Introduction and History of Information Technology (IT) - Chapter 1

Flashcards based on the lecture notes covering IT definition, components, data/ information/ knowledge, hardware/software concepts, IT functions, history of computers, and IT careers.

What is Information Technology (IT) as defined in the notes?

Systems of hardware and/or software that capture, process, exchange, store and/or present information using electrical, magnetic and/or electromagnetic energy.

What are the three main components of Information Technology?

Computers, communications networks, and know-how.

What is Data?

Raw facts, figures, and details.

What is Information?

An organized, meaningful, and useful interpretation of data.

What is Knowledge?

An awareness and understanding of a set of information and how that information can be put to the best use.

Name the four main groups shown in IT components (as per the diagram in the notes).

Computers, Information, Communications, Know-how.

What is a computer?

An electronic system that can be instructed to accept, process, store, and present data and information.

What are the four sizes of computers?

Microcomputers, Midrange computers, Mainframes, Supercomputers.

What are the five types of Microcomputers?

Desktop Computers, Notebook Computers/Laptop Computers, Tablet PCs, Personal Digital Assistants, Palm PCs.

What are midrange computers and mainframes used for?

Interconnect people and large sets of information; more powerful than microcomputers; usually dedicated to specific functions.

What is a supercomputer designed to do?

Solve long and difficult calculations; the most powerful of all computers.

What is hardware?

The computer and its associated equipment.

What is a program?

A set of instructions that directs a computer to perform certain tasks and produce certain results.

What is software?

The general term for a set of instructions that controls a computer or a communications network.

What is a system?

A set of components that interact to accomplish a purpose.

What is an Information System?

A business information system designed to produce the information needed for successful management of a structured problem, process, department, or business.

What is a communications network?

A set of locations, or nodes, consisting of hardware, programs, and information linked together as a system that transmits and receives data and information.

What is data communication?

The transmission of data and information through a communications medium.

What does IT know-how consist of?

Familiarity with the tools of IT (including the Internet); the skills needed to use these tools; and an understanding of when to use IT to solve a problem or create an opportunity.

Name the five functions of Information Technology.

Transmit, Store/Retrieve, Capture, Generate, Process.

What does 'Capture' mean in IT functions?

The process of compiling detailed records of activities.

What does 'Processing' mean in IT functions?

The process of converting, analyzing, computing, and synthesizing all forms of data or information.

Name an example of IT data processing types listed.

Data Processing, Information Processing, Word Processing, Image Processing, or Voice Processing.

What does 'Generation' mean in the IT functions?

The process of organizing information into a useful form (numbers, text, sound, or visual image).

What is Storage and Retrieval in IT?

Storage is retaining information for future use; Retrieval is locating and copying stored data or information for further processing or transmission.

What is Transmission in IT?

The process of distributing information over a communications network (e.g., Electronic Mail, Voice Mail).

What are some benefits of Information Technology?

Speed, Consistency, Precision, Reliability.

Who presented the Stored Program concept in 1945?

John von Neumann.

What was the first electronic computer built at Iowa State, and when?

The Atanasoff-Berry Computer, built between 1939-1942, used the binary system.

What does ENIAC stand for?

Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator.

Where was ENIAC built?

University of Pennsylvania.

How large and heavy was ENIAC?

It filled a 20 by 40 foot room and weighed about 30 tons.

How many vacuum tubes did ENIAC use?

More than 18,000 vacuum tubes.

What is EDVAC and why is it significant?

EDVAC (and successors like EDSAC and UNIVAC) were among the first computers to use the stored-program concept; EDVAC pioneered the stored program.

What is UNIVAC and why is it notable?

The first commercial (mass-produced) computer; first to employ magnetic tape.

What invention in 1947 led to the second generation computers?

The transistor.

What does UNIVAC stand for?

Universal Automatic Computer.

What was the impact of transistors on computers?

Made computers smaller, cheaper and faster.

What did Intel’s microprocessor (1970) enable?

The microprocessor; an entire CPU on one chip, leading to microcomputers.

What change occurred in programming in the 1990s?

University students typically owned their own computer and had exclusive use of it in their dorm room.

What are some examples of IT careers listed in the notes?

Information Security Jobs, IT Analyst, Network Administration, Management Consulting, Database Administration, Computer Forensics Expert, IT Sales, Software Development.

What does an IT Analyst do?

Translate business requirement into technical specification.

What does Network Administration involve?

Configure and operate computer networks.

What does Database Administration do?

Managing corporate databases.

What is a Computer Forensics Expert?

Extracts computer evidence for detecting/preventing/prosecuting crimes.

What is IT Sales?

People on the frontline to sell products.

What is Software Development?

Develop software solutions.