Chapter 1, Introduction To IT

Because learning changes everything.
Chapter 1
Information Technology, the
Internet, and You
Computing Essentials 2023

O’Leary
© McGraw Hill LLC. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw Hill LLC.
Learning Objectives
1. Explain the parts of an information system: people, procedures,
software, hardware, data, and the Internet.
2. Distinguish between system software and application software.
3. Differentiate between the three kinds of system software programs.
4. Define and compare general-purpose, specialized, and mobile
applications.
5. Identify the four types of computers and the five types of personal
computers.
6. Describe the different types of computer hardware, including the
system unit, input, output, storage, and communication devices.
7. Define data and describe document, worksheet, database, and
presentation files.
8. Explain computer connectivity, the wireless revolution, the Internet,
cloud computing, and IoT.
© McGraw Hill, LLC 2
Introduction
Purpose of this book.
Help users become highly efficient and effective computer users.
Teach how to use:
1. Apps and application software.
2. Computer hardware.
• Mobile devices.
• Smartphones.
• Tablets.
• Laptops.
3. The Internet.
Illustrate the impact of technology on privacy and the environment and
the role of personal and organizational ethics.
Parts of an Information System
➢ An Information System (IS) is a coordinated set of
components that collect, store, and process data to
support decision-making, control, analysis, and
visualization in an organization.
➢ Parts of an Information System:
• People.
• Procedures.
• Software.
• Hardware.
• Data.
• Internet.

People
➢ People or End Users are the
most important part of an
information system but easy
to overlook.
➢ People are end users who
use computers to make
themselves more productive.
➢ Our lives are touched every
day by computers and
information systems.
© McGraw Hill, LLC Goodluz/Shutterstock 5

Software
➢ Software/Programs.
• Programs are instructions that tell the computer how to
process data into the form you want.
➢ Two major kinds of software:
• System Software: Software used by computers.
• Application Software: Software you use.

System Software
➢ Software that enables application software to interact with

the computer hardware.
➢ Background software helps manage resources.
➢ Collection of system programs including:
• Operating Systems.
• Utilities.

Operating System
➢ Coordinates computer resources.
➢ Runs applications.
➢ Programs that allow the hardware to run
properly and allow the user to
communicate with the computer.
➢ Types of Operating Systems:
• Embedded operating system.
▪ Used by Smartphones, tablets, and
other mobile devices.
▪ Also known as real-time operating
systems (RTOS).
• Standalone operating system.
▪ Used by desktops.
• Networking operating systems.
▪ Used to run networks.
© McGraw Hill, LLC Microsoft Corportation; Applie, Inc. 8

Utilities
➢ Perform specific tasks related to managing computer

resources.
➢ Example: Antivirus Program.
▪ Protects from viruses.
• Can damage your software or hardware.
• Compromise the security and privacy of personal data.

Application Software
➢ Application software (End-user software) are programs that allow the
user to do specific tasks.
➢ Types of application software include:
1. General-Purpose applications.
• Word Processor.
• Spreadsheets.
• Database Management Systems.
• Presentation software.
2. Specialized applications
• Web Authoring.
• Graphics
3. Apps.
• Social media apps.

Hardware – Types of Computers
There are four types of computers: supercomputers, mainframe
computers, midrange computers, and personal computers.
Supercomputers.
• Most powerful; special high-capacity computers used in very large
corporations.
• Supercomputers are typically used to process massive amounts of
data.
• For example, they are used to analyze and predict worldwide
weather patterns.
Mainframe computers.
• Capable of great processing speed and data storage; occupy
specially wired, air-conditioned rooms.
• Mainframe computers are capable of great processing speeds and
data storage.
Hardware – Types of Computers
Midrange computers.
• Computers with processing capabilities less powerful than a
mainframe computer yet more powerful than a personal computer.
• Midrange computers are most widely used to support or serve end
users for such specific needs as retrieving data from a database or
supplying access to application software.
Personal computers (PCs).

• Personal computers, also known as PCs.
• Least powerful but most widely used and fastest-growing type of
computers.
• There are five types of personal computers: desktops,
laptops, tablets, smartphones, and wearables.

Personal Computer Types
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Personal Computer Hardware
➢ Four basic categories of equipment.
• System Unit.
• Input/Output.
• Secondary Storage.
• Communication.

System Unit
© McGraw Hill, LLC EML/Shutterstock; (RAM): Simon Belcher/Alamy Stock Photo (Microprocessor); leungchopan/Stock/Getty Images 15
System Unit
➢ Container that houses most of the electronic components that make
up a computer system.
➢ Contains two important components:
• Microprocessor.
• Memory.
➢ The microprocessor controls and manipulates data to produce

information.
➢ One type of memory is random-access memory (RAM).
• Holds data currently being processed.
• Holds the processed information before it is output.
• Temporary storage, contents are lost when power is off.

© McGraw Hill, LLC EML/Shutterstock; (RAM): Simon Belcher/Alamy Stock Photo (Microprocessor); leungchopan/Stock/Getty Images 16
Input/Output Devices
Input.
• Translate data and programs that humans can understand into a

form that the computer can process.
• The most common input devices are the keyboard and the
mouse.
Output.
• Translate the processed information from the computer into a

form that humans can understand.
• The most common output device is the display, also known as

a monitor.

