Information Technology Term 1: Key Concepts and Definitions

IT

The use of electronic devices to solve, process, retrieve and send information.

Computer

A programmable electronic device with more than one purpose that can receive data, process the data and produce information for the user.

Data

A collection of raw, unprocessed, unorganized facts.

Information

The result of processed data to make it useful.

Software

Sets of instructions that tell the hardware to perform a specific task.

Application Software

Programs designed to perform a specific task for the user.

Intellectual Property

Any product or material that is created by the mind of an individual.

EULA (End User License Agreement)

A legal contract between the owner of the software and the user, stipulating the conditions under which the software may be installed and used.

Convergence Device

A device that combines the functionality of multiple devices into one.

Ergonomics

The study of how office equipment and furniture are designed to improve the user's comfort and therefore their health.

RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury)

Causes pain in tendons and muscles due to repetitive movements and overuse of that area.

CTS (Carpal Tunnel Syndrome)

A type of RSI which causes the hand and forearm to tingle and become numb due to the nerve inside the carpal tunnel in the wrists being pinched.

ICT (Information and Communication Technology)

An ICT System combines hardware, software, communication data, and the humans who use them.

Digital Divide

The gap between those who have access to ICT and those who do not.

Digital Citizen

A person who has the knowledge and skill to use ICT, including the internet, and uses them responsibly with regards to others and the environment.

Encode

The function of encoding data is to change the format of the data, to make it possible to transmit over different mediums.

Overflow

An error that occurs when numbers are processed and the result is outside the range of the data type.

Truncation

Happens where there is not enough space to store a value in a variable or storage and part of it is cut off.

File Manager

Utility software that allows the user to manage the files saved on storage and organize these files into folders.

File Extension

Characters added by the operating system used to create a file name when the file is saved.

Data Warehouse

A central repository that stores large collections of data gathered from a wide range of sources.

Data Mining

The process where companies use the raw data stored in a data warehouse and turn it into useful information by using software and complex algorithms to discover patterns in the data.