Introduction and Hardware (ch1) PDF

DATA VS INFORMATION Data refers to raw, unprocessed facts, figures, or information collected from various sources. It can take many forms, such as numbers, text, images, or observations, and it has no meaning by itself. Information is processed, organized, or structured data that is meaningful and u...

DATA VS INFORMATION Data refers to raw, unprocessed facts, figures, or information collected from various sources. It can take many forms, such as numbers, text, images, or observations, and it has no meaning by itself. Information is processed, organized, or structured data that is meaningful and useful for decision-making. Unlike raw data, information has been interpreted, analyzed, or formatted in a way that provides context, making it valuable for understanding and taking action. DEFINING INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Information Technology (IT) is the use of computers, software, networks, and other electronic systems to capture manage, process, and store data. It involves both hardware and software solutions to support the operations, communication, and decision-making processes of individuals and organizations. IT plays a crucial role in automating tasks, ensuring data security, and enabling efficient information exchange. CORE COMPONENTS OF IT 1. Hardware Definition: Physical devices used in computing and networking. Examples:  Computers (Desktops, Laptops, Servers)  Storage Devices (Hard drives, SSDs, Cloud storage)  Networking Equipment (Routers, Switches, Modems)  Peripheral Devices (Printers, Scanners, Monitors) CORE COMPONENTS OF IT 2. Software Definition: Programs and applications that instruct hardware to perform tasks. Types:  System Software: Operating systems like Windows, macOS, Linux.  Application Software: Programs for specific tasks such as Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop, web browsers, and database management systems.  Utility Software: Security programs, antivirus, and disk management tools. CORE COMPONENTS OF IT 3. Networks Definition: Systems that connect multiple devices, allowing communication and data sharing. Types:  Local Area Networks (LAN): Used for connecting devices within a limited area like an office.  Wide Area Networks (WAN): Spans across larger geographic areas, like cities or even globally (e.g., the internet).  Wireless Networks: Wi-Fi and mobile data networks enabling connectivity without physical wires. CORE COMPONENTS OF IT Data Storage Definition: Methods and technologies used to store and manage data. Types:  Physical Storage: Hard drives, SSDs, USB drives.  Cloud Storage: Remote storage accessed over the internet, like Google Drive or Dropbox.  Databases: Structured systems like SQL databases for organized data storage and retrieval. 5. Security Definition: Measures and technologies to protect information systems from unauthorized access, damage, or theft. CORE COMPONENTS OF IT 5. Security Definition: Measures and technologies to protect information systems from unauthorized access, damage, or theft. Examples:  Firewalls: Systems that monitor and control incoming and outgoing network traffic.  Encryption: Encoding data to prevent unauthorized access.  Antivirus Software: Programs that detect and remove malware.  Cybersecurity Protocols: Best practices and tools to ensure the integrity and confidentiality of data. IMPORTANCE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IT drives innovation across industries. Enables fast, reliable communication. Automates and optimizes business processes. Provides a foundation for data management and security. Examples: Digital transformation in healthcare, education, finance, and more. IT INFRASTRUCTURE Definition: The physical and virtual components that support IT operations, including hardware, software, networks, and data centers. Key Components: Data centers and servers. Cloud computing platforms. Network connectivity (LAN/WAN). Backup and disaster recovery systems. APPLICATIONS OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Business: IT enables digital marketing, e-commerce, and customer relationship management. Education: Online learning platforms, e-books, and virtual classrooms. Healthcare: Electronic health records (EHR), telemedicine, and healthcare information systems. Finance: Online banking, mobile payments, and financial analytics.  COMPUTER HARDWARE Computer Hardware is the physical components that a computer system requires to function.  