grade-10-information-and-communication-technology-ict-text-book-6200ea448c856_removed (1)_removed.pdf

Marks that were tabulated can be subjected to calculation. Name Language Maths Science History Health English Total Average Rank Ravi 78 90 79 67 76 78 468 78 2 Saman 76 78 67 80 79 7...

Marks that were tabulated can be subjected to calculation. Name Language Maths Science History Health English Total Average Rank Ravi 78 90 79 67 76 78 468 78 2 Saman 76 78 67 80 79 76 456 76 3 Rizwan 87 70 80 75 80 80 472 78.66 1 In this table, name and subjects such as language, maths are data and total, average and rank are information. You can see that the teacher is able to get the required information using this table (i.e. the total score of each student, their average scores, individual skill of each student, the rank etc). The information gathered in this manner is useful for the teacher to take important decisions. Example 2 To identify the difference between data and information, let us consider the following Figures; When we take each image separately, it does not convey a meaning. But when properly arranged as on the right hand side, one can understand that these are the members of one family. Figure 1.2 - A family Figure 1.1 - Human figures 2 For free distribution Example 3 Analyzing NIC number Take a look at the numbers in a National Identity Card. At once it looks as if it is just a number. But when you analyze it, you can obtain some meaningful information. When the NIC number is given one could find the person's age and gender. National Identity Card Processing Date of birth/ Number Gender The year of birth by first two 7 4 2 771237V numbers Number 0-4 denotes that the person is a male Number 5-9 denotes that the person is a female Activity Provide five other examples for data and information. 1.2 Information System Once, man used to process data using a pen, pencil or other devices. But today the computer has become man’s data processor. A system is a combination of components that work together to fulfil a task. Submitting data for processing is called “Input” and the result we get after processing is called “Output.” We can call the collection of all these components above a “Information System.” Storing data is an important task in information system. In some occasions, both input and stored data are used to obtain information. Hence the purpose of a system is to receive data, process and store them and provide the results when required. According to the figure 1.3 a computer processes the data that we input, according to the commands and provide us with the required information in the desired form. Therefore, we call the computer an ‘ Information System’. For free distribution 3  Figure 1.3 - Function of an Information System We use many such systems in our day today activities. Let us consider some of the examples: Example 1 - ATM Automatic Teller Machine When the bank ATM card is inserted to ATM machine, data is processed and information regarding the account is given. Account Balance ATM card and key board Bank computer system දත්ත Data සකස් කිරීම Processing Information Output Figure 1.4 - Automatic Teller Machine in banks Example 2 - Finger print reader to record the attendance of an organization ² Time of arrival ² Time of departure Information Output දත්ත Data සකස් කිරීම Processing Figure 1.5 - Finger Print Reader 4 For free distribution  Example 3 - QR Code used to find information After scanning the QR code by a smart phone and connecting to the internet, further information can be obtained from the website of the relevant item. QR code is used in newspapers, magazines and selling items. Data Processing Information Figure 1.6 - Obtaining information by QR code Example 4 - Processing business information Monthly income conducting Purchases, of branch offices promotion Sales, comparative to programmes to 100,000 previous year low income areas Year, Income, 2013, 2014, Profit, 2000, 50.000 Number, Expenses, Loss Processing Information Decision Making Data Figure 1.7 - Processing business information - For free distribution 5  Activity Observe Images 1 and 2 below: (A) (B) This is an image you could see on the items we buy at the market. This is called This image is seen at the back Barcode. This barcode is scanned at the page of some books you buy. This cashier by a Barcode Reader. Observe how is called ISBN Code. the bar code is used in different occasions. Image 1 Image 2 Meet the librarian and find out what information you can obtain by taking ISBN number as the input. A computer or computerized equipment is used to process the data and we make decisions based on the information we get as output. We understand that we can get information by processing data and this information can be used to arrive at decisions. However, not all information is suitable for making decisions. Information obtained should be of good quality. There are many characteristics of quality information. A few of them