Here are my reactions/opinions/review of the past lessons in my course IT Fundamentals
Review:
Lesson 1:
The first lesson was about the introduction of Information Technology(IT)
What is IT anyway?
The first lesson was about the introduction of Information Technology(IT)
What is IT anyway?
According to the Information Technology Association of America (ITAA):
"Information Technology is the study, design, development, implementation, support or management of computer-based information systems, particularly software applications and computer hardware."
We discussed a little about what a computer is, comm tech(Communications technology), Cyberspace, a little about the history of the telephone, the Internet, the worldwide web, the difference of data and information, some categories of machine/appliances and Information processing cycle.
Opinion:That's pretty much it for the first lesson since it's only an introduction.
Review:
Lesson 2:
This lesson covers the history of the computer and the people who are involved in the development of the computer.
We also discussed the Components of a computer system(peopleware, software and hardware)
We also discussed the Components of a computer system(peopleware, software and hardware)
Opinion:Pretty much another introduction. The lesson pretty much introduces the computer and its components.
Review:
Lesson 3:
It's all about hardware and its components.
The components of a computer hardware are the
CPU(Central Processing Unit)-manipulates the data and controls the tasks done by the other components.
Input Devices -accept data and instructions and convert them to a form that the computer can understand
Output Devices -present data in a form people can understand
Primary Storage - temporarily stores data and program instructions during processing. It also stores intermediate results of the processing.
Secondary Storage - stores data and programs for future use.
Communication Devices -provide for the flow of data from external computer networks (e.g., Internet, intranets) to the CPU, and from the CPU to computer networks.
Hardware did evolved through the years and in each generation the cost decreases but the efficiency increases
Different Hardware are needed in different kinds of computers.
CPU(Central Processing Unit)-manipulates the data and controls the tasks done by the other components.
Input Devices -accept data and instructions and convert them to a form that the computer can understand
Output Devices -present data in a form people can understand
Primary Storage - temporarily stores data and program instructions during processing. It also stores intermediate results of the processing.
Secondary Storage - stores data and programs for future use.
Communication Devices -provide for the flow of data from external computer networks (e.g., Internet, intranets) to the CPU, and from the CPU to computer networks.
Different Hardware are needed in different kinds of computers.
Computer are categories as follows
Super Computers - computers with the most processing power
Mainframes - used by large corporations, where data processing is centralized and large databases are maintained
Midranged computers - they are categorized further as minicomputers and servers
- Minicomputers - smaller and less expensive than mainframe computers. Minicomputers are usually designed to accomplish specific tasks such as process control, scientific research, and engineering applications.
- Servers - typically support computer networks, enabling users to share files, software, peripheral devices, and other network resources.
Mobile Devices - Platforms for computing and communications include such mobile devices as personal digital assistants(PDAs) or handheld personal computers.
Review:
Lesson 4:
This lesson is about how the computer represents data, pictures, time and the sizes of a computer.
There is also a short in
There is also a short in
Computers represent data as:
Nibble - A unit of four bits, or half an octet, is often called a nibble (or nybble). It can encode 16 different values, such as the numbers 0 to 15.
Bit - The “on-off” states of the transistors are used to establish a binary 1 or 0 for storing one binary digit,or bit.
Byte - A sufficient number of bits to represent specific characters —letters, numbers, and special symbols—is known as a byte, usually 8 bits.Nibble - A unit of four bits, or half an octet, is often called a nibble (or nybble). It can encode 16 different values, such as the numbers 0 to 15.
The coding schemes in a computer is as follows:
ACII -(American National Standard Code for Information Interchange) - has emerged as the standard coding scheme for microcomputers.
EBCDIC - (Extended Binary Coded Decimal Interchange Code) - developed by IBM and is used primarily on large,mainframe computers.
Computers represent pictures by a grid overlay of the picture. The computer measures the color (or light level) of each cell of the grid.The unit measurement of this is called a pixel.
