CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER ONE OBJECTIVES

 Understand the concept of ICT
 Recognize the d/f between data & information
 Identify the sources of information
 Recognize characteristics of Information.
1.IntroductiontoInformationandCommunicationTechnology
Information and Communication Technology
Technology Refers to all the means people use their inventions and discoveries to satisfy their needs
and desires. Information communication technology is one of such technology which can be applied in
various spheres of economic and social activities of human beings. So, what is ICT?
Information communication technology is defined as any form of computer based system that aid the
capture, process, storage, and retrieval, and communication of information which may include data: like
text, numeric, graphs, still images, sounds and video images. In short, ICT is the convergence of
information processing and information transmission technologies.

1.1 Applications of ICT

It can be applied in various spheres of economic and social activities of human beings. ICT can be
applied in the areas like:
 Home, Factory, Transport, Communications, Education. Training, Health,
Business, Entertainment

Roles of ICT in Education

ICTs are used to expand or increase access to education, improve the relevance and quality of education.
How can the use of ICTs help improve the quality of education?
 Increasing access through distance learning.
 Enabling a knowledge network for students.
 Training teachers.
 Broadening the availability of quality education materials.
1.2 Concepts of Information
We collect and use information in one way or the other in our daily life. So,
What is information?
 Information is the action of telling or informing that of which one is told.
 Information is something one did not know before.
 Information is something that reduces uncertainty.
 Information is a clue-it is the starting point for everything. When we say information as a clue
that means it is an idea/fact that suggests a possible answer to the problem.

1.2.1. Data versus Information

Data is a collection of unorganized facts gathered about some entity, event or observation, which can
include words, numbers, images, and sounds that have little meaning individually.
For example, 50 is a value, which must be representing some fact. Which fact? It is currently unknown.

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When data are processed, organized, structured or presented in a given context so as to make them
useful, they are called Information.
Thus, Information is a collection of meaningful facts and figures that can be used as a base for
guidance and decision making. Any meaningful facts or figures to be called as information they have to
be useful and meaningful for an individual or group.
Differences between Data and Information
Data Information
It is a collection of raw facts and figures It is a collection of final results.
It is in an unorganized (raw) form It is in an organized form
It is not in directly useful form It is in directly useful form
It needs processing It does not need any processing
It is also termed as input It is also termed as output.
It requires observations and recordings It requires analysis

1.2.2 Sources of Information

Information can be obtained from different sources like: text books, reference books, newspaper, radio,
Television, peoples, etc. These various sources of information are classified into two major categories:
Documentary and non-documentary sources.
 Documentary sources are documented or recorded sources of information in different form text,
image/picture/graph, sound, and video.
 Examples of documentary sources of information include periodicals of some type, indexes,
bibliographies, text books, reference books, etc. research reports, library catalogue,
video and music recorded on CD/cassette, etc.
 Non-documentary sources are those that are not properly recorded or documented in the form of
text, image/picture/graph, sound, and video for public use. Non-documentary sources include
professional societies, industries, research organizations, universities, government
departments, colleagues, visitors, attendance to professional meetings, etc.

1.2.2. The value of information

The value of information is directly related to how it helps the user or decision maker to meet
individual, organizational or societal objectives. The value of information can be measured in terms of:
 The time it saves to make decision,
 The increase in profits it brings to the individual or the organization, and
 The decrease in costs it makes possible to the individual or the organization, etc,

1.2.3. Characteristics of Valuable Information

To be valuable to users, information should have the following characteristics:
 Accurate: Accurate information is free from error.
 Complete: Complete information contains all of the important facts and figures. Complete information
enables the user to make sound decision
 Economical: information is said to be economical if the profit gained from the gathered information
should exceeds its cost of collection. Information should be relatively inexpensive to produce.
 Flexible: Flexible information can be used for a variety of purposes, not just one.

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  Reliable: information must be collected from the right source; Reliable information is dependable
information.
 Relevant: Users of information have different needs. Information presented to the user or decision
maker should be related to and necessary to the problem at hand.
 Simple: Information should be simple to find and understand.
 Timeliness: information is timely if it is delivered when it is needed to the target destination
 Verifiable: Verifiable information can be checked to make sure it is accurate.
 Have you Understood the meaning & concept of ICT?
 Have you recognized the difference between data & information?
 Have you identify the sources of information?
 Have you Recognized characteristics of Information?

