Computers and information technology
Information technology
Information technology (IT) is the use of computers to create, process, store, retrieve, and exchange all kinds of electronic data and information. IT is typically used within the context of business operations as opposed to personal or entertainment technologies. IT is considered to be a subset of information and communications technology (ICT). An information technology system (IT system) is generally an information system, a communications system, or, more specifically speaking, a computer system – including all hardware, software, and peripheral equipment – operated by a limited group of IT users.
Humans have been storing, retrieving, manipulating, and communicating information since the Sumerians in Mesopotamia developed writing in about 3000 BC. However, the term information technology in its modern sense first appeared in a 1958 article published in the Harvard Business Review; authors Harold J. Leavitt and Thomas L. Whisler commented that "the new technology does not yet have a single established name. We shall call it information technology (IT)." Their definition consists of three categories: techniques for processing, the application of statistical and mathematical methods to decision-making, and the simulation of higher-order thinking through computer programs.
The term is commonly used as a synonym for computers and computer networks, but it also encompasses other information distribution technologies such as television and telephones. Several products or services within an economy are associated with information technology, including computer hardware, software, electronics, semiconductors, internet, telecom equipment, and e-commerce.
Based on the storage and processing technologies employed, it is possible to distinguish four distinct phases of IT development: pre-mechanical (3000 BC – 1450 AD), mechanical (1450–1840), electromechanical (1840–1940), and electronic (1940 to present).This article focuses on the most recent period (electronic).
History of computer technology
Devices have been used to aid computation for thousands of years, probably initially in the form of a tally stick. The Antikythera mechanism, dating from about the beginning of the first century BC, is generally considered to be the earliest known mechanical analog computer, and the earliest known geared mechanism. Comparable geared devices did not emerge in Europe until the 16th century, and it was not until 1645 that the first mechanical calculator capable of performing the four basic arithmetical operations was developed.
Electronic computers, using either relays or valves, began to appear in the early 1940s. The electromechanical Zuse Z3, completed in 1941, was the world's first programmable computer, and by modern standards one of the first machines that could be considered a complete computing machine. During the Second World War, Colossus developed the first electronic digital computer to decrypt German messages. Although it was programmable, it was not general-purpose, being designed to perform only a single task. It also lacked the ability to store its program in memory; programming was carried out using plugs and switches to alter the internal wiring. The first recognizably modern electronic digital stored-program computer was the Manchester Baby, which ran its first program on 21 June 1948.
The development of transistors in the late 1940s at Bell Laboratories allowed a new generation of computers to be designed with greatly reduced power consumption. The first commercially available stored-program computer, the Ferranti Mark I, contained 4050 valves and had a power consumption of 25 kilowatts. By comparison, the first transistorized computer developed at the University of Manchester and operational by November 1953, consumed only 150 watts in its final version.
Several other breakthroughs in semiconductor technology include the integrated circuit (IC) invented by Jack Kilby at Texas Instruments and Robert Noyce at Fairchild Semiconductor in 1959, the metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) invented by Mohamed Atalla and Dawon Kahng at Bell Laboratories in 1959, and the microprocessor invented by Ted Hoff, Federico Faggin, Masatoshi Shima and Stanley Mazor at Intel in 1971. These important inventions led to the development of the personal computer (PC) in the 1970s, and the emergence of information and communications technology (ICT).
Electronic data processing
Data storage
- Punched tapes were used in early computers to represent data.
- Main article: Data storage
Early electronic computers such as Colossus made use of punched tape, a long strip of paper on which data was represented by a series of holes, a technology now obsolete. Electronic data storage, which is used in modern computers, dates from World War II, when a form of delay-line memory was developed to remove the clutter from radar signals, the first practical application of which was the mercury delay line. The first random-access digital storage device was the Williams tube, based on a standard cathode ray tube, but the information stored in it and delay-line memory was volatile in that it had to be continuously refreshed, and thus was lost once power was removed. The earliest form of non-volatile computer storage was the magnetic drum, invented in 1932 and used in the Ferranti Mark 1, the world's first commercially available general-purpose electronic computer.
