Basics of ICT (1431)

Level: BA

Semester, spring 2019

Passing Marks (Assignment 1): 40

Assignment No. 1

(Unit 1-4)

Note: All Questions are compulsory. Each question carries equal marks.

Q.1 Define the term computer. Also explain different applications of computer
in detail.

Answer:-

Computer: - A computer is an electronic machine, operating under the control of

instructions stored in its own memory that can accept data, manipulate the data
according to specified rules, produce results, and store the results for future use.

Computers process data to create information. Data is a collection of raw

unprocessed facts, figures, and symbols. Information is data that is organized,
meaningful, and useful. To process data into information, a computer uses
hardware and software. Hardware is the electric, electronic, and mechanical
equipment that makes up a computer. Software is the series of instructions that
tells the hardware how to perform tasks. Technically, a computer is a
programmable machine. This means it can execute a programmed list of
instructions and respond to new instructions that it is given. Today, however, the
term is most often used to refer to the desktop and laptop computers that most
people use. When referring to a desktop model, the term “computer” technically
only refers to the computer itself — not the monitor, keyboard, and mouse. Still,
it is acceptable to refer to everything together as the computer. If you want to be
really technical, the box that holds the computer is called the “system unit.” Some
of the major parts of a personal computer (or PC) include the motherboard, CPU,
memory (or RAM), hard drive, and video card. While personal computers are by
far the most common type of computers today, there are several other types of
computers. For example, a “minicomputer” is a powerful computer that can
support many users at once. A “mainframe” is a large, high-powered computer
that can perform billions of calculations from multiple sources at one time.
Finally, a “supercomputer” is a machine that can process billions of instructions a
second and is used to calculate extremely complex calculations.

Here is a small list of different types of computer applications.

1. Embedded Systems
2. Windows applications (also called ‘Desktop applications’)
3. Web Applications
4. Web Services
5. Console applications

EMBEDDED SYSTEMS:-

When we save a name, address and other information in to our Mobile Phone or
Digital Diary, You know how it gets saved in it? Nothing but which is a small
computer program ‘Embedded’ into a chip in the device inside the mobile phone
or digital diary known as Embedded Systems.

WINDOWS APPLICATIONS: –

Windows Applications is a form based standard Windows, Microsoft word; Paint

is example to the Windows application, and also called ‘Desktop applications’.

WEB APPLICATIONS:-

A web site is also called ‘web Applications’. A web applications is a collection of

web pages hosted on a special computer called ‘web server’. Web server can be
located anywhere and visitors can be located anywhere it will work through
Browsers (EG. Internet Explorer, Mozilla, Netscape).

WEB SERVICES:-

Web services are web applications that give services to other applications through
the internet, example Google search engine, Yahoo Search engine etc. which
allows other applications to delegate the task of searching over the internet.
Console Applications: Console applications runs inside the command prompt i.e.
DOS window, it is a light weight program and which is used commonly for test
applications.

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Q.2 what is the difference between memory and hard disk? Explain it in detail.

Answer:-

Computer Memory:-

CPU contains registers which are small storage areas and A CPU needs
much larger space in mega-bytes as compared to registers that can hold a few
bytes at a time. Computers are equipped with storage units also called memory
units linked with the processor. The computer memory can hold programs and
the data for current and future use. These storage devices can be classified as:

1- Main memory (Primary storage)

2- Secondary memory (Secondary storage)

Main memory:-

Main memory of a computer is its internal memory also called the primary
memory. Generally the main memory is on semiconductor chips. These memory
chips are connected with the CPU on the motherboard. Main memory is very fast
as it is directly accessible by the CPU.

Hard disk:-

Secondary memory also called as backing storage is used to supplement the

capacity of main memory. Secondary storages such as Floppy disks, hard disks and
CDs can store a bulk of data/information. The data in secondary storage is. First
brought into the main memory before processing.

Difference between Memory and Hard disk:-

 The hard disk, sometimes called the "hard drive" (which is actually the
mechanism that holds the hard disk), is a spindle of magnetic discs that can hold
several gigabytes of data. Therefore, disk space refers to how much space you
have available on your hard disk for storing files. When you save a document or
install a new program, it gets stored on your hard disk. The more files you
download, install, or save on your hard disk, the fuller it become.

Memory, on the other hand, is not the same as disk space! Memory refers
to the random access memory (RAM) inside your computer. RAM consists of small
chips also known as memory modules. Your computer uses memory (RAM) to
store actively running programs on the computer, including the operating system.
For example, the operating system's interface and other processes get loaded into
memory when the computer boots up. When you open a program like Microsoft
Word, it gets loaded into the computer's memory as well. When you quit the
program, the memory is freed up for use by other programs.

RAM can be accessed hundreds of times faster than a hard drive, which is
why active programs are loaded into RAM. Since only small amounts of data from
hard disk do need to be loaded into the system memory at one time, computers
typically have much more hard disk space than memory. For example, a 2012
computer may come with a 2 TB hard drive, and only 16 GB of RAM.