Opinion: More computations. I like this part of the course because of the computations.
Review:
Lesson 6:
This lesson is about the CPU(Central Processing Unit) which controls which controls all the activities of the computer. It consist of the control unit, ALU(Arithmetic-logic unit) and the primary storage. The CPU is also called microprocessor.
Control unit - reads instructions and directs the other components of the computer system to perform the functions required by the program.
Arithmetic-Logic unit - performs required arithmetic and comparisons, or logic, operations.
Primary storage - it consist of 5 categories
1. Registers - this are part of the CPU with the least capacity, storing extremely limited amounts of instructions and data only immediately before and after processing.
2. RAM(Random access memory) - part of primary storage that holds a software program and small amounts of data when they are brought from secondary storage.
3. Cache memory - a type of primary storage where the computer can temporarily store blocks of data used more often.
4. ROM(Read-only memory) - type of primary storage where certain critical instructions are safeguarded; the storage is nonvolatile and retains the instructions when the power to the computer is turned off.
5. Flash memory - a form of rewritable read-only memory that is compact, portable and requires little energy.
Machine Instruction cycle - the cycle of computer processing, whose speed is measured in terms of the number of instructions a chip processes per second. There are 4 factors that affect the Machine Instruction cycle.
1. Clock speed - the pretest speed of the computer clock that times all chip activities, measured in megahertz and gigahertz.
2. Word length - the number of bits (0s and 1s) that can be processed by the CPU at any one time.
3. Bus width - the size of the physical paths down which the data and instructions travel as electrical impulses on a computer chip.
4. Line width - the distance between transistors; the smaller the line width, the faster the chip.
Opinion: A short lesson about the CPU and its components which is another easy lesson but very important that must be learned.
Review:
Lesson 7:
The I/O devices(input/output devices) of a computer are not part of the CPU, but are channels for communicating between the external environment and the CPU.
Classification of I/O devices
Secondary storage - primarily disk and tape drives
Peripheral Devices - any input/output device that is attached to the computer.
The secondary storage is separated from the primary storage and the CPU, but directly connected to it. It consist of different categories.
1. Magnetic tape - kept on a large open reel or in a small cartridge or cassette. Inexpensive, relatively stable, and long lasting, and can store very large volumes of data.
2. Magnetic disk - also called hard disks. Uses direct access where users can go directly to the address without having to go through intervening locations looking for the right data to retrieve.
a. RAID(Redundant Arrays of Inexpensive disks) - combines large number of small disk drives.
b. EIDE(Enhanced Integrated Drive Electronics) - supports up to four disks, tapes, or CD ROM drives; relatively inexpensive; serial ATA(SATA) is its latest version.
c. SCSI(Small Computer Systems Interface) - used for graphics workstations, server-based storage, and large databases; higher cost.
3. Optical Storage Devices - have extremely high storage density, less susceptible to contamination or deterioration, information contained is highly condensed since a highly focused laser beam is used to read/write the encoded information.
a. CD-ROM(Compact disk read-only memory
b. CD-RW(Compact disk, rewritable)
c. DVD(Digital Video disk - offers higher quality and denser storage capabilities
4. Memory PC card - also known as memory sticks. They have been widely used, particularly in portable devices such as PDAs and smart phones.
Peripheral devices are the devices that input/output data on the computer.
1. Keyboard - the most common input device, designed like a typewriter but with many additional special keys.
2. Mouse - a handheld device used to point a cursor at a desired place on the screen.
3. Trackball - a variant of the mouse; used in graphic design; the user holds an object much like a mouse, but rather than moving the entire device to move the cursor, he or she rotates a ball that is built into the top of the device.
4. Touch screen - an alternative to the mouse or other screen-related device.
5. Stylus - pen-style device that allows the user either to touch parts of the predetermined menu of options.
6. Joysticks - used primarily at workstations that can display dynamic graphics.
7. POS Terminals - has a specialized keyboard, may include many features such as scanner, printer, voice synthesis and accounting software.
