Information Communication Technology -ICT

ICT includes all technologies for the manipulation and communication of information. The
term is sometimes used in preference to Information Technology (IT).

Information Technology (IT): It means that the study, design, development,

implementation, support or management of computer-based information systems,
particularly software applications and computer hardware. IT deals with the use of electronic
computers and computer software to convert, store, protect, process, transmit, and securely
retrieve information.

Computer
1.
2.
3.
4.

It is an electronic device.
It consist of Hardware and Software.
The software convert the hardware as functional unit.
It can be programmed. That is to say that a list of instructions (the program) can be
given to the computer and it will store them and carry them out in the future.
5. It produce the information by manipulating data according to a list of
instructions(Program/Software).

Data

Processing

Information

Advantages Of Computer
1. Speed
2. Accuracy
3. Reliability
4. Storage Capacity
5. Reduced Cost
6. Automation
7. Versatility
8. Diligence
9. Multi Tasking
10. Allow multi-user

Computer Hardware
Input Device( telling the computer what to do) It is used to input data and instruction to a
computer. Input devices can be classified as Automatic Input device and Non-automatic Input device
a) Keyboard:- To input alpha numeric characters
b) Pointing Device:- Mouse/Track ball/ Touch Pad/ Light Pen/ Touch Screen
c) Scanner
d) Microphone
e) Barcode Reader
f) Digital Camera
g) Graphic Table
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2) Central Processing Unit-CPU/Processor :- The processor can be considered the

brain of the computer. It follows the instructions provided by both the user (via input
devices) and the program that is running in order to perform a task. The processor
controls all the work carried out in the computer
Subunit of processor
a) ALU(Arithmetic Logic Unit):- The ALU is capable of performing both arithmetic and
logic operations.
b) Control Unit:- It controls all hardwires
c) Register Memory
Example of processor: Pentium 4, AMD,....

3) Output Device: It tells the user what computer has done

a) Computer Screen/ Visual Display Unit-VDU
i) CRT(Cathode Tray Tube) /Monitor
ii) LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)
b) Printer
i) Laser Printer
ii) Inkjet Printer
iii) Dot Matrix Printer
c) Speaker
d) Graphic Plotter

4) Memory
a) Internal Memory:i)

RAM(Random Access Memory):- It is the main memory of the computer. The

information on the RAM is lost after the power is switched off so it is called
volatile memory. Normally the processor takes the data from the RAM for the
processing so the capacity and speed of the RAM influence the speed of the
computer task.
ii) ROM(Read Only Memory):- Data stored in ROM cannot be modified- so it is referred
as nonvolatile. However EEPROM can be erased and re-programmed multiple
times. It contains critical programs such as the program that boots the computer.
iii) Register Memory:- It is a small amount of storage available on the processor
whose contents can be accessed more quickly than storage available elsewhere.
iv) Cache Memory:- It is used by the processor to reduce the average time to
access main memory. The processor uses cache memory to store instructions and
data that are repeatedly required to run programs- so it improve overall system
speed.
b) External Memory/ Secondary Memory:- It is used to store large data permanently. It
is the slowest and cheapest form of memory. It cannot be processed directly by the
CPU. It must first be copied into primary storage ( RAM ). Secondary storage does not
lose the data when the device is powered downit is non-volatile.
i)

Magnetic Memory
(1) Magnetic Disk
(a) Floppy Disk
(b) Hard Disk

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(2) Magnetic Tape

ii) Optical Disk
(1) CD (Compact Disk)
(2) DVD (Digital Video Disk/ Versatile Disk)
iii) Flash Memory

Unit to measure Memory Capacity Byte(8 bits), Kb, Mb, Gb,Tb

CPU/Processor
Control Unit
ALU

Input Device

Output Device

Register

Main Memory
Secondary Storage

Motherboard:-

The main circuit board of a microcomputer. It contains the

connectors(ports, socket) for attaching additional components such as processor, RAM,
display screen, secondary storage, keyboard, mouse, printer, etc.. There are two type of
ports: serial and parallel ports. Some examples of ports: Ports : PS/2 port, USB port, Printer
port, COM port, VGA port.

Bus:- transfers data between computer components inside a computer or between

computers. The speed of the bus is measured by Hz(eg: 333 MHz). Bus Width is used to
measure how much data can be transmitted at one time (eg: 16 bits)
UPS(Uninterrupted Power Supply): It is used to correct the power problem such as
power failure, under voltage, over voltage. It contains back up battery that provide
emergency power.

