COMPONENTS OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY COMPONENTS OF A COMPUTER SYSTEM TECHNOLOGY IN ELT CHAPTER 1 COMPONENTS OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY & COMPONENTS OF A COMPUTER SYSTEM MURNI SALINA B.Sc. Ed (TESL) UTM, Skudai M’sia

COMPONENTS OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

An information system has five parts : 1. People The most important part as they make end-users more productive.

An information system has five parts : 2. Procedures Refer to rules or guidelines people follow when using software, hardware and data. Documented in manuals written by computer specialists. Provided by software/hardware manufacturers of the product.

An information system has five parts : 3. Software Computer software is the term for programmes or sets of computer instructions. Written in special computer language that enable a computer to accomplish a given task. It consists of step-by-step instructions, which the computer can use to convert data into information.

An information system has five parts : 4. Hardware Computer components that are physical, touchable pieces or equipment. It consists of the system unit, input/output, secondary storage and communication devices. 4 types of computers : 1. Supercomputers – the most powerful type of computers. 2. Mainframe – occupy specially wired, air-conditioned rooms. 3. Minicomputers – desk-sized machines used for specific purposes. 4. Microcomputers – include the desktop, notebook and personal digital assistant.

An information system has five parts : 5. Data Raw, unprocessed facts including text, numbers, images and sounds. Data describes something that is stored electronically in a file. Examples : Document files created by word processors Worksheet files crated by spreadsheets Database file created by database management programmes Presentation files created by presentation graphics programmes

COMPONENTS OF A COMPUTER SYSTEM A computer system has three main components : Hardware Software Warmware A computer system performs 4 important tasks (Sharp, 2005:35) Receiving input : figures, facts or sets of instructions Storing information : place in memories Processing the data : act on the information Outputing the information : process and generate results

4 MAIN ASPECTS OF DATA HANDLING 1. Input devices - accept data or commands in a form that the computer can use: they send the data or commands to the processing unit. 2. The Processor - known as CPU, has electronic circuitry that manipulates input data into information that people require. The CPU execute computer instructions. 3. Output Devices - display the people the processed data; information in understandable and usable form 4. Storage - means secondary storage; consists of secondary storage devices such as hard disk, diskettes, pendrives. - can store data and programmes outside the computer itself. - these devices supplement memory or primary storage, can hold data or programmes temporarily.

1. What is Input? Input refers to any data or instructions that are used by a computer. All computer processing requires data. Whenever you use computer or application software, you are providing input. You typically use a keyboard to type text and a mouse to issue commands.

Input Devices Keyboard Mouse Joystick Touch Screen Light Pen Scanner Bar code readers Digital cameras Video cameras Graphic tablets Voice recognition systems

2. What is Process? The computer manipulates the data to create information. Information refers to data processed into a form that has meaning and is useful.

Processing Devices/System Units Mother board/System CPU/Microprocessor Memory – RAM, ROM Expansion Slots and Cards System Clock Bus Lines Ports and Cables

What is Output? Is a processed data or information. Output devices provide output to people by translating what the computer has processed into a form that people can understand and use.

Output Devices Monitor – CRT, LCD LCD projector Video scan converter Printer

4. What is Storage? Information can be stored in a computer for future use. All computers have a hard disk drive to store programmes and data.

Storage Devices Hard Disk Removable Disks Floppy Drive CD-ROM, R, RW DVD-ROM, R, RW Pen Drive, Thumb Drive, Zip Drive External Hard Disk

TEST YOUR UNDERSTANDING!

Visualize these components and draw them! Keyboard Mouse Monitor Speaker Webcam Printer CPU Mother board Slot Card RAM USB port PS2 port Parallel port Serial port Floppy Drive

APPLICATION SOFTWARE

2 CATEGORIES 1. General-purpose - also known as basic applications - includes browsers, word processors, spreadsheets, database management systems and presentation graphics. 2. Special-purpose - also known as advanced applications, include multimedia, web authoring, graphics, virtual reality, artificial intelligence

4 general-purpose software Word processors Spreadsheets Database Management Systems Presentation Graphics