are given below: Quality of information Example a) Relevancy It is not needed to submit all the academic information from Grade 1 onwards, when the requirement is to submit only the highest educational qualification. b) Completeness Taking information from only a small group of people in order to arrive at the PCI (Per Capita Income) of a country is not sufficient. Incomplete information could lead to drawing wrong conclusions. c) Accuracy If a doctor gets wrong information about the patient’s health, it could be harmful to the patient. d) Timeliness The information must always be updated. Today’s weather report may not be suitable to decide on tomorrow's weather. e) Cost Effectiveness If an organization spends money more than the profits to collect some information in order to increase profits, it would be a business loss to the organization. 6 For free distribution  Activity Write another example each for the above (a) - (e). 1.3 Information and Communication Technology We learnt that we can get information by processing data and that information can be used to make decisions and arrive at conclusions. When we exchange the information among different people or among different systems, it is called communication of information. Man has been processing and exchanging information since ancient times. But he had to face many difficulties and obstacles in data communication. But today it has become an easy task with the advancement of technology. Today, technology is used in various ways to convert data into information and then to exchange them. This is called Information and Communication Technology (ICT). 1.4 Applications of Information and Communication Technology Today, you could hardly come across any person or a place that does not use information and communication technology in day to day activities. Some examples are illustrated below: Industries Businesses e-Government Education Entertainment Health Transport Agriculture Figure 1.8 - Applications of Information and Communication Technology For free distribution 7 1.4.1 e - Government When a government communicates with its citizens, companies, Government and Non-Government Organizations and with other Governments (of different countries) using ICT, it is called e-Government. There are numerous web sites such as official web portal of the government of Sri Lanka, Government Information Center, ICTA (Information Communication Technology Agency) etc for e-Government activities. The difficulties in communicating with the Government and obtaining Government information have been overcome by these. E-Government Services (http://www.gov.lk/) Figure 1.9 - e-Government Services 8 For free distribution  Activity 1. Visit the Government web sites such as the official web portal of Government of Sri Lanka, Government Information Center, ICTA (Information Communication Technology Agency) etc. Make a list of five valuable information and the services you could obtain yourself of as a citizen of Sri Lanka. 2. Make a list of e-government services that are provided by other countries mentioned below. Eg - Malaysia, Singapore, England 1.4.2 Applications in the field of education Years ago Today Days are gone when we were stuck among piles of books in order to collect the required information. Today you have the luxury to see and gain knowledge about the entire world at your own convenience, due to all the advancements of ICT. There are many ways as to how ICT helps you in your education. Let us look at some of them: Figure 1.10 - ICT in Education For free distribution 9 a) In the classroom There are many ways the computer and the internet are used for education in the classroom: ² For presentations ² Videos on experiments ² Creation of images and video ² Desktop publishing of magazines, letters and documents ² Educational games (Edutainment) ² Learning using the CD-ROM media Figure 1.11 - Computer ² Gathering educational information on the in the Classroom internet b) Education - any where anytime If you have a computer with internet connection, you can study while at home or any other convenient place. For this, you can use the following educational websites to do self study and improve your knowledge within your pace. ² www.schoolnet.lk ² www.nenasala.lk ² www.e-thaksalawa.moe.gov.lk ² www.vidumanpetha.com You can contact with a teacher/trainer via internet. This is called WBT (Web based Training). While you can do further studies using WBT, it helps in minimizing the difficulties of travelling Figure 1.12 - Education and related expenses also. At the same time, it Anywhere any time helps save time and money. Activity Visit the Websites mentioned above and list the areas which you can use to support your knowledge. List three advantages compared to traditional teaching methods in studying Science, Mathematics and ICT by visiting G.C.E. (O/L) section on BBC Bitsize (www.bbc.co.lk/ education). 