Introduction to Information Technology - Research Paper Example

Introduction to Information Technology Name: Institution: Introduction to Information Technology Introduction Information technology (IT) refers to the act of applying computers and telecommunications equipments for storage, retrieval, transmission, and manipulation of data. The term is mainly used to refer to computers and computer systems; however, it also includes various information technologies used to distribute information such as televisions and cell phones (Lajoie & Derry, 2013). There are various industries linked with information technology such as e-commerce, internet, and computer hardware. Human beings started storage, retrieval, manipulation and communication since 300 BC when the Sumerians in Mesopotamia invented writing techniques. However, the expression information technology in the modest sense emerged on an article ‘Harvard Business Review’ in the year 1958 (Lajoie & Derry, 2013). The definition involves three levels of definition; processor techniques; statistical and mathematics application in making decisions; and imitation of high-order thinking by use of computers. Information technology has four discrete stages of development. The phases include; pre-mechanical phase; mechanical phase; and electromechanical phase. The most recent electronic period emerged in the around1940 (Staley 2013). History of Information Technology Various devices have been used to assist in computation for many decades. The earliest computation aid was the tally stick. The oldest mechanical analogue computer was referred to as the antikythera mechanism which emerged during the first century BC. Advanced geared devices emerged in Europe as from the 16th century (Staley 2013). The oldest mechanical calculator which was capable of carrying out arithmetical operations was developed in the year 1645. Electronic computers that applied either valves or relays emerged in the beginning of 1940s. The globe’s first programmable computer (Z use Z3) was developed in the year 1941. The first electronic digital computer (Colossus) emerged during the Second World War. This computer was programmable but it was designed to perform just a single role. It did not have the aptitude to amass its program in memory (Morley & Parker, 2014). Programming would be done through alteration of the internal wiring. The world’s first modern electronic digital computer that would store programs emerged in 1948 on June 21. It was called the Manchester Small-Scale Experimental Machine (SSEM) (Lajoie & Derry, 2013). Data storage Ancient electronic computers utilized punched tapes which included an elongated paper strip where data was symbolized by a sequence of holes. However, this technology is currently obsolete. Modern computers use electronic data sources that were developed during the Second World War. Mercury delay line was developed for the removal of the mess from radar signals (Lajoie & Derry, 2013). The earliest random access memory device for digital computers was the Williams tube which included normal cathode ray tube. However, the information stored in the Williams tube was unstable and required constant refreshment; it was not recoverable after power removal. The first non-volatile computer storage was the magnetic drum which was developed in 1932 and utilized in the Ferranti Mark1; it was the earliest commercial general-purpose electronic computer (Morley & Parker, 2014). The first hard disk drive was developed in 1956. Before 2002, most information was stored on analogue tools and by 2007; nearly 95% of data was stored digitally. Most of the digital data today is stored magnetic hard disks or optical CD-ROMS (Staley 2013). Databases Database managing systems were developed in 1960s for the storage and retrieval of large amounts of data precisely. Information Management System (IMS) was the earliest database to be developed. It stores data in a hierarchical manner. In 1970, Ted Codd developed a database system that relied on set theories and predicate rational (Lajoie & Derry, 2013). All database management systems include various components that jointly permit the simultaneous access of the stored data in a database scheme. The extensive markup language is one of the trendiest set-ups for data representation. XML data are commonly stored in relational databases. XML is both machine and human readable (Morley & Parker, 2014). Data Transmission Data transmission has three features; transmission, propagation, and reception. It is generally characterized as broadcasting and it includes downstream unidirectional transmission of information. Also, it may include bidirectional upstream and downstream channels. XML has been utilized as channel of data interchange since the year 2000, especially in machine leaning interactions such as those used in web-oriented protocols (example; SOAP) (Staley 2013). Computer Software Applications Computer software refers to a set of programs and processes that aim at performing various tasks on computer systems (Morley & Parker, 2014). A software program refers to a set of instructions that aim at altering the state of computer hardware. It refers to a kind of assembly language, a set of instruction which is understandable by the machine. It is in form of high level languages which are assembled into the machine codes (Staley 2013). Computer software applications are in three main types; system software; programming software; and application software. Software system refers to device drivers, operating systems, servers, and any other software components that assist the programmer concept away from hardware and memory components of the device. Programming software assist the programmer in program editing. Application software assists the computer in performing various specific tasks. It utilizes the computer’s capability for a devoted task (Lajoie & Derry, 2013). Word Processing Software Word processing software refers to a computer software application that is directed by the user to carry out word processing. It may be directed to compose, edit, format, and print written materials. Initially, it emerged as an independent office machine which united the keyboard text entry and printing purposes of an electric typewriter which had a documentation tape recording unit (Lajoie & Derry, 2013). Later, a dedicated computer processor for text editing was developed. Components and designs were different among computer developers but new features were included with technology advancement. Initially, word processors features included a monochrome display and ability of document saving; later advancements such spell checking programs, enhanced formatting options were introduced. Microsoft word is the most common word processing software; however, many other word processing subsists such as WordPerfect (Morley & Parker, 2014). Database Software A database refers to a set of organized data. The data is organized in such a way that it models real aspects of life in a manner that supports procedures that need this information (Staley 2013). For instance, room availability model in hotels in a manner that supports the ability to find a vacant room. Database management systems are software applications that are designed particularly to interrelate with users, various applications to capture and assess data. DBMS are generally developed to allow description, creation, inquiry, inform, and management of databases. Databases are classified depending on their content type such as; bibliographic, statistical, document, and multimedia databases (Morley & Parker, 2014). Spreadsheet Software: Spreadsheets refer to interactive computer application programs used for organizing and analyzing of data in a tabular manner. Spread sheets emerged as computer imitations of paper accounting data sheets. The program utilizes data characterized as cells of an array, arranged in rows and columns (Lajoie & Derry, 2013). Each cell of array is a model-view-controller component that involves both numeric and word data, or results of formulas that habitually perform calculations and display results depending on the cell contents. Modern spread sheets offer integrated procedures for ordinary monetary and statistical processes. VisiCalc was the oldest electronic spreadsheet on microcomputers. Today, Excel is the most common in the market. With technology advancement, spreadsheets are now available in web app form (Morley & Parker, 2014). Conclusion Information technology has advanced with time to yield more convenient and reliable applications (Staley 2013).The oldest mechanical analogue computer was referred to as the antikythera mechanism which emerged during the first century BC. The world’s first modern electronic digital computer that would store programs emerged in 1948 on June 21. Today, many electronic computer software applications are in the market. Computer software applications are in three main types which include system software; programming software; and application software. Technology keeps on evolving; there will be many smart computer software applications that will be developed in the future and the improvement of the existing applications. References Lajoie, S. P., & Derry, S. J. (Eds.). (2013). Computers as cognitive tools. Routledge. Morley, D., & Parker, C. (2014). Understanding computers: Today and tomorrow, comprehensive. Cengage Learning. Staley, D. J. (2013). Computers, visualization, and history: How new technology will transform our understanding of the past. ME Sharpe. Read More