1.

0 Introduction

1.1 Definition of Information Technology

-The study or use of computer and telecommunications system for sending, storing and
retrieving information or data

- The technology involving the development, maintenance, and use of computer systems,
software, and network for the processing and distribution of data.

- The development, implementation, and maintenance of computer hardware and software

system to organize and communicate information electronically.

1.2 Advantages of IT
The advantages of IT such as:

Increase production and save time

Improve communication through communication technology

Improve social discovery

Improves financial management

1.3 Disadvantages of IT
The disadvantage of IT such as:

System failure may lead to loss of all data and operation time

Regular updates and maintenance are costly and disruptive

Security breaches

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 Cyber sickness (Addiction problem)

2.0 The History of Computer

2.1 Definition of Computer

- A computer is an electronic device that is programmable for storing, processing and retrieving data
and information in binary form.

- An electronic machine that is used for storing, organizing, and finding words, numbers, a picture, for
doing calculations, and for controlling other machine.

- An electronic device which is capable of receiving information (data) in a particular form and of
performing a sequence of operations in accordance with a predetermined but variable set of procedural
instructions (program) to produce a result in the form of information or signals.

2.2 Brief history of Computer

The computer as we know it today had its beginning back in 19th century as an English mathematics
professor, Charles Babbage designed the Analytical Engine and it was this design that the basic
framework of computers of today are based on

First generation: 1937 1946 in 1937 Dr. Jon V. Atanasoff and Clifford Berry was the people who
built the first electronic digital computer. It was called Atanasoff-Berry Computer (ABC). In 1943,
Colossus, the name of the electronic computer built for the military. Other developments continued
until in 1946 the first general purpose digital computer, the Electronic Numerical Integrator and
Computer (ENIAC) was built. The computer was said to weigh 30 tons, and had 18,000 vacuum tubes
which was used for processing. Lights dim in sections of Philadelphia when this computer was turned
on for the