Introduction to Information Technology

INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
• Information Technology is the technology that uses computer
with high speed communication links to spread information from
on place to another. The interconnection of computer enables
people to send and receive information. The communication
links are also used to communicate with different people in the
world.
• The world has become a global village due to information
technology. It means that people living in the world know one
another as if they are living in a village. It has become possible
due to fast communication links. Information can be transferred
one place to another place easily and quality.
• Information plays and important role in every field of life.
Information cab be used to improve the standard of life. It can
also be used for solving different problems. For example, if a
person has the latest information about the medical field, he can
use this information to cure different diseases.
Ijaz Ahmad Awan, Instructor Lecture 1 Introduction to Information Technology 2
COMPONENTS OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
• Computer : Electronic systems that can be instructed to accept,
process store, and present data and information.

• Communications Network : It is an interconnection of different

locations through a medium that allows people to send and
receive information. Communication network allows people and
businesses to interact. It includes hardware, programs and
information. Information technology has become revolutionary
through the use of communication networks. Information can be
transferred from one place to another easily and quickly.

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WHAT IS COMPUTER
Computer is an electronic machine used to solve different
problems according to a set of instructions given to it. A
computer can be accept data (input), process it (processing),
in to useful information (output), and store it for later use.
Computer is combination of two things hardware and
software.

INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

STORAGE

Ijaz Ahmad Awan, Instructor Lecture 1 Introduction to Information Technology

CHARACTERISTICS OF COMPUTER
• Speed: Computer processes data at a very high speed. It is much faster
than human beings. A computer can perform billions of calculations in a
second.
• Reliability: Computer is very reliable. The electronic components in
modem computer rarely break or fail.
• Accuracy: Accuracy means that computer provides results without any
errors. Computer can process large amounts of data and produce results
accurately. The result can be wrong only if the data. given to the
computer is not correct.
• Storage: Computer can store a large amount of data permanently. People
can use this data at any time.
• Control Sequence: A computer works strictly according to the given
instructions. It follows the same sequence of execution that is given in a
program.
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CHARACTERISTICS OF COMPUTER
• Versatility: Computer is a versatile machine. It can perform different
types of tasks. That is why it is being used in every field of life. Computer
is used in hospital, bank, office and at home. A user can play games, listen
to music, watch movies and use the Internet using computer.
• Consistency: Computer works in a consistent way. It does not lose
concentration due to heavy work. It does not become tired or bored.
Computer performs all jobs with equal attention.
• Communication: Most computers today have the capability of
communicating with other computers. These computers can share data,
instructions, and information. The connected computers are called
network. We can communicate with other people in the world using
network like Internet.
• Cost Reductions: We can perform a difficult task in less time and less cost.
For example, we may have to hire many people to handle an office. The
same work can be performed by single person with the help of computer.
It reduces the cost.
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HARDWRE & SOFTWARE
Hardware : The physical parts of the computer are called
hardware. Keyboard and mouse are two examples of hardware.

Software: A set of instructions given to the computer to solve a

problem is called software. Software is also called program.
Different software’s are used to solve different problems. A
computer works according to the instructions written in
software.

Microsoft Word Microsoft Excel Microsoft PowerPoint System Software

Ijaz Ahmad Awan, Instructor Lecture 1 Introduction to Information Technology

RELATIONSHIP OF SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE
• Relationship of Software and Hardware Software is a set of
instructions that tells the computer hardware what to do.
The hardware cannot perform any task without software.
• The software cannot be executed without hardware. A
computer becomes useful when hardware and software
are combined.

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DATA AND INFORMATION

Data : A collection of raw facts and figures is called data. The

word raw means that the facts have not yet been processed
to get their exact meaning. Data is collected from different
sources. It is collected for different purposes. Data may
consist of numbers, characters, symbols or pictures etc.
Information: The processed data is called information.
Information is an organized and processed form of data. It is
more meaningful than data. It is used for making important
decisions.

