Maharashtra Board Class 11 Information Technology Theory Chapter 1 Basics of Information Technology PDF Download

Basics Of Information Technology

Information Technology has great influence on all aspects of life. Almost all work places and living environments are being computerized and the use of Information Technology is being enhanced.

Definition Of Information Technology

IT (Information Technology) encompasses all of the technologies that we use in order to create, collect, process, protect and store information. It refers to hardware, software (computer programs), and computer networks.

ICT (Information and Communication Technology) concept involves transfer and use of all kinds of information. ICT is the foundation of economy and a driving force of social changes in the 21st century. Distance is no longer an issue when it comes to accessing information; for example, work-from-home, distance learning, e-banking, and e-governance are now possible from any place with an internet connection and a computing device. Lets first perceive two important concepts - Data and Information :

Data And Information

It is being said that the terms "data" and "information" are interchangeable and mean the same thing. However, they are not same and there is a difference between the two words. Data can be any character, text, word, number or raw facts. However, Information is data formatted in a manner that allows it to be utilized by human beings in some significant way. In the above example, the data appears to be a set of random words and numbers. However, when that data is interpreted, organized and formatted, one can tell that it is contact information of a person named as XYZ.

Example of Data: Umbar, 1234, Xyz, MG Road, Calcutta, 9111111111, 84084

Example of Information: Xyz, 1234, MG Road, Umbar 84084, Calcutta, 9111111111

Teacher's Note

Data is like raw materials. Information is like finished goods. Think of it like this: numbers and letters in your notebook are data. When your teacher writes a nice sentence with those letters, it becomes information.

Exam Trick

Remember: Data = scattered, Information = arranged. Like toys on the floor are data. Toys in a box are information.

Points to Remember

Data is raw facts like numbers and words.
Information is organized data that has meaning.
Data needs processing to become information.
Example: 9876543210 is data, but "Raj's phone number is 9876543210" is information.
Teachers organize raw marks into a report card which becomes information.

Teacher's Note

IT is everywhere now. From your mobile phone to the school computer lab, IT is used. Even your teacher uses IT to make questions and mark your papers.

Exam Trick

Remember: IT = Information Technology = all computer things combined. Like a dictionary has all words, IT has all technology things.

Points to Remember

IT means using computers and technology to work with information.
IT includes hardware (physical parts) and software (programs).
ICT means Information and Communication Technology.
Internet and email are examples of IT.
IT makes work faster and easier for everyone.

Need Of Information

Information is required to take short term and long term decisions and also to make strategic decisions in an organization. Since we live in the "Information age", Information Technology has become a part of our everyday life.

Various Concepts Used Under IT

Before getting started let us learn some of the important concepts used under Information Technology.

Computer

The word Computer is derived from a Latin word "computare" which means to "to calculate", "to count", "to sum up" or "to think together". An electronic device which accepts input from the user, processes it according to the instructions given to it and gives the required result in the form of output, is a computer.

Computer System

A computer can process data, images, audio, video and graphics. A computer performs five major computer operations or functions irrespective of their size and make. These are:

1) It accepts data or instructions by way of input.

2) It stores data.

3) It can process data as required by the user.

4) It gives results in the form of output.

5) It controls all operations inside a computer.

Teacher's Note

A computer is like a smart helper. You give it a job (input), it does the job (processing), and gives you the answer (output). Like giving your mobile phone a voice command to call someone.

Exam Trick

Remember: IPO = Input, Processing, Output. This is the main work of every computer. Nothing more, nothing less.

Points to Remember

Computer means to calculate or count.
Computer accepts input from users.
Computer stores data in its memory.
Computer processes data according to instructions.
Computer gives output to show results.

Architecture Of Computer

Computer Architecture is a specification detailing of how a set of software and hardware technology standards interact to form a computer system. In short, computer architecture refers to how a computer system is designed and how it works.

Computer System And Peripherals

Every computer system has the following three basic components:

1. Input Unit

2. Central Processing Unit

3. Output Unit

Input Unit

This unit helps users to enter data and commands into a computer system. Data can be in the form of numbers, words, actions, commands, etc. The main function of input devices is to direct commands and data into computer. Computer then uses its CPU to process data and produce output.

For example, a keyboard is an input device that enters numbers and characters. Similarly, even a mouse can be an input device for entering directions and commands. Other examples include barcode reader, Magnetic Ink Character Reader (MICR), Optical Character Reader (OCR), etc.

Another example of input devices is touch-screens. Users can simply touch these screens without using any other device to enter commands. From smartphones to ATM machines, these input devices are becoming very popular now a days.

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

After receiving data and commands from users, a computer system has to process it according to the instructions provided. Here, it has to rely on a component called the Central Processing Unit. The CPU further uses these three elements:

a) Arithmetic And Logic Unit

This part of the CPU performs arithmetic operations. It does basic mathematical calculations like addition, subtraction, division, multiplication, etc. Further, it can even perform logical functions like the comparison of data.

Teacher's Note

The input unit is like the mouth of the computer. It lets computer eat information. Your keyboard is a mouth. Your touchscreen on mobile is also a mouth.

Exam Trick

Remember: Input = data coming IN to the computer. Like food going into your mouth. Keyboard, mouse, microphone are all input devices.

Points to Remember

Input devices help us send data to the computer.
Keyboard is used to type information.
Mouse is used to click and point.
Barcode reader scans barcodes in shops.
Touch screens let us use our fingers to control computers.

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