Definition of Information and Communications

Technology (ICT)

Information and Communications Technology (ICT) can simply be

defined as the use of computing and telecommunications
technologies, tools and systems to manage creation, processing,
storing and transmission of information.
OVERVIEW OF HARDWARE AND
SOFTWARE
HARDWARE:
• Definition: The physical components of a computer system that
can be seen and touched are called Hardware.

• For example hard disks, monitors, keyboards, printers, chips,

wires, Central Processing Unit(CPU), USB ports, pen drives,
etc.
SOFTWARE
• Definition: Software is an organised collection of computer data
and instructions.
• Computer software (set of instructions) tells the computer what
to do and how to do a particular task
• With the help of hardware and software computer can perform
its task.
Block Diagram of Computer System
• Computer System is combination of
following:
1. Input devices
2. Central Processing Unit (CPU),
3. Memory and
4.Output devices.
INPUT DEVICE:
• Input device is any hardware component that allows a user to enter
data and instructions into a computer

• Some of the input devices are Keyboard, mouse, scanner, mic, web
cameras, joystick, light pen, track ball, graphic tablet, microphone,
magnetic ink card (MICR), Optical Character Reader (OCR), Barcode
Reader.

• Keyboard and mouse are two primary input devices.

• Mouse and light pen are pointing input type devices.
• Microphone is an audio input device.
CPU -(central processing unit )
• A central processing unit (CPU), also called a central processor, main
processor, or just processor,
• It is the most important processor in a given computer.
• Its electronic circuit that executes instructions of a computer program,
such as arithmetic, logic, controlling, and input/output (I/O)
operations.
Arithmetic Logic Unit
• Arithmetic Logic Unit: All input data are transferred via the main
memory to the arithmetic-logic unit for processing, which involves the
four basic arithmetic functions (i.e., addition, subtraction,
multiplication, and division.
control unit
• A control unit controls the operations of all parts of the computer
 Memory Unit
• The memory unit is a section of computer that stores the data and
instructions that are entered through the input unit.

• It saves the immediate and final results before sending it to the output
devices. It can also save data for later use.

• The memory unit consists of two types of memories:

• 1. Volatile Memory: The contents in the volatile memory are stored
temporarily and gets erased when the system's power OFF.
• 2. Non-Volatile Memory: The contents in the non- volatile memory are stored
permanently and does not erased even if the system's power is turned OFF
OUTPUT DEVICES:
• Definition: The devices that are used to display the results or
output after processing are called as Output Devices.
• Examples of output devices: Printer, Monitor, Loud Speaker,
Headphones Projector, Touch Screen, Plotter, GPS, etc
 Internal Components

• The parts of a computer that are residing into the computer are
known as Internal components of computer.
• It is also called as computer "hardware" having physical parts.
1.PROCESSOR
• A processor or CPU is the brain of the computer which processes and
executes the instructions from various programs.
• The performance of the computer is determined by the clock speed of
the CPU
2.MOTHERBOARD
• In a computer system, the motherboard is a main printed circuit.
• It is also called the main circuit board or mainboard.
• It includes several components on a single platform.
• It allows communication between the RAM, ROM, hard drive, and
other computer hardware components.
• The motherboard is also called the backbone of a computer.
3.RAM:RANDOM ACCESS
MEMORY

• RAM or Random Accessing Memory is the main memory that stores

data on the computer.
• RAM is a type of volatile memory which means it requires electricity
to store data, so when the computer is powered down all the memory
is wiped.
• There are many types of RAM including :
• SRAM (Static Random Accessing Memory),
• DRAM (Dynamic Random Accessing Memory)
4.Read only memory (ROM)

✓ ROM holds programs and data permanently even when computer is

switched off
✓ Data can be read by the CPU in any order so ROM is also direct
access
✓ The contents of ROM are fixed at the time of manufacture
✓ Stores a program called the bootstrap loader that helps start up the
computer
✓ Access time of between 10 and 50 nanoseconds
5.Video Cards

• Video cards plug into the motherboard and are used to display video.
• VRAM is video memory that enhances the refreshment rate of the
image.
• Video cards have chipsets that can increase the speed of video
display.
6.Sound card

