Introduction to Information Technology
Dr. Nouran Radwan
Welcome!!
Lecture 1
Information Technology,
the Internet,
and You
Learning Objectives
1. Explain the parts of an information system: people,
procedures, software, hardware, data, and the
Internet.
2. Distinguish between system software and application
software.
3. Differentiate between the three kinds of system
software programs.
4. Define and compare general-purpose, specialized,
and mobile applications.
Learning Objectives cont.
5. Identify the four types of computers and the five types of
personal computers.
6. Describe the different types of computer hardware,
including the system unit, input, output, storage, and
communication devices.
7. Define data and describe document, worksheet,
database, and presentation files.
8. Explain computer connectivity, the wireless revolution, the
Internet, cloud computing, and IoT.
Introduction
• Purpose
– Help users become highly efficient and effective computer
users
– How to use:
1. Apps and application software
2. Computer hardware
– Mobile devices
– Smartphones
– Tablets
– Laptops
3. The Internet
– Impact of technology on privacy and the environment
– Role of personal and organizational ethics
Parts of an Information System
• People • Hardware
• Procedures • Data
• Software • The Internet
People
• People are widely considered the most important
part of a system because they use, interact with, and
ultimately drive the success of all other components,
such as hardware, software, data, and processes.
• While other parts are essential, it's the human
element that provides purpose, innovation, and the
ability to manage complexities, making people
crucial for a system's overall effectiveness and the
achievement of its goals.
Software
• Software/Programs
• Tell the computer how to process data into the
form you want
• There are two major kinds of software:
• System Software
• Software used by computers
• Application Software
• Software you use
System Software
• Enables application software to
interact with the computer hardware
• Background software helps manage
resources
• Collection of system programs
• Operating Systems
• Utilities
• Device Drivers
System Software cont.
• Operating System
• Coordinates computer resources
• Provides the user interface
• Runs applications
• 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
System Software Continued
• 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
Application Software
• End-user software
• Types of application software
1. General-Purpose applications
• Widely used programs
– Browsers
– Word Processor
2. Specialized applications
• More narrowly focused
– Web Authoring
3. Apps
• Designed for mobile devices
– Social media apps
Hardware – Types of Computers
• There are four types of computers
• Supercomputers – the most powerful; special high-capacity computers used in very
large corporations
• Mainframe computers – are capable of great processing speed and data storage;
occupy specially wired, air-conditioned rooms; insurance companies use to process
information about millions of policyholders
• Midrange computers - known as servers (key term), are computers with processing
capabilities less powerful than a mainframe computer yet more powerful than a
personal computer. Today they are used to support or serve end users for specific
needs such a retrieving data from a database or supplying access to application
software.
• Personal computers or pcs– least powerful but most widely used and fastest-growing
type of computers. There are five (5) types of pcs.
Personal Computer Types
• Desktop • Smartphones
• Laptop (Notebook) • Wearables
• Tablet
Personal Computer Hardware
• Four basic categories of equipment
– System Unit
– Input/Output
– Secondary Storage
– Communications
System Unit
• System Unit
• Houses most of the electronic components
• Two important components
• Microprocessor
• Memory
• Holds data currently
being processed
• Holds the processed information before
it is output
• Temporary storage, contents are lost when power is off
Input/Output Devices
• Input
• Translate data into
computer language
• Keyboard and Mouse
• Output
• Translate computer data
into usable information
• Display and Printer
Secondary Storage
•Unlike memory, secondary storage holds data and programs even if power is off
• Hard disks (key term) are typically used to store programs and data files. They use rigid
metallic platters and read/write heads for writing and reading data
• Solid-state storage(key term) does not have any moving parts, is more reliable, and
requires less power to operate.
• Similar to RAM but not volatile
• Optical disks (key term) use laser technology and have the greatest
capacity.
