BASICS OF INFORMATION AND

COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY
MUNAWAR SIDDIQUE
CC430340
ALLAMA IQBAL OPEN UNIVERSITY

ASSIGNMENT NO 1
UNIT NO 1 TO 4
QUESTION NO 1:
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(a) Explain the concept of Information Technology. Describe the uses of

Information technology applications in education and entertainment.
Answer ICT(Information and communication technology):
ICT(information and communication technology)is an umbrella term that
includes any communication device or application, encompassing: radio, television,
cellular phones, computer and network hardware and software, satellite systems and so
on, as well as the various services and applications associated with them, such as
videoconferencing and distance learning. ICTs are often spoken of in a particular
context, such as ICTs in education, health care, or libraries. The term is somewhat more
common outside of the United States.
1. Use Of ICT In Education:

Everyone should have the necessary skills to benefit fully from the information society.
Therefore capacity building and ICT literacy are essential. ICTs can contribute to
achieving universal education worldwide, through delivery of education and training of
teachers, and offering improved conditions for lifelong learning, encompassing people
that are outside the formal education process, and improving professional skills.
• Develop domestic policies to ensure that ICTs are fully integrated in education
and training all levels, including in curriculum development, teacher training,
institute administration and manavelogement and in support of concept of lifelong
learning.
• Develop and promote programmes to eradicate illiteracy using ICTs at national,
religional and international levels.
• promote e literacy skills for sll, for example by designing and offering courses for
public administration, taking advantage of existing facilities such as libraries,
multipurpose community center, public access points and by establishing local
ICT training centers with the cooperation of all stakeholders. Special attention
should be paid to disadvantaged and venerable groups.
• In the context of national educational policies, and taking into account the need
to eradicate adult illiteracy, ensure that young people are equipped with
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knowledge and skills to use ICTs, including the capacity to analyze and treat
information in creative and innovative ways, share their expertise and participate
fully in the information society.
• Governments, in cooperation with other stakeholders, should create programmes
for capacity buiding with an emphasis on creating a critical mass of qualified and
skilled ICT professionals and experts.
• Develop pilot projects to demonstrate the impact of ICT-based alternative
educational delivery systems, notably for achieving education for all targets,
including basic literacy targets.

2. Use of ICTs in entertainment:

ICT also support playing games over internet during leisure time. Entertainment material
can be stored using ICT products like compact discs and memory cards for future use.
ICT has improved the quality of entertainment and leisure activities by developing better
graphics for music and movies.
• An advantage to this is that anyone can get access to almost anything on the
internet from online games to vedio on you tube.

• However, the development of these technologies has meant that many people stay
inside, watch TV, play online games etc. Therefore, you could say that the amount of
leisure activities that people do have decreased with aspect to the wide range of
entertainment technologies.

• Playing computer games can be popular leisure activities that people do have
decreased with aspect of leisure activities that people do have decreased with aspect to
the wide range of entertainment technologies.

• Playing computer games can be a popular leisure activity. They are published for
personal computer An Individual player can play against the computer or can compete
against other players.

• The internet is used as a channel for the distribution of music through music download
websites
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• Using ICT enables you to communicate with others and socialize online with friends
using certain websites like Facebook

• Internet is a major source of entertainment. Internet is a hub of movies, games, books,

and social networking. Due to digital broadcasting, the television experience itself is
changing. We can easily record the television programs and view it. Digital broadcasting
has changed the way we experience television, with more interactive programming and
participation. Digital cameras, printers, and scanners have enabled more people to
experiment with image production.

(b) Describe the term computer. Also, describe different types as well
as applications of the computer.

Answer: COMPUTER:
An electronic device that stores and manipulates information. Unlike a calculator, it is
able to store a program and retrieve information from its memory. Most computers today
are digital, which means they perform operations with quantities represented
electronically as digits.
TYPES OF COMPUTERS:
There are three types of computers
1) Digital computer
2) Analog computer
3) Hybrid computer
1) Digital Computer:
Such computers consist of electronic circuits, printed circuits, and Integrated
circuits. These are very fast and consume very little energy. For example digital
watches, Calculators, computers etc. These computers are of the following two
types:
➢
General purpose computers
➢
Special purpose computers
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➢
General Purpose Computers:
Such computers can perform a variety of different functions such as typing a
letter, file management, data-base-management, payroll processing, graphics
etc. Personal Computer (PC) is a general-purpose computer.
➢ Special Purpose Computers:
These computers are designed to carry out one specific task; such computers
cannot be used for other purpose except for the designed one. For example
watches. Cameras, TVs, and VCRS have such types of computers fitted in
them.
2) Analog Computers:

Analog computers are specifically used for special purpose applications such as wheel
balancing, measuring temperature, velocity etc. These type of computers deal with
continuous type of data rather than digits.
These computers display their output in the form of electrical waves rather than digits.
Therefore these computers scientific laboratories used in the scientific laboratories.
3) Hybrid Computers:

These computers have features of both analog and digital computers .These computers
are generally used for scientific application and in industrial control processes. hybrid
computers are also used in missiles. spaceships and military weapons.

APPLICATION COMPUTERS:
Significant changes have taken place through the impact of interactive technology web-
cams, video conferencing and so on, Not so long ago if it was necessary to talk with a
group of clients the only way to do it was either to arrange a meeting that all of them
could attend (always a tough thing to do) at a reasonably central venue to which nobody
had to travel too far, travel there (perhaps involving an Overnight stay) and confer, or to
hold a series of telephone Conversations with each one individually and keep on
getting, back to them until the matter was settled to everybody's satisfaction. Now,
through the Internet and web cams a video conference can be set up in which
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everybody can take part without leaving their own office. This doesn't even take into
account the overall impact of the Internet on the information levels available to
businesses. The following are some of the major applications.
Uses of Computers in different Fields:
Our daily encounters with and dependence upon technology is almost invisible as it
takes the shape of electronic climate control systems, wireless communication systems
such as phones and pagers, automatic tellers to dispense money, magnetically striped
cards to facilitate consumer transactions, cable and satellite television, and automobiles
and mass transit. Free trade agreements have led to globalization of commerce and
increased competitiveness in labor markets. In the past several decades we have gone
from space exploration to space colonization, intelligent machines, and virtual reality
that will lead us into the next millennium. The jobs of the future may not even exist
today. Let us see the use of computer technology in our daily life.

1) Marketing:

Marketing applications provide information about the organization's products, its

distribution system, its advertising and personal selling activities, and its pricing
strategies. Marketing applications help managers to develop strategies that combine the
four major elements of marketing Product, Promotion, Place, and Price
2) Stock Exchanges:

Stock markets around the world are in transition. On some trading floor, paper is
disappearing. In fact, the trading floor itself is disappearing in some places because
many stock markets lunched the computerized system that makes it possible for
stockbrokers to do all their trading electronically.
3) banks

Computerized banking have provided several benefits such as save the time and
convenience for customer, International banking and the abilities to handle trading in
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multiple currencies are critical for international trade. The cheques are read by MICR.
Some banks are used to operate a network of ATMs. Although some international retail
purchasing can be done by giving a credit or card number.
4) Departmental Store:

People at the store level, cashiers enter sales data into sale terminals by waving a bar
code scanner across a package's bar-coded prices and stock numbers. Bar codes are
read by bar -code readers, photoelectric scanners that translate the bar code symbols
into digital forms.
5) Office Automation:

Office Automation (OA) refer to the movement toward automating office tasks. An office
where workers performs different tasks. The management and administrative asks
performed in an office five general categories of activities like decision-making, data
manipulation, document handling, communication, and storage. Many offices have used
advance computer technologies to perform various tasks in an office system such as for
document management system, message-handling system, and office support system.

6) E-commerce:

Ecommerce (electronic commerce) describes the buying, selling, and exchanging of

products, services, and information via computer network The term e-commerce as
describe transactions, conducted between business partners. There are many
application of e-commerce, such as home banking, shopping in electronic malls, buying
stocks, finding a job. conducting an auction, collaborating electronically with business
partners around the globe, marketing & advertising and providing customer service.
There are several types of c-commerce like collaborative commerce, Business to
commerce, consumer to consumer. and Mobile commerce ete. Mobile satellite
communications also promise to extend the global reach of voice, data and other
services, frequently in c-business.
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7) Industry

Computers are used to control manufacturing system and continuous running of the
machinery. These are also help in monitoring temperature, pressure, and check the
quality and accuracy, measurement needed in the manufacturing process.
8) Medical:

The computers are commonly used in some area of medical fields such as laboratories,
researches, scanning, monitoring, pharmacy etc.. which are helping the doctor to
diagnose an illness.
➢
Patient Monitoring:

Computers are used in hospitals to monitoring critically ill patients in intensive care
units. The patients have sensors attached to them, which detect changes in heart rate,
pulse rate, blood pressure, breathing, and brain activity

➢
Patient Records:

Computerized databases are used to store information about patients, doctors,

medicines and other chemicals and equipments. Storing information in proper order to
provide the convenient way of arrangements for hospital staff. It is make easy to
organize records than paper-based records that are not constantly folio wing patients
around the hospital.
➢ Diagnosis:

It will come as no surprise that hospitals and clinics use computers to keep records and
generate invoices. One common use of computer is to scan the body of the patient.
scanner sends electromagnetic rays through u patient's body und sensors detect that
how much patient's body have affected to any type of cancer.
9) Airline System:

In airline system, computers are used to control passenger aircrafts and vehicles. Early
air ran were controlled by moving parts attached to the controls using cables. In
modern, fly- by -wire system, electronic signals from the cockpit are sent to that
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adjusts the night surfaces. Computer is embedded in the pilot's or driver's controls. It is
linked up among different cities and strives full information about its light and seat
reservation.
10) Education:

Computers are used in many colleges to provide the methods of teaching in different
ways. The computer education is very familiar and rapidly increasing the graph of
computer students. There are number of methods in which educational institutions can
use computer to educate the students. Many computer-based educational programs
software are available, which students can learn to read. To count, or to speak a foreign
language. Software that combines the thrills of games with real information content is
becoming more popular.

QUESTION NO 2:
Differentiate the following:
(a) Voice Response System & Speech Synthesizer
(b) Dot-Matrix & Laser Printer
(C) BCR & MICR Scanner
(d) Primary Memory & Secondary Memory
Answer:
(A) Differentiate Between Voice Response System & Speech Synthesizer
Voice Response System Speech Synthesizer
Just as a speech recognition system Speech synthesizer converts text
allows a user to talk to a computer, a information into spoken sentences. To
voice response system enables a produce speech, it combines basic sound
computer to talk to a user. A voice units called phonemes. From a given text
response system has an audio-response information, it combines the sequence of
device that produces audio output. words into phonemes, amplifies it, and
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Obviously, the output is temporary, soft- produces the output through a speaker.
copy output. Voice response systems are Speech synthesizers are still in their
of two types infancy because currently they can
➢
Voice reproduction system produce only limited unique sounds with
➢
Speech Synthesizer. limited vocal inflections and phrasing.

(B) Differentiate Between Dot-Matrix & Laser Printer

Dot -Matrix Laser Printer
Laser printers are called page printers that
Dot Matrix printers are the character print one page at a time. The 'Laser printer
printers, which print one character at a ones tonners to print the desired
time. It uses a ribbon catridge to print characters. They are also capable to print
characters on the paper. The speed of the high quality graphics images with
printing of dot matrix printer ranges from resolution ranges from 600 to 1200 dpi.To
30 to 550 characters per second (eps). It is print a desired character a laser beam
also available in different sizes. sends information from the computer to a
rotating mirror and as a result the image
is produced on the drum.
Characteristics:
• Laser printers are speedier and
Characteristics:
noise.
• Dot matrix is low cut printer and
• The printing quality is high.
consumes less energy.
• They can print on both sides of a
paper.

Limitations: Limitations:
• Dot matrix printers create noise • Laser printers are
during printing process.
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• They print the text with low

resolution.

• The font facility is limited and

graphics quality is also not high.

(C)Differentiate Between BCR & MICR Scanner:

BCR (bar code reader) MICR (Magnetic Ink Character Recognition)
Barcode reader is an input device. It is Magnetic Ink Character Recognition
normally used in the shops, glossary (MICR) is an input device. MICR is used to
stores. This device contains the read the magnetically encoded
photoelectric cells that read bar codes characters. MICR is a system that
consisting of lines having different provides a full alphanumeric recognition
thickness. Barcode reader helps of printed or handwritten characters by
shopkeepers to analyze the price of an simply scanning the form. A user scans
item immediately. the data through a scanner, which is
recognized by an engine of the OCR
system The MICR converts the images
into machine-readable characters.