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER TWO OBJECTIVES

 Understandthemeaningcomputer
 Identifythepartsofcomputer
 Categorizethetypesofcomputer
2.ComputerBasics
2.1. Definition of computer
Computer is an electronic programmable device that is capable of getting or accepting data (raw facts)
and instructions as input, processing data (i.e. analyzing, manipulating, calculating, etc), storing
data/information and programs in storage devices (e.g. CD, flash disk, hard disk, etc) and producing
information and delivering it for the user as required.
Uses or Application areas of Computer
Nowadays human being uses computers starting from a simple household to space technology to
perform repetitive or routine tasks as well as tasks that require the highest security. They can be used:
 In organizations ,At home, Business Uses, Weather & environment, Transportation
 Medical &Health care, In Academic areas
2.3. Generation of Computers
Computers have come across a long way to acquire the current form and capability. It took around 50
Years of continuous developments to bring the computer in its present form. The evolution of computers is
mainly divided into five main generations. The computers of each of these generations have different
Recent research has focused on developing “thinking computers”. Fifth generation computers will have
the power to learn and apply knowledge to solve a problem. They would be able to work like humans do.
Comparison of Generations of Computers

Gener Period Circuitry Input Storage Output Language

ation
1st 1940–56 Vacuum Tubes Punched Cards Magnetic Punch Machine
tapes Cards Language

2nd 1956–64 Transistors Punched Cards, Magnetic Punch Machine,

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 Magnetic tapes tapes Cards Assembly

3rd 1964–71 Integrated Circuits Keyboards Magnetic Monitor Pascal,

(ICs) disks Fortran,
Cobol, RPG
4th 1971– Very Large Mouse, Magnetic Monitor, RDBMS
present Scale Integration Scanners, Disks with Printers
(VLSI) of circuits Sound, etc. Higher
capacity
5th Future With Artificial
Intelligence
2.4. Characteristics of a Computer
Computers are capable of performing highly complex tasks, which human beings cannot perform efficiently.
The following are the main characteristics of computers, which make them so powerful:
1. Speed
Computers work at an amazing speed without any mistakes. The work, which a normal person would
complete in a few hours can be done within fractions of a second by a computer. Speed of computers
is measured in terms of milliseconds (10–3 seconds), microseconds (10–6 seconds) or nanoseconds
(10–9 seconds).
2. Accuracy
A computer performs its task with great accuracy. It never commits mistakes in processing the data. It
produces errors when we enter inaccurate input, i.e., Garbage In Garbage Out (GIGO).
3. Reliability
Computers are more reliable than human beings as they do not get bored of the repetitive tasks and
never get tired.
4. Storage Capacity
A computer can store large amount of data. It can store various documents, articles, pictures, etc., in
its memory which can be used whenever required. On the other hand, a human being can keep only a
limited information in his/her mind and rest of the things, he/she forgets.
5. Versatility
A computer can perform various types of jobs. On a computer system, we can listen to songs while
typing text or play games while working on any other package, do calculations, make drawings, surf
the net, send e-mail, etc.
6. Diligence
Since computer is a machine it does not suffer from the human traits of tiredness and lack of
concentration. It maintains the same accuracy and fastness at any time, even after a long period of
continuous non-stop work.
7. Reduction in Manpower
Earlier, the work in industries/factories was done by a number of persons. But with computers, it can
be completed by a few persons and that too more accurately and efficiently.
8. Paper Work can be reduced
The use of computer reduces the burden of paper work in any organization. For example, record of
each student of a school can be kept in the computer itself rather than keeping manual files for each
student.