IBM introduced the first hard disk drive in 1956, as a component of their 305 RAMAC computer system.: 6 Most digital data today is still stored magnetically on hard disks, or optically on media such as CD-ROMs.: 4–5 Until 2002 most information was stored on analog devices, but that year digital storage capacity exceeded analog for the first time. As of 2007, almost 94% of the data stored worldwide was held digitally: 52% on hard disks, 28% on optical devices, and 11% on digital magnetic tape. It has been estimated that the worldwide capacity to store information on electronic devices grew from less than 3 exabytes in 1986 to 295 exabytes in 2007, doubling roughly every 3 years.
Databases
Database Management Systems (DMS) emerged in the 1960s to address the problem of storing and retrieving large amounts of data accurately and quickly. An early such system was IBM's Information Management System (IMS), which is still widely deployed more than 50 years later. IMS stores data hierarchically, but in the 1970s Ted Codd proposed an alternative relational storage model based on set theory and predicate logic and the familiar concepts of tables, rows ,and columns. In 1981, the first commercially available relational database management system (RDBMS) was released by Oracle.
All DMS consist of components, they allow the data they store to be accessed simultaneously by many users while maintaining its integrity. All databases are common in one point that the structure of the data they contain is defined and stored separately from the data itself, in a database schema.
In recent years, the extensible markup language (XML) has become a popular format for data representation. Although XML data can be stored in normal file systems, it is commonly held in relational databases to take advantage of their "robust implementation verified by years of both theoretical and practical effort". As an evolution of the Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML), XML's text-based structure offers the advantage of being both machine and human-readable.
Data retrieval
The relational database model introduced a programming-language independent Structured Query Language (SQL), based on relational algebra.
The terms "data" and "information" are not synonymous. Anything stored is data, but it only becomes information when it is organized and presented meaningfully.: 1–9 Most of the world's digital data is unstructured, and stored in a variety of different physical formats even within a single organization. Data warehouses began to be developed in the 1980s to integrate these disparate stores. They typically contain data extracted from various sources, including external sources such as the Internet, organized in such a way as to facilitate decision support systems (DSS).: 4–6
Data transmission
IBM card storage warehouse located in Alexandria, Virginia in 1959. This is where the government kept storage of punched cards.
Data transmission has three aspects: transmission, propagation, and reception. It can be broadly categorized as broadcasting, in which information is transmitted unidirectionally downstream, or telecommunications, with bidirectional upstream and downstream channels.
XML has been increasingly employed as a means of data interchange since the early 2000s, particularly for machine-oriented interactions such as those involved in web-oriented protocols such as SOAP, describing "data-in-transit rather than... data-at-rest".
Data manipulation
Hilbert and Lopez identify the exponential pace of technological change (a kind of Moore's law): machines' application-specific capacity to compute information per capita roughly doubled every 14 months between 1986 and 2007; the per capita capacity of the world's general-purpose computers doubled every 18 months during the same two decades; the global telecommunication capacity per capita doubled every 34 months; the world's storage capacity per capita required roughly 40 months to double (every 3 years); and per capita broadcast information has doubled every 12.3 years.
Massive amounts of data are stored worldwide every day, but unless it can be analyzed and presented effectively it essentially resides in what have been called data tombs: "data archives that are seldom visited". To address that issue, the field of data mining – "the process of discovering interesting patterns and knowledge from large amounts of data"– emerged in the late 1980s.
Here are some fields related to CIT are given below and we will discuss each and every field of the CIT in detail
- Computer science
- Information technology
- Computer engineering
- Computer software and media apps
- Computer system administration
- Networking
- Information processing
- Data Entry Technology
- Computer science
Computer science is the most popular subject among the students and there are many reasons behind it. Which made it that much popular amongst the students. It has a better growth rate for the career including high salaries, job opportunities and many more. So, Generally speaking, computer science is the study of both hardware and software. It’s up to the students which field they choose for their career. Computer science uses the mathematical approach for solving the problem. It has many core area such as software and hardware systems, computer theory etc.
