Computer Systems and ICTs Quiz

Introduction to IT and the Information Age

• Lecture series on computers and their role in society
• Presented by Prof. Dr. Yehia EL Mashad in September 2024

Lecture Objectives

• Introduction to Information Technology (IT)
• IT usages and applications
• Computer architecture
• Computer networks
• Internet
• Ethical computing, security, and privacy
• Flowcharts and computer programming
• Databases
• Artificial intelligence

The Information Society

• A significant shift in society, culture, and the economy driven by information technology
• Characterized by a large volume of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs)
• Facilitates easier and more effective communication among individuals
• Makes information accessible to everyone

Computer Components

• Input Devices: Keyboard, mouse, scanners
• Output Devices: Monitor, printer, speakers
• Central Processing Unit (CPU): The "brain" of the computer; executes instructions
• Memory (RAM): Temporary storage for data and programs
• Secondary Storage: Long term storage of data (e.g. hard disk, SSD, CDs/DVDs)
• Data Buses: Connects different parts of a computer to transfer data

Main Characteristics of Computers

• Speed (GHz): Measured in Gigahertz, indicating processing speed
• Reliability: The ability of a computer to perform its intended functions without failures
• Capacity (GB): Measured in Gigabytes, indicating data storage capacity

Information System Pillars

• Hardware: Physical components (wires, transistors, circuits)
• Software: Instructions and data that tell hardware what to do
• People: Users involved in managing and using the system

Computer Applications

• Healthcare, Communication, Education, Employment, National Security, Governance, Entertainment(3-D viewing), Finance, Transportation(GPS, autonomous driving), Virtual & Augmented Reality

Computer Definition

• A programmed machine accepting input (data), processing it into output (information) and storing it for later use (secondary storage).

Parts of a CPU

• Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU): Performs arithmetic and logic operations
• Registers: Small, high-speed storage locations
• Instruction Fetcher: Retrieves instructions from memory
• Instruction Decoder: Decodes instructions for the CPU
• Cache: A high-speed memory used to store frequently accessed data
• Bus: Connects components of the computer

Types of Storage

• Primary Storage (Memory): Temporary storage for actively used data and programs.
• Secondary Storage: Long-term (persistent) storage for data and programs

Memory (Primary Storage)

• Temporary storage
• Holds input data being processed
• Holds results of processing
• Contains computer control programs

Secondary Storage

• Long-term storage
• Non-volatile data storage

Types of Secondary Storage

• Magnetic disks (hard disks)
• Optical disks (CDs, DVDs)
• Magnetic tape drives

Input Devices

• Convert data or commands to electronic form
• Keyboard, mouse, scanners, pointing devices, etc.

Output Devices

• Convert electronic data into a usable form
• Displays (monitors)
• Printers

Networks

• A system using communication devices to connect computers and their resources.
• Types:
• LAN (Local Area Network): Connects computers in close proximity
• MAN (Metropolitan Area Network): Connects computers in a city or metropolitan area
• WAN (Wide Area Network): Connects computers over large distances

The Internet

• A collection of interconnected networks
• No single owner or centralized service provider
• No centralized directory of available information

How to Connect to the Internet

• Users connect to a server (using TCP/IP)
• Access purchased via an Internet Service Provider (ISP)

Internet Services

• WWW (World Wide Web)
• FTP (File Transfer Protocol)
• Email
• UseNet
• IRC (Internet Relay Chat)
• Bulletin Boards

World Wide Web (WWW)

• A system of interconnected hypertext documents
• User interacts with web pages using web browsers

Classifications of Computers

• Based on: Size, Speed, Cost, Portability, Number of users supported, Available software, Typical use

Computer Generations

• Different stages of computer developments and technological advancements

Fifth Generation of Computers

• Using artificial intelligence, parallel processing, natural language processing, quantum computing

Price/Performance Pyramid

• Categorizes computers based on computational power and price range

Types of Computers

• Personal Computers (PC): Single user, based on microprocessors
• Workstations: Powerful single-user systems with higher quality monitors
• Minicomputers: Multi-user computers supporting 10 to hundreds of users
• Mainframes: Powerful multi-user systems supporting hundreds or thousands of users
• Supercomputers: Extremely fast computers performing millions of instructions per second

Top Ten Innovations

• List of recent innovations in computing and technology
• Examples of applications of new technologies

Special Topics / Recent Developments

• Drones, 3D Printing, Voice Recognition, Flying Cars, Lab-grown food, Virtual Reality, Wearable Technology, High-Definition Displays, Helium-Filled Hard Drives, Argus Retinal Prosthesis

Additional Data (Internet Trends)

• Data from 2013-2023 regarding trends of:
  • Internet Daily Time Usage by different devices
  • Social Media Users Growth in numbers and trends