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 Limitations of a Computer
computers do have the following limitations that are the strengths of human beings. These are:
1. No Decision-making Ability
2. No Intelligence
3. No Emotions and Feelings
2.5. Introduction to Data Representation
A digital computer works with binary number system. The binary number system has only two digits
0 and 1. Inside the computer, binary number is represented by an electrical pulse. 1 means a pulse of
electricity and 0 means no pulse.
Data is divided into three types—alphabetic data, numeric data and alphanumeric data. Alphabetic
data is used to represent the alphabets. It consists of capital letters A–Z, small letters a–z and blank
space etc.
Computer Coding System
We are already familiar about different types of number systems. The computers convert the information,
numeric or non-numeric, into binary form. Therefore, one must know how the data/information is stored in
computer memory. Any data or information is represented internally using the bits 0 and 1.
A computer system’s data/information storage capacity is represented by bytes, kilobytes, Megabytes,
Gigabytes and Terabytes.
2.6. Classification of Computers
Computers can be classified into super computers, mainframe computers, minicomputers, and
microcomputers (personal computers) on the basis of the following:
1. Size-either large or small
2. Cost- either expensive or cheap
3. Performance
(i) Speed of processing data- either fast or slow
(ii) Storage capacity- either large capacity or small capacity
(iii) Ability to handle input and output devices- either single or many users can use it at a time.
Let us classify the types of computers used today:
1. Microcomputers: Microcomputers are also called Personal Computers (PCs). These computers use
microprocessors. They are small in size. Also, they do not have large storage capacities.
They can perform difficult tasks. These are smallest in size and capacity and are applicable for office,
home and personal use. These are the most widely used type of computers for personal, home and
office use, educational training in schools, and in small business enterprises.
The classification of PCs is as:
I. Desktops: The desktop computer’s primary parts rest separately on top of desk. These primary parts
are Keyboard, System unit and Monitor.
II. Portables: These PCs are so small that they can be placed on your lap. The difference between portables
and desktops is that portables can be carried while travelling unlike desktops. The portables are classified:
(i) Laptops: These are small-sized machines that have the same power of a desktop. The weight of a
laptop is around 7 to 12 kg. The system case, monitor, keyboard, and all internal workings are all in one
light, compact case.
(ii) Notebooks: These are smaller than a laptop and are designed to overcome the drawbacks of a
laptop. They have the size of a notebook but are as powerful as a desktop. They weigh 3 to 4 kg.

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 (iii) Palmtops or Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs): These are handheld computers which have the size of
a pocket calculator. They are not as powerful as a desktop. PDAs combine personal organization tools —
schedule planners, address books, to-do lists — with the ability in some cases to send e-mail.
2. Minicomputers: are larger in size and capacity than PCs. Minicomputers are small general-purpose
computers, also called midrange servers. These computers can perform more complex tasks and cost more
than microcomputers. They are popularly used in banks, universities and colleges.
3. Main frame computers: these types of computers process a vast amount of information and have
much higher processing speed and capacity than the above two. They can be used in higher
organizations like Ethiopian airlines designed for complex operations. The main frame is the
workhorse of the business world. A main frame is the heart of a network of computers or terminals
which allows hundreds of people to work at the same time on the same data. It requires a special
environment - cold and dry
4. Supercomputers: are the most powerful computers, fastest, and the most expensive type of computers.
An example can be computers in NASA & the Earth Simulator in Yokohama. The supercomputer is
the top of the heap in power and expense. These are used for jobs that take massive amounts of
calculating, like weather forecasting, engineering design and testing, serious decryption, economic
forecasting. There are only a few super computers throughout the world.
2.7 Computer systems
A computer is not a single machine, but it is composed of components that can be classified as
Computer hardware and Computer software.
Computer systems have two major components that can be classified as hardware and software.
Hardware is the equipment you use, part of computer you can touch and feel where as software is the
set of instructions, called programs, that tells the computer hardware what, when and how to do tasks.

2.7.1Computer Hardware
Computer hardware is the physical part of the computer that you can see and touch. It is composed of a
number of interacting physical parts based on the need of the information flow. Four basic elements of
the computer hardware are:
1) Input Devices 3) Output devices
2) Central Processing unit (CPU) 4) Memory /Storage Devices

2.7.1.1.Input Devices
A computer cannot use the data for processing unless it is translated in a language it understands. Input
devices convert information from a form suitable to human beings to one understandable by the
computer.
Input devices enable a computer user to enter data, commands, and programs into the computer and
interact with computer. Different input devices handle different types of information. Examples:
Keyboard, Mouse, microphone, scanners, Digital Camera, etc.
1. The Keyboard
One of the most common means of entering information into a microcomputer is through the keyboard.
Styles may vary, but the basic components are standard for most keyboards.
keyboard helps to input Text to the computer system.

