Information Technology
in Perspective
Introduction
Computers: Information Technology in Perspective
By Long and Long
Copyright 2002 Prentice Hall, Inc. & 2013 J. Holvikivi
What is IT?
1.2
Quit
Information Technology
is the integration of
computing technology
and information processing.
ICTs – information and
communication technologies
ICT
1.3
Quit
 Computer
science
 Communication technologies
 Information and data management
 Information and network security
 Software engineering
 Applications
 Global positioning
Technology Revolution
1.4
Quit








Changing workplaces through global continuous
access of data and distant communication
Enabling technologies, embedded systems,
multipurpose devices
Chips and processors in any gadget, RFID,
GPS, etc.
New interfaces: touch, voice, face recognition
Networks: cable and wireless
Data and applications in the cloud
Remote monitoring and control
Internet of Things (IoT)
Technology Revolution
1.5
Quit





Effects on society and all aspects of life
 Banking, shopping, cashless society
 Education
 Social media, connections
 Music, photos, games, entertainment
 Health care, telemedicine and disabilities
Social change and crowd activities
On-line voting
Security of information; privacy
Location specific applications
Evolution of Computing
1.6
Quit
No
Computers
PCs
introduced!
1960s
1950
Very
expensive
computers
for large
companies.
Computer
professionals
ran the show.
2001
mid1970s
Data and
hardware
mobile;
flexible uses
2011
Powerful PCs
on every
desktop.
Explosion of
applications.
Networking.
Data vs. Information
Quit
O
U
T
P
U
T
I
N
P
U
T
Data
P
R
O
C
E
S
S
Information
Binary Digits (Bits)
Quit
1.8
On
1
Only 2
states
possible
On
Off
Off
0
Electronic Electronic
pulse
pulse
present
absent
Positive
magnetic
field
Pitted
Light
Pulse
Negative
magnetic
field
Not
Pitted
No Light
Pulse
Human
readable
symbols
}
}
}
Inside the
computer’s
memory (RAM)
}
}
Permanently
stored on
disks
Permanently
stored on
CD-ROM
Fiber
Optic
Cable
Hierarchy of Data Organization
1.9
Quit
 Bit:
0 or 1
 Character: same as a byte;
encoded with ASCII, Unicode
 File: an entity with a name
 Database
Data provide the fuel for the computer system.
Computer Files
Quit
 ASCII
file (txt), Unicode
.exe
 Data file
.wav .mdb
 Document file: doc,
docx, odt, pdf, xps
.txt .xls
.html
 Spreadsheet file
 Source program file .js
.vdp
 Executable program file .exe .gif
.bmp
 Graphics file
.jpg
.tif
 Audio file mp3
.mov
 Video file
File Name Conventions
Quit
separated by a period
2001 Resume.doc
filename
file extension
(up to 255 chars)
(1 - 4 characters, optional)
What do we do with files?
1.12
Quit
 Create,
name, save
 Copy, move, delete
 Retrieve, update
 Display, play, print
 Execute
 Download,
upload
 Export, import
 Compress (zip/unzip)
 Protect
Hardware Basics
Quit
Computer System Components
Peripherals
INPUT
RAM
Chips
STORAGE
PROCESS
OUTPUT
Hardcopy
Softcopy
Computer Systems Basics
1.14
Personal
Computers
Quit
Computing Power is the key!
Software Basics
1.15
Quit
 Programs
Application
Software
System Software
Manage,specific
maintain
& control
Performs
task
for user
system resources
What Can Computers Do?
1.16
Quit
 Input/Output
operations
Reads input
 Writes output

 Processing
operations
Math (computation)
 Decision making (logic)

Photo courtesy of
Imation Corporation
Using Computers
Quit
Personal Computing
Information Systems
Communications
Information access
Word Processing
Spreadsheets
Database
Graphics/Presentation
PIM
Hardware
Software
People
Procedures
Data
Communication
Education & Reference
Surfing
Entertainment & Edutainment
Science, Research & Engineering
IT Competency
Quit
1.18
Emerging from a nice-to-have skill to a job-critical skill.







Feel comfortable with computers and ICT
Make computer systems work for you
Generate input/ interpret output
Comfortable in cyberspace and networks
Understand impact on society
Intelligent consumer of hardware and software
Be conversant in computerese
The pursuit of IT competency is a never-ending
pursuit because IT is always changing.
The Technology Revolution
The End
Computers: Information Technology in Perspective
By Long and Long
Copyright 2002 Prentice Hall, Inc.