Basics of Information Technology

Notes and terminologies you need to know about Information Technology.

IT or information technology refers to the development, maintenance, and use of computer software, systems, and networks. It includes their use for the processing and distribution of data. Information technology is a contemporary term that describes the combination of computer technology (hardware and software) with telecommunications technology (data, image, and voice networks)

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

• Using computer and computer systems to manage all this information is called information technology.

• The oxford dictionary states that IT is the study or use of computer systems for storing, retrieving or sending information.

• It’s no secret that computers are at the very heart of the IT framework.

COMPUTERS TODAY

• They are used to create, store, retrieve and transmit data or information across large distances, thus they have become indispensable to our 21st century lives.

• We built computers to expand our brains.

• Modern times meant complex problems with complex solution, thus we needed help. (modern problems needs modern solutions)

BUT WHAT ARE THE JOBS OF A COMPUTER?

• computer gave us a way to store, retrieve and process data. These Computers also process data and carry out complex computations within a few seconds.

• A computer is an electronic device that can retrieve information and perform actions on the basis of rules and provide an output

• It also accepts data, makes change to it based on certain conditions, and displays the result.

TYPES OF COMPUTERS

Workstation

are similar to PC. They are machines for individual use but usually at workplaces. May have shared resources like memory or processor.

Minicomputer

it is larger than personal computer with high processing power. Support and process work from around 250 users simultaneously. Used as shared resource in a small network

Mainframe Computer

it is a large expensive computer that manages thousands of users simultaneously. It is used for bulk operations like data capture and to support large applications.

Supercomputer

are the fastest computers available today, very expensive and is used for large applications that require immense amount of calculations.

WHAT’S INSIDE MY COMPUTER?

INPUT DEVICES

• a computer in the same way will listen to its user by accepting an instruction, this is called providing input.

• Input can be given to a computers in a variety of ways. With the help of these devices we can give instructions to the computers called input devices

OUTPUT DEVICES

• The computer will give its reply or output using also the devices called output devices.

PROCESSING

• Between the input and output is the crucial steps of Processing.

• Processing takes place in the Central Processing Unit or CPU. It uses instructions by the user along with the stored instructions. Cpu and memory units make up the processing stage

CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT (CPU)

• is the main component of the computer that performs calculations, actions and runs programs and is the brain of the computer.

• CPU consist of the Control Unit (CU), The arithmetical and Logical Unit (ALU).

ARITHMETICAL AND LOGICAL UNIT

• performs all the calculations and logical operation of computer, manipulating no. in a structured and purposeful way. Since everything is expressed in no. The arithmetic and logical unit becomes crucial

CONTROL UNIT

• controls the operation of the processor, constantly communicates with ALU, memory and input/ output devices telling them what to do. CU reads and interprets instructions. It controls informational flow from various devices and regulates the timing of the processor’s working. It handles multiple tasks of fletching, decoding, executing and storing results and it is indispensable to working a computer.

STORAGE AND MEMORY

TWO KINDS OF MEMORY:

• Primary Memory

• Secondary memory

THE SECONDARY STORAGE

- is where the computers data and instructions are stored. It is the permanent memory containing data and programs. It is rewritable.

ROM (READ ONLY MEMORY)

- essential instructions for startup of the computer and vital functions are stored. It is not rewritable.

RAM (RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY)

- From rom and storage, everything requires for immediate use is copied and stored in the memory section. This memory is temporary and is called RAM(random access memory)

STORAGE

The computer has a section called Storage to store data, programs and files. When this information is searched for and pulled from the permanent storage, it is replicated inside the temporary storage called the RAM. From here each sequential instructions is loaded to the CU which then executes it.

ROM

• is also a section of memory, which it is a permanent memory containing vital instructions. These too are loaded into the temporary memory for execution. There are Different types of ROM.

REGISTER

• is another type of small memory in the computer.

The CPU as a whole contains multiple registers in order to:

Fetch: fetch data from one component to another, like memory to CU.

Decode: Interpret instruction

Execute: executing register usually help in storing and transferring the results of operations by the CPU.

SUMMARY OF STORAGE:

• Secondary storage consisting of programs, data and files usually in a form of a disk drive

• Primary storage or volatile storage including RAM and registers.

• ROM made up of permanent vital instructions that need to be used from time to time.

COMPUTERS ARE PROGRAMMABLE

COMPUTER PROGRAM

• is the list of instructions for the computer to perform. Where softwareis the programs used by the computer and hardware is the tangible components of a computer.

PROGRAMMING LANGUAGE

• are instructions that are written to the computer in a language that is partly English and partly contains connotations understandable by a machine.

COMPILING & COMPILER

• A translation stage called Compiling is needed for it cannot be directly understand by the computer and it is done by a program called Compiler.

PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES ALSO EVOLVED

• just like computers, it also has generations which indicate the increasing power of programming styles.

DATA CREATION

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

- Could be interpreted as the development of technology, in order to create, store, share and access information.

4VS OF BIG DATA

1. VOLUME: SCALE OF DATA

• means the large quantity of data, that is continuously being generated by all the devices that are connected to the network.

2. VARIETY: DIFFERENT FORMS OF DATA

• refers to the different forms and formats of data

3. VELOCITY: ANALYSIS OF STREAMING DATA

• is how quickly and seamlessly the data can be analyzed and attached to a use case, all in real time.

4. VERACITY: UNCERTAINTY OF DATA

• veracity or quality of the data collected.

APPLICATIONS OF BIG DATA

• It can be used for applications like Netflix, Facebook etc.

BIG DATA IS DAUNTING

• it is clearly something that companies must sink their teeth into.

CHALLENGES OF BIG DATA:

STORAGE:

• since the quantity of data is large, huge servers are required to store it.

VARIOUS SOURCES:

• -data is collected in various formats needs to be unified for a comparative analysis.

TRANSFER SPEED:

• transfer speed needs to be ramped up. If it isn’t, the system will remain slow and ineffective.

HADOOP

• Is the Solution to these challenges.

• This is a framework that allows parallel storage and analysis.

STEPS BEFORE WRITING A PROGRAM

1. Identify the problem: what is the task has to be executed?

2. Identify the user: What is the profile of the person who will use this program.

3. Identify target machine: Which computer will it run on.

4. identify which language is it best to employ