8. Bar Code scanner - scans the black-and-white bars written in the UPC(Universal Product code.
9. RFID tag(Radio Frequency Identification) - a system of technologies that used radio waves to automatically identify people or objects.
10. Optical Mark reader - special scanner for detecting the presence of pencil marks on a predetermined grid, such as multiple-choice test answer sheets.
11. Optical character reader - optical scanner, converts text and images on paper into digital form and stores the data on disk or other storage media.
12. Digitizer
13. Magnetic Ink reader
14. Camera
15. Voice Recognition devices
16. Monitor - displays keyed, computer-stored, or computer-produced information
17. Plotter - draws computer-produced color graphics and charts
Review:
Lesson 9
Software - It consist of sequences of instructions that a computer, network, or device can execute to perform a task.
Terms
1. Programming/Coding - the process of writing programs
2. Programmers - individuals who perform programming
3. Documentation - is a written description of the functions of the program
Types
1. Application software - directs the computer hardware to perform specific data or information processing activities that provide functionality to the user.
2. System software - acts primarily as an intermediary between computer hardware and application programs.
Categories of application software
1. Off-the-shelf - can be purchased, leased, or rented from a vendor that develops programs and sells them to many organizations; may be a standard package or it may be customizable.
2. Special purpose programs or "packages" - can be tailored for a specific purpose, such as inventory control or payroll.
Types of application software
1. Spreadsheet applications - used for creating documents to manage and organize numerical data.
2. Word Processing applications - used for creating documents that are formatted and organized for readability.
3. Database application - used for developing databases that can organize and retrieve large amounts of information.
4. Accounting applications - used for managing personal checkbooks, or the accounting functions of businesses.
5. Activity Management applications - such as calendars and address books.
6. Presentation applications - used for making slide shows.
7. Graphics applications - used for creating pictures.
8. Communications programs - such as e-mail, text messaging, and fax software for sending and receiving messages.
9. Multimedia applications - used for creating video and music.
10. Middleware - connects software components or applications; consist of a set services that allows multiple processes running on one or more machines to interact.
11. Enterprise applications - consist of programs that manage the vital operations of an organization, such as supply-chain management, inventory replenishment, ordering, logistics coordination, human resources management, manufacturing, etc.
12. Presence software - can detect when you're online and what kind of device you're using.
Categories of System software
1. System Control programs - these are programs that control the use of hardware, software, and data resources of a computer system during its execution of a user's information processing job. An operating system is the prime example of a system control program.
Operating system - it supervises the overall operation of the computer: monitoring the computer's status, handling executable program interruptions, scheduling operations including controlling of input and output processes.
2. System support programs - it supports the operations, management, and users of a computer sysem by providing a variety of services. Performance monitors, and security monitors are examples of system programs.
3. System Development programs - it helps users develop information processing programs and procedures and prepare user applications.
Programming languages - these are a set of symbols and rules used to write program code.
Generations of programing language
1. First generation(machine language) - it is the lowest-level computer language, consisting of the internal representation of instructions and data.
2. Second generation(assembly language) - it is more user-oriented language that represents instructions by using mnemonics, or memory aids.
3. Third generation(procedural language) - are much closer to so-called natural language and therefore are easier to write, read and alter.
4. Fourth generation(nonprocedural language) - allows the user to specify the desired results without having to specify the detailed procedures needed to achieve the results.
5. Fifth generation(natural programming language) - these languages are commonly used in the development of artificial intelligence applications.
Object-oriented programming languages - the object-oriented approach involves programming, operating systems environment, object-oriented databases and a new way of approaching business applications.
Web programming language and software
1. ActiveX - is a set of technologies from Microsoft that combines different programming languages into a single, integrated web site. It is not a PL(programming language) as such, but rather a set of rules for how applications should share information.
2. ASP(active server pages) - is a Microsoft CGI-like technology that allows you to create dynamically generated web pages from the server side using a scripting language.