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The standard keyboard has four groups of texts. The alphanumeric keys and the numeric keys enter
text and number into the computer. The function keys are used by programs as keyboard shortcuts to
commands. The cursor-movement keys allow you to move the cursor to various positions on the
screen. The cursor is the point on the screen that is active, and where the information you enter will
appear.
2. The Mouse
A mouse allows you to move the pointer or cursor that is on the screen and to select items by clicking
on them. So it is called pointing device.
3. Microphone:
A multimedia PC converts sounds and human voices to computer information. A PC captures sound
input through a microphone and gives the output through a speaker.
4. Scanner:
Scanners scan paper and photographic images and convert them to digital images. Photos scanned in
are processed by PC software to enhance image quality. You can input signatures, pictures, finger
prints to your PC. The scanner works like a copy machine. It captures a whole page and converts it to
digital image. The scanned text cannot be edited at this point. In short, scanner changes any hardcopy
in to softcopy medium convert into digital forms. So It can input image(picture) & text to the system.
5. Digital/Web Camera
Video cameras are used to capture images or continuous video streams for the PC. There are digital
and photographic Cameras attached to your PC to create image and video files. A digital camera takes
still photos but records the pictures on computer disks or memory chips. The information contained can
be uploaded to a computer for viewing. Web camera- attached to a computer and used for video
conferencing.

2.7.1.2.Central Processing Unit (CPU)

The most fundamental part of a motherboard is the microprocessor chip or the Central Processing Unit
(CPU) integrated circuit of semiconductor devices and other electronic components manufactured on a thin
sheet of semiconductor material.. The CPU is often referred to as the ‘‘brain’’ of the computer.

The CPU, or Central Processing Unit, is the main part of a computer in which all processing is carried
out. This is the part of the computer that does the "thinking" and also named as “the brain of computer.”
The CPU has two major functions:

 It co-ordinates and controls the computer’s activities. For example: retrieving/opening files
from disks, interpreting data and commands entered from input devices like keyboard, and
sending data to output devices like printer, etc.
 It performs arithmetic and logic operations using binary number system

CPU has three parts:

A. Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU): The ALU is designed to perform basic arithmetic and
logic operations.
1. The arithmetic operations include addition(+), subtraction (-), multiplication (*) and division (/).

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 2. The logic operations include AND, OR, and NOT functions, <, >, =, ≠, <=, >=. The ALU can
only do one thing at a time but can work very, very fast.
B. Control Unit (CU): The Control Unit is responsible for controlling the overall operation of the
computer system. Its main operation is to fetch, interpret, and control the execution of program
instructions stored in memory. In short, the control unit directs and co-ordinates all units of the
computer.
C. Registers: in order to retain intermediary results, the ALU requires a provision for storing
operand and instructions used for control unit. These storing devices with in CPU are called
registers. Registers have a very fast access time.

2.7.1.4. Storage Devices

Storage refers to the media and methods used to keep information available for later use. Some things
will be needed right away while other won't be needed for extended periods of time. A computer has
two types of storages; one that store data or instruction currently being processed (main memory) and
the other store data or software that retain with in computer for a long time (auxiliary storage).
A. Main Memory (Internal or primary memory)- includes RAM and ROM
Internally, temporary instructions or data can be stored in silicon Random Access Memory (RAM)
chips that are mounted directly on the computer's main circuit board (motherboard). RAM is used to
store-Instructions, Data awaiting processing, Data currently being processed & Processed data output

ROM (Read Only Memory)

 Unlike RAM it is non-volatile
 to store fixed start-up instructions
RAM (Random Access Memory )
is a volatile form of storage
its contents are temporary
RAM is said to be volatile—the contents are lost when the power goes off or is turned off
the stored data to be accessed in any order, that is, at random.
B. Auxiliary Storage Devices (External or Secondary Storage Devices)
When you create data on the computer or write (load) programs, you cannot save them permanently in
the computers main memory. Primarily, main memory (RAM) is not large enough to store all of the
programs and data that are used. In addition, main memory loses its data when the computer is turned
off. For these reasons, the computer has another form of memory for permanent storage. This memory
is known as auxiliary storage also called external or secondary storage.
Secondary storage devices consists use magnetic storage media in the form of floppy disks, hard disks,
flash disks or tapes and optical storage media like CD and DVD to store programs and data. Once data
is stored on these storage media, it can be reloaded back into the computer’s main memory without
having to re-keyboard it.
Magnetic storage devices:
Magnetic storage devices are coated with tiny magnetically sensitive particles which record binary
data. Common magnetic devices are floppy disks, hard disks, flash disks and magnetic tape. Each
of these storage media can be erased and reused.