10 For free distribution c) Serves as a teaching aid for the teacher ICT can be used mostly as a teaching aid in schools. ² Using pictures, animations and audio-visuals to explain subjects that are difficult to explain. ² To make the lessons interesting using electronic presentations. ² To organize lessons using the computer. ² To obtain information relevant to the subjects. Figure 1.13 - ICT as a teaching aid d) Learning Management System (LMS) In many countries it has become a common practice to use a Learning Management System to manage school system and higher education system. We need an internet connection to link with the LMS. A person has to register himself/ herself on the official website to access LMS of a school or any other educational institution. According to the picture 1.14, teachers and students can get many services from LMS. Figure 1.14 - Learning Management System For free distribution 11 Some services provided by Learning Management System. For a Student For school Management The ability to use the learning units at The ability to add quality learning anytime and anywhere at school, at home materials or any other convenient place. The ability to upload the assignments Supervision of activities and publishing completed at home of results The ability to submit queries, getting The ability to maintain updated replies and submitting comments information of the students, teachers through Forums and school Ability to participate in the Submitting questions, getting replies co-curricular activities via video. and providing comments through Forums The parents can monitor the progress of Sending and receiving necessary their children from home. information by e-mail to parents, school development committees and other school officials. e) Higher education for everyone With the development of ICT, today a person from any country can connect with a university or any other learning center of his choice and pursue higher education at a considerably low cost. This is called Online Distance Learning. Figure 1.15 - Features of Distance Learning: Distance Learning Within a flexible time frame, provide the facility to learn Digital library facility on joining a course. Online assignments and quizes. Contact with a teacher online. Easy to obtain teacher consultations. 12 For free distribution  1.4.3 ICT in Health Sector Many of the difficult processes in the medical field have become efficient with through the use of modern equipment. There are surgical Devices and Devices used to devices with cameras appliances which are analyse store and print which can record the used in the practical medical records. surgical procedures training of doctors while surgery is and nurses. carried out. Figure 1.16 - Modern Health Equipment There are plenty of areas where ICT is used in the health sector for our well- being. Let us consider some of them. 1' Use of ICT in diagnosis Today, there are numerous high tech machines which help us in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Diseases can be diagnosed at the early stages and the patients can be given treatment accordingly. Some examples of these machines are: Example 1 - CAT - Computerized Axial Tomography Machine Using this machine three dimensional (3D) images of different parts of the body can be made. These images are helpful in the diagnosis of diseases. Figure 1.17 - CAT Machine Figure 1.18 - 3D Image For free distribution 13 Example 2 - MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging Machine) This machine can create digitalized images of internal organs of the body by using strong magnetic fields and radio waves. These images are very helpful in the detection and deciding on Figure 1.19 - MRI Machine Figure 1.20 - Detailed Images treatment of diseases. Example 3 - ECG - Electrocardiogram Machine This machine is used to monitor the heart beat. When the heart pumps blood to different parts of the body some electrical impulses are produced. This machine records the electrical Figure 1.21 - ECG Machine Figure 1.22 - ECG Graph impulses. Example 4 - Cardiac Screening Machine This machine displays the physiology of the heart and it displays the movements inside the heart. Through this machine it is possible to diagnose problems of the heart such as thinning Figure 1.23 - Cardiac Figure 1.24 - Cardiac of vains and then Screening Machine Screening Display recommend treatment. 