The document provides an introduction to information and communication technology (ICT). It defines ICT as the technology required for information processing, particularly using electronic computers, communication devices, and software applications. It discusses how information is used to make decisions and predictions. The document also defines communication and provides a brief history of computers from early mechanical devices like the Antikythera mechanism and abacus to modern computers based on integrated circuits. It summarizes the characteristics and components of computers as well as their uses in fields like science, medicine, education, banking, crime investigation, and entertainment.

2. Introduction to
Information and
Communication
Technology (ICT001)

3. WHAT IS ICT?
• ICT is the technology required for information processing.
• In particular, the use of electronic computers, communication devices and
software application to convert, store, protect, process, transmit and
retrieve information from anywhere and anytime.
• Information refers to the knowledge obtained from reading, investigation,
study or research.
• We need information to make decision and to predict the future.
• Information is knowledge and helps us to fulfil our daily tasks. For
example, forecasting the stock exchange market.

4. COMMUNICATION
• Communication is an act of transmitting
messages. It is a process whereby
information is exchanged between
individuals using symbols, signs or verbal
interaction.

5. History of Computers

6. Antikythera Mechanism
The Antikythera mechanism
is an ancient analog computer
designed to predict astronomical
positions and eclipses.

7. Abacus
The abacus, also called a counting frame, is a
calculating tool that was in use centuries before
the adoption of the written modern numeral
system and is still widely used by merchants,
traders and clerks in Asia, Africa, and
elsewhere.

9. Difference engine
Is an automatic mechanical
calculator designed to tabulate
polynomial functions. The name
derives from the method of
divided differences, a way to
interpolate or tabulate functions
by using a small set of polynomial
coefficients.

10. Mark 1
The IBM Automatic Sequence
Controlled Calculator (ASCC),
called Mark I by Harvard
University’s staff, was a general
purpose electro-
mechanical computer that was
used in the war effort during the
last part of World War II.

12. Jacquard loom
Is a mechanical loom, invented by Joseph
Marie Jacquard, first demonstrated in 1801,
that simplifies the process of
manufacturing textiles with such complex
patterns as brocade, damask and matelasse.
The loom was controlled by a "chain of
cards", a number of punched cards, laced
together into a continuous sequence.

14. First Generation of Computers (1942-1955)
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. They were
based on vacuum tubes. Examples of first
generation computers
are ENIVAC and UNIVAC-1.

16. Advantages
• Vacuum tubes were the only
electronic component available
during those days.
• Vacuum tube technology made
possible to make electronic digital
computers.
• These computers could calculate
data in millisecond.
Disadvantages
• The computers were very large in
size.
• They consumed a large amount of
energy.
• They heated very soon due to
thousands of vacuum tubes.
• They were not very reliable.
• Air conditioning was required.
• Constant maintenance was
required.
• Non-portable.
• Costly commercial production.
• Limited commercial use.
• Very slow speed.
• Limited programming capabilities.
• Used machine language only.
• Used magnetic drums which
provide very less data storage.
• Used punch cards for input.
• Not versatile and very faulty.

18. Second Generation Computers (1955-1964)
The second generation
computers used transistors. The scientists
at Bell laboratories developed transistor in
1947. These scientists include John Barden,
William Brattain and William Shockley. The
size of the computers was decreased by
replacing vacuum tubes with transistors.
The examples of second generation
computers are IBM 7094 series, IBM 1400
series and CDC 164etc.

20. Advantages
• Smaller in size as compared to
the first generation computers.
• The 2nd generation Computers
were more reliable
• Used less energy and were not
heated.
• Wider commercial use
• Better portability as compared
to the first generation
computers.
• Better speed and could
calculate data in microseconds
• Used faster peripherals like
tape drives, magnetic disks,
printer etc.
• Used Assembly language
instead of Machine language.
• Accuracy improved.
Disadvantages
• Cooling system was required
• Constant maintenance was
required
• Commercial production was
difficult
• Only used for specific purposes
• Costly and not versatile
• Puch cards were used for input.