• A sound card is a computer expansion card that can input and

output sound under control of computer programs
• Typical uses of sound cards include providing the audio
component for multimedia applications such as music
composition, editing video or audio, presentation/education, and
entertainment
7.HARD DISK
• Hard disk is a main secondary storage device found inside a computer.
It is fixed inside the CPU box.
• It can store a large amount of data. All work done on a computer can
be stored on a hard disk. Hard disk can store upto 2 TB to 5 TB of
data.
• It consist of electromagnetically charged circular surface (platters) or
set of surfaces that holds large amount of data.
8.power supply
• A power supply is a hardware component which provides electrical
power to the computer.
•
It converts the current from AC (Alternating Current) to DC (Direct
Current). This DC current is provided to all the components of a
computer.
EXTERNAL DEVICES
TYPES OF INPUT/OUTPUT DEVICES
INPUT DEVICE
1.KEYBOARD:
• A keyboard is an input device that contains keys users press to enter
data and instructions into a computer
MOUSE:
• A computer mouse is a pointing device (hand control) that detects
two-dimensional motion.
• ► Physically, a mouse consists of an object held in one's hand, with
one or more buttons.
• ► There are many types of mouse, such as Wireless, Gstick, Optical,
Trackball, Mechanical etc.
SCANNER
• A scanner is a very useful input device. You can place a page of writing
or pictures in the scanner and it will send the information to your
computer.
• There they can be changed, saved into a computer file, or printed.
Light Pen
• A light pen is a type of pointing input device that detects light and is
frequently used to select or alter text or data on a screen.
BARCODE READER
• A barcode reader, also called a price scanner or point-of-sale (PoS)
scanner, is a hand-held or stationary input device used to capture and
read information contained in a barcode.
OUTPUT DEVICES
Monitor
• A monitor is an example of an output device that can be used to
display text.
• It can also display graphics and video.
PRINTER
• Printers are information output devices that allow you to print data
on paper.
• Or
• it is an output device that creates a hard copy of the processed data
or information.
INKJET PRINTER
• An inkjet printer is a computer peripheral that produces hard copies
of a text document or photo by spraying droplets of ink onto paper.
LASER PRINTER
• A laser printer is a type of printer that uses a laser beam to produce
high-quality text and graphics on paper.
PHOTO PRINTER
THERMAL PRINTER
SPEAKERS
• Speakers are used to connect to a computer to generate sound, which
are one of the most common output devices.
• Some speakers are designed to connect with any kind of sound
system, while some can be hooked up only with computers.
LCD Projector
A Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) projector uses its own light source to
project what is displayed on the computer on a wall or projection
screen.
A digital light processing (DLP) projector uses tiny mirrors to reflect
light which can be seen clearly in a well-lit room.
EXTERNAL STORAGE
DEVICES
PEN DRIVE
• DEFINITION OF A PEN DRIVE
A USB flash drive is a data storage device that includes flash memory
with an integrated Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface. USB flash
drives are typically removable and rewritable, and physically much
smaller than an optical disc.
CD
• CD stands for Compact Disc.
• It is mainly used to store photos, audio and computer software.
DVD
DVD stands for Digital Video Disc.
The storage capacity of DVD is much greater than CD.
It can store up to 17 GB of data.
DVDs are available in three types which are read-only, recordable and
rewritable.
TYPES:
1-DVD-ROM DVD-ROM
2-DVD-R DVD-R
APPLICATION
SOFTWARE
1.MS WORD:-
• Microsoft Word allows you to create
professional-quality documents, reports, letters, and
résumés.
• Microsoft Word has features including spell
check, grammar check, text formatting ,
and font formatting, html support, image
support, advanced page layout, and more.
2) SPREADSHEET
• A spreadsheet or worksheet is a file made of rows and columns that
help sort data, arrange data easily, and calculate numerical data.
3) DATABASE MANAGEMENT
SYSTEM
• A Database Management System (DBMS) is software designed to
store, retrieve, define, and manage data in a database.
• The DBMS accepts the request for data from an application and
instructs the operating system to provide the specific data.
• DBMS allows users to create their own databases as per their
requirement.
4) PRESENTATION
SOFTWARE
• Presentation is the process of presenting a topic to an audience
• The presentation software is used to display the information in the
form of slide show.
• Example: PowerPoint
5.Photo editing software
• Photo editing software is used to manipulate or enhance digital
images.
• This category of software ranges from basic apps, which are able to
apply simple effects, to industry-standard programs used by
professional photographers for more advanced needs
Examples:-Adobe Photoshop,
6.VIDEO EDITING
SOFTWARE
• Video editing software is any software program capable of editing,
modifying, generating, or manipulating a video or movie file.
• With a video editor, you can remove sections of the video, cut and
arrange a video to give it a better flow, or add effects to enhance the
video.
 NETWORK
ENVIRONMENTS
LOCAL AREA NETWORK (LAN):
• Local Area Network is a group of computers connected to each other in a small
area such as building, office.

• LAN is used for connecting two or more personal computers through a

communication medium such as twisted pair, coaxial cable, etc.

• It is less costly as it is built with inexpensive hardware such as hubs, network

adapters, and ethernet cables.

• The data is transferred at an extremely faster rate in Local Area Network.

• Local Area Network provides higher security.

• A Local Area Network, or LAN, is the most common type of network. It allows
users to connect within a short distance typically in a room or a building.
Wide Area Network (WAN)
• A Wide Area Network (WAN) is a network that extends over a large geographical area such
as states or countries.

• A Wide Area Network is quite bigger network than the LAN.

• A Wide Area Network is not limited to a single location, but it spans over a large geographical
area through a telephone line, fibre optic cable or satellite links.

• The internet is one of the biggest WAN in the world.

• A Wide Area Network is widely used in the field of Business, government, and education.

• A wide area network, or a WAN, is an extensive network that's not limited to geographical
space. Most of the corporations and international companies uses WANs.
Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)
• A Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), provides a wireless connectivity to a limited
area with the help

• of radio transmissions. WLAN allows users have a flexibility to use their devices in
various locations within a small area. WLAN

• is comparatively less secure and weaker than other networks.

• A WLAN requires less physical equipment than a wired network, which saves money
and reduces installation time.

• For example, a router placed at a home can provide wireless internet access to multiple
devices connected to it using WiFi
Hubs

• A hub is physical layer networking device which is used to

connect multiple devices in a network.

• They are generally used to connect computers in a LAN

• A hub has many ports in it.

• A computer which intends to be connected to the network is

plugged in to one of these ports.