14 For free distribution Example 5 - EEG (Electro-encephalography) This machine is used to record the activities of the brain. The small electrical probes attached to the head receive the electrical impulses of the brain and display them on a computer screen. This device can retrieve the data in both states where a patient is awake or asleep. Figure 1.25 - EEG Machine Figure 1.26 - EEG Display Example 6 - Blood Sugar Testing Machine This device would analyze a sample of blood and determine the blood glucose level. Figure 1.27 - Blood Test Example 7 - Blood Pressure Measuring Machine This device which is worn as wrist band can measure the blood pressure of a person at rest and when he/she is involved in some physical activity. Figure 1.28 - Measuring Blood Pressure For free distribution 15 2' Telemedicine Patient Emergency Examination Telemedicine ICU (Intensive Care Unit) Patient’s Home Ambulance Remote Village Tele Training ork Hospital Communication netw Remote clinical treatment Hospital Information System Tele Surgery Airplane/Cruise ship Head Quarters (Hospital's Specialists Center) Figure 1.29 - Telemedicine The use of Information Communication Technology to examine and or provide healthcare to a patient who is far away from the hospital is called Telemedicine. This is made possible by remotely connecting the patient with hospital’s specialist unit or specialist doctors. Telemedicine has several advantages such as: Example 1 - Emergency Telemedicine Emergency telemedicine is the process of providing emergency care by a trained person in consultation with a specialist in a hospital via telecommunication network and treating him when a patient (who lives in a remote village or flying in a plane or cruising in a ship) can not reach a hospital. Figure 1'30 - Telemedicine 16 For free distribution Example 2 - Home health medicine Keeping the patient at home and monitoring his/her condition using networked home monitoring system. The home monitoring of the health condition helps to decide when to transfer the patient to hospital. Figure 1.31 - Home Health Medicine Example 3 - Telemedicine Consultation Seeking medical consultation of a specialist at the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) when he/she is not physically available in hospital. Figure 1.32 - Medical Consultation Example 4 - Telesurgery (Remote Surgery) Remote surgery is the ability of a doctor to perform surgery on a patient in consultation with a specialist (who is not physically present at the same location but in a far away town or abroad) by the use of Telecommunication Technologies. Figure 1.33 - Telesurgery Example 5 - Medical Teletraining Specialists’ consultation and training can be used to obtain the services of a medical professional at a remote place by the use of telecommunication technologies. In training hospital staff, specialist consultation and training from a resource person in a foreign country or Figure 1.34 - Medical Teletraining town can be attended, using telecommunication technologies in a nearby training centre. For free distribution 17  1.4.4 ICT in Agricultural Industry ICT has created a new revolution in the field of agriculture. Today ICT is extensively used in agriculture, animal husbandry and fisheries industries. ICT for farming: A range of automatic machines are available today to ease the work of the farmer who worked hard in the field. These machines not only ease the work of a farmer but also enables him to produce high quality yields. Below are some of the machines used for agriculture in developed as well as developing countries. Example 1 - Meteorological Devices These devices are helpful in assessing the weather, climatic changes, rainfall, wind direction etc. Such data are useful in deciding on the crop cultivation and harvesting times. Figure 1.35 - Meteorological Devices Example 2 - Automated Insect Control Devices With the help of this device we can minimize the harmful effects caused by insects. It displays on screen the direction and the density of insect population, its growth and movement. Figure 1.36 - Automated Insect Control Devices 18 For free distribution Example 3 - Field conditions measuring devices These devices help in measuring various parameters such as fertility and humidity levels of soil which aid in the determination of cultivation activities. Figure 1.37 - Field conditions measuring devices Example 4 - Drip irrigation These devices control the supply of water as per the data fed. Wastage of water and destruction of crops due to lack of water supply are minimized by the use of these devices. Figure 1.38 - Automated Water Supply Systems Example 5 - Automatic Weed remover This machine runs through the field and removes the weeds as per instructions provided by identifying crops and weeds separately. Figure 1.39 - Automatic Weed Remover Example 6 - Seedlings planter using Robotics These robotic machines are used in large fields to carry seedlings across the field and to plant them in an orderly manner. Figure 1.40 - Seedlings planter using Robotics For free distribution 19 Example 7 - Crop harvesting using Robots Robotic machines are used to monitor plant growth levels, record them and harvesting in large scale farm lands. These machines help us overcome difficulties in managing large farm lands. Figure 1.41 - Crop harvesting using Robots Example 8 - Greenhouse The Greenhouse is the best solution to protect crops from natural disasters (too much sun shine, rain, heat, cold, pests, epidemics etc). ICT is used to control light, moisture and air inside the greenhouse. Hence, farmers are able to make high quality products Figure 1.42 - Greenhouses of rare crops to the market. 