Dr. Awad Khalil Dr.
Mohamed Hussein
Faculty of Computers & Information Technology
Outline
Preamble
Learning Objectives
What is a Computer?
Information Technology (IT)
Information System
Computer Hardware
Computer Networks/Internet
Computer Software
Data Versus Information
Careers in IT
Preamble
Welcome to Computer and IT world. In today’s digital
society, computers and technology affect virtually
everyone’s life.
This course helps prepare you for success
in a world that is filled with computers. At work, at
school, at home, in stores, and as you travel,
computers help make things run more smoothly.
In this course, you will learn about the technologies
that drive our computerized society, including the
Internet and local area networks (LANs).
Learning Objectives
Understand the purpose and elements of information
systems
Recognize the different types of computers
Distinguish the main software types
Identify the components of a computer system
Understand how computers communicate
What is a Computer ?
A computer is an electronic device that manipulates
data (quantifiable facts). It has the ability
to store, retrieve, and process data to produce
information.
For What Purpose We Need Information?
Support Decision Making
Planning
Monitoring and Controlling
What That Make Computer so Different?
Computational Speed: can perform billions of
operations per second (measured as a clock speed,
Ghz)
Storage: virtually unlimited, measured in GigaBytes,
TeraBytes, … etc.
Generality: unlimited applications
Accuracy: very high
Connectivity: can be connected to other devices
(wired or wireless)
300
Memory
Aritmatic and logic
unit
Control unit
Information Technology IT
Information technology (IT) is the use of computers to store, retrieve,
transmit, and manipulate data or information. IT is a merging of two
technologies:
Computing Technology
Communications Technology
There are many types of IT, hereafter only some of them:
Information System IS …
Big Data & Big Data Analytics: the discovery of meaningful information in large data
volumes ...
Artificial Intelligence. Intelligent software that learns. ...
Capacity Management. ...
Configuration Management. ...
Content Management. ...
Customer Relationship Management. ...
Decision Support System. ...
E-commerce …
E-government …
E-learning …
GIS (Geographical Information System) …
…
Information System
An information system is a complete interconnected
environment in which raw data - quantifiable facts - is turned
into useful information.
An information system includes the following parts:
◾ People (Users)
◾ Computer(s):
Hardware
Software (Programs)
◾ Procedures
◾ Data
Communications:
Networking
Internet
Information System
People
Technical Staff
Administrative Staff
End Users
Procedures
The rules or guidelines for people to follow when using
software, hardware, and data are procedures.
These procedures are typically documented in manuals
written by computer specialists.
Software and hardware manufacturers provide manuals
with their products. These manuals are provided in either
printed or electronic form.
Memory
Arithmatic
Input and logic output
unit
Control unit
CPU=ALU+CU
Computer Hardware
Computer Hardware compromise all physical components of the
computer, which are:
CPU - central processing unit: where decisions are made,
computations are performed, and input/output requests are
delegated.
Main Memory: stores information being processed by the CPU
Secondary Memory (Mass Storage): stores data and programs
Input devices: Allow people to supply information to computers
Output devices: Allow people to receive information from
computers.
Network connection: Modems, Ethernet interface and Internet
connection.
Computer Hardware
Computer Hardware
CPU (Central Processing Unit), “brains” of the
Computer,
structured as:
Arithmetic Logical Unit (ALU), performs arithmetic and
logical operations.
Control Unit (CU): decodes and executes instructions.
Registers that hold data and instructions for CPU to
process.
Arithmetic and logical operations are performed using
binary number system (only 0’s and 1’s).
Computer Hardware
Microprocessor: A CPU on only one electronic chip
(Integrated Circuit).
Computer Hardware
Memory
Stores
programs
operating system
applications
data
Types
RAM - volatile
ROM
Composed of bits, which are combined into bytes
Memory Cells
Address Contents
0 -27.2
1 354
2 0.005
3 -26
4 H
5 RTV 001
6 ...