• Examples of optical disks include:
• compact discs (CDs) (Key Term)
• digital versatile or video discs (DVDs) (Key Term)
• Blu-ray (Key Term) discs
Communications
• Communication devices
• Provide the ability for personal computers
to communicate
• Modems
• Modify audio, video and other types of
data for Internet usage
Data
• Raw, unprocessed facts
• Processed data becomes information
• Digital data is stored electronically in
files
• Four common types of files
– Document
– Worksheet
– Database
– Presentation
Files
• Document
• Worksheet
• Database
• Presentation
Connectivity and the Mobile Internet
• Connectivity
• Sharing of information
• Network
• 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
Forces of Technology
• Three things driving the forces of technology
1. Cloud computing
• Computers on the Internet
– Access to more resources
2. Wireless technology
• Changing the way, we communicate
– Tablets, smartphones, wearable devices
3. The Internet of Things (IoT)
• Continuing development of the Internet
• Allowing all types of devices to communicate
Careers in IT
• Webmaster • Technical Writer
• Develops and maintains – Prepares instruction
websites and web resources manuals, technical
• Software Engineer reports, and other
• Analyzes users’ needs and scientific or technical
creates application documents
software
• Network Administrator
• Computer Support Specialist
– Creates and maintains
• Provides technical support
computer networks
to customers and other
users
Open-Ended Questions
1. Explain the parts of an information system. What
part do people play in this system?
2. What is system software? What kinds of
programs are included in system software?
3. Define and compare general-purpose
applications, specialized applications, and
apps.
4. Describe some different types of general-
purpose applications.
Open-Ended Questions
5. Describe some types of specialized
applications.
6. Describe the different types of computers.
What is the most common type?
7. What is connectivity? What is a computer
network?
8. What are the Internet and the Web?
9. What is cloud computing, the wireless
revolution, and IoT?
True or False
1. People are widely considered the most important part of a system
because they use, interact with, and ultimately drive the success of all
other components, such as hardware, software, data, and processes.
2. An information system is a combination of people, procedures, software
, hardware, data , and the Internet.
3. System Software enables application software to interact with the
computer hardware.
4. Supercomputers are the most powerful; special high-capacity
computers used in very large corporations.
True or False
7. Mainframe computers are capable of great processing speed and data
storage; occupy specially wired, air-conditioned rooms; insurance
companies use to process information about millions of policyholders.
8. Midrange computers known as servers, are computers with processing
capabilities less powerful than a mainframe computer yet more
powerful than a personal computer.
9. Personal computers or pcs are least powerful but most widely used and
fastest-growing type of computers. There are five (5) types of pcs.
10. Programs are instructions that tell the computer how to process data
into the form you want.
True or False
11. Input devices translate data and programs that humans can
understand into a form that the computer can process.
12. Output devices translate the processed information from the computer
into a form that humans can understand.
13. Cloud computing is using computing resources from the cloud to
complete tasks instead of relying solely on your PC.
14. Data are raw, unprocessed facts.
15. Processed data becomes information.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)
• Q1. Which of the following is NOT a part of an • Q3. The most powerful type of computer, used
information system? in large corporations, is:
a) People a) Mainframe
b) Software b) Supercomputer
c) Weather c) Midrange (Server)
d) Data d) Personal Computer
Answer: c) Weather Answer: b) Supercomputer
• Q2. Which type of software enables application software • Q4. Which of the following is an example of
to interact with hardware? secondary storage?
a) Application Software a) RAM
b) System Software b) Hard Disk
c) Specialized Software c) Cache
d) Mobile Apps d) Register
Answer: b) System Software Answer: b) Hard Disk
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)
• Q5. Which type of operating system is commonly Q7. Which type of personal computer is the fastest-
used in smartphones and tablets? growing and most widely used?
a) Real-Time OS a) Tablet
b) Standalone OS b) Desktop
c) Networking OS c) Personal Computer (PC)
d) Embedded OS d) Mainframe
Answer: d) Embedded OS Answer: c) Personal Computer (PC)
Q8. What do input devices do?
• Q6. Which of these is an example of a
a) Store data permanently
communication device? b) Translate data into computer language
a) Printer c) Display information for users
b) Keyboard d) Protect the system from viruses
c) Modem Answer: b) Translate data into computer
d) Monitor language
Answer: c) Modem
