1.
The Field of Information Technology
Scope of Information Technology
● Usage: IT is used in various industries, including healthcare, finance, education, and
entertainment.
● Limitations: IT depends on infrastructure, security, and ethical considerations.
● Related Fields:
○ Computing: The study of algorithms and data processing.
○ Computer Science: Focuses on programming, software development, and
theoretical computing.
○ Software Engineering: Involves designing, developing, and maintaining
software systems.
○ Computer Engineering: Deals with hardware and software integration.
○ Information Systems: Concerned with managing and analyzing data for business
applications.
● Commonalities & Differences:
○ All fields involve computing and technology.
○ Computer Science and Software Engineering focus more on programming.
○ Computer Engineering integrates hardware and software.
○ Information Systems emphasizes business applications.
Professional Organizations
● Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE): Advances technology for
humanity.
● British Computer Society (BCS): Promotes IT professionalism.
● Association for Computing Machinery (ACM): Focuses on computing research and
education.
● Association for Information Systems (AIS): Specializes in information systems
research and practice.
2. History of Information Technology
Brief History of Computer Hardware
● Categorization by Size & Processing Ability:
○ Mainframes: Large, powerful computers used by organizations.
○ Minicomputers: Smaller than mainframes, used for business applications.
○ Microcomputers: Personal computers (PCs) for individual use.
○ Supercomputers: Extremely fast computers used for complex calculations.
Brief History of Software
● Early Software: Basic machine language and assembly language.
● Modern Software: Includes operating systems, applications, and cloud-based solutions.
Internet & Telecommunications
● Evolution of the Internet: Started as ARPANET, evolved into the World Wide Web.
● Telecommunications: Includes telephone networks, fiber optics, and wireless
communication.
3. Distinguishing Among Data, Information, and Knowledge
Definitions & Examples
● Data: Raw, unprocessed facts that lack context.
○ Examples: Numbers in a spreadsheet, survey responses, temperature readings.
○ Types:
○ Qualitative: Opinion-based, subjective (e.g., customer feedback).
○ Quantitative: Measurement-based, objective (e.g., sales figures).
○ Discrete: Separate, unrelated chunks (e.g., individual test scores).
○ Detailed or Sampled: Full dataset vs. a subset.
● Information: Processed data that has meaning and context.
○ Examples: A report summarizing sales trends, a weather forecast.
○ Characteristics:
○ Distortion & Disguise: Can be manipulated or misrepresented.
○ Reliability & Inconsistency: Accuracy varies based on sources.
○ Interpretation & Value: Subject to different perspectives.
○ Confidentiality & Security: Some information is sensitive.
○ Timeliness & Completeness: Must be current and comprehensive.
○ Shareability & Availability: Can be widely distributed.
○ Lifespan: Some information remains relevant longer than others.
○ Commodity: Information can be bought, sold, or traded.
○ Format & Medium: Can exist in digital, print, or verbal forms.
● Knowledge: The application of information for decision-making.
○ Examples: Using past sales data to predict future trends, diagnosing a problem
based on symptoms.
○ Factors:
Data Quality: Accuracy and reliability of the information.
Appropriateness: Relevance to the decision-making process.
4. Various Types of Information Sources
Traditional & Electronic Sources
● Traditional: Books, journals, magazines, newspapers, libraries.
● Electronic: CD-ROMs, DVDs, databases, websites, blogs, wikis, social media.
Primary vs. Secondary Sources
● Primary Sources: Original, firsthand accounts (e.g., interviews, research studies).
● Secondary Sources: Summarized or interpreted information (e.g., textbooks, news
articles).
Advantages & Disadvantages
✅
● Traditional Sources:
❌
○ Reliable, well-researched.
○ Limited accessibility, slower updates.
✅
● Electronic Sources:
❌
○ Easily accessible, frequently updated.
○ Risk of misinformation, credibility concerns.
5. Characteristics of Information Sources
● Availability: Ease of access.
● Cost: Free vs. paid sources.
● Currency: How up-to-date the information is.
● Depth & Breadth: Level of detail and coverage.
● Reliability: Trustworthiness of the source.
● Format & Medium: Digital, print, audio, video.
6. Criteria for Selecting Information Sources
● Bias: Objectivity vs. subjective viewpoints.
● Accuracy: Fact-checking and verification.
● Cultural Context: Relevance to different audiences.
● Completeness: Coverage of all necessary details.
● Currency: How recent the information is.
● Refereed vs. Unrefereed: Peer-reviewed vs. non-reviewed sources.
● Internet Characteristics: Evaluating credibility online.
7. Information Processing
Definition of Information Processing Cycle
● Input: Collecting, capturing, or entering data.
● Processing: Organizing, analyzing, sorting, and calculating data.
● Output: Presenting or disseminating processed information.
● Storage: Saving and retrieving data for future use.
● Feedback: Optional evaluation or updates that loop back to the input stage.
Manual vs. Automated Information Processing
● Manual Processing: Performed by humans without digital tools (e.g., bookkeeping).
● Automated Processing: Uses computers and software for efficiency (e.g., online
banking).
Examples of Information Systems
● Manual: Paper-based records, handwritten calculations.
● Automated: Databases, spreadsheets, AI-driven analytics.
8. Ways of Representing Data & Information
Types of Data
● Character: Single letters, numbers, or symbols.
● String: A sequence of characters (e.g., words, sentences).
● Numeric: Whole numbers, decimals, percentages.
● Aural: Sound-based data (e.g., voice recordings).
● Visual: Images, diagrams, videos.
Types of Information
● Text: Written words and documents.
● Graphics: Images, illustrations, and diagrams.
● Signals:
○ Analogue: Continuous signals (e.g., radio waves).
○ Digital: Binary-coded signals (e.g., computer data).
● Sound & Video: Multimedia formats.
● Special Purpose Notations:
○ Mathematical & Scientific: Equations, formulas.
○ Musical: Sheet music notation.
● Graphical Representations: Charts, graphs, tables.
Encoding Systems
● Morse Code: Dots and dashes for communication.
● Musical Symbols: Notes and rhythms.
● ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange): Text encoding for
computers.
● Binary: 0s and 1s used in computing.
9. Tools Used in Information Technology
Hardware & Software
● Hardware: Devices like modems, routers, and storage drives.
● Software: Applications for data processing, communication, and security.
Communication Tools
● Internet-Based Services:
○ Search Engines: Google, Bing.
○ VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol): Skype, Zoom.
○ SMS & Messaging Boards: Forums, discussion boards.
○ Telnet & FTP: Remote access and file transfers.
○ Mailing Lists & Social Media: Email groups, Facebook, Twitter.
○ Web-Conferencing Tools: Microsoft Teams, Google Meet.
○ Cross-Platform Messaging: WhatsApp, Telegram.
Advantages & Disadvantages
● Advantages:
○ Faster processing and communication.
○ Efficient data storage and retrieval.
○ Global connectivity.
● Disadvantages:
○ Security risks (hacking, data breaches).
○ Dependence on technology.
○ Cost of maintenance and upgrades.
