CSC101

Introduction to ICT
Lecture: 01
By: Sanam Fayaz
Course Objectives
■ This course is intended to give students a solid background in Computers,
with a focus on basic computer terminology, Computer Networks,
Information and Communication Technologies.
■ This course will discuss various topics related to ICT domain, such as:
■ Computer and their uses,
■ Internet and the world,
■ Interacting with computer, seeing, hearing and printing data,
processing and storing of data,
■ Using operating systems and working with application software’s,
■ Networking basics
■ Basic data communication terminologies,
■ Working in the online network
■ This course will also cover basic Information and Communication
Technologies and processes involved in design of Information Systems.
Learning Outcomes?
■ Understand basic functions of computer hardware and software components
including operating system

■ Identify and describe the components of a computer system (i.e. input,

process, output and storage)

■ Explain the role of system software and application software within computers

■ Describe various storage media, including appropriate use and management

■ Understand the ability of computers to communicate with one another e.g.

computer networks, the Internet

■ Identify the usage of emerging hardware and software technologies and how
they are being used to solve problems and create efficiency

■ To understand netiquettes and security and privacy issues of being online

■ Understand the uses of common software applications

Reference Books
■ Textbook:
❑ “Understanding Computers: Today and Tomorrow, Comprehensive”,
15th/16th Edition, by Deborah Morley, Charles S. Parker

■ Reference Books
❑ Peter Norton, Introduction to Computers, 7th Edition

❑ Williams Sawyer, Using Information Technology: A Practical

Introduction to Computer & Communications, 10th Edition
❑ Computers, Communications & information: A user's introduction,
Sarah, E. Hutchinson. Stacey, C. Swayer.

❑ Fundamentals of Information Technology, Alexis L Mathewsleon Leon

Press.
Grading and General Policy
■ Grade breakdown
❑ Mid Term exam 30%
❑ Assignments/Quiz 10%
❑ Final Project 10%
❑ Final exam (External) 50%

■ Semester Project
❑ 2 members per group

■ Passing Marks >= 60, But, but, but!!!!

■ Plagiarism will be marked as Zero.
■ Class Attendance should be >= 80.
■ No student will be allowed after 10 minutes in class.
Rules
■ Respect to other’s opinion in class

■ No cross-talk during class

■ Use of mobile phones in class is strictly

prohibited without permission.

■ If you have any question raise your hand

first and then ask question

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Contact and Course Logistics
■ Course Instructor: Ms. Sanam Fayaz
❑ Email: [email protected]
❑ Counseling Hours:
■ Friday, 11:00AM to 1:00PM, however, it is strongly recommended
that appointments are set up through email beforehand

■ Course Website
❑ https://sites.google.com/iba-suk.edu.pk/sanamfayaz
❑ Check often for announcements
❑ Assignments/Projects
❑ Discussion/Help
 Chapter 1:
Introduction to the World of Computers
Overview
■ This chapter covers:

❑ What computers are, how they work, and how they are used

❑ Computer terminology

❑ An overview of the history of computers

❑ The basic types of computers in use today

❑ Describing ICT Systems*

❑ An overview of networks and the Internet

❑ Societal impacts of computers

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Computers in Your Life
■ Why learn about computers?

❑ Primarily by researchers and scientists

❑ Pervasive computing

■ Also known as ubiquitous computing

■ Embedding computational capability into everyday objects

■ Computers have become an integral part of our lives

❑ Basic computer literacy

■ Knowing about and understanding computers and their uses is an essential skill today for
everyone

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Examples:

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Examples:

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Computers in Your Life
■ Before 1980
❑ Computers were large, expensive
❑ Very few people had access to them
❑ Computers were mostly used for high-volume processing tasks
■ Microcomputers in the early 80s
❑ Inexpensive personal computers
❑ Computer use increased dramatically
■ Today
❑ More than 80% of US households include a computer, and most use computers at work
❑ Electronic devices are converging into single units with multiple capabilities

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Group Activity #1
■ What variety of tasks computers used for?