22. Third Generation Computers (1964-1975)
The Third generation computers used
the integrated circuits (IC). Jack Kilby developed
the concept of integrated circuit in 1958. It was an
important invention in the computer field. The
first IC was invented and used in 1961. The size of
an IC is about ¼ square inch. A single IC chip may
contain thousands of transistors. The computer
became smaller in size, faster, more reliable and
less expensive. The examples of third generation
computers are IBM 370, IBM System/360, UNIVAC
1108 and UNIVAC AC 9000 etc.

24. Advantages
• Smaller in size as compared to
previous generations.
• More reliable.
• Used less energy
• Produced less heat as compared to the
previous two generations of
computers.
• Better speed and could calculate data
in nanoseconds.
• Used fan for heat discharge to prevent
damage.
• Maintenance cost was low because
hardware failure is rear.
• Totally general purpose
• Could be used for high-level languages.
• Good storage
• Versatile to an extent
• Less expensive
• Better accuracy
• Commercial production increased.
• Used mouse and keyboard for input.
Disadvantages
• Air conditioning was
required.
• Highly sophisticated
technology required for
the manufacturing of IC
chips.

25. Fourth Generation Computers (1975-1989)
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. The technology of integrated circuits improved
rapidly. The LSI (Large Scale Integration) circuit and VLSI
(Very Large Scale Integration) circuit was designed. It
greatly reduced the size of computer. The examples of
fourth generation computers are Apple Macintosh &
IBM PC.

27. Advantages
• More powerful and reliable than
previous generations.
• Small in size
• Fast processing power with less
power consumption
• Fan for heat discharging and thus
to keep cold.
• No air conditioning required.
• Totally general purpose
• Commercial production
• Less need of repair.
• Cheapest among all generations
• All types of High level languages
can be used in this type of
computers
Disadvantages
• The latest technology is required
for manufacturing of
Microprocessors.

29. Fifth Generation Computers (1989 to PRESENT)
Scientists are working hard on the 5th generation
computers with quite a few breakthroughs. It is based on
the technique of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Computers
can understand spoken words & imitate human
reasoning. Can respond to its surroundings using different
types of sensors.

31. What Is a Computer?
 A computer is an electronic device,
operating under the control of instructions
stored in its own memory
 An electronic device, operating under the
control of instructions stored in its own
memory unit, that can accept data,
manipulate the data according to specified
rules, produce information from the
processing, and store the results for future
use.

32. Characteristics of Computers
Automatic Speed Accuracy
Diligence Versatility
Power of
Remembering
No I. Q. No Feelings

33. Computer uses in different Fields
Science
Medical
Education
Banking
Crime Investigation
Entertainment

34. One of the most important advantages of
computers is in the field of science for
research and development. The
computers have played a major role in
most of what we know about ourselves
and the universe. The satellites, the
telescopes and almost all the research
tools make use of computers in some or
the other way.
 Science

35. Medical
Research and Development mark
significant presence of computers in
the daily life. The high-end machines
used for diagnosis and cure of many
diseases are nothing but computers.
For example, the Magnetic
Resonance Imaging (MRI), CT scan,
ultrasound devices,

36. Education
Computer uses in the field of
education are infinite. The
Internet is a huge source of
information. There are online
universities that deliver online
degrees and distance learning is
spreading far and wide.

37. Banking
The banking sector has improved
on fronts such as security, ease of
use, etc. with the help of
computers. Most of the banking
operations can be done online,

38. Crime Investigation
High-end computer devices
have ensured that justice is
more effective. CCTV cameras
and other computer operated
security systems have reduced
the amount of crime.

39. Entertainment
The field of entertainment has been
revolutionized by computers.
Animation, graphic image
manipulation etc. has made the
entertainment experience hundred
times better.