Open source software - open source software is more reliable than propriety software. Because the code is available to many developers, more bugs are discovered, are discovered early and quickly and are fixed immediately.
Shareware - software where the user is expected to pay the author a modest amount for the privilege of using it.
Freeware - software that is free
Computers represent time in fractions of a second
Millisecond = 1/1000 second
Microsecond = 1/1,000,000 second
Nanosecond = 1/1,000,000,000 second
Picosecond = 1/1,000,000,000,000 second
Computer sizes are as follows:
The computer number system is not like the regular number system which we are used too in basic mathematics.
There are 4 categories
Opinion: I liked this lesson a lot. It is about numbers and computation which is very likely to be in the logic part of the course. Lots of students hate it because of the computations, but for me they are very easy to do.
Review:
Lesson 5:
This lesson is all about the conversion of the 4 categories of the computer number system
Binary to Decimal
| Positional value | 16 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| Enter Number | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
| Required Calculation | 8x1 | 4x0 | 2x1 | 1x1 | |
| This equals | 8 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
Add the 3 results 8 + 0 + 2 + 1
8 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
____ |
11 |
Therefore 1011(One Zero One One) binary = 11 (Eleven) Decimal
Octal to Decimal
Original Number: 2 3 4
| | | How Many Tokens: 2 3 4
Digit/Token Value: 64 8 1
Value: 128 + 24 + 4 = 156Hexadecimal to Decimal
Original Number: 4 B 3| | |How Many Tokens: 4 11 3Digit/Token Value: 256 16 1Value: 1024 +176 + 3 = 120Decimal to BinaryNote that the desired base is 2, so we repeatedly divide the given decimal number by 2. Quotient Remainder ----------------------------- 1341/2 = 670 1 ----------------------+ 670/2 = 335 0 --------------------+ | 335/2 = 167 1 ------------------+ | | 167/2 = 83 1 ----------------+ | | | 83/2 = 41 1 --------------+ | | | | 41/2 = 20 1 ------------+ | | | | | 20/2 = 10 0 ----------+ | | | | | | 10/2 = 5 0 --------+ | | | | | | | 5/2 = 2 1 ------+ | | | | | | | | 2/2 = 1 0 ----+ | | | | | | | | | 1/2 = 0 1 --+ | | | | | | | | | | (Stop when the quotient is 0) | | | | | | | | | | | 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 1 (BIN; Base 2)Decimal to Octaldivide by 8Quotient Remainder ----------------------------- 1341/8 = 167 5 --------+ 167/8 = 20 7 ------+ | 20/8 = 2 4 ----+ | | 2/8 = 0 2 --+ | | | (Stop when the quotient is 0) | | | | 2 4 7 5 (OCT; Base 8)Decimal to Hexadecimaldivide by 16Quotient Remainder ----------------------------- 1341/16 = 83 13 ------+ 83/16 = 5 3 ----+ | 5/16 = 0 5 --+ | | (Stop when the quotient is 0) | | | 5 3 D (HEX; Base 16)Arithmetic OperationsYou generate the addition tables in bases other then 10 by following the same rule you do in base 10. The resulting tables have the appearance of shifting the columns to the left by one in each subsequent rows. Note how simple the addition and multiplication tables are for the binary system; addition operation is simply the bit-wise XOR operation with carry, and multiplication is simply the logical AND operation. Decimal Addition Table: | 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 ---+----------------------------- 0 | 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 2 | 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 3 | 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 4 | 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 5 | 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 6 | 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 7 | 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 8 | 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 9 | 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Binary Addition Table: | 0 1 ---+----- 0 | 0 1 1 | 1 10 Octal Addition Table: | 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 ---+----------------------- 0 | 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 10 2 | 2 3 4 5 6 7 10 11 3 | 3 4 5 6 7 10 11 12 4 | 4 