Students can choose among the core areas of computer science. Specialization in computer science helps you so get a job in the information technology industry. You can be a programmer, data analysis, computer hardware expert etc. Computer science courses are known as most strict specialization courses by which you can exactly know about the computer systems and their functionality effectively. Take help from expert writers to know more about the types of CIT. You will get a chance to learn various new things with their assistance.
Information technology
Information technology involves the courses related to the organising and maintaining the computer systems. It also involves database management and networking. Information Technology is basically a study of information. How efficiently you can use them for the desired purpose. In information technology, we learn how to maintain and organise computer systems. It is a separate field of computer technology in which it deals with information. It has greater chances of growth rate. And if students choose information technology for their course work they can have a better result in their future. Information technology offers several career opportunities such as IT consultant, cloud architect, web developer, mobile application developer etc. Information technology can be divided into four part network systems, information services, programming and digital communication.
Computer engineering
It is also a part of computer information technology. It is a branch of engineering in which we use the combination of technologies such as computer science and electronic engineering. With the help of this, we develop computer software and hardware. The development of the several important components such as microprocessors, personal computers circuit design and many more things comes under it. This branch of technology tells us how the computer systems are made and what their internal structure is? And how they get integrated?
The scope of the career in this branch is quite high and students can get the concepts of both software and hardware. Students get a chance to learn the things in a detailed way and they learn about firmware of the systems. Students can have a bright future if they choose computer engineering as it involves two technologies students can interact with the subjects in a more detailed way. This branch of CIT has many opportunities and students can have them according to their interest. Today the demand for the computer engineer is quite high around the world. And they can achieve new heights with the help of this branch of CIT
Computer software and media application
This branch of CIT prepares students in such a way so that could apply tools to design and publish the product on the internet. This program of CIT also helps students to learn how to manage database and provide security to the system. With the help of this course, students also get the knowledge of maintaining the server and pages. This is a very beneficial program and also acquire a lot of opportunities for better jobs. Students can get a better job by learning this course. Today the internet has been essential for everything and nothing can proceed smoothly if there is no internet or error. This program teaches server-side application to the student so that they can easily maintain the efficiency of the internet. This is the reason why this course has that much potential. And why it can be a perfect choice for the students for their career growth.
Here are a few things which you learn with the help of this course
- Computer Graphics designing
- Computer Software and Media Applications
- Data Warehousing
- Database Administration
- Web Page Design
- Computer system administration
We can explain it as it is the management of one or more Software and Hardware systems of the computers. This kind of tasks is performed by the administrator who knows everything about the system and monitors the system. The main task of the administrator is to check the system health and monitor its resources like space in the disk, performance, backup, user accounts and to check the security functions are working properly or not.
Organisations use to hire an IT expert for performing this job. It is the work of the administrator to check the system and its services are working perfectly or not. They work for installing new hardware and software managing user account maintaining the database of computer and planning the resources in such a way so that it could perform the desired task. It is a branch of CIT which provide a better opportunity to the students for their career growth. Computer System administration is a job of responsibility and by doing this course you can acquire knowledge on how to perform your job and you can track the performance of the computer.
Networking
Networking is a separate field of CIT which is completely differ from Software and Hardware installation and their functionality. By learning networking you to make yourself aware of the communication and you get to know about the communication that how does it flow between the wires. If you learn networking you will get to know that it is basically an exchange of information through the network or wires. In simple language we can explain networking, is the practice of data transformation between nodes over the shared medium. Networking is quite a big field of CIT in which you learn how to maintain the network so that communication never get distracted and interrupted. In this branch of Technology, we learn to design and construction of a network. We learn how data flows in the form of BITS and bytes.
Basically, we have two kinds of networking one is wired networking another is wireless networking wired networking to require a mode of transportation in the form of wire between the notes so that data can transfer from one end to another. Whereas wireless networking uses radioactive waves which move through the air it does not require any kind of wiring and we can connect our devices to the network by using Wi-Fi and Bluetooth sharing.