If your computer informs you that you don't have enough disk space to
install a program, you will need delete files from your hard disk that you don't
need or buy an additional hard drive. If your computer says there is not enough
memory to run a certain program, you will need to upgrade your memory by
buying more RAM. Knowing the difference between these two computer
components can save you both time and money.

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Q.3 Write down the advantages and disadvantages of “Information and

Communication Technology”.

Answer:-
Advantage of ICT:-

1. Communication:-

With the help of ICT it has become quicker and more efficient to contact either a
business of family member. We can now correspond with anyone around the
global b simply text messaging them, or sending them an email. The wide
availability of the internet has also opened up face-to-face direct communication
from nearly anywhere in the world. Thanks to the help of video-conferencing.
Social networking websites Skype and a myriad of deal offered by
telecommunications companies and smart phones thus making it far cheaper than
in the past online communication can bring families / friends together across
distances.

2. Globalization:

ICT has not only brought the countries and people closer together, but it has
allowed the world’s economy to become a single interdependent system. This
means that we can not only share information and geographic boundaries. The
world has developed into a global village due to the help of information
technology, allowing countries who are not only separated by distance but also by
language to share ideas and information with each other.

3. Cost effectiveness:

ICT has also helped to automate business practices, thus restructuring businesses
to make them exceptionally cost effective. This, in turn, increases productivity
making the business more profitable.

4. Greater Availability:

ICT has made it possible for businesses to be automated giving clients access to a
website or voicemail every time. This means that a business can be open anytime,
anywhere, giving a customer the capability to make a purchase form different
countries thus making it easier and more convenient.

5. Bridging the cultural gap:

Greater access to technology has helped to bridge the cultural gap by helping
people from different cultures to communicate with one another, and allow for
the exchange of views and ideas, thus increasing awareness and reducing
prejudice.

6. Creation of new jobs:

Probably, the best advantage of ICT has been the creation of new and interesting
jobs. Computer programmers, Systems analysts, Hardware and software
developers, and web designers are just some of the many new employment
opportunities created with the help of ICT.

Disadvantages of ICT:

1. Destructive and immoral content:

ICT technology has provided access to damaging information through various

websites that host destructive and immoral content.

2. Unemployment:

While information technology may have streamlined the business process it has
also created job redundancies, Downsizing and outsourcing. This means that a lot
of lower and middle level jobs have been done away will causing more people to
become unemployed.

3. Privacy:

Though information technology may have made communication quicker, easier

and more convenient, it has also bought along privacy issues. From cell phone
signal interceptions to email hacking, people are now worried about their once
private information becoming public knowledge.

4. Lack of job security:

Industry experts believe that the internet has made job security a big issue as
since technology keeps on changing with each day. This means that one has to be
in constant learning mode, if he or she wishes for their job to be secure.
5. Dominant culture:

While information technology may have made the world a global village, it has
also contributed to one culture dominating another weaker one. For example it is
now argued that US influences how most young teenagers all over the world now
act, dress and behave, Languages to have become overshadowed with English
becoming the primary mode of communication for business and everything else.

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Q.4 Explain the differences between “ICT” and “Telecommunication”.

Answer:-

Difference between ICT and Telecommunication Information and Communication

Technology (I.C.T) is defined as the scientific methods and means to store,
process and transmit vast amount of information in seconds, with the help of
electronic equipment.

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is basically an electronic

based system of information technology and telecommunication. ICT is a blend of
two fields, information technology and telecommunication. The two terms are
defined as follows:

1- The scientific method used to store information, to arrange it for proper use
and to communicate it to others is called information technology

2- The method that is used to communicate information to far off places instantly
is called telecommunication.

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Q.5 Write short notes on the following topics.

1. Point and Draw Devices

2. Social Networking Websites

Answer:-
1. Point and Draw Devices

The keyboard is too cumbersome for some applications especially those that rely
on a graphical user interface (GUT) or require the user to point or draw. The
effectiveness of GUIs depends on the user’s ability to make a rapid selection from
a screen full of graphic icons or menus. In these instances the mouse can position
the pointer (graphics cursor) over an icon quickly and efficiently. Computer artists
use mice to create images. Engineers use them to “draw” lines that connect
points on a graph.

For the moment the mouse remains the most popular point-and-draw
device. However, a variety of device is available that move the graphics cursor to
point and draw and each has its advantages and disadvantages.

2. Social Networking Websites

A social networking website is an online platform that allows users to create a

public profile and interact with other users on the website. Social networking
websites usually have a new user input a list of people with whom they share a
connection and then allow the people on the list to confirm or deny the
connection. After connections are established, the new user can search the
networks of his connections to make more connections. A social networking site
may also be known as a social website or a social networking website.

Social networking sites have different rules for establishing connection, but
they often allows users to view the connections of a confirmed connection and
even suggest further connections based on a person’s established network. Some
social networking websites like LinkedIn are used for establishing professional
connection. While sites like Face book straddle the line between private and
professional.

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