5 6 7 10 11 12 13 5 | 5 6 7 10 11 12 13 14 6 | 6 7 10 11 12 13 14 15 7 | 7 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Hexadecimal Addition Table: | 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A B C D E F ---+----------------------------------------------- 0 | 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A B C D E F 1 | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A B C D E F 10 2 | 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A B C D E F 10 11 3 | 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A B C D E F 10 11 12 4 | 4 5 6 7 8 9 A B C D E F 10 11 12 13 5 | 5 6 7 8 9 A B C D E F 10 11 12 13 14 6 | 6 7 8 9 A B C D E F 10 11 12 13 14 15 7 | 7 8 9 A B C D E F 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 8 | 8 9 A B C D E F 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 9 | 9 A B C D E F 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 A | A B C D E F 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 B | B C D E F 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 1A C | C D E F 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 1A 1B D | D E F 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 1A 1B 1C E | E F 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 1A 1B 1C 1D F | F 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 1A 1B 1C 1D 1E You can also generate multiplication tables in bases other than 10 by following the same rule you do in base 10. Decimal Multiplication Table: | 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 ---+----------------------------- 0 | 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 | 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 2 | 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 3 | 0 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24 27 4 | 0 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32 36 5 | 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 6 | 0 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 7 | 0 7 14 21 28 35 42 49 56 63 8 | 0 8 16 24 32 40 48 56 64 72 9 | 0 9 18 27 36 45 54 63 72 81 Binary Multiplication Table: | 0 1 ---+----- 0 | 0 0 1 | 0 1 Octal Multiplication Table: | 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 ---+----------------------- 0 | 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 | 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 2 | 0 2 4 6 10 12 14 16 3 | 0 3 6 11 14 17 22 25 4 | 0 4 10 14 20 24 30 34 5 | 0 5 12 17 24 31 36 43 6 | 0 6 14 22 30 36 44 52 7 | 0 7 16 25 34 43 52 61 Hexadecimal Multiplication Table: | 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A B C D E F ---+----------------------------------------------- 0 | 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 | 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A B C D E F 2 | 0 2 4 6 8 A C E 10 12 14 16 18 1A 1C 1E 3 | 0 3 6 9 C F 12 15 18 1B 1E 21 24 27 2A 2D 4 | 0 4 8 C 10 14 18 1C 20 24 28 2C 30 34 38 3C 5 | 0 5 A F 14 19 1E 23 28 2D 32 37 3C 41 46 4B 6 | 0 6 C 12 18 1E 24 2A 30 36 3C 42 48 4E 54 5A 7 | 0 7 E 15 1C 23 2A 31 38 3F 46 4D 54 5B 62 69 8 | 0 8 10 18 20 28 30 38 40 48 50 58 60 68 70 78 9 | 0 9 12 1B 24 2D 36 3F 48 51 5A 63 6C 75 7E 87 A | 0 A 14 1E 28 32 3C 46 50 5A 64 6E 78 82 8C 96 B | 0 B 16 21 2C 37 42 4D 58 63 6E 79 84 8F 9A A5 C | 0 C 18 24 30 3C 48 54 60 6C 78 84 90 9C A8 B4 D | 0 D 1A 27 34 41 4E 5B 68 75 82 8F 9C A9 B6 C3 E | 0 E 1C 2A 38 46 54 62 70 7E 8C 9A A8 B6 C4 D2 F | 0 F 1E 2D 3C 4B 5A 69 78 87 96 A5 B4 C3 D2 E1You do arithematic with hexadecimal numbers or numbers in any base in exactly the same way you do with decimal numbers, except that the addition and multiplcation tables you employ to base your calculations are a bit different. Substraction is equivalent to adding a negative number, and division is equivalent to multiplying by the inverse.
Opinion: More computations. I like this part of the course because of the computations.
Review:
Lesson 6:
This lesson is about the CPU(Central Processing Unit) which controls which controls all the activities of the computer. It consist of the control unit, ALU(Arithmetic-logic unit) and the primary storage. The CPU is also called microprocessor.
