Topics covered in this unit INTRODUCTION TO ICT Topics covered in this unit Introduction to ICT and definitions Basic Concepts of ICT Brief History ICT Application examples

Definition of ICT Term ICT is “Information and Communication Technology” Refers to use of modern Technologies to aid in analysis, storage, processing and communication of information OR "ICT," an abbreviation for information and communication technology, refers to all equipment, applications and services that involve communication. Computers, cell phones, televisions, radios and satellite systems are all part of ICT.

INFORMATION = DATA + CONTEXT + MEANING Information is generally referred to data which can be recorded, organized and interpreted within a context in order to convey meaning OR Information is data that has been processed in such a way as to be meaningful to the person who receives it. INFORMATION = DATA + CONTEXT + MEANING

Information Example: For example “NADRA” (National Database & Registration Authority) is an organization which collects data from people. This data is basically organized or compiled with the help of computers for generating computerized National Identity Cards.

Communication Communication: Communication is basically the transfer of ideas and messages among people through different systems, devices or media such as computer, internet, cell phone, telephone, television or radio etc

Communication Communication Model:

Technology Any system, product or machine which can receive, store or transmit data/information electronically in digital form. Technology is generally used to making, modification, adaptation and usage of tools, techniques, systems or machines for the purpose of solving problems or achieving goals in less time period.

Examples of Technology Personal computers, digital television or internet can be considered the best examples of ICT

Basic Concepts of ICT ICT is just like an umbrella comprising of different communication devices ICT basically refers to those technologies which provide access to the information by means of telecommunications.

Basic Concepts of ICT Information and communication technologies are rapidly evolving nowadays it can be said that the ICT sector is basically considered to include: 1. The manufacturing as well as assembling of various ICT-equipment. 2. A variety of numerous service activities ranging from telecommunication to software-development.

History of ICT History and Development: The word 'history' means the activities or the events that have been passed away. The history of computer describes the advancements and growth of computer technology. It is divided into different eras and has its roots starting from pre­history era.

Table Mechanical Computer Development Year Inventor: Machine Capability 4th century B.C. Abacus Machine Addition, subtraction 1614 Napier’s Bones Multiplication, division 1820 Charles Babbage: Difference Engine Performs Mathimatical and statistical tables 1842 Analytical Engine Multi-purpose computation   1941 Zuse: Z3 1944 Aiken: Harvard Mark 1

Abacus Machine The abacus is a mechanical device which can perform basic arithmetic problems like addition etc. This was the first machine invented in 4th century B.C.

Napier’s Bones John Napier a Scottish theologian and mathematician invented logs in 1614 which was able to perform multiplication and division.

Blaise Pascal Mechanical Blaise Pascal, a French mathematician, built a mechanical calculator in 1642 which could add and subtract two numbers directly and multiply and divide by repetition. This device supported 8-digit capacity.

Charles Babbage Difference Engine Charles Babbage, designed a “Difference Engine” in 1820, which could perform mathematical and statistical tables. In 1842, Charles Babbage invented another device with the name of “Analytical Engine”, a mechanical computer that was able to perform basic mathematical problem at an average speed of 60 additions per minute.

Generations of Computer With the passage of time, several changes were made in computer technology to meet the challenges of the age. These changes or modifications were classified into different periods and later on these periods were also named as “Generations” of the Computer. First Generation of Computer (1942-1959) Second Generation of Computer (1959 – 1965) Third Generation (1965-1971) Fourth Generation (1971-1980) Fifth Generation (1980- till day)

First Generation (Vacuum Tubes) The first generation computers used vacuum tubes technology. Vacuum tubes were like fragile glass tubes, which consumed more electricity due to more glowing time. First generation computers also used punched card and magnetic tape as an input device. First generation computer relied on machine language, which consisted of binary instructions of 0 or 1 codes.

First Generation (Vacuum Tubes) Limitations: Vacuum tubes generated much heat and covered a lot of space, Punched cards technology consumed large number of cards even for small programs. Magnetic tapes were unable to retrieve large amount of data quickly, being a sequential medium.