Order of memory on capacity wise:

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Hard Disk(more than 1.6 Tb) > DVD(17Gb)>Flash Memory(4Gb) > RAM(2Gb) >
CD(700Mb) > Cache Memory >EPROM(8Mb)>Floppy Disk(1.44Mb)> Register Memory
Order of Memory (Speed wise):
Register memory > Cache Memory > RAM(333 MHz) > ROM > Flash Memory (about
800 megabits per second) > Hard Disk > DVD/CD > Floppy Disk
Order of Processor (Speed wise):
Pentium 4(2.4GHz) > Pentium 3 > Pentium 2 > Pentium > 486 > 385

Some parts
Keyboard
The set of typewriter-like keys that enables you to enter data into a computer. Computer keyboards are
similar to electric-typewriter keyboards but contain additional keys. The keys on computer keyboards
are often classified as follows:
alphanumeric keys -- letters and numbers
punctuation keys -- comma, period, semicolon, and so on.
special keys -- function keys, control keys, navigation keys, Caps Lock key, and so on.
Connection Type

Ps2
USB
Wireless

Mouse
A device that controls the movement of the cursor or pointer on a display screen. A mouse is a
small object you can roll along a hard, flat surface.
Mouse Action

Mouse Move
Click( Left button/Right Button): pressing and releasing a button.
Double Click
Drag: pressing and holding a button, then moving the mouse without releasing

Connection Type

Ps2
USB
Wireless

Scanner
It scans images, printed text, handwriting, or an object, and converts it to a digital image.
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Quality of scanner depend on

Resolution -It is measured by ppi(pixel per inch)
Colour Depth (eg 24 bits)
Note: a pixel is a single point in a graphic image. Graphics monitors display pictures by dividing the display
screen into thousands (or millions) of pixels, arranged in rows and columns. he number of bits used to represent
each pixel determines how many colors or shades of gray can be displayed. For example, in 8-bit color mode,
thecolor monitor uses 8 bits for each pixel, making it possible to display 2 to the 8th power (256) different colors or
shades of gray.
Connection Type

Parallel Port
USB
Small Computer System Interface (SCSI)

Printer
A device that prints text/graphic on paper. There are many different types of printers.
Type of printer

Dot Matrix printer: Creates characters by striking pins against an ink ribbon.
Ink jet printer: Sprays ink at a sheet of paper. Ink-jet printers produce high-quality text and graphics.
Laser Printer: A laser beam projects an image of the page to be printed onto an electrically

charged rotating drum

Parameter og Printer

Quality It is measured by dpi/ppi

Speed
Impact or non-impact: Impact printers include all printers that work by striking an ink
ribbon. Dot-matrix printer is impact printers. Non-impact printers include laser printers and inkjet printers. The important difference between impact and non-impact printers is that impact
printers are much noisier.

Connection Type

Printer Port
USB
Small Computer System Interface (SCSI)
Wireless

Computer Screen(visual display unit)

A screen used to display the output of a computer to the user
Classification of Screen

CRT(Cathode Ray Tube)

LCD(Liquid Crystal Display)

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Connection Type

VGA Port

Note
Touch Screen: These screen use touching of the screen as an input method. Items can be selected

or moved with a finger, and can be used to convey commands.

Multimedia Projector: It processes a specific video signal and projects a corresponding
image on a large screen using a lens system. Video projectors incorporate the use of a
very bright light to display the image.
Comparison of CRT and LCD
Advantage
CRT

excellent color
Usually much cheaper than LCD

LCD

Very compact and light

Low power consumption
Can be made in almost any size or
shape

Webcam

It is a video camera which feeds its images in real time to a computer or computer network,
often via USB, ethernet or Wi-Fi.
Modem(modulator-demodulator)
A modem is a device orprogram that enables a computer to transmit data over, for example, telephone or cable lines.
Computer information is stored digitally, whereas information transmitted over telephone lines is transmitted in the
form ofanalog waves. A modem converts between these two forms.
Speed is measured by bps

Video card(video adapter, graphics accelerator card, display adapter, or graphics card)
It is an expansion card whose function is to generate output images to a display screen.

Memory card reader

It is a device that can read flash memory cards and transfer their contents to a computer.
Flash memory cards come in various types and formats, providing removable storage for
digital equipment like camcorders, cameras, MP3 players and cell phones. There are single
memory card readers and multiple memory card readers.

