Introduction to Information Technology (IT)

Information Technology (IT)

The acquisition, processing, storage, and dissemination of text, digital, audio, and visual information using electronic computing and communication.

Communication Technology

The development of communication methods that enable fast transmission of information over long distances.

Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

The study of interconnected physical and non-physical technologies used for capturing, processing, managing, and disseminating data.

Data vs. Information

Data are raw facts or figures, while information is data that is organized and structured to provide meaning.

Knowledge

The understanding and awareness derived from information that allows us to make conclusions or inferences.

Computer-Based Information Systems

A system that performs tasks using computer technology, involving hardware, software, databases, and networks.

Hardware

The physical components of a computer system, such as the monitor, keyboard, and CPU.

Software

A collection of instructions that control a computer and tell it how to perform tasks.

Operating System

The primary software that manages computer hardware and allows interaction between the user and the machine.

Database

An organized collection of structured data, typically managed using a Database Management System (DBMS) to allow for efficient access and manipulation.

Relational Database

A database that stores data in tables and is designed to allow related data to be easily linked.

Networking

The practice of connecting computers to share resources and information.

IP Address

A unique identifier assigned to devices on a network, facilitating communication over the Internet.

MAC Address

A unique identifier assigned to network interfaces for communications at the data link layer.

Transport Layer Security (TLS)

A cryptographic protocol designed to provide secure communication over a computer network.

Cloud Computing

A model for delivering computing resources over the internet, allowing for on-demand access to a shared pool of configurable resources.

Bandwidth