FUNDAMENTAL OF

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

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INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................................... 4
COMPUTER SYSTEM AND COMPONENETS ........................................................................................... 6
............................................................................................................................................................... 6
CHARACTERISTICS OF COMPUTER ..................................................................................................... 7
GENERATIONS OF COMPUTER ........................................................................................................... 8
COMPONENTS OF COMPUTER ........................................................................................................... 8
OPERATING SYSTEMS ......................................................................................................................... 9
FUNCTIONS OF AN OPERATING SYSTEM....................................................................................... 9
TYPES OF OPERATING SYSTEMS .................................................................................................... 9
SOFTWARE AND ITS APPLICATIONS ................................................................................................. 11
NETWORKING .................................................................................................................................. 12

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INTRODUCTION

Welcome to “Foundation of Information Technology,” a comprehensive guide designed to provide a

solid understanding of the fundamental principles that underpin the dynamic world of IT. In this we
embark on journey through key concepts and essential knowledge, equipping you with the
foundational skills needed to navigate the diverse landscape of Information Technology.

IT deals with the storage, retrieval, and manipulation of data to generate meaningful information. IT
relies on network to connect devices and facilitate data exchange. Understanding protocol and
network structure is crucial. Knowing how to write a code is essential. Programming language like
Python, java and C++ are widely used in IT.

IT involves manging data efficiently often through database. Knowledge of database system such as
MySQL or Oracle is important. Protecting the information from unauthorized is critical. Cybersecurity
involves implementing measures to secure data and system.

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COMPUTER SYSTEM AND COMPONENETS

Computer is a electronics machine that accept the data from users / programmer and process the
data by performing calculation and operation on It.

ANALOG COMPUTERS:- Analog computer is another kind of computer that represent the data
as wherever across continue range of value. Earlier computer work on Analog computer.

Example:- Slide rule, Speedometer.

DIGITAL COMPUTER:- A digital computer uses distinct value to represent the data internally all
the information are represent uses the digit 0 or 1.

Example :- Laptop, Desktop etc.

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CHARACTERISTICS OF COMPUTER

SPEED

CONSISTEN
MEMORY
CY

CHARACTE-
RISTICS OF
COMPUTER

ACCURACY DILIGENCE

VERSATILIT
Y

SPEED: A powerful computer can handle trillions of instructions per second. It is measured in micro-
sec or nano-sec.

CONSISTENCY: Computers can performs trillions of works without error for several hours.
DILIGENCE: Unlike human, the computer does not get tired or lacks its concentration.
VERSATILITY: Computer has the ability to perform completely different kinds of works with same
accuracy and efficiency at same time.

MEMORY: Computer has built in memory, where it can store instant data immediately.
ACCURACY: The degree of accuracy in computers is very high; computers can perform calculation at
almost 100% accuracy.

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GENERATIONS OF COMPUTER

GENERATION SOFTWARE HARDWARE CHARACTERISTICS EXAMPLES

TECHNOLOGY FEATURES
FIRST Instruction in Vacuum tube Support machine Universal
(1940-1956) machine language. language. automatic
Very costly. computer
Generate lot of heat.
SECOND Instruction in Transistors. Faster, smaller, reliable IBM-1401,
(156-1963) machine language. then previous PDP-8
generation.
Costly.
THIRD Keyboard, monitor Integrated chips. Easier to update. IBM-370,
(1964-1971) interface through Compute time was in PDP-11
operating system. nano second.
FOURTH This generation The use Large Small, affordable, easy Intel 4004
(1971-Present) supported GUI. Scale Integration to use.
Several new (LSI)and very Multiprocessing and
operating system large scale GUI.
MS DOC etc Integration(VLSI).
develops.
FIFTH Computers use They use Super Rapid software PARAM.
(present-next) parallel processing. Large Scale development available.
Integration(SLSI). Powerful, cheaper, easy
to use.

COMPONENTS OF COMPUTER

• Central processing unit (consists ALU, CU, Registers)

• Memory (RAM, ROM)
• Storage (hard drive, SSD)
• Input devices (Keyboard, mouse)
• Output device (Monitor, Printer)
• A motherboard.

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OPERATING SYSTEMS

An operating system (OS) is a fundamental software component that serves as the intermediary
between a computer’s hardware and applications running on it. It plays a crucial role in managing
system resource, facilitating communication between software and hardware and providing a user-
friendly interface. Without an operating system, computers would lack the necessary software
infrastructure to execute tasks efficiently.

