Unit 1 Basics of IT
Structure:
1.0 Introduction
1.1 Objectives
1.2 What Is Information Technology?
1.3 Data Processing System
1.4 Information
1.4.1 Environmental Information comprises
1.4.2 Competitive Information
1.4.3 Internal Information
1.4.4 Characteristics of Information
1.4.5 Properties and Scope of Information
1.4.6 Types of Information Systems
1.5 Types of Information Computing Models
1.5.1 Wide Area Network or WAN
1.5.2 Client / Server
1.6 Internet
1.0 Introduction
Information and communication are without doubt two key words that
represent global activity. The communication of the right information at the
right time in a convenient form can cause new directions in Business,
Research and Industrial decisions.
In this unit we will discuss the concept of information, data, information and
its attributes. The business managers of today cannot possibly assimilate
the flood of facts and figures, which confront them. It has been frequently
observed that the manager is surrounded by huge amount of data, but lacks
1.1 Objectives
At the end of this unit you should be able to:
Understand the term Information Technology
Explain the features of Information Society
Define Information and knowledge
Identify type of information and scope
Information on the other hand is processed data. Data is the raw material for
producing information. Information is the basis on which executives take
decisions. Though we can conceptually differentiate between data and
information there is no strict demarcation between these two. What is data
to one person could well be information to another. Data is processed
according to requirements and suitable instructions that are given.
Methodology Result
Program
Operations or Desired
Calculations output
Data
Data : “Data is raw fact and figure which helps to process to produce the
Information.”
Example : for raw figure : 100, +50, -250, etc.
1.4 Information
Information is defined as processed data. E.g. marks of 50 students is data
and highest or lowest marks is information.
“Information can be defined as data that has been processed into a form
that is meaningful to the recipient and is of real or perceived value in current
or prospective decisions”.
OR
“Information refers to an input of data processing which is organized and
meaningful to the person who receives it”.
For example, data concerning a sale may indicate the number of the
salesman. When a large number of such data elements is organized and
analyzed, it may provide important information to a marketing director who is
attempting to evaluate his sales force. Also if a production manager is told
that, not only the production is behind schedule but also it is 75% of the
schedule target is information to him.
a) Environmental Information
b) Competitive Information
c) Internal Information.
Strategic Information
Top
Tactical Information
Middle
The scope of information can vary .It can be in detail or in summary form. It
can either be a complete set of data or only specific exceptions. We would
appreciate that the scope would vary depending on the level of
management the information is aimed at.
Information Economics
Information is an available resource in any organization. However the
preparation of formal information is not free; it costs money. How much
should an organization spend for information? Some type of a cost -effective
analysis should be undertaken.
Cost of Information
An information system is a key place for information generation storage and
use. With the advances in information technology they are increasingly used
in day-to- day applications. So the cost of operation of information system is:
Hardware Cost: This is normally a fixed or one time cost over a relevant
range. In case of computer based information system, with the development
in technology -hardware costs are coming down drastically.
System Analysis. Design and implementation cost: This is also a one time
cost. This function includes formulating a methodology for overall electronic
data processing procedure. This should include the cost for preparation of
programs and purchase of software.
Cost for Space and Environmental Control Factors: This cost may vary from
time to time. Examples of this cost are floor space, air-conditioning, power
control units, generator, security.
Value of Information
Information must primarily possess virtues of relevance, availability and
timeliness, to have value and thus to qualify as information. Measure of
quality is validity, accuracy and precision of information provided. Even if
information is presented in such a way as to be transmitted efficiently and
interpreted correctly, it may not be used effectively. The quality of
Information System
An information system can be simply defined as the interaction of man and
machine, which, under man's control, gathers data and broadcasts
information. The main objective of such a system is to provide information to
its user. To accomplish this, the data must be evaluated, analysed and
processed to produce meaningful and useful information. Information
systems playa very important role in modern economy. They inform us of
opportunities and problems well in advance.
An Information system is the basis for interaction between the user and the
analyst. At this point we can, define information system as a set of devices,
procedures and operating systems, designed around user-based criteria to
produce information and communicate it to the user for planning, control and
performance.