❑ In the Homes? (Assigned to Group #1)

❑ In Education? (Assigned to Group #2)

❑ On the Jobs? (Assigned to Group #3)

❑ On the Go? (Assigned to Group #4)

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Computers in the Home
■ Computers used for a variety of tasks:
❑ Looking up information and news
❑ Exchanging e-mail
❑ Shopping and paying bills
❑ Watching TV and videos
❑ Downloading music and movies
❑ Organizing digital photographs
❑ Playing games
❑ Telecommuting

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Computers in the Home
■ Convergence
❑ The computer has become the central part of home entertainment
❑ Dual-mode mobile phones
■ Wireless networking
❑ Computers can be used in nearly any location
■ Smart appliances
❑ Traditional appliances with built-in computer or communication technology
■ Smart homes
❑ Household tasks are monitored and controlled by a main computer in the house

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Computers in the Home

Understanding Computers: Today and Tomorrow, 14th

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 Computers in Education

❑ Youth today can be called the computing generation

❑ Most students today have access to computers at school
❑ Some schools integrate e-books into the curriculum
❑ Colleges and universities are even more integrated
❑ Wireless hotspots allow usage of personal laptops to
connect to the college network
❑ Some colleges require a computer for enrollment
❑ Distance learning
❑ Students participate from locations other than the
traditional classroom setting using computers and Internet
access

Understanding Computers: Today and Tomorrow, 14th

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Computers in Education

Understanding Computers: Today and Tomorrow, 14th

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Computers on the Job
■ Computers have become a universal on-the-job tool for decision-making,
productivity, and communication
❑ Used by all types of employees

❑ Used for access control and other security measures

❑ Use by service professionals is growing

❑ Used extensively by the military

❑ Employees in all lines of work need to continually refresh their computer skills

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Computers on the Job

Understanding Computers: Today and Tomorrow, 14th

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Computers on the Go
■ Computers are encountered in nearly every aspect of daily life
❑ Consumer kiosks
❑ ATM transactions
❑ POS systems at retail stores
❑ Self-checkout systems
❑ Portable computers or mobile devices
❑ M-commerce systems
❑ GPS systems

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Computers on the Go

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What Is a Computer and What Does It Do?
■ Computer: A programmable, electronic device that accepts data, performs
operations on that data, and stores the data or results as needed
❑ Computers follow instructions, called programs, which determine the tasks the
computer will perform

■ Basic operations
❑ Input: Entering data into the computer
❑ Processing: Performing operations on the data
❑ Output: Presenting the results
❑ Storage: Saving data, programs, or output for future use
❑ Communications: Sending or receiving data

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What Is a Computer and What Does It Do?

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Data vs. Information
■ Data
❑ Raw, unorganized facts
❑ Can be in the form of text, graphics, audio, or video

■ Information
❑ Data that has been processed into a meaningful form

■ Information processing
❑ Converting data into information

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Computers Then and Now
■ The history of computers is often referred to in terms
of generations
■ Each new generation is characterized by a major
technological development
■ Precomputes and early computers (before 1946)
❑ Abacus, slide rule, mechanical calculator
❑ Punch Card Tabulating Machine and Sorter

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 Computers Then and Now

Mechanical Calculator

Slide rule

Abacus

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Computers Then and Now

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Computers Then and Now
■ First-generation computers (1946-1957)
❑ Enormous and powered by vacuum tubes
❑ Used a great deal of electricity, and generated a lot of
heat
❑ ENIAC and UNIVAC
■ Second-generation computers (1958-1963)
❑ Used transistors
❑ Computers were smaller, more powerful, cheaper, more
energy-efficient, and more reliable
❑ Punch cards and magnetic tape were used to input and
store data