(D)Differentiate Between Primary Memory & Secondary Memory

Primary Memory Secondary Memory

Main memory of a computer is its internal Secondary mcmory also called as backing
memory also called the primary memory. storage is used to supplement the
Generally the main memory is on capacity of main memory. Secondary
semiconductor chips. These memory storages such as Floppy disks, hard disks
chips are connected with the CPU on the and CDs can store a bulk of
motherboard. Main memory is very fast as data/information. The data in secondary
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it is directly accessible by the CPU. storage is first brought into the main
Different types of memory chips are memory before processing.
available such as RAM (Random Access The capacity of a storage device is
Memory). ROM (Read Only Memory), generally expressed in bytes One byte is a
PROM (Programmable Read Only group of eight bits. A Bit is a smallest
Memory) and EPROM (Erasable and memory unit that represents a binary
programmable Read Only Memory) etc. digit. A bit has value either 0 or 1. Eight
The capacity of a storage device is bits or one byte is used to represent a
generally expressed in bytes One byte is a character. Thus 8000 bytes memory
group of eight bits. A Bit is a smallest means storage capacity of 8000
memory unit that represents a binary characters.
digit. A bit has value either 0 or 1. Eight
bits or one byte is used to represent a
character. Thus 8000 bytes memory
means storage capacity of 8000
characters.

QUESTION NO 3:
(A) Elaborate the role of central processing unit in working computer .
Answer: Control Unit (CU):
The Control unit is the most important part of the CPU. It controls and coordinates the
activities of all the units of a computer system.
Function:
It performs this function by issuing necessary commands to respective units of the
computer. Both the CU and the ALU require all amount of temporary storage. These
small temporary storages of internal memory units hold the instructions and data
currently being processed. These small memory units are called registers. The control
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unit fetches an instruction from RAM and stores it in an instruction registers and moves
it to one of the ALU registers.
Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU):
Arithmetic and logic unit (ALU) contains a number of adder and logic gates In addition to
various types of registers.
Functions:
ALU performs all the processing in a CPU. It also carries out arithmetic operations like
addition, subtraction as well as logical operations. Registers such as address registers,
accumulators, instruction registers, program counter, etc. help the computer to process
data.
Example:
Let us understand this by the addition of two numbers A and B stored in the main
memory of the computer. The Control Unit interprets the instruction and transfers the
number A from nain memory to the Accumulator. The control unit then transfers the
number is to some other register available. Under the instructions of the Control Unit,
these numbers are added by the adder circuits and the result is stored in the
accumulator. From the accumulator it may be transferred back to the main memory,
from where it may be sent to the units when required,
(b) Define volatile & Non-volatile memory. Explain with proper examples.

Answer: Computer Memory:

CPU contains registers which are small storage areas and A CPU needs much larger
space in mega-bytes as compared to registers that can hold a few bytes at a time.
Computers are equipped with storage units also called memory units linked with the
processor. The computer memory can hold programs and the data for current and
future use. These storage devices can be classified as:
➢
Main Memory (Primary Memory)
➢
Secondary Memory(Secondary Storage)
➢
Main Memory:
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Main memory of a computer is its internal memory also called the primary memory.
Generally, the main memory is on semiconductor chips. These memory chips are
connected with the CPU on the motherboard. Main memory is very fast as it is directly
accessible by the CPU.
Different types of memory chips are available such as RAM (Random Access Memory),
ROM (Read Only Memory), PROM (Programmable Read Only Memory) and EPROM
(Erasable and programmable Read Only Memory).
The capacity of a storage device is generally expressed in bytes. One byte is a group of
eight bits. A Bit is a smallest memory unit that presents a binary digit. A bit has value
cither O or 1. Eight bits or one is used to represent character. Thus, 8000 bytes memory
means a storage capacity of 8000 characters.
Read Only Memory (ROM):
Read Only Memory (ROM) is a permanent memory of the computer. It handles many
important tasks. One of these tasks is to provide instructions to CPU during start-up or
booting process whenever the computer is turned on.
Another important role of ROM is that of character generator. When a key is depressed,
it sends a signal to ROM, which supplies a character to be displayed on the screen.
ROM is a non volatile memory i.e. the instructions stored on it cannot be changed or
deleted when the computer is turned off.
Random Access Memory (RAM):
Random Access Memory (RAM) is major part of the main memory. Any part of RAM is
directly accessible to read/write data or instructions on it. It is a fast memory but not
permanent like ROM as it loses all of its data and instructions as soon as the computer
is turned off. Thus RAM is also called a volatile memory. Primary memory is further
divided into the following categories.
• Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM)
• Static Random Access Memory (SRAM)