The changing employment scene the world over brings this development
into sharper focus. Services include banking, finance, health care,
entertainment, travel, tourism and education. All these sectors depend
heavily on the information service for their survival. Consequently the share
of total business by Information Technology (IT) is increasing day by day. It
is clear that Information processing will be the dominant industry of the 21st
century.
File / Server
For sharing data in a LAN (Local Area Network), the user stores files on a
file server. A file server is a central node that stores data files where all
users can access them.
The file server in a LAN acts as a central hub for sharing peripherals like
printers, print queues, and modems. In a LAN, an application running on
workstation (a PC connected to the LAN) reads and writes files on the file
server. In many cases entire files are transferred across the network on
behalf of the operations taking place on LAN PCs. A file server is not
involved in processing of an application. It simply stores files for applications
that run on LAN PCs.
For e.g. you might have a personal database manager on your LAN PC.
First, you start your personal database manager and then request
information in a file on the file server. The file server sends all or part of the
data file across the network to your workstation. As you work with your
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personal database manager and the database on your workstation, the file
server does not take part in the activity at all. When you save the file, you
copy the data file back to the file server across the network.
A client application (the "front end"} is the part of the system that users
apply to interact with data. The client applications in a Client/Server
database system focus on the following job:
Presenting an interface a user can interact with to complete the job.
Managing presentation logic such as pop up lists on a data entry form.
Performing application logic, such as calculating fields in or data entry
form.
Validating data entry.
Requesting and receiving information from a database server.
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Several benefits of the client/server model stem from the fact that the client
and server portions of a system usually run on separate computers. First,
each computer in the system can be selected to best meet the requirements
of each component. For example, it is best to use a computer with powerful
processors and lots of disk space and memory to run the database server.
This way, the server can store large amounts of data and adequately handle
many simultaneous client requests. In contrast, it is best to use a less
expensive computer with minimal disk storage and memory, a mouse, and
excellent graphics capabilities to run the client application. This way, a
company can inexpensively equip scores of users with a productive, easy-
to-use tool to enter and analyze data.
Second, the system is very responsive and flexible to all the inevitable types
of hardware and software changes. For example, suppose a new type of
computer becomes available that delivers twice the computing performance
1.6 Internet
Introduction and use
The Internet is "a network of networks". It is a global collection of high-
powered computers that are connected to each other with network cables,
telephone lines, microwave dishes, satellites etc. Each computer on the
Internet stores documents, sound files, video clips, program files, electronic
shopping centers, animations, pictures, interactive contents and other things
that can be stored and presented electronically. All these resources are
available to the computer, which connects to the Internet.
A Network of Networks
The Internet is a network of Wide Area Network. In a corporate wide Area
Network, each department has a Local Area Network that allows sharing of
files, database, printer and other peripheral devices.
username domain
Getting Connected:
The basic requirements are a 386 computer or above, a telephone line, and
a modem. A computer is connected through a modem (the signal
transmission is over a telephone line.) to a service provider. In India, the
service provider is VSNL -Videsh Sanchar Nigam Limited at Mumbai.
World Wide Web: This allows the user to jump from one location on the
Internet to another. Using a popular software interface such as Internet
Explorer or Netscape, a user could access any document on the net and
have access to graphics, text, sound and video.
Browser: Using a "Browser" (e.g. Netscape, Internet Explorer etc.) one
can access a hyperlinked database of text, pictures, sound and even
animation.
File Transfer Protocol (FTP): Files related to lawyer's case studies,
budget matters, cricket statistic, etc., just about anything any database
you would want to access or any non confidential file that is stored in the
net can be retrieved. All you need is an account name on the host
computer and the password to that particular account.
Veronica: If you want information on Jeans, you could use the Very Easy
Rodent Oriented Netwide Index to Computer Archives or simply
VERONICA.
ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network): This bridges the gap between
the personal dial-up connection and the dedicated connection by allowing
fast access over inexpensive phone lines.
Communication on Internet:
One of the reasons why Internet has become so popular is that its benefits
can be harnessed commercially. E.g. A leading manufacturer of cars can
put his entire stock on the Internet which enables the user to choose the
model, color, tyres etc. of his choice, give his credit card number and have it
delivered at a place of his choice.
Exercises:
1. Define term Data, Instruction and Information.
2. Discuss the Levels of Information used in an organization.
3. Explain the characteristics of Information.
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