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Introduction to Information Technology

HISTORY OF COMPUTER
HISTORY OF COMPUTER

• Computer was inventive because "necessity is the mother

of invention". Man always searched for a fast calculating
device. It took a long time to invent the digital computer. A
brief history behind the invention of computer is as follows:

Ijaz Ahmad Awan, Instructor Lecture 1 Introduction to Information Technology 11

ABACUS AND JOHN NAPIER'S BONE
• ABACUS: The first computing device was
ABACUS. It was developed in 600 B.C. It
was used to perform simple addition and
subtraction. It consists of wooden beads.
The beads could be move easily.
Calculations were performed by moving
these beads properly.

• JOHN NAPIER'S BONE :Another manual

calculating device was John Napier's bone.
It was a cardboard multiplication
calculator. It was designed in the early
17th century.

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BLAISE PASCAL AND GOTTFIELD WILHEM VON LEIBNTTZ
• BLAISE PASCAL : The first mechanical
adding machine was invented by
Blaise Pascal in 1642. It could only
add and subtract numbers. Division
and multiplication was done by
repeated addition and subtraction.

• GOTTFIELD WILHEM VON LEIBNTTZ:

In 1694, a German scientist Leibnitz a
developed a calculating machine. It
was the first calculator that could
multiply and divide also.

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CHARLES XAVIER AND PUNCHED BOARD
• CHARLES XAVIER: A French scientist
Charles Xavier developed a machine
that could perform addition,
subtraction, multiplication and
division.

• PUNCHED BOARD : A French

engineer Joseph developed
punchboard system for power
looms. It was used to create specific
weaving pattern on cloths. Later on,
it was used in computing devices.

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CHARLES BABBAGE AND HERMAN HOLLERITH
• CHARLES BABBAGE: In 1822, a
mathematician Charles Babbage invented
a "Difference Engine" for mathematical
calculations. In 1842, he developed
Analytical Engine that was automatic. This
engine could perform 60 additions per
minute.

• HERMAN HOLLERITH: In 1889, Herman

applied the idea of punchboards in
computers. He used punch cards in
computers for input and output.

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ATANASOFF
• Atanasoff was a professor at Lowa University. He invented
an electronic computer. He applied Boolean algebra to
computer circuitry.

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THE MARK I COMPUTER (1937-44) AND ENIAC (1943-46)
• MARK I COMPUTER (1937-44) : It is also
known as Automatic Sequence
Controlled Calculator. It was first fully
automatic calculating machine. It was
designed by Howard A. Aiken of Harvard
University. It was very reliable but huge
in size.
• ENIAC (1943-46) :ENIAC stands for
Electronic Numerical Integrator and
Calculator. It was invented by J. P. Eckert
and John Mauchly in 1946. It was the
first electronic computer. The ENIAC was
very heavy and large in size. It consumed
140 kilowatts of power and was capable
of doing 5000 additions per second.
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EDVAC (1946-52) AND UNIVAC (1951)
• EDVAC (1946-52) : EDVAC stands
for Electronic Discrete Variable
Automatic, Calculator. It was
developed by Dr. Joh' Von
Neumann. It could store
instructions and data.

• UNIVAC (1951) : UNIVAC stands for

Universal Automatic Computer. It
was first digital computer. It was
used in business and industries.

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INTRODUCTION GENERATION
• The history of computer development is often referred to
in reference to the different generations of computing
devices.
• Each generation of computer is characterized by a major
technological development that fundamentally changed
the way computers operate, resulting in increasingly
smaller, low-priced, more powerful and more efficient and
reliable devices.

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INTRODUCTION GENERATION
• First generation (Vacuum tube) 1942-1955
• Second generation (Transistor) 1955-1964
• Third generation (Integrated Circuits) 1964-1975
• Fourth generation (Microprocessor) 1975-Present
• Fifth generation (Artificial intelligence) Present and Beyond

