Topic One (Information Technology)

This is the first week of Introduction to Information Technology class where first day we introduce our self and our lecture told us about Course Outline, Assessment and lecture’s information. So in this week I learned about the difference between data and information, and problems associated with information management but before this we go through the following topic like what is computer? Types of computer, Generation of computer so on. In my view Computer is collection of devices that function as a unit. It’s an electrical device which is provided faster methods of communication. Computer has played a significant role in the communication system today. The most basic collection includes a computer CPU (Central processing Unit), a mouse, a keyboard, and a monitor.

The basic operations of computer:

Computers perform basic types of operations: Input, Output, Processing, Storage, these four operations characterize everything that computers do.

Input: Computer input is whatever is typed, submitted or transmitted to a computer system. It's the collection letters, numbers, images etc.

Output: output is the result produced by a computer. It’s including reports, documents, music, graphs, and pictures.

Processing: Process is the operation of data as per given instruction. it is totally internal process of the computer system.

Storage: Storage is the process of keeping information on a computer.

Similarly week one contained generation of computer.  Generation of computer is not as long as human generation as it is man-made device. Generally there are five generation of computer as mentioned under.

First Generation: first generation was used form 1940-1950, it use vacuum tube were used in this generation of computer. This generation of computer were large in size a bit noisy and its speed is very low. The storage capacity of first generation is also very low. The storage capacity of first generation is also very low. They were used for specific purpose.

Second Generation: second generation computer was made on use from 1950-1964; Vacuum tube was replaced by Transistors in second generation computer. Though it is more reliable third generation computer established in 1964-1974 and transistor was replaced by Integrated Circuit (IC).

Third Generation: The third generation computer was more faster, reliable and its storage capacity is more than first and second generation computer.

Fourth Generation: Similarly fourth generation computer is established in 1974 and it is still using process. Very large Scale Integration and Ultra Large Scale Integration are used in this generation of computer. Fourth generation of computer are more reliable and comfortable to use as it as more storage capacity, speed is higher than past generation of computer.

Fifth Generation: Last but not the list, fifth generation of computer is in the construction process, it is not completed yet. It will be much faster than past generation computer and it will use natural language.

Categories of Computers : we can categorize on basic of size, capability, speed and price. They are as under:

1. Embedded computers
2. mobile computers
3. Personal computers
4. Mid range computers
5. Super computers
6. Mainframes 
7. Hybrid computers 

   Normally all these above computer have their own purpose and they are different from each other with their unique purpose. Embedded computers is use for specific purpose. Example CCTV, traffic light etc. Mobile computers are used for computing and internet purpose. Example your self phone. Personal computer is our desktop which is used for our private purpose. More over Mid range  computer used for hosting data and programs available to small group of users. Mainframe computer are used for the large company or large industries. Mainframe computer are so large in  size they required large number of users to operate them. Super computer, this computer are used for scientific and research purpose they are the fastest computer. The good example of this computer are those computer used far and to fly rocket in the sky etc. lastly hybrid computers which is combination of computers that are capable of inputting and outputting in both digital and analog signals. For example webcam, telephone, mobile etc. 

Week one further contains about difference between data and information.where I realized that data is raw facts and its normally stored in a database or a file it can be something simple and apparently random and useless until it is organized. For example each student’s test score is one piece of data.  But information is when data is proceed  organized, structured or presented in a given context so as to make it useful, it is called information. for example The class' average score or the school's average score is the information that can be concluded from the given data.