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Computers Then and Now

Understanding Computers: Today and Tomorrow, 14th

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Computers Then and Now
■ Third-generation computers (1964-1970)
❑ Used integrated circuits (ICs)
❑ Keyboards and monitors introduced
■ Fourth-generation computers (1971-present)
❑ Use microprocessors
❑ IBM PC, Apple Macintosh
❑ Use keyboards, mice, monitors, and printers
❑ Use magnetic disks, flash memory, and optical disks for
storage
❑ Computer networks, wireless technologies, Internet
introduced

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Computers Then and Now

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Computers Then and Now
■ Fifth-generation (now and the future)
❑ Infancy stage
❑ No precise classification
❑ May be based on artificial intelligence (AI)
❑ Likely use voice and touch input
❑ May be based on optical computers and utilize
nanotechnology

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 Group Activity #2
■ List down the followings?

❑ Computer Hardware (Assigned to Group #1)

❑ Computer Software (Assigned to Group #2)

❑ Computer Users and Professionals (Assigned to Group #3)

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Hardware
■ Hardware: The physical parts of a computer
❑ Internal hardware
■ Located inside the main box (system unit) of the
computer
❑ External hardware
■ Located outside the system unit
■ Connect to the computer via a wired or wireless
connection
❑ There is hardware associated with all five computer
operations

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Hardware

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Hardware
■ Input devices
❑ Used to input data into the computer
❑ Keyboards, mice, scanners, cameras, microphones,
joysticks, touch pads, touch screens, fingerprint
readers, etc.
■ Processing devices
❑ Perform calculations and control computer’s operation
❑ Central processing unit (CPU) and memory
■ Output devices
❑ Present results to the user
❑ Monitors, printers, speakers, projectors, etc.

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Hardware
■ Storage devices
❑ Used to store data on or access data from storage
media
❑ Hard drives, CD/DVD discs and drives, USB flash drives,
etc.
■ Communications devices
❑ Allow users to communicate with others and to
electronically access remote information
❑ Modems, network adapters, etc.

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Hardware

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Software
■ Software: The programs or instructions used to tell
the computer hardware what to do
❑ System software: Operating system starts up the
computer and controls its operation
■ Without OS computer cannot function
■ Boots the computer and launches programs at the user’s
direction
■ Most use a GUI to interact with the user via windows,
icons, menus, buttons, etc.
■ Windows, Mac OS, Linux, etc.

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Software

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Application Software
❑ Application software: Performs specific tasks or
applications
■ Creating letters, budgets, etc.
■ Managing inventory and customer databases
■ Editing photographs
■ Scheduling appointments
■ Viewing Web pages
■ Sending and receiving e-mail
■ Recording / playing CDs/DVDs
■ Designing homes
■ Playing games

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Application Software

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Computer Users and Professionals
■ Computer users (end users): People who use a
computer to obtain information
■ Computer professionals include:
❑ Programmers
❑ Systems analysts
❑ Computer operations personnel
❑ Security specialists

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Computers to Fit Every Need
■ Six basic categories of computers:
❑ Embedded computers
❑ Mobile devices
❑ Personal computers
❑ Midrange servers
❑ Mainframe computers
❑ Supercomputers

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Embedded Computers
■ Embedded computer: Embedded into a product and
designed to perform specific tasks or functions for
that product
■ Cannot be used as general-purpose
computers
■ Often embedded into:
❑ Household appliances
❑ Thermostats
❑ Sewing machines
❑ A/V equipment
❑ Cars

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Mobile Devices
■ Mobile device: A very small device with
some type of built-in computing or
Internet capability
■ Typically based on mobile phones
■ Typically have small screens and
keyboards
■ Examples:
❑ Smartphones
❑ Handheld gaming devices
❑ Portable digital media players

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Personal Computers (PCs)
■ Personal computer: A small computer designed to be
used by one person at a time
❑ Also called a microcomputer
❑ Range in size from desktop computers to UMPC’s
■ Desktop computers: Fit on or next to a desk
❑ Can use tower case, desktop case, or all-in-one
❑ Can be PC-
compatible or
Macintosh
❑ Not designed to be
portable