... X
999 75.62
19
Computer Hardware
Secondary Storage
Semi permanent data-storage capability
Magnetic
Hard disk
Floppy disk
Tape
Non-magnetic
CD or DVD
memory stick, flash drive
Secondary memory usually has much more storage capacity than
main memory
Computer Hardware
Computer Networks
Allow multiple computers to connect together to share
resources and/or data
LAN - Local area network
Organizational
WAN - Wide area network
Internetworking: Connected Networks
Internet
Requires additional hardware
modem
network interface
Computer Hardware
Local Area Network (LAN)
Computer Hardware
Wide Area Network (WAN) with satellite
communications
Computer Hardware
Internet
The Internet is the global system of interconnected computer
networks that uses the Internet protocol suite (TCP/IP) to
communicate between networks and devices.
It is a network of networks that consists of private, public,
academic, business, and government networks of local to
global scope, linked by a broad array of electronic, wireless,
and optical networking technologies.
The Internet carries a vast range of information resources
and services, such as the applications of the World Wide
Web (WWW), electronic mail, telephony, and file sharing.
Computer Hardware
Connectivity & Networking
Connectivity is the capability of a computer to share information with other computers.
Networking
Communications system connecting two or more devices
Central to the concept of connectivity
Largest network is the Internet
Web provides a multimedia interface for Internet resources
Emerging technologies
Cloud computing
Computers on the Internet
o
o Access to more resources
Wireless technology
o Changing the way we communicate
o Tablets, smartphones, wearable devices
The Internet of Things (IoT)
o Continuing development of the Internet
o Allowing all types of devices to communicate
Computer Software
There are two major kinds of software: system
software and application software.
System Software
• Programs to manage and control computer
resources
Application Software
• Programs users use
Computer Software
System Software
Enables application software to interact with the
computer hardware.
Background software 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:
Operating Systems
Utilities programs
Device Drivers
Language Translators
Computer Software
Operating Systems (OS)
Operating System
Coordinates computer resources
Provides the user interface
Runs applications
Types of Operating Systems:
Embedded operating system
Used by Smartphones and tablets
Real-time operating systems (RTOS)
Standalone operating system
Used by desktops
Networking operating systems
Used to run networks
Computer Software
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
Computer Software
Applications: End-user Software
General-Purpose applications
Widely used programs
Browsers
Word Processor
Specialized applications
More narrowly focused
Two of the best known are graphics and web
authoring programs.
Mobile applications or simply apps, designed for
mobile devices such as social media apps
Types of Computer
Supercomputers
o Most powerful computers
o they are used to analyze
and predict worldwide
weather patterns
Mainframe computers
o Process large amounts of
data
o mainframe computers are
capable of great
processing speeds and
data storage
Types of Computer
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.
Personal computers
Also known as PCs, are the least powerful, yet the most
widely used and fastest-growing type of computer.
There are five types of personal computers
Types of Computer
Personal computer Types
• Desktop • Smartphones
• Laptop (Notebook) • Wearables
• Tablet
Data versus Information
Data mean known facts that can be recorded and that have implicit
meaning.
Data and information are often used interchangeably; however, data
are raw, unprocessed facts including text, numbers, images, and
sounds. The result of processing data is Information.
There are 3 types of data
Structured data – Relational databases
Semi-structured data – Documents, Email messages, … etc.
Unstructured data – Text documents, HTML pages, … etc.
Digital data is stored electronically in files, common types of files are:
Document
Worksheet
Database
Presentation
Data
Document Files
Created by word processors to
save documents such as
reports, memos, term papers,
and letters.
Worksheet Files
Created by electronic
spreadsheets to analyze things
like budgets and to predict
sales
Data
Database Files
Typically created by database
management programs to
contain highly structured and
organized data.
Presentation Files
Created by presentation
graphics programs to prepare
presentation materials.
Careers in IT
Webmaster
Develops and maintains websites and web resources
Software Engineer
Analyzes users’ needs and creates application software
Computer Support Specialist
Provides technical support to customers and other users
Computer Technician
Repairs and install computer components and systems
Technical Writer
Prepares instruction manuals, technical reports, and other
scientific or technical documents
Network Administrator
Creates and maintains computer networks
Database Administrator
Designs, creates and maintains databases
……..
