
memory, and file storage) may have special allocation code, others
(such as I/O devices) may have general request and release code.
 Protection
 The owners of information stored in a multiuser or networked
computer system may want to control use of that information.
Concurrent processes should not interfere with each other
 User interface
 Command-Line (CLI)
 Graphics User Interface (GUI)

Compiled b Prof Anosha Khan 13

Utility Programs
 A utility program is a type of system software that assists
users with controlling or maintaining the operation of a
computer, Its devices, or its software.
 Backup Utilities
 Anti virus
 Firewall
 Screen saver
 File viewer
 Disk defragmenter
 Un Installer
 File Compression
Compiled b Prof Anosha Khan 14
 Device drivers
 A device driver or hardware driver
is a group of files that enable one
or more hardware devices to
communicate with the computer's
operating system.
 Without drivers, the computer
would not be able to send and
receive data correctly to hardware
devices, such as a printer.
 If the appropriate driver is not
installed, the device may not
function properly, if at all
Compiled b Prof Anosha Khan 15
Application Software
 Application software consists of programs designed to make users
more productive and assist them with personal tasks.
 Application software has a variety of uses:
1. To make business activities more efficient
2. To assist with graphics and multimedia projects
3. To support home, personal, and educational tasks
4. To facilitate communications
 Application software can be broadly classified into two types:
 Generalized packages
 Customized packages
Compiled b Prof Anosha Khan 16
 Generalized Packages
 These are user friendly softwares written to cater to user’s very
general needs such as preparing documents, drawing pictures,
database to manage data/information, preparing presentations, play
games etc. It is a group of programs that provide general purpose
tools to solve specific problems. Some of the generalized packages
are listed below:
 Word Processing Software(for preparing documents): Word Perfect,
MS-Word, OpenOffice.org Writer
 Spreadsheets (Data Analysis): Lotus Smart suites, MS Excel,
OpenOffice.org Calc, Apple Numbers
 Presentations : Presentation Graphics, MS-PowerPoint,
OpenOffice.org Impress
 Database Management System: MS-Access, OpenOffice.org Base,
MS-SQL Server, ORACLE
Compiled b Prof Anosha Khan 17

 Graphics Tools: Paint shop pro, Adobe Photoshop

Customized Packages

 These are the applications that are customized (or

developed) to meet the specific requirements of an
organization/institution.
 For Example: Student information details, Payroll
packages, inventory control etc. These packages are
developed using high-level computer language.

Compiled b Prof Anosha Khan 18