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Portable Computers
■ Notebook (laptop) computers: Typically use clamshell
design
■ Tablet computers: Can
be slate tablets or
convertible tablets
■ Netbooks: Small
notebooks; rapidly
growing type of PC
■ Ultra-mobile PCs (UMPCs):
Handheld computers

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Thin Clients and Internet Appliances
■ Thin client or network computer (NC): Device
designed to access a network for processing and data
storage
❑ Lower cost, increased security and easier maintenance
❑ Limited or no local storage
❑ Not able to function as a computer if network is down
■ Internet appliance: Specialized network computer
designed for Internet access and/or e-mail exchange
❑ Often set-top boxes
❑ Can include Internet-enabled gaming consoles

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Set Top Boxes:

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How Set Top Box Works?

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Thin Clients and Internet Appliances

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Midrange Servers
■ Midrange server: A medium-sized computer used to
host programs and data for a small network
❑ Users connect via a network with a
computer, thin client, or dumb terminal
❑ May consist of a collection
of individual circuit boards
called blades
❑ Virtualization: Creating
virtual environments (often
used to share a server for
increased efficiency)

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Mainframe Computers
■ Mainframe computer: Powerful computer used by
several large organizations to manage large amounts
of centralized data
❑ Standard choice for large organizations, hospitals,
universities, large businesses, banks, government
offices
❑ Located in climate-controlled data centers and
connected to the rest of the company computers via a
network
❑ Larger, more expensive, and more powerful than
midrange servers
❑ Usually operate 24 hours a day
❑ Also called high-end servers or enterprise-class servers

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Mainframe Computers

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Supercomputers
■ Supercomputer: Fastest, most expensive, most
powerful type of computer
❑ Generally run one program at a time, as fast as possible
❑ Commonly built by connecting hundreds of smaller
computers, supercomputing cluster
❑ Used for space exploration, missile guidance, satellites,
weather forecast, oil exploration, scientific research,
complex Web sites, decision support systems, 3D
applications, etc.

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Supercomputers

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 Data and Program Representation
■ Coding systems: Used to represent data and programs
■ Digital computers: Two states, OFF and ON (0 and 1)
■ Digital data representation:
The process of representing
data in digital form so it can be
understood by a computer

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Digital Data Representation
• Bit: The smallest unit of data
that a binary computer can
recognize (a single 1 or 0)
■ Byte = 8 bits
■ Byte terminology used to express
the size of documents and other
files, programs, etc.
■ Prefixes are often used to
express larger quantities of
bytes: kilobyte (KB), megabyte
(MB), gigabyte (GB), terabyte
(TB), etc.

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The Binary Numbering System
■ Numbering system: A way of representing numbers
■ Decimal numbering system
❑ Uses 10 symbols (0-9)
■ Binary numbering system
❑ Uses only two symbols (1 and 0) to represent all possible
numbers
■ In both systems, the position of the digits determines the
power to which the base number (such as 10 or 2) is raised

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The Binary Numbering System

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Coding Systems for Text-Based Data
• ASCII and EBCDIC
– ASCII (American Standard Code for
Information Interchange): coding
system traditionally used with
personal computers
– EBCDIC (Extended Binary-Coded
Decimal Interchange Code):
developed by IBM, primarily for
mainframe use

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Coding Systems for Text-Based Data
• Unicode: newer code (32 bits
per character is common);
universal coding standard
designed to represent
text-based data written in
any ancient or modern
language
• Replacing ASCII as the
primary text-coding
system

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Coding Systems for Other Types of Data
■ Graphics (still images
such as photos or
drawings)
❑ Bitmapped images: A
variety of bit depths
are possible (4, 8, 24
bits)
■ More bits = more
colors

■ Audio data

■ Video data

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Representing Programs: Machine Language
■ Machine language: Binary-based language for representing
computer programs the computer can execute directly
❑ Early programs were written in machine language.
❑ Today’s programs still need to be translated into machine
language in order to be understood by the computer

■ Most programs are written in other programming languages

❑ Language translators are used to translate the programs into
machine language

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Inside the System Unit

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