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FIRST GENERATION - 1942-1955: VACUUM TUBES
• The beginning of commercial computer age is from UNIVAC
(Universal Automatic Computer). It was developed by two
scientists MAUCHLY and ECHERT at the Census Department
of United States in 1947. The first generation computers
were used during 1942-1955.
• Used vacuum tubes for circuitry, magnetic drums for
memory, and were often enormous, taking up entire rooms.
• Very expensive , consumed great deal of electricity,
generated a lot of heat, which was often the cause of
malfunctions. Relied on machine language to perform
operations, could solve one problem at a time.
• Input was based on punched cards and paper tape, and
output was displayed on printouts. UNIVAC and ENIAC
computers are examples of first generation computing
devices.
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SECOND GENERATION - 1955-1964 : TRANSISTORS
• The second generation computers used transistors. The
scientists of Bell Laboratories developed transistor in 1947.
These scientists include John Bardeen, William Brattain and
William, Shockley.
• Transistors replaced vacuum tubes allowing computers to
become smaller, faster, cheaper, more energy-efficient and
more reliable than their first-generation predecessors. Still
relied on punched cards for input and printouts for output.
• Second-generation computers moved from cryptic binary
machine language to symbolic, or assembly, languages, which
allowed programmers to specify instructions in words.
• High-level programming languages like COBOL and FORTRAN
were used. The examples' of second-generation computers are
IBM 7094 series, IBM 1400 series and CDC 164 etc.

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THIRD GENERATION - 1964-1975 : INTEGRATED CIRCUITS
• The third generation computers used integrated circuits (IC).
Jack Kilby developed the concept of' integrated circuit in 1958.
It was an important invention in computer field. The first IC was
invented and used in 1961.
• Transistors were miniaturized and placed on silicon chips,
called semiconductors, which increased the speed and
efficiency of computers.
• Instead of punched cards and printouts, users interacted
through keyboards and monitors and interfaced with an
operating system, which allowed the device to run many
different applications at one time with a central program that
monitored the memory.
• Computers for the first time became accessible to a mass
audience because they were smaller and cheaper than their
predecessors. The examples of third-generation computers are
IBM 370, IBM System/360, UNIVAC 1108 and UNIVAC 9000 etc.
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FOURTH GENERATION - 1975-PRESENT :MICROPROCESSORS
• The fourth generation computers started with the invention of
microprocessor. The microprocessor contains thousands of ICs.
Ted Hoff produced the first microprocessor in 1971 for Intel. It
was known as Intel 4004.
• What in the first generation filled an entire room could now fit
in the palm of the hand. In 1981 IBM introduced its first
computer for the home user, and in 1984 Apple introduced the
Macintosh.
• As these small computers became more powerful, they could
be linked together to form networks, which eventually led to
the development of the Internet.
• Fourth generation computers also saw the development of
GUIs, the mouse and Hand held devices. The examples of
fourth generation computers are Apple Macintosh and IBM PC.

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FIFTH GENERATION - PRESENT AND BEYOND: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

• Scientists are now working on the 5th generation computers using

recent engineering advances. It is based on the technique of
artificial intelligence (AI). intelligence, are still in development,
though there are some applications, such as voice recognition, that
are being used today.
• The use of parallel processing and super conductors is helping to
make artificial intelligence a reality.
• Quantum computation and molecular and nanotechnology will
radically change the face of computers in years to come.
• The goal of fifth-generation computing is to develop devices that
respond to natural language input and are capable of learning and
self-organization.

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Introduction to Information Technology

TYPE OF COMPUTERS
TYPE OF COMPUTERS
• Computers can be classified based on their principles of
operation or on their configuration. By configuration, we
mean the size, speed of doing computation and storage
capacity of a computer.

• Digital Computer

• Analog Computer

• Hybrid Computer

Ijaz Ahmad Awan, Instructor Lecture 1 Introduction to Information Technology

DIGITAL COMPUTER

• Digital Computer :A digital computer works with

digits. It operates by counting number or digits and
give output in digital form.

• It work with only two digital signals, 0 and 1. Digital

computers are commonly used in office and
educational institutions.

• Examples of digital device are calculators, personal

computers, Digital watches, digital thermometers
etc.
Ijaz Ahmad Awan, Instructor Lecture 1 Introduction to Information Technology
DIGITAL COMPUTERS
• Examples
• Calculators
• Accounting machines

• Applications
• Scientific research
• Business
• Education
• Factories
• Market
• Art

Ijaz Ahmad Awan, Instructor Lecture 1 Introduction to Information Technology

ANALOG COMPUTER
• Analog Computer : An analog computer does not operate
directly with digital signals. It receives input and gives output
in form of analog signals. The results achieved are not
accurate as compared to those achieved by digital computer.
Analog computers are mainly used in field of engineering and
medicine. Examples of speedometer, tire pressure gauge,
voltage etc.

