Information technology (IT), as defined by the Information Technology Association of

America (ITAA), is "the study, design, development, implementation, support or

management of computer-based information systems, particularly software applications
and computer hardware." IT deals with the use of electronic computers and computer
software to convert, store, protect, process, transmit, and securely retrieve information.

Today, the term information technology has ballooned to encompass many aspects of
computing and technology, and the term is more recognizable than ever before. The
information technology umbrella can be quite large, covering many fields. IT
professionals perform a variety of duties that range from installing applications to
designing complex computer networks and information databases. A few of the duties
that IT professionals perform may include data management, networking, engineering
computer hardware, database and software design, as well as the management and
administration of entire systems. When computer and communications technologies are
combined, the result is information technology, or "infotech". Information Technology
(IT) is a general term that describes any technology that helps to produce, manipulate,
store, communicate, and/or disseminate information.

The Computer Society of India is a body of computer professionals in India. It was

started in 1965 by a handful of computer professionals and has now grown to be the
national body representing computer professionals. Its membership stands at more than
30,000 in more than 60 chapters throughout India.

The Computer Society of India is a non-Profit professional meet to exchange views and
information learn and share ideas. The wide spectrum of members is committed to the
advancement of the theory and practice of Computer Engineering and Technology
Systems, Science and Engineering, Information Processing and related Arts and Sciences.
The Society also encourages and assists professionals to maintain the integrity and
competence of the profession and fosters a sense of partnership amongst members.
Besides the activities held at the Chapter and Student Branches, the Society also
conducts periodic conferences, seminars,etc
ABOUT MEMBERSHIP

The Society is targeted at the user community at large. Hence the membership of the
Society is open to all professionals involved in the field of information technology.

The membership categories include Individual and Institutional. In the Individual

member category there are five grades namely Fellow, Senior, Member, Associate and
Student, whereas Institutional membership includes organisations and educational
institutions.

A professional can also apply for life membership in the Society.

CHAPTER AND STUDENT BRANCHES

A Chapter of the Society is a group of members in a particular locality or city. The

chapters play a major role in achieving the objectives of the Society. It has direct links
with the members. For the benefit of members, the chapter organizes monthly technical
meetings, product presentations, exhibitions, film and video shows. The chapters also
host Regional, Divisional, National, International events along with the sponsoring
agencies

The Chapter activities are managed by a committee of elected members headed by the
Chairman. The Chairman is assisted by the Vice-Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer. The
committee has eight members each one taking care of the activities relating to the
divisions of the Society.

Being closely associated with students, the Society has developed a well-established
network of "Student Branches" all across the country. The activities conducted for the
students associated with the Society include lecture meetings, seminars, conferences,
training programmes, programming contests and practical visits to installations. CSI has a
strong Educational Directorate which undertakes activities related to Certification of
professionals related to the latest technologies. It's recent initiative of distance education
in the Business Domain areas offers technology enabled learning supported by personal
counseling & expert advice. In an ever changing environment, CSI offers professional
counseling being a great need of the hour. And this is done by being in close contact with
its young members through various events, conferences, symposia to name a few.

Computer-aided design (CAD) is the use of a wide range of computer-based tools that
assist engineers, architects and other design professionals in their design activities. It is
the main geometry authoring tool within the Product Lifecycle Management process and
involves both software and sometimes special-purpose hardware. Current packages range
from 2D vector based drafting systems to 3D solid and surface modellers.

CAD is sometimes translated as "computer-assisted", "computer-aided drafting", or a

similar phrase. Related acronyms are CADD, which stands for "computer-aided design
and drafting", CAID for Computer-aided Industrial Design and CAAD, for "computer-
aided architectural design". All these terms are essentially synonymous, but there are a
few subtle differences in meaning and application.

CAD was originally the three letter acronym for "Computer Aided drafting" as in the
early days CAD was really a replacement for the traditional drafting board.

But now is the term is often interchanged with "Computer Aided Design" to reflect the
fact that modern CAD tools do much more than just drafting