Second Generation Computer (Transistor): 1959-1965 In 2nd generation of computers, Transistors replaced vacuum tubes. Transistor is an electronic component, which is used for amplification and switching of electric signals. Punched cards were used as an input device to feed the computer programs (instructions). Magnetic tapes were also used as an input/output storage. Some high level languages like FORTRAN, COBOL and BASIC were also used. Due to close resemblances with English language, these languages are called high level languages.

Second Generation Computer (Transistor): 1959-1965 Advantages: Transistors were much more reliable and have greater computational speed. Transistors required no warm-up time and consumed less electricity.

Third Generation Computer (Integrated Circuit): 1965-1971 In 3rd generation of computers, Integrated Circuit(IC) replaced transistors. Integrated circuit was consisted of thousands of transistors fabricated in a single silicon chip. ICs were smaller in size and had better performance than transistors. Keyboard and monitors were used as input and output devices. PASCAL was used as a high level language

Third Generation Computer (Integrated Circuit): 1965-1971 Advantages: Integrated circuits were more reliable. Silicon chips were cheap because of their small size and they also consumed less electricity.

Fourth Generation Computer (VLSI): 1971-1980 Fourth generation of computer was based on two technologies, Large Scale Integration (LSI) and Very Large Scale integration (VLSI). Keyboard and monitors were used as primary input /output devices Magnetic tape was also used as input/output storage devices.

Fifth Generation Computer:1980 to now In Fifth generation computers Voice recognition was used as an additional special feature. Artificial Intelligence technology was also introduced. Artificial Intelligence acts like a human being, for example Robot Artificial Intelligence made the computers to have thinking power and reasoning.

Classification Of Computers Micro-computers Minicomputers Mainframe computer Supercomputers

Micro-computer It is defined as a computer that has microprocessor as its CPU.

Mini-computer Is a medium sized computer that is more powerful than microcomputers. Minicomputer is usually designed to serve multiple users simultaneously. Minicomputers lies between mainframe and microcomputers.

Mainframe Computers There are several organizations such as banks, insurance companies, railways etc that need on-line processing of large number of transactions & require computer system which have massive data storage & processing capabilities.

Super-computers The fastest type of computer. Supercomputers are very expensive and are employed for specialized applications that require immense amounts of mathematical calculations. For example, weather forecasting requires a supercomputer. Other uses of supercomputers include animated graphics, dynamic calculations, nuclear energy research, and petroleum exploration.

Super-computers

Types of Computers There are three different types of computers according to the principles of operation. Those three types of computers are: 1. Analog Computers 2. Digital Computers 3. Hybrid Computers

Analog Computers Analog Computer is a computing device that works on continuous range of values. The results given by the analog computers will only be approximate since they deal with quantities that vary continuously. It generally deals with physical variables such as voltage, pressure, temperature, speed, etc

Analog Computers

Digital Computer On the other hand a digital computer operates on digital data such as numbers. It uses binary number system in which there are only two digits 0 and 1. Each one is called a bit. The digital computer is designed using digital circuits in which there are two levels for an input or output signal. These two levels are known as logic 0 and logic 1. Digital Computers can give more accurate and faster results. Digital computer is well suited for solving complex problems in engineering and technology. Hence digital computers have an increasing use in the field of design, research and data processing.

Digital Computer

Hybrid Computer A hybrid computer combines the desirable features of analog and digital computers. It is mostly used for automatic operations of complicated physical processes and machines. Now a days analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converters are used for transforming the data into suitable form for either type of computation.

Hybrid Computer

ICT Applications ICT applications enable people to communicate with each other in real time all over the world. examples of ICT application are: * Computer and Internet * Cell Phone

Applications of Computer Education Business Banking Defense Entertainment

Computer and Internet Computer is a most significant and major application of ICT People use their minds in order to achieve the target whether the goal belongs to play video games or using any type of software or to solve any educational related problem.