DRAM
DRAM stands for Dynamic Random access Memory. DRAM is a kind of main memory,
which is cheaper & dynamic in the sense that it is refreshed after every few
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milliseconds. It is refreshed after sometimes while static RAM is not refreshed and this
memory is expensive. DRAM is slower than SRAM memory, because DRAM memory
has to be refreshed many times. The capacity or DRAM data reading is 60 nano
seconds.
SRAM:
SRAM stands for Static RAM. It does not need refreshing. Static RAM is generally used
for cache memory, which can be accessed more quickly than DRAM, SRAM is faster
than DRAM because it is not refreshed as DRAM. Operations are performed is known
as controlling.

QUESTION NO 4:
(A) What is the purpose of scanner? Also, define the different types of
keys, available on keyboard.
Answer: Scanners:
A variety of scanners read and interprets information on printed matter and convert it to
a format that can be interpreted by a computer, primarily encoded alphanumeric
characters and digitized images.
Input Devices:
The device from which a computer receives instructions is known as Input Devices.
Some commonly used Input Devices are keyboard, mouse, scanner, light pen, magnetic
tape etc. Keyboard is one of the most useful input devices. It provides a convenient way
to feed data and instructions into a computer.
Key Board:
A computer keyboard is similar to an electronic typewriter keyboard with little
modification. It has some additional keys like Function-keys, Arrow-keys, and Numeric-
keys etc. Whereas mouse is a pointing device which is used to select an option from
several available options by pointing on it and clicking one of the mouse buttons.

A keyboard is divided into three major parts.

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a) Function Keys
b) Numeric Keys
c) Alphabetic Keys

a) Function Keys:
Function Keys are 12 in numbers labeled are FI to F12. Function keys are
programmable keys to perform a specific stored function. For Fl key is used for help
option
b) Numeric Key:
Numeric keypad is very important for entering numeric data. Numeric keypad is
switched "ON" and switch "OFF" by pressing "Num lock" key. Numeric keypad can also
be used for "Arrow keys and page up & down task as mentioned on the keys.
c) Alphabetic keys:
Alphabetic keys are used to type data. It is used for normal typing work.
(b) Describe the role of vision input devices. Is Touch Screen be an
input or output device? Justify.
Answer: Vision Input System:
Vision Input System is one of the latest input devices that recognize the vision, image,
which appears in the range of its lens. These are especially used to design industrial
Robot.
Touch Screen:
Touch screen is an input device. Touch screen is capable to touch the data directly by
using fingers within the display area. Touch screen is very simple and easy to use.
Currently it is also used in the mobile phones.

Question No 5
(a) What is the difference between Liquid Crystal Display and Light
Emitting Diode monitors? Explain with examples.
Answer: Differentiate Between LCD And LED Monitors:
LCD Monitor LED Monitor
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Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) monitors LED (Light emitted Diode) is an enhanced
uses Liquid crystals, which were first version or LCD with the florescent lamps
discovered in 1888 by an Austrian having LED backlight. It uses
botanist Friedrich Reinitzer. These types semiconductor diode instead of filament.
of monitors are very slim and lightweight. Semiconductor diode is an electronic
The LCDs are rapidly replacing CRT component, which is used to develop
monitors. LCD monitors are ad in liquid crystal display in LED. LED is
notebooks, small computers, pagers, normally used in many devices such as
phones and other devices cell phones, computers, monitors,
flashlights, and movement sensors etc.

(b) Enlist different types of multimedia projector and elaborate each

of them.
Answer: Multimedia Projector:
Multimedia projector is an output device, which is used to display information from the
computer on to a later screen. This device is specifically helpful in delivering lectures
and presentations.
1. LCD Projector (Liquid Crystal Display)
LCD Projector is the called digital multimedia projector. LCD multimedia projector can
adjust the brightness and contrast produce sharp images.
Some popular LCD multimedia projectors are View Sony PJ 862, Sony
etc 2. DLP Projector (Digital Light Processing):
DLP projectors are also called digital multimedia projectors. DLP projectors are lighter in
weight and smaller in size. These projectors produce best quality video images. They
are portable in size and tighter in weight. They have the capability connect easily to
other digital devices like DVD player, CD player etc.