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Software
collection of computer programs, procedures and documentation that perform some tasks
on a computer system

Computer Program: The computer program is a set of instruction written by computer

language to perform a specific task that can be executed by the computer.

Type of Software
1. System Software
a. Operating System(OS)(eg: DOS, UNIX, Linux ,Ms Windows
98/2000/XP/20003/20007/Vista, Mac OS) : Function of the Operating System:
i. Operate all hardwires
ii. Run other software
iii. File Management suck as save , open or, delete the file, create a folder,
etc.
iv. Security ( by help of User Name, and Password)
v. Provide User Interface - Graphical User Interface(GUI), Character User
Interface(CUI). The Window is one of the GUI in the window operating
system
vi. Communicate with other computers
vii. Multi tasking- Running more than one programs on a computer at the
same time.
viii. Multi User- Allow more than one user at a time.
b. Diagnostic Tools
2. Programming Software: It is used to develop a program/software easily.
a. Editor
b. Compiler/ Interpreter- To translate a program written by using of the high level
computer language to Machine Language that can be understood by the
computer.
c. Debuggers Helps to correct errors in the program
3. Application Software: It is used to perform user task. OS run a an application
software.
a. Classification I
i. Special Purpose Software : eg: Student Management Software
ii. General Purpose Software: eg: Ms Word
b. Classification II
i. Business Software/ Accounts Software
ii. Education Software
iii. Industrial Automation Software
iv. Medical Software
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v.
vi.
vii.
viii.
ix.
x.
xi.
xii.
xiii.

Word Processing Software( Ms Word)

Spread Sheet Software(Ms Excel)
DTP Software (Page Maker)
Presentation Software (Ms PowerPoint)
Database Management System(DBMS) Software(Ms Access)
Games
Drawing Software
Multimedia Software
Simulation software

Graphical User Interfaces

It is a visual front to a piece of software that links the user to the internal workings of a
computer, or piece of software.

Common component of GUI - WIMP

Window
Icon: An icon is a small picture that represents objects such as a file, program, web
page, or command. They are a quick way to execute commands, open documents,
and run programs.
Menu: Menus allow the user to execute commands by selecting from a list of
choices. Options are selected with a mouse or other pointing device within a GUI. A
keyboard may also be used.
Pointer: A graphical image(Arrow, I-beam, ..) on a screen that indicates the location
of a pointing device, and can be used to select and move objects or commands on
the screen.

Window
A window is a rectangle area on the screen that displays information, with its contents being
displayed independently from the rest of the screen. When a program is opened or started ,
the corresponding window appears on the screen.
Contents of Window:
1. Title Bar: It contains Tile/Name of the software on left side, and Close button,
Minimize button, and Maximize button on right side.
2. Menu Bar: is displayed horizontally across the top of the screen and/or along the
tops of some or all windows. A pull-down menu is commonly associated with this
menu type. When a user clicks on a menu option the pull-down menu will appear
3. Tool Bars: Commands are displayed as tool button(Icon) on the tool bar. There may
be more than one tool bar.
4. Context menu: is invisible until the user performs a specific mouse action, like
pressing the right mouse button. When the software-specific mouse action occurs the
menu will appear under the cursor.
5. Document Window(Optional)
6. Scroll Bars (Optional)
7. Status Bar(Optional).

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Dialog Box
It is a special window, used in user interfaces to display information to the user, or to get a
response(or an input) if needed. They are so-called because they form a dialog between the
computer and the usereither informing the user of something, or requesting input from the
user, or both. It provides controls that allow you to specify how to carry out an action. For
example when you save a document, you have to tell document name, where you want to
save(folder name), etc. So when select Save command , the Save As dialog box appears
to give such information.

Controls
Interface element that a computer user interacts with, and is also known as a control

Window: A paper-like rectangle that represents a "window" into a document, form, or

design area.
Pointer: The spot where the mouse "cursor" is currently referencing.
Text Box: A box in which to enter text or numbers.
Label: A box that display messages
Button: An equivalent to a push-button as found on mechanical or electronic
instruments. When push(click) the button by using of pointing devices(Mouse), the
relevant task is executed.
Drop down list(Combo Box) / List box: A list of items from which to select. The list
normally only displays items when a special button or indicator is clicked.
Check Box: A box which indicates an "on" or "off" state via a check-mark or an "".
Radio Button: A button, similar to a check-box, except that only one item in a group
can be selected. Selecting a new item from the group's buttons also deselects the
previously selected button.
Data Grid: A spreadsheet-like grid that allows numbers or text to be entered in rows and
columns.
Tabs: A rectangular small box which usually contains a text, label or graphical icon
associated with a view pane. When activated the view pane, displays widgets associated
with that tab; groups of tabs allow the user to switch quickly between different widgets.