1.4.5 ICT in management of farmhouse Example 1 - RFID – Radio Frequency Identification Device The RFID help in identifying and counting the number of animals and also in locating the animals in a large area. Figure 1.43 - Radio Frequency Identification Device Example 2 - Automated milking and examination of cows This automated machine is helpful in monitoring the health status of the cows, milking and the quality of milk. Figure 1.44 - Automated milking and examination of cows 20 For free distribution Example 3 - For Security (Closed Circuit TV CCTV) CCTV is employed to protect farm from the animals and thieves. When the cameras are connected by Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) the farm can be monitored far away from the farm. Figure 1.45 - Closed circuit TV Example 4 - Farm Management Today’s farmer uses various computer applications in portable computers such as laptops, tabs, smart phones to keep track of information on his farm; to calculate profits and losses, to save employees salary details etc. Using this portable device which has internet connectivity, he is capable of monitoring the market rates, get updated on latest business information and exchange information. 1.4.6 In Fishing Industry Figure 1.46 - Computer in Managing the Farm Sensors are placed in different parts of the sea. These sensors convey information on fish concentration in the sea to the computers in fishing trawlers via internet. Figure 1.47 - Sensors under Figure 1.48 - Transfer of sea information 1.4.7 ICT in Manufacturing Industry and Business ICT is used in manufacturing high quality products and reduce the cost of production by minimizing the use of human labour in many industries and businesses. Since high quality products are manufactured at low cost, people can buy good quality products at a relatively low price. For free distribution 21 Let us see how technology is used in manufacturing; In the past Today Figure 1.49 - Use of ICT in industry In the past decades a high level of human labour was needed in the manufacturing industry. Today most of the work performed by the human hands are performed by robots. Uses of robots; 24 hour service, Never get tired, Efficiency, Accuracy, Hygiene Following pictures show how robotic technology is used in production Figure 1.50 - Computer Figure 1.51 - Manufacture of Figure 1.52 - Packaging Manufacturing Packaging material Figure 1.53 - Car Production Figure 1.54 - Labeling Figure 1.55 - Filling bottles 22 For free distribution Example 1 - Video Conferencing This technology has enabled different business communities who are geographically separated to convene face to face meetings while in at their own premises. The advantages of this technology include the following. Convening at a special venue is unnecessary and saves time, Figure 1.56 - Video Conferencing effort and cost spend on travelling. Example 2 - Human Resource Management The administration of employee activities has become an easy task due to finger print scanner (used to register attendance) and Card Reader (Identity Management). These devices help in recording the time of employees moving in and moving out of the office premises, preparing salaries accordingly, keeping records of leave taken etc. Today, the above devices are used not only Figure 1.57 - Finger Print Figure 1.58 - Card in the private sector but also in the Scanner Reader public sector in Sri Lanka. Example 3 - e-Banking System e-Banking has helped both the business community and all of us to do convenient banking. They are: The ability to withdraw cash anytime anywhere at ATM (Automatic Teller Machines) points. Since banks are connected via internet, inter banking or transactional activities are made possible even within Sri Lanka or abroad. Figure 1.59 - e-banking When you are registered in a banking network, System it gives one the opportunity to pay utility bills, inter-banking transactions, checking the account balance, using mobile phones. For free distribution 23 Example 4 - Online Shopping Online shopping known as electronic commerce which allows foreign or local company to sell its products or services and the ability for a consumer to buy goods and services via internet. A buyer can order goods or services of his/her choice from a convenient place. The advantages of online shopping include: Figure 1.60 - Online Shopping One can select any global commercial organization which is on the internet. Open 24 hours. Ability to see things and order at one’s convenient place. The ability to pay using the electronic payment methods such as credit cards. Home delivery of goods or services, thus saving time, transport cost and avoid unnecessary travel related exhaustion. 