Secondary Storage
➢ Holds data and programs
even if power is off.
➢ Hard disk.
➢ Solid-state storage.
• No moving parts.
• More reliable.
• Requires less power.
➢ Optical disc.
• Laser technology.
• CDs, DVDs, Blu-ray.
© McGraw Hill, LLC Bob Dormon/theregister.co.uk 18

Communication
➢ Communication devices.
• Communication devices allow personal computers to
communicate with each other as near as the next office or as
far away as the other side of the world.
Modems.
• A modem is a widely used communication device that
modifies audio, video, and other types of data into a form that
can be transmitted across the Internet.

Data
➢ Data is raw, unprocessed facts, including text, numbers,
images, and sounds.
➢ When stored electronically in files, data can be used
directly as input for the system unit.
➢ Processed data becomes information.

Common Types of Files
• Document.
• Database.
• Worksheet.
• Presentation.
© McGraw Hill, LLC O’Leary Text 21

Common Types of Files
• Document files– created by word processors to save documents

such as memos, term papers, and letters.
• Worksheet files– created by electronic spreadsheets to analyze

things like budgets and to predict sales.
• Database files– created by database management programs to

contain highly structured and organized data.
• Presentation files– created by presentation software to save

presentation materials.
© McGraw Hill, LLC O’Leary Text 22

Connectivity and the Mobile Internet
➢ Connectivity.
• The capability of your personal computer to share information
with other computers.
➢ Network.
• Communications system connecting two or more devices.
• Central to the concept of connectivity.
• Largest network is the Internet.
• Web provides a multimedia interface for Internet resources.

Forces of Technology
1. Cloud computing.
• Computers on the Internet.

• Access to more resources.
2. Wireless technology.
• Changing the way we communicate.
• Tablets, smartphones, wearable devices.
3. Internet of Things (IoT).
• Continuing development of the Internet.

• Allowing all types of devices to communicate.

Careers in IT
Web Developer. Computer Technician.
• Develops and maintains • Repairs and installs computer
websites and web components and systems.
resources.
Technical Writer.
Software Engineer.
• Prepares instruction manuals,
• Analyzes users’ needs and technical reports, and other
creates application scientific or technical
software. documents.
Computer Support Specialist. Network Administrator.
• Provides technical support • Creates and maintains
to customers and other computer networks.
users.

A Look to the Future
Using and Understanding
Information Technology.
• The Internet and the Web.
• Powerful Software.
• Powerful Hardware.
• Privacy, Security, and
Ethics.
• Organizations.
• Changing Times.
© McGraw Hill, LLC Wavebreakmedia/Shutterstock 26

Open Ended Questions
1. Explain the parts of an information system. What part do
people play in this system?
2. What is system software? What kinds of programs are
included in system software?
3. Define and compare general-purpose applications, specialized
applications, and apps. Describe some different types of
general-purpose applications. Describe some types of
specialized applications.
4. Describe the different types of computers. What is the most
common type? What are the types of personal computers?
5. What is connectivity? What is a computer network? What are
the Internet and the Web? What are cloud computing, the
wireless revolution, and IoT?

Because learning changes everything. ®
www.mheducation.com
© McGraw Hill LLC. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw Hill LLC.

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Because learning changes everything.

Computing Essentials 2023

© McGraw Hill, LLC 4

© McGraw Hill, LLC Goodluz/Shutterstock 5

➢ Two major kinds of software:

• System Software: Software used by computers.

• Application Software: Software you use.

© McGraw Hill, LLC 6

➢ Software that enables application software to interact with

➢ Background software helps manage resources.

➢ Collection of system programs including:

© McGraw Hill, LLC 7

© McGraw Hill, LLC Microsoft Corportation; Applie, Inc. 8

➢ Perform specific tasks related to managing computer

➢ Example: Antivirus Program.

▪ Protects from viruses.

• Can damage your software or hardware.

• Compromise the security and privacy of personal data.

© McGraw Hill, LLC 9

• Social media apps.

© McGraw Hill, LLC 10

Personal computers (PCs).

© McGraw Hill, LLC 12

Access the text alternative for slide images.

➢ Four basic categories of equipment.

© McGraw Hill, LLC 14

➢ The microprocessor controls and manipulates data to produce

➢ One type of memory is random-access memory (RAM).

• Holds data currently being processed.

• Holds the processed information before it is output.

• Temporary storage, contents are lost when power is off.

• Translate data and programs that humans can understand into a

• Translate the processed information from the computer into a

• The most common output device is the display, also known as

© McGraw Hill, LLC 17

© McGraw Hill, LLC Bob Dormon/theregister.co.uk 18

© McGraw Hill, LLC 19

➢ Data is raw, unprocessed facts, including text, numbers,

images, and sounds.

➢ When stored electronically in files, data can be used

directly as input for the system unit.

➢ Processed data becomes information.

© McGraw Hill, LLC 20

© McGraw Hill, LLC O’Leary Text 21

• Document files– created by word processors to save documents

• Worksheet files– created by electronic spreadsheets to analyze

• Database files– created by database management programs to

• Presentation files– created by presentation software to save

© McGraw Hill, LLC O’Leary Text 22

• Communications system connecting two or more devices.

• Central to the concept of connectivity.

• Largest network is the Internet.

• Web provides a multimedia interface for Internet resources.

© McGraw Hill, LLC 23

• Computers on the Internet.

• Continuing development of the Internet.

© McGraw Hill, LLC 24

© McGraw Hill, LLC 25

© McGraw Hill, LLC Wavebreakmedia/Shutterstock 26