Some Common Commands

Command

Action
To store selected item on clipboard memory.

Shortcut
Key
Ctrl + C

Copy
Cut

Paste

To store selected item on clipboard memory.

Also the selected item is removed from the
document
To paste/put the contents of the clipboard
memory on the active location of a
document

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Ctrl + X

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To find/ search

Ctrl + F

To create new document

Ctrl + N

To save the current document on the

secondary storage.
To open/load a document that is already
stored on the secondary storage.
To print the current document on paper by
using printer
To close the current document window

Ctrl + S

Find
New
Save
Open
Print

Ctrl + O
Ctrl + P
Ctrl + F4

Close
Select All

To close the current program window

To select all contents on the current
document
To cancel the last action on the document

Alt + F4
Ctrl + A

To get the action that is canceled by the

Undo command
To check spelling and grammar by using
specific dictionary

Ctrl + Y

Ctrl + Z

Undo
Redo
Spelling &
Grammar
Checking
Help

To see the help or instruction

F7

F1

Word processing Software

It is used to create a document such as letters, books, etc..
Eg: Ms Word 97/2000/2003/XP/2007, Word Perfect, PageFour
Function of Word Processing Software

Typing
Editing
o Move item to another location (Cut & Paste)
o Copy item to another location (Copy & Paste)
o Find & Replace
Formatting
o Font Format (Font, Style, size, color, underline,..)
o Paragraph Format(Alignment, line spacing, indents)
o Bullets and Numbering
Save & Open
Create Header and Footer
Page setup(paper size, margin, orientation)
Printing(Type of printer, no. of copies, pages to be printed)
Spelling & Grammar checking

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Table creation
Column creation
Drawing
Mail Merge

Spread Sheet Software

It displays multiple cells that together make up a grid consisting of rows and columns, each
cell containing either alphanumeric text or numeric values. Every cell has unique address
formed by column name and row name. A spreadsheet cell may alternatively contain a
formula or function that defines how the contents of that cell is to be calculated from the
contents of any other cell (or combination of cells) each time any cell is updated.
Spreadsheets are used for financial information because of their ability to re-calculate the
entire sheet automatically after a change to a single cell is made.
Eg: Ms Excel 97/2000/2003/XP/2007, Lotus123, Apple Numbers

Function of Spread Sheet Software

Typing
Editing
o Move item to another location (Cut & Paste)
o Copy item to another location (Copy & Paste)
o Find & Replace
Formatting
o Cell Formatting
Font
Alignment
Boarder
Number
o Row Formatting
o Column Formatting
Save & Open
Create Header and Footer
Page setup(paper size, margin, orientation)
Printing(Type of printer, no. of copies, pages to be printed)
Spelling & Grammar checking
Calculation by using Function/Formula
Chart Creation
Sorting
Filtering
Drawing

DBMS (Data Base Management System)Software

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A collection of programs that enables you to store, modify, and extract information from a
database.
Eg: Ms access, Ms SQL Server, Oracle Database, dBase, MySQL, IBM DB2
Activities of DBMS

Create Database (Store data)

Edit Database
Sort Data
Computation: - counting, summing, averaging, sorting, grouping, etc.
Query ability :-Querying is the process of requesting attribute information from
various perspectives and combinations of factors.Security
Backup data

How Create a Database

Consider Student Database
1. Classification of Data
o Student Personal Information (Name, sex, address,..)
o Student Subject
o Student Marks
o .....
2) Design Tables for every classified data

Table: Student Marks

Column/Field
Row/Record

How design a Table

1. Name all fields in a table(eg: StudentID, StudentName, Age,), and then specify the
field type for all fields.
2. Set Primary Key. It is a field or combination of more than one fields to identify a
record uniquely.( eg: Primary Key of StudentMarks table - StudentName + Subject)
3. Save the Table

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3) Define the Relation Ship between tables

4) Create Queries to get information .

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