Control unit - reads instructions and directs the other components of the computer system to perform the functions required by the program.
Arithmetic-Logic unit - performs required arithmetic and comparisons, or logic, operations.
Primary storage - it consist of 5 categories
1. Registers - this are part of the CPU with the least capacity, storing extremely limited amounts of instructions and data only immediately before and after processing.
2. RAM(Random access memory) - part of primary storage that holds a software program and small amounts of data when they are brought from secondary storage.
3. Cache memory - a type of primary storage where the computer can temporarily store blocks of data used more often.
4. ROM(Read-only memory) - type of primary storage where certain critical instructions are safeguarded; the storage is nonvolatile and retains the instructions when the power to the computer is turned off.
5. Flash memory - a form of rewritable read-only memory that is compact, portable and requires little energy.
Machine Instruction cycle - the cycle of computer processing, whose speed is measured in terms of the number of instructions a chip processes per second. There are 4 factors that affect the Machine Instruction cycle.
1. Clock speed - the pretest speed of the computer clock that times all chip activities, measured in megahertz and gigahertz.
2. Word length - the number of bits (0s and 1s) that can be processed by the CPU at any one time.
3. Bus width - the size of the physical paths down which the data and instructions travel as electrical impulses on a computer chip.
4. Line width - the distance between transistors; the smaller the line width, the faster the chip.
Opinion: A short lesson about the CPU and its components which is another easy lesson but very important that must be learned.
Review:
Lesson 7:
The I/O devices(input/output devices) of a computer are not part of the CPU, but are channels for communicating between the external environment and the CPU.
Classification of I/O devices
Secondary storage - primarily disk and tape drives
Peripheral Devices - any input/output device that is attached to the computer.
The secondary storage is separated from the primary storage and the CPU, but directly connected to it. It consist of different categories.
1. Magnetic tape - kept on a large open reel or in a small cartridge or cassette. Inexpensive, relatively stable, and long lasting, and can store very large volumes of data.
2. Magnetic disk - also called hard disks. Uses direct access where users can go directly to the address without having to go through intervening locations looking for the right data to retrieve.
a. RAID(Redundant Arrays of Inexpensive disks) - combines large number of small disk drives.
b. EIDE(Enhanced Integrated Drive Electronics) - supports up to four disks, tapes, or CD ROM drives; relatively inexpensive; serial ATA(SATA) is its latest version.
c. SCSI(Small Computer Systems Interface) - used for graphics workstations, server-based storage, and large databases; higher cost.
3. Optical Storage Devices - have extremely high storage density, less susceptible to contamination or deterioration, information contained is highly condensed since a highly focused laser beam is used to read/write the encoded information.
a. CD-ROM(Compact disk read-only memory
b. CD-RW(Compact disk, rewritable)
c. DVD(Digital Video disk - offers higher quality and denser storage capabilities
4. Memory PC card - also known as memory sticks. They have been widely used, particularly in portable devices such as PDAs and smart phones.
Peripheral devices are the devices that input/output data on the computer.
1. Keyboard - the most common input device, designed like a typewriter but with many additional special keys.
2. Mouse - a handheld device used to point a cursor at a desired place on the screen.
3. Trackball - a variant of the mouse; used in graphic design; the user holds an object much like a mouse, but rather than moving the entire device to move the cursor, he or she rotates a ball that is built into the top of the device.
4. Touch screen - an alternative to the mouse or other screen-related device.
5. Stylus - pen-style device that allows the user either to touch parts of the predetermined menu of options.
6. Joysticks - used primarily at workstations that can display dynamic graphics.
7. POS Terminals - has a specialized keyboard, may include many features such as scanner, printer, voice synthesis and accounting software.
8. Bar Code scanner - scans the black-and-white bars written in the UPC(Universal Product code.
9. RFID tag(Radio Frequency Identification) - a system of technologies that used radio waves to automatically identify people or objects.