• Examples
• Speedometer
• Weight machine
• Thermometer
• Temperature
• Speed

Ijaz Ahmad Awan, Instructor Lecture 1 Introduction to Information Technology

HYBRID COMPUTER
• Hybrid Computer : Hybrid computers have features of both
analog and digital computers. Hybrid computers can get input
and give output either in analog form or in digital form. These
are special purpose computers. These are used in scientific
field. In hospitals, these are used to watch patient’s health
condition in ICU.

Ijaz Ahmad Awan, Instructor Lecture 1 Introduction to Information Technology

 Introduction to Information Technology

CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTERS
CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTERS

Depending upon their speed and memory size, computers are

classified into following different groups.

• Mini Computer
• Mainframe Computer
• Super Computer
• Micro Computers

Ijaz Ahmad Awan, Instructor Lecture 1 Introduction to Information Technology

MINI COMPUTER
• These are smaller versions of the
Mainframe computers. Minicomputers
have large memory and faster
input/output devices. They are more
expensive and have more processing
speed than microcomputers. They are
used for maintaining details of a large
business organization, to analysis result
of experiment to control and maintain
the production activity in factory. A
minicomputer can be used by several
persons (1 to 200) at the same time. Mini Computer

Ijaz Ahmad Awan, Instructor Lecture 1 Introduction to Information Technology

MAINFRAME COMPUTER
• Mainframe computers are very large computers. Mainframe
computer have very high processing speed. These computer
are used by large business organizations like banks, big
factories, for scientific research work and for weather
forecasting. These systems generally supports 500 to 2000
local and remote users.

Ijaz Ahmad Awan, Instructor Lecture 1 Introduction to Information Technology

SUPER COMPUTERS
• The most powerful and the fastest computers available at any
time are called super computers. These are used to complex
scientific and mathematical calculation. These computers can
process billions of instructions in one second.

Ijaz Ahmad Awan, Instructor Lecture 1 Introduction to Information Technology

MICRO COMPUTER
• Microcomputers are designed to be used by one person at a
time. These are commonly used in office, homes and in
educational institutions.

Desktop Computer Laptop Computer

Ijaz Ahmad Awan, Instructor Lecture 1 Introduction to Information Technology
 Introduction to Information Technology

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES

USING THE COMPUTER
ADVANTAGES OF USING THE COMPUTER

• Speed: When data, instructions, and information flow along

electronic circuits in a computer, they travel at incredibly fast speeds.

• Reliability: The electronic components in modern computers are

dependable and reliable because they rarely break or fail.

• Communications: Most computers today can communicate with

other computers, often wirelessly. Computers with this capability can
share any of the four information processing cycle operations input,
process, output, and storage with another computer or a user.

• Storage: A computer can transfer data quickly from storage to

memory, process it, and then store it again for future use.

Ijaz Ahmad Awan, Instructor Lecture 1 Introduction to Information Technology

DISADVANTAGES OF USING THE COMPUTER
• Health Risks: Prolonged or improper computer use can lead to injuries or
disorders of the hands, wrists, elbows, eyes, neck, and back.
• Violation of Privacy: Nearly every life event is stored in a computer
somewhere in medical records, credit reports, tax records, etc. In many
instances, where personal and confidential records were not protected
properly, individuals have found their privacy violated and identities stolen.
• Computer Crimes: People use the computer for negative activities. They hack
the credit card numbers of the people and misuse them or they can steal
important data from big organizations.
• Unemployment: Different tasks are performed automatically by using
computers. It reduces the need of people and increases unemployment in
society.
• Wastage of time and energy: Many people use computers without positive
purpose. They play games and chat for a long period of time. It causes wastage
of time and energy. Young generation is now spending more time on the social
media websites like Facebook, Twitter etc.
Ijaz Ahmad Awan, Instructor Lecture 1 Introduction to Information Technology