FORM FACTORS System units come in lots of different Form Factors INSIDE THE SYSTEM UNIT INSIDE A LAPTOP POWER SUPPLY UNIT Converts AC voltage to DC voltage for use within the computer MOTHERBOARD The main circuit board to which all components are connected, allowing them to communicate with each other  CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT (CPU) The ‘brain’ of a computer. Processes data in a computer using its instruction set Performance measured in instructions per second Clock speed (measured in Hertz [Hz]) measures the speed at which electrical signals pass through the processor. CPU clock speed is the number of cycles a CPU performs per second. Clock speed is measured in gigahertz (GHz). A higher clock speed indicates a faster CPU CPUs must be kept cool, generally using a heatsink and fan  PRIMARY MEMORY Used to store data for quick access by CPU Main form of primary memory is Random Access Memory (RAM) RAM is volatile memory More RAM improves a computer’s speed by providing more quick access memory Capacity is measured in bytes, clock speed measured in Hz Many types of RAM; common type is DDR3 SDRAM (Double Data Rate 3 Synchronous Dynamic Random-Access Memory  SECONDARY MEMORY Used to store files for repeated access over time Also known as non-volatile storage; the storage medium retains its contents without needing a supply of electricity Many forms of secondary storage:  Hard disk drive (HDD)  Solid state drive (SSD)  USB drives, external HDDs  HARD DISK DRIVE (HDD) Stores data on spinning magnetic disks. Data is read and written by moving heads Advantages:  Cheap storage medium  Widely used and supported  Can have very large capacity drives  Long operating life Disadvantages:  Noisy operation  Can consume more power than SSDs  Needs to be handled carefully  SOLID STATE DRIVE (SSD) Stores data on flash memory, the same technology used by USB drives Advantages:  Silent operation  Higher read/write speeds when compared to HDDs  Low power usage  More durable  Use less space Disadvantages:  Costlier than HDDs  Can wear out faster than HDDs MEMORY HIERARCHY MEMORY CAPACITY Memory Capacity Conversion Chart Term (Abbreviation) Approximate Size Byte (B) 8 bits Kilobyte (KB) 1024 bytes / bytes Megabyte (MB) 1024 KB/ bytes Gigabyte (GB) 1024 MB/ bytes Terabyte (TB) 1024 GB/ bytes Petabyte (PB) 1024 TB/ bytes Exabyte (EB) 1024 PB/ bytes Zettabyte (ZB) 1024 EB/ bytes Yottabyte (YB) 1024 ZB/ bytes  EXPANSION CARDS Additional circuit board that provides extra functionality ‫وظائف‬ Examples: sound card, graphics card, network card Plugged into motherboard using slots that follow certain standards:  ISA International Society of Automation  PCI-E ‫ منفذ الملحقات اإلضافية السريع‬Peripheral Component Interconnect Express  AGP ‫ منفذ الرسوميات الُمسَّر ع‬Accelerated Graphics Port GRAPHICS CARD Used to perform graphics processing and run the computer’s monitors Consists of:  GPU (either part of CPU or separate graphics card) (GPU Graphic Processing Unit)  Video memory  Heatsink and fan  Ports  INPUT DEVICES Peripherals that allow the computer to receive input from the outside world, mainly from the user Common input devices:  Keyboard  Mouse  Webcam Other input devices:  Voice recognition  Biometric ‫ البصمة‬scanners  RFID tags (Radio Frequency Identifier) OUTPUT DEVICES Peripherals that present information processed by the computer to the user Output devices include:  Computer monitor  Printer  Speakers  Touchscreens New forms of output include:  Virtual reality  CONNECTORS AND BUSES All peripherals are connected to the motherboardThunderbolt via and USB-C cables and ports are no the same, but they look almost identical and ports perform nearly the same functions. On most devices, the cables and ports are compatible s you can connect either cable to either port. Bu Ports form part of a Bus Thunderbolt connectors transfer data much faster than USB-C Wired connections:  USB (Universal Serial Bus)  Thunderbolt high speed connector  Ethernet  VGA, DVI and HDMI for monitors Wireless connections:  Wi-Fi  Bluetooth  COMPUTER SPECS How much primary memory does this computer have? How many cores does the processor have? Does this computer have a motherboard? What kind of graphics card does this computer have?  COMPUTER SPECS How much primary memory does this computer have?  32GB of DDR4 RAM How many cores does the processor have?  Quad = 4 cores Does this computer have a motherboard?  Yes, all computers have a motherboard which connects everything together What kind of graphics card does this computer have?  Discrete NVIDIA graphics card