IT

• Central Processing Unit (CPU):

  • The brain of a computer, containing all the circuitry needed to process input, store data, and output results
• Keyboard:

  • Used as a text entry interface for typing text, numbers, and symbols into application software such as word processor, web browser or social media app
• RAM (Random Access Memory):

  • Short-term memory where the data is stored that your computer processor needs to run your applications and open your files
• Monitor:

  • An output device that displays information in pictorial or textual form
• Mouse:

  • A small device that a computer user pushes across a desk surface in order to point to select one or more actions to take from that position
• PSU (Power Supply Unit):

  • Converts mains AC to low-voltage regulated DC power for internal components of a computer
• Microphone:

  • Picks up sound and converts the audio sound waves into electrical signals, which then travel to the sound card to be converted into digital signals for processing by the computer
• Motherboard:

  • Serves as a single platform to connect all the parts of a computer together
• Printer:

  • An output device that prints a hard copy of the electronic data stored in the computer or other devices
• Heat Sink:

  • A substance or device that absorbs or dissipates unwanted heat
• OS (Operating System):

  • The software that supports a computer's basic functions, such as scheduling tasks, executing applications, and controlling peripherals
• Speakers:

  • Standard output devices used with computer systems that enable the listener to hear sound as an outcome
• Webcam:

  • Designed to record or stream to a computer or computer network, primarily used in video telephony, livestreaming, social media, and security
• GPU (Graphics Processing Unit):

  • An electronic circuit that can perform mathematical calculations at high speed
• Computer Fan:

  • Used to draw cooler air into the case from the outside, expel warm air from inside, and move air across a heat sink to cool particular components
• Flash Drive:

  • Can store important files and data backups, carry favorite settings or applications, run diagnostics to troubleshoot computer problems, or launch an OS from a bootable USB
• Scanner:

  • A device that captures images from photographic prints, posters, magazine pages, and similar sources for computer editing and display
• HDD (Hard Disk Drive):

  • An internal or external computer component that stores data, such as the operating system, applications, and used files
• Computer Case:

  • The metal and plastic box that contains the computer components, including the motherboard, CPU, and PSU
• Information technology (IT) involves the study, design, development, implementation, support, and management of computer-based information systems, including software applications, computer hardware, and mobile devices
• IT deals with the use of electronic computers and computer software to convert, store, protect, process, transmit, and retrieve information
• The main tool in ICT or IT is electronic devices that process data according to a set of instructions, which is a computer
• A computer is a programmable machine that aids humans in performing various computations or calculations
• Three principal characteristics of a computer:

  • Responds to a specific set of instructions in a well-defined manner
  • Can execute a pre-recorded list of instructions
  • Can quickly store and retrieve large amounts of data
• The word "computer" originated in 1613, referring to a person who carried out calculations or computations
• • Z1: the first programmable computer created by Konrad Zuse in Germany from 1936 to 1938
  • ENIAC: the first electronic general-purpose computer completed in 1946 by John Presper Eckert and John Mauchly
  • UNIVAC 1: the first commercial computer
  • EDVAC: the first stored program computer designed by John Von Neumann in 1952
• Tools in Computing:

  • Tally sticks: an ancient memory aid device to record and document numbers, quantities, or messages
  • Abacus: a mechanical device used for calculations, invented in Babylonian in 2400 B.C.
  • Napier’s Bones: invented in 1614 by John Napier, allowed for multiplication, division, and calculation of square and cube roots
  • Slide Rule: invented in 1622 by William Oughtred, based on Napier’s ideas about logarithms
  • Pascaline: invented by Blaise Pascal in 1642
  • Jacquard Loom: a mechanical loom invented by Joseph-Marie Jacquard in 1881
• Hardware refers to any physical device or equipment used with a computer system
• External hardware includes input devices (for entering information) and output devices (for receiving information)
• Internal hardware is located inside the computer
• Software is a set of instructions or programs that tell a computer what to do or how to perform specific tasks
• Main types of software are system software and application software
• System software is designed to run computer hardware and application software, serving as the interface between hardware, application software, and the user
• Operating system (OS) is a crucial part of system software that controls and coordinates computer hardware devices and runs other software and applications
• Device driver is a software program that controls a particular hardware device attached to a computer
• Utility software helps set up, analyze, configure, strengthen, maintain a computer, and performs specific tasks
• Supercomputers are the biggest and fastest computers designed to process a huge amount of data quickly
• Mainframe computers are designed to support hundreds or thousands of users simultaneously and run multiple programs at once
• Minicomputers are medium-sized multiprocessing computers that support multiple users and are used in institutes or departments for various tasks
• Workstation computers are designed for technical or scientific applications, with fast processors, large RAM, and high-speed graphic adapters