This Branch of CIT provides a greater opportunity by which student can achieve a lot of success in their career. A network engineer always gets little more as compared to the average salary. If you are a student and you have an interest in networking more than Software and Hardware then you can choose this branch as your career opportunity
Information processing
This branch of CIT teaches, how we should process the information and how to use the information in such a way so that it could be more productive and give us more profit. Information processing system provides a facility of digitalised information. With the help of the information processing system, We can record assemble retrieval and manipulate information. This system includes business software, computer network and mainframes.
Today information processing is growing very fastly because everything, we have achieved in the field of Technology is given by the information. This branch of technology is still in the growing phase and every second it updated self. If you are a student and wants to learn this technology it is the right decision for you with the help of this technology you can easily play with information. Playing with information means you will have proper knowledge about the digitalised information and how does it work? And how you can use in the computer network. This branch of IT also provides a better opportunity and you can pursue your career in this field without having any doubt.
Data entry technology
Data Entry Technology is a branch of CIT by which you learn how you should enter the information into electronic form by using data processing or word processing software. With the help of this branch of CIT, you get to know about all the information about the data entry. Nowadays the field of data entry is growing. Skilful data entry operator can earn a good amount of money by doing data entry jobs. But if you are planning to choose this branch for a permanent career, it will be not and a good option. As today there are already many people who are serving in this field and the competition of getting a good job in this field is quite high. But if you are a beginner and you want to learn this branch of CID for getting a part-time amount, you can surely go for it. This course will load less amount on your pocket and you can easily learn all the techniques of this course in a few days only. You just need to be consistent and you can work as a part time and full time also.
Computer system analysis
It is a branch of CIt in which you learn how to troubleshoot any kind of issues related to the software and hardware. Computer system analysis is a job of responsibility. You have to be very active and critical thinker for accomplishing this kind of job. You can pursue your career in this field. Because every organisation and business needs a computer system analyst for their Software and Hardware troubleshooting. It is the application of computer science. It provides critical thinking which helps business and their computer system so that they could Run effectively. The role of the computer system analyst is to develop and design new systems including Software and Hardware. Whenever any kind of trouble arises related to the software or hardware, it is computer system analysis who take care of such things. So if you are planning to make your career in this field you can surely go for it.
How to make practical on information technology and ITES in day to day life?
Keep reading if you would like to find out how tech can be used in your day to day life.
Communication
One of the ways that tech can be used in your day to day life is for communication including calling, texting and snap chatting with friends and family, business, or general enquiries.
If you have contact information of whom you are looking to speak to then you can call them direct. If you don’t have their phone contact information then, you can use other methods of communication like emails or social media.
Entertainment
The next way that tech can be used in your day to day life is for entertainment purposes. If you like to watch movies, play games, or listen to music then, technology has you covered. Tech can provide you with entertainment on different devices like phones, pads, laptops, games consoles, and more so you have a lot of options to choose from.
Online casinos have increased in popularity in recent years thanks largely to the advancements of the tech that supports them. Sites like Top UK casinos for example provide players with the information that they need to play the best games, stay entertained and remain on-trend.
Keep Up with News
Another way that tech can be used in your day to day life is to help you keep up with the latest news. If you want to find out what is going on then, you can use your smart device to search for the latest news in your own area or national and international news.
News used to be reported via TV or newspaper-focused but now, a lot more people are relying on their smart devices to find out the latest updates. This had led to the downfall of many newspapers.
Directions
If you have to go somewhere but you are not familiar with the area and you don’t have a satnav then you might find yourself in a tricky situation. However, there is no need to panic thanks to advancements in technology. You can find directions to get you where you need to be from your mobile device when using Google Maps.
Not only can this give you directions but it can show you different travel methods that you can use including car, walking or by using public transport which makes things a lot easier for you and others.
What Is Next?
As you can see, there are a lot of ways that we use tech every single day without really thinking about it. The world is changing as we know it and new kinds of technology are being introduced all of the time. Make sure to keep an eye on the tech industry to see what is next.
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