1.4.8 ICT in Transport We can quote some of the systems which are used to enhance the road traffic by minimizing traffic jams. Example 1 - Closed Circuit TV (CCTV) This system which uses the CCTV (Closed Circuit TV) is helpful in monitoring the road traffic, accidents, illegal activities and take appropriate actions accordingly. Figure 1.61 - Closed Circuit TV Example 2 -Traffic Light Control System These automated lights are positioned at road junctions. These lights help in minimizing accidents by controlling the vehicle traffic and pedestrians. Figure 1.62 - Traffic Lights Control System 24 For free distribution Example 3 - Parking identification placard This is an entrance pass which is stuck on the windshield of a vehicle. When the vehicle comes close to the gate of the parking space, the sensors read the placard and only open the gates if the vehicle is already pre-registered. Due to its quick processing ability, this automated system also helps to avoid building up of traffic at the gate. Figure 1.63 - Parking identification placard Activity Observe three instances where ICT is used in business and manufacturing and write report. 1.4.9 ICT in Entertainment Various ICT devices and equipment have been invented to provide some peace of mind to human beings who are spending a busy and restless life today. These devices enable us to: ³ listen to music to overcome a monotonous life, ³ watch missed TV programmes or movies of own choice through the internet, ³ exchange information between friends and relatives who live abroad or whom we have lost touch through social media, ³ watch high definition video using technology, ³ surf the internet. This helps children to do learning activities and play games during the free time at home, ³ read e-books on internet and ³ take photographs of interesting places and store them in the computer. For free distribution 25  Listening to music Social network and watching video Digital photo Video Games Entertainment and Relaxation Digital Watching movies Photography Downloading and e-news and e-books Watching digital technology listening to music on internet TV programmes Figure 1.64 - ICT in Entertainment In day - to - day life, there are instances where you use computer systems by knowing or unknowing. For example, a modern car consists of a lot of computer systems. Moreover, a modern ticketing machine in a bus, washing machine, indicating the distance that can be travelled by the existing fuel in a vehicle can be cited as examples. 1.5 Demerits of ICT Not only does ICT help us as enabler to perform our day today activities, it has become a close companion also. However, if you associate this companion in an undue manner it may bringforth undesirable effects to you as well to the entire society. The following are some of them. Addiction – A student or any other person who immerses himself/herself in the excessive use of computer or who plays games on internet without a limit, may lose the track of education and/or end up with ailments such as sore eyes, back pain, headache etc. Building unsuitable friendships through social media. When the computer is infected by virus due to improper use of internet, it may not function properly or go out of order. Mental disorders may affect a person causing harm to himself/herself and to society by visiting improper websites. Publishing of distorted photographs and videos of individuals affecting their personal lives. 26 For free distribution  Obesity due to less exercise isolation violating copyrights There is an opinion that ICT has negative impacts on human society due to issues mentioned above. But we have understood that the systems made by ICT make most of man's usual work easy. Therefore, it is our responsibility to use ICT in a responsible manner. 1.6 Evolution of the Computer By now you would have understood that computers assist us in converting data into information. Even though at present, there are automated computer systems, the computer too has undergone a similar evolution process as human beings and has reached the advanced stage today. The computer was born in the attempt to make an adding machine. In order to add numbers, a device called Abacus was invented around 5000 years ago. In due course many new inventions were made. The followings are few of them: In 1642, Blaise Pascal invented a machine called the Adding Machine. This was the world’s first ever mathematical machine. In 1674, Gottfried Wilhelm Von Leibnitz improved the machine invented by Pascal. With these improvements the machine was able to perform multiplication and division too. Figure 1.65 - The Abacus A French Scientist named Joseph Jacquard invented a mechanical loom using Punch Card System. Charles Babbage started to make his Analytical Engine using the Punch Card System concept. This machine was based on the concepts input, process, output and store. Since this concept helped in the development of the computer, Charles Babbage is called the father of computing. Madam Ada Augusta Lovelace is considered as the first programmer since she tried to write programmes for the Analytical Engine. In the year 1944, a man named Howard Aiken invented the machine