FUNCTIONS OF AN OPERATING SYSTEM

• MEMORY MANAGEMENT: The OS allocates and deallocates memory space for programs,
ensuring efficient utilization of RAM. It also manages virtual memory, allowing programs to
use more memory than physically available by swapping data between RAM and storage.
• PROCESS MANAGEMENT: The operating system overseas the execution of processes,
which are individual instances of running programs. It schedules process, allocates
resources, and provides mechanism for inter process communication.
• FILE MANAGEMENT: File system manage by the OS organise and store data on storage
device. The OS handle file creation, deletion, reading and writing operations, ensuring data
integrity and accessibility.
• SECURITY AND ACCESS CONTROL: Operating system implement security measures to
protect data and resources. This includes users authentication, encryption and access control
mechanism to restrict unauthorized access to sensitive information.

TYPES OF OPERATING SYSTEMS

SINGLE USERS: Designed for individual users and can only

executes one tasks at a time.

MULTI-USERS: Supports multiple users concurrently each

running independent processes.

REAL-TIME: Used in embedded system and critical

applications guaranteeing timely response to events.

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NETWORKING OPERATING SYSTEM: These facilitate communication and resources sharing among
multiple computers in a network.

Example: Windows and Linux.

MOBILE OPERATIMG SYSTEM: Specifically designed for

mobile device, managing applications, connectivity, and
hardware resources.

Example: Android and Ios.

FUTURE TRENDS:

Increasing use of container technologies like

Docker for efficient deployment and scaling off
applications.
Operating system are evolving supporting
computing at the edge, closer to the data source, for faster processing and reduce latency.
Continued focus on improving OS security, incorporating advanced encryption and
authentication mechanism.

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SOFTWARE AND ITS APPLICATIONS

Software refers to set of instructions, program data that

enable, a computer to perform specific task. It is crucial
component of the world of computing providing facilitating
that user interact with various devise.

Software can be broadly categorized in two types:

1. SYSTEM SOFTWARE: System serves as the foundation

for a computer’s operations. The operating system
mentioned earlier is a prime example of system
software. It manages hardware resources, facilitates communications between software and
hardware component and provide essential service for other software application. Device
driver firmware and utilities are also part of system software, ensuring proper functioning
and optimization of the software system.
2. APPLICATION SOFTWARE: application is design to perform specific task and provide
service for end-users. Unlike system software which focusing on manging the overall
computer system, application software caters to user needs and preferences, web browser,
and productivity tools. Applications software can further be categorized into general
purpose and specialised applications, meeting a wide range of user requirement .

TYPES OF APPLICATIONS
➢ PRODUCTIVITY SOFTWARE: Productivity software aims to enhance efficiency and user in
completing tasks.
Example : word processor(Microsoft Word, Google DOCS)

➢ GRAPHICS AND MULTIMEDIA SOFTWARE: Graphics and multimedia software are use for
creating, editing and enhancing visual and audio content. Graphics design tools like Adobe,
Photoshop video editing software.
➢ ENTERTAINMENT SOFTWARE: Entertainment software includes video games, stimulation,
and multimedia application designed for leisure and amusement. this category has seen
significant growth with various genres and platforms catering to diverse interests.
➢ COMMUNICATION SOFTWARE: Communications software facilitates exchange of
information between users.
Example: Email clients(Microsoft outlook, Gmail), instant messing apps (WhatsAPP, Slack),
conferencing tool (Zoom, Microsoft teams).

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NETWORKING

Networking is the practices of connecting and other devices to share resources, information and
other services. It plays a pivotal role in facilitating
communications and data exchange between devices, enabling
the seamless functioning of various applications services.
Networking can classified based on their geographical scope
into Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN),
and Metropolitan Area Network ( MANs).

❖ LOCAL AREA NETWORK (LANs): LANs are confined to

limited geographics area, such as single building or
campus.
They are commonly use un homes, schools, and
businesses to interconnect devices like printers,
computers, and servers.
LANs use technologies like Ethernet and Wi-Fi for data transmission within the local network.

❖ WIDE AREA NETWORK (WANs): WANs cover larger geographical areas, connecting LANs
across cities, countries even continents.
The internet itself a vast WANs, facilitating global
communications and data exchange.
WANs utilize various technologies, including
dedicated leased lines, satellite links, and virtual
private networks (VPNs).

❖ METROPOLITAN AREA NETWORKS (MANs):

MANs covers a larger geographical area then LANs
but are smaller than WANs, typically serving a city
or a large campus.
They are employed in scenarios where high-speed connectivity is required for an extended
distance within a metropolitan are

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