10. Optical Mark reader - special scanner for detecting the presence of pencil marks on a predetermined grid, such as multiple-choice test answer sheets.
11. Optical character reader - optical scanner, converts text and images on paper into digital form and stores the data on disk or other storage media.
12. Digitizer
13. Magnetic Ink reader
14. Camera
15. Voice Recognition devices
16. Monitor - displays keyed, computer-stored, or computer-produced information
17. Plotter - draws computer-produced color graphics and charts
Review:
Lesson 9
Software - It consist of sequences of instructions that a computer, network, or device can execute to perform a task.
Terms
1. Programming/Coding - the process of writing programs
2. Programmers - individuals who perform programming
3. Documentation - is a written description of the functions of the program
Types
1. Application software - directs the computer hardware to perform specific data or information processing activities that provide functionality to the user.
2. System software - acts primarily as an intermediary between computer hardware and application programs.
Categories of application software
1. Off-the-shelf - can be purchased, leased, or rented from a vendor that develops programs and sells them to many organizations; may be a standard package or it may be customizable.
2. Special purpose programs or "packages" - can be tailored for a specific purpose, such as inventory control or payroll.
Types of application software
1. Spreadsheet applications - used for creating documents to manage and organize numerical data.
2. Word Processing applications - used for creating documents that are formatted and organized for readability.
3. Database application - used for developing databases that can organize and retrieve large amounts of information.
4. Accounting applications - used for managing personal checkbooks, or the accounting functions of businesses.
5. Activity Management applications - such as calendars and address books.
6. Presentation applications - used for making slide shows.
7. Graphics applications - used for creating pictures.
8. Communications programs - such as e-mail, text messaging, and fax software for sending and receiving messages.
9. Multimedia applications - used for creating video and music.
10. Middleware - connects software components or applications; consist of a set services that allows multiple processes running on one or more machines to interact.
11. Enterprise applications - consist of programs that manage the vital operations of an organization, such as supply-chain management, inventory replenishment, ordering, logistics coordination, human resources management, manufacturing, etc.
12. Presence software - can detect when you're online and what kind of device you're using.
Categories of System software
1. System Control programs - these are programs that control the use of hardware, software, and data resources of a computer system during its execution of a user's information processing job. An operating system is the prime example of a system control program.
Operating system - it supervises the overall operation of the computer: monitoring the computer's status, handling executable program interruptions, scheduling operations including controlling of input and output processes.
2. System support programs - it supports the operations, management, and users of a computer sysem by providing a variety of services. Performance monitors, and security monitors are examples of system programs.
3. System Development programs - it helps users develop information processing programs and procedures and prepare user applications.
Programming languages - these are a set of symbols and rules used to write program code.
Generations of programing language
1. First generation(machine language) - it is the lowest-level computer language, consisting of the internal representation of instructions and data.
2. Second generation(assembly language) - it is more user-oriented language that represents instructions by using mnemonics, or memory aids.
3. Third generation(procedural language) - are much closer to so-called natural language and therefore are easier to write, read and alter.
4. Fourth generation(nonprocedural language) - allows the user to specify the desired results without having to specify the detailed procedures needed to achieve the results.
5. Fifth generation(natural programming language) - these languages are commonly used in the development of artificial intelligence applications.
Object-oriented programming languages - the object-oriented approach involves programming, operating systems environment, object-oriented databases and a new way of approaching business applications.
Web programming language and software
1. ActiveX - is a set of technologies from Microsoft that combines different programming languages into a single, integrated web site. It is not a PL(programming language) as such, but rather a set of rules for how applications should share information.
2. ASP(active server pages) - is a Microsoft CGI-like technology that allows you to create dynamically generated web pages from the server side using a scripting language.
Open source software - open source software is more reliable than propriety software. Because the code is available to many developers, more bugs are discovered, are discovered early and quickly and are fixed immediately.
Shareware - software where the user is expected to pay the author a modest amount for the privilege of using it.
Freeware - software that is free