called Automatic Sequence Control Calculator at the Harvard University with the assistance of his companions and IBM Company. This was named MARK 1. All the versions of early computers were mechanical in nature. From the time when the computers became automated they were categorized into various ‘Generations’ as below: For free distribution 27  Generations Major Hardware Software Used Characteristics Systems Technology invented First Generation ² Vacuum Tubes ² Machine language ² High Heat Generation ENIAC Computers ² Punch Cards are used for ² Assembly language ² Slow in processing EDVAC 1940-1956 input, process, output and ² Large in size EDSAC ² Stored Program Concept storage of data ² Not Portable UNIVAC ² Consumes a lot of IBM 701 28 For free distribution electricity ² Expensive Second Generation ² Transistors ² High-level ² Smaller in size. ² Honey Computers ² Tape Programming language ² Less heat Generation well 400 1956-1963 ² Floppy Disk, Tape for ² Use of Assembly ² Low power ² IBM 7030 Secondary Storage Language consumption ² CDC 1604 ² Comparatively faster ² U N I VA C than the first generation LARC ² Expensive  Generations Major Hardware Software Used Characteristics Systems Technology invented Third Generation ² Integrated Circuits (IC) ² birth of Operating ² Smaller in size ² IBM- Computers ² High capacity disks for Systems (OS) ² Less heat 360$370 (1964-1975) secondary storage ² Well developed Generation ² PDP-8 ² Keyboard and mouse for Programming ² Comparatively ² PDP-11 data input languages faster than ² CDC ² high level computer the second 6600 languages for coding generation ² Expensive ² Low power consumption Fourth Generation ² OS with GUI ² Very small in ² IBM PC Computers ²LSIC (Large Scale Integrated (Graphical User size ² Apple II (1975-1989) Circuits) and VLSIC (Very Interface) ² Portable Large Scale Integrated ² UNIX OS ² Upgradable Circuits ²Microprocessor ²Palm Tops ²High Capacity hard disks ²Floppy disk ²Optical disk ²Personal computers (PC) ²Faster computer networks For free distribution 29  Generation Major Hardware Software Used Characteristics Systems Technology invented Fifth Generation ² ULSI (Ultra Large ² Operating Systems with GUI ² Portable ² IBM Computers (1989 Scale Integration) (Graphical user Interface) ² Less Expensive notebooks to present ) ² Very High Capacity ² Internet and multi-media ² Smaller in size ² Pentium PCs Hard disks and optical applications ² Easy operation ² SUN disks ² Voice recognition based on ² High reliability workstations 30 For free distribution ² Internet AI (Artificial Intelligence) ² High efficiency ² Character recognition ² Hand-writing recognition systems  Activity Find information on computer history and make a report as a group activity. Summary ² Images, words, numbers or symbols which do not convey a meaning when standing alone are called data. ² Information is obtained by processing data. Information is used to make decisions. ² Computer is a system. ² Computers and computer based systems are used to process data. ² Providing data is called ‘input’ while extracting information is called ‘output’ ² Quality of information is important, (relevancy, completeness, accuracy, timeliness, low cost) ² Data input, processing and data output are components of a system. ² Technology is used to exchange the processed data. This is called ICT. ² Applications of ICT have made man's life easy. There are many applications such as e-Government, education, health, agriculture, business,transport, entertainment etc. ² The advent of computing dates back to 5000 years. Computing is categorized into many generations from the period of automation. For free distribution 31  Fundamentals of a computer 2 system After studying this chapter you will be able to understand; ² features of a computer, ² classification of computers, ² functions and devices of a computer system, ² basic components of a computer, ² computer ports and, ² computer network. 2.1 What is a computer? First chapter described how computer systems can make day-to-day work efficient. A computer can be described as an electronic device, which accepts or collects data, processes them according to the given instructions and produces the desired output. Computer has become an essential device in our lives. Some of these features of a computer can be described as follows; Speed A computer takes only a few seconds to perform calculations. It executes more than one million instructions per second. Accuracy A computer provides correct output when correct instructions and data are given. Efficiency A computer never gets tired. It can work round the clock with the same level of accuracy. Versatility A computer can be used to perform many tasks simultaneously. This is one of the special features of a computer. Storing and A computer is used to store large number of data and information Retrieving in a relatively small unit and we can retrieve them easily and quickly when needed. 32 For free distribution