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 i. Hard disk is a high storage capacity magnetic disk made up of metal which can be fixed in the
system unit of the computer. The amount of data that storage device can contain or store is called
storage capacity. Hard disk is not a single flexible disk, but a stack of metal disks sealed in a box.
Accessing data from hard disk is faster than accessing data from floppy disks. Hard disk has the
high storage capacity than any other storage devices it stores in GB or TB.
ii. Floppy disk A floppy disk drive is a storage device that stores data on removable 3.5-inch-diameter.
Each can store 1.44 MB or more data
iii. Flash disk is a type of data storage media integrated with a USB (universal serial bus) interface.
USB flash drives are typically removable and rewritable, much shorter than a floppy disk
USB flash drives offer potential advantages over other portable storage devices, particularly the
floppy disk. They are more compact, faster, hold much more data, have a more durable
design, and are more reliable for lack of moving parts.
Iv) Magnetic tape reads and writes data in the same way an audiocassette tape-records and plays
sound; with the exception that magnetic tape stores digital data (1s and 0s). Because a tape
physically allows only sequential access, data retrieval can be slow and tedious;
i. Optical Storage Devices
Compact Disk (CD)
The compact disk or CD is an optical storage medium. It is relatively cheap and has a storage capacity of up
to 700 Megabytes of data. There are three main types of CDs: CD-ROM, CD-R & CD-RW
CD-ROM (Compact Disk—Read Only Memory. CD-R (Compact Disk-Recordable (iii) CD-RW (Compact
Disk-Rewritable)
Digital Versatile Disk (DVD)
The digital versatile disk or digital video disk or DVD is an optical storage medium. It is a CD-style disk
but is able to hold about 15 times as much information and transfer it to the computer about 20 times as fast
as a CD-ROM. It has high capacity optical disk capable of storing 4.7 Gigabytes to 17 Gigabytes .There
are three main types of DVDs: Just like the CD; DVDs are DVD-ROM, DVD-R & DVD-RW

2.7.1.3. Output Devices

An output device is a peripheral device that enables a computer to communicate (send out) information
to the user. It receives information from a computer RAM and transforms it into human readable form
(that the user can understand).
In general, there are three types of output from a computer. These are:
1. Printed or hard copy output
A. Plotters: devices that produce hard copy graphical output for engineering design, weather map .
B. Printer: Printers are devices for producing permanent output on paper.
So both Printer and plotter convert softcopy to hardcopy.
2. Display output or soft copy output
A. Display screen or Monitor. They are two types
CRT (Cathode Ray) Monitor- monitor with cathode tube in it.
LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) Monitor-monitor with liquid flat screen.
B.LCD Projector-displays output from the computer system in a magnified way.

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 3. Voice output:
A. Headphones- to listen sounds from the device for single person
B. speakers- to listen sound form device for many users at a time.
Printed or hard copy output, Display output or soft copy output & Voice output

2.7.2.Computer Software
Software or a program is a complete set of instructions written by humans, which enables the computer
to obtain solution of a certain problem. Any program to be executed first it should reside / loaded/ in
the memory.Software is a collection of programs and routines that support the operations of performing
a task using a computer. Software also includes documentations, rules and operational procedures.
Software is often divided into two categories:
 System software:-includes the operating system and all utilities that enable the computer to
functions.
 Application software:-includes programs that do real task for users.
The important categories of system software are:
A. Operating system & B. Language software
A. Operating system-The operating system coordinates the interaction between the user and the
computer. The OS contains instructions that coordinate the overall activities of hardware device. It
also contains instructions that allow you to run application software. Example: Windows-Xp,
windows 7,windows 8, windows 10 etc.
B. Language Software
Used by programmers to develop application programs. Language software is a generic name
consisting of various programs that serve as compilers and translators to develop programs in a
number of different programming Languages.Example: C++, Visual Basic, COBOL, etc

2.2.2.1. Application Software

It is software that is designed to perform tasks for the specific purpose. Depending on their function or
task they are categorized in to the following:
Word Processors (Microsoft word), Spreadsheet(Microsoft Excel),Presentation(MS power point)
 Doyouunderstoodthemeaningcomputer?
 HaveyouIdentifiedthehardware&softwarepartsofcomputer?
 DoyouknowtheCategoriesofcomputer?
 HaveyouidentifiedthedifferentgenerationsofComputer?

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