INTRODUCTION TO INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

1 BCom(CA) INTRODUCTION to INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY 1 (CA) First Year Paper No. 4 INTRODUCTION TO INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY BHARATHIAR UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF DISTANCE EDUCATION COIMBATORE 641 046 BCom(CA) INTRODUCTION to INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY 2 BCom(CA) INTRODUCTION to INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY 3 CONTENT Lessons PAGE No. UNIT-I lesson 1 INTRODUCTION to computer Systems 7 lesson 2 Hardware and Software 20 lesson 3 Data Processing 27 lesson 4 computer Applications 37 lesson 5 Computers Related Jobs 45 UNIT-II lesson 6 Types of computer Systems 51 lesson 7 Generations of Computers 63 lesson 8 Data Processing System 70 lesson 9 networking 83 UNIT-III lesson 10 Components of computer and their Functions 97 lesson 11 Storage Unit and CPU 110 lesson 12 Software 116 lesson 13 Programming Language 124 lesson 14 Program Development 132 UNIT-IV lesson 15 Operating System 145 lesson 16 Electronic Commerce 157 lesson 17 Internet 164 lesson 18 Extranet and E-Mail 172 lesson 19 Mobile Computing 181 UNIT-V lesson 20 Systems Analysis and Design 187

2 lesson 21 INTRODUCTION to INFORMATION Systems 193 lesson 22 Office Automation Systems and Transaction Processing 207 lesson 23 Decision Support Systems 220 lesson 24 Expert Systems 230 BCom(CA) INTRODUCTION to INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY 4(Syllabus) (CA) INTRODUCTION TO INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Objectives : After the successful completion of the course the students should have knowledge about concepts and principles of IT. UNIT-I Hardware and Softward : computer systems importance of computers in Business Data and INFORMATION Data Processing, Data Storage and Data retrieval capabilities computer applications in various areas of business- computer -related jobs in business. UNIT-II Types of computer systems-Micro, Mini, Mainframe and Super computer .

3 Analog, Digital and Hybrid Computers Business and Scientific computer systems First, second, third and fourth generation Computers, Laptop or notebook Computers Data Processing Systems Batch, Online and Real time system Time sharing, Multiprogramming and Multiprocessing systems networking : Local and Wide Area Network. UNIT-III Components of Computers Input, Output and Storage Devices Software : System Software and Application Software; Programming Language Machine Language Assembly Language, Higher Level Languages. Flow Chart and Programme Flow Chart Steps in developing a computer programme. UNIT-IV Operating Systems : Dos, Windows, UNIX, WindowsNT, Windows98- and its uses-World Wide Websites-Mobile Computers.

4 UNIT-V System Analysis and Design computer based INFORMATION System-Transaction Processing Office Automation Management INFORMATION System Decision Support Systems Expert System. Book for Reference 1. computer and Common Sense Roger Hunt and John Shellery 2. Using Micro Computers Brightman and Dimsdale 3. Made Simple 4. INTRODUCTION to Computers Alexis Leon and Mathews Leon 5. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY for Management-Henry BCom(CA) INTRODUCTION to INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY 5 UNIT I BCom(CA) INTRODUCTION to INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY 6 BCom(CA) INTRODUCTION to INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY 7 lesson -1 INTRODUCTION TO computer SYSTEM CONTENTS Aims & Objectives INTRODUCTION Characteristics of Computers Speed Storage Accuracy Versatility Automation Diligence Reliability History of Computers Speed Storage Accuracy Versatility Automation Diligence Reliability Versatility Automation Diligence Reliability computer System Importance of Computers in Business Let Us Sum Up lesson End Activity Points for Discussion Check your Progress Reference BCom(CA)

5 INTRODUCTION to INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AIMS & OBJECTIVES This lesson the INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY concepts through Basic knowledge of INTRODUCTION to the computer systems. At the conclusion of this chapter you should be able to understand: The characteristics of computers that makes them an essential part of every TECHNOLOGY world. computer system, which includes components such as central processing unit & Input and Output (I/O) device . INTRODUCTION The term computer is derived from the Latin word compute, which means to calculate. A computer is an electronic machine, devised for performing calculations and controlling operations that can be expressed either in logical or numerical terms.

6 In simple terms, a computer is an electronic device that performs diverse operations with the help of instructions to process the INFORMATION in order to achieve the desired results. computer application extends to cover huge area including education, industries, government, medicine, scientific research etc. A computer is one of the most influential forces available in modern times. Due to its memory, high speed and perfection, its application can be extended to almost infinite levels. Millions of complex calculations can be done in mere fraction of time. Difficult decisions can be made with accuracy for comparatively little cost. Computers are widely seen as instruments for future progress and as tools to achieve substantiality by way of improved access to INFORMATION by means of video conferencing and e-mail.

7 Indeed computers have left such on impression on modern civilization that we call this era as the INFORMATION age. CHARACTER STICS OF COMPUTERS The main characteristics of computers are: Speed Storage Accuracy Versatility Automation Diligence Relbility BCom(CA) INTRODUCTION to INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SPEED Computers are capable of carrying out the task with enormous speed. Today s computers, according to their class, can perform from 4 MIPS (Millions of instructions per second) to 100 MIPS. What may take days for manual calculations may take only a few hours for computers to perform. Inside the computer the INFORMATION signal travels at incredible electronic speed.

8 STORAGE Computers can store enormous quantity of INFORMATION . Which is expressed in terms of Kilobytes (or) Mega Bytes (MB) or Gega Bytes (GB). It is achieved through its Main memory or Primary storage and through auxiliary storage or Secondary storage . The Hard disks Floppy disk, Compact Disc(CD) and Magnetic Tape storage are examples of secondary storages. These large volumes of storage occupy much lesser space compared to paper documents and this aspect of computers makes them more powerful. ACCURACY The accuracy of a computer is consistently high. In fact, this quality of the computers make them indispensable in various fields such as Scientific Research, Space Research, Weather Predictions and many other areas where precision of a high order is required.

9 The accuracy of the computer is best achieved by programming them in the most efficient manner. When it comes to very complex mathematical or scientific problem the computer s accuracy has no substitute. VERSATILITY Computers are versatile in that they can perform almost any task, provided they are given the appropriate logical steps. For example, they are capable of performing wide ranging tasks such as construction of a payroll, inventory management in a factory, hotel billing, hospital management, banking applications and any imaginable task in every walk of life. AUTOMATION The biggest advantage of computers is that it is automatic in its operation. Once a programming logic is initiated the computer performs repeated operations without human interventions until program completion.

10 BCom(CA) INTRODUCTION to INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DILIGENCE Computers are machines and that do not get tired or lose concentration like human beings. If a large number of calculations say million calculations are to be performed the resultant output will remain exactly the same even if operations are repeated any number of times. But when a human being is asked to do the same job this consistency cannot be achieved. Thus for those who want consistent and continuous standard output, computer s diligence is of great help. RELIABILITY The computers give very accurate results with predetermined values. They correct and modify the parameters automatically, giving suitable signals.