40. Information Processing Cycle - FOUR
GENERAL OPERATIONS
INPUT PROCESSING
OUTPUT STORAGE

41. Input devices
Central
processing unit
(CPU)
Output devices
Communication
device
Storage devices
The Components of a Computer

42. A computer contains many electric, electronic, and
mechanical components known as hardware
Input Device • Allows you to enter data and instructions into a computer
Output Device • Hardware component that conveys information to one or
more people
System Unit• Case that contains the electronic components of the computer
that are used to process data
Storage Device• Records (writes) and/or retrieves (reads) items to and from
storage media
Communications
Device• Enables a computer to send and receive data, instructions, and
information to and from one or more computers or mobile devices

43. Input Devices
Keyboard Mouse
Digital
camera
Scanner
Microphone

44. Keyboards
Digital Cameras
Scanner
Microphones

45. Central Processing Unit
•Made up of the control unit and arithmetic/logic
unit
•The brains of the CPU is the processor. There are
different brands and speeds
Pentium made by Intel
Celeron made by Intel
Athlon made by AMD

46. Output Devices
• Printers
• Impact printers
• Dot matrix printers
• Nonimpact printers
• Ink jet
• Laser
• Color
• B & W
• Monitors
• CRT’S
• LCD’S

47. STORAGE DEVICES
• Floppy Disks
• 3.5-inch disks store 1.44M of data
• Must be formatted
• Tracks
• sectors
• Hard Disks
• Spins at 5,400 – 7,200 rpm (revolutions per minute)
• Can store anywhere between 10G – 250G+ of data
• CD’s—Compact Discs
• Available in a variety of formats—CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW
• A typical CD holds about 650 MB of data
• DVD’s
• Available as DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD-RW
• Can hold 4.7 GB of data
• Zip Drives—high capacity floppy disk drive; has lost popularity
• Zip disks can hold from 100 MB – 250 MB of data
• USB Flash Drive
• Storage capacity between 32 MB – 4 GB
•

48. Advantages and Disadvantages
of Using Computers
Advantages of
Using Computers
• Speed
• Reliability
• Consistency
• Storage
• Communication
s
Disadvantages of
Using Computers
• Health Risks
• Violation of Privacy
• Public Safety
• Impact on Labor
Force
• Impact on
Environment

49. Software – Software
means computer instructions or data.
 Can be categorized into four types
 System software
 Application software
 Educational software
 Entertainment software

50. System Software
• Controls the operations of computer equipment
• Operating System software tells the computer
how to:
• Load
• Store
• Execute
• OS is loaded into memory when the computer is
turned on
• This process is called booting
• Most OS’s use a Graphical User Interface (GUI)
• Provides visual cues such as icons
• Each icon represents an application

51. Application Software
Programs that tell a computer how to produce
information
Commonly used applications
• Word processing
• Spreadsheet
• Database
• Presentation
• Financial
• Email
• Taxing

52. Educational Software
Software that can be used for
learning purposes
Examples include:
• Jump Start Series
• Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing
• Reader Rabbit
• Encarta or World Book
• Math Blaster
• Rosetta Stone Spanish

53. Entertainment Software
• Sports games
• Madden NFL
• MLB
• The Sims
• World of Warcraft
• Rollercoaster Tycoon
• Final Fantasy
• Halo
• Myst
• Half Life
• Barbie Fashion Show

54. Categories of Computers
Embedded computers
Supercomputers
Mainframes
Servers
Game consoles
Mobile computers and mobile
devices
Personal computers

55. Personal Computers
• A personal computer can perform all of its input, processing, output, and
storage activities by itself
• Two popular architectures are the PC and the Apple
Desktop computer

56. Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices
Mobile Computer
Personal computer you can carry from place to place.
Examples include
notebook computers, laptop computers, netbooks, ultra‐thins, and Tablet PCs
Mobile Device
Computing device small enough to hold in your hand.
Examples include smart phones and PDAs, ebook readers, handheld computers,
portable media players, and digital cameras

57. Game Consoles
A game console is
a mobile
computing
device designed
for
single‐player or
multiplayer video
games

58. Servers
A server controls
access
to the hardware,
software, and other
resources on a network
– Provides a centralized
storage area for
programs, data, and
information

59. Mainframes
A mainframe is a
large,
expensive, powerful
computer that can
handle hundreds or
thousands of
connected
users simultaneously

60. Supercomputers
A supercomputer is the fastest, most powerful
computer
– Fastest supercomputers are capable of processing
more than one quadrillion instructions in a single
second

61. Embedded Computers
An embedded computer is a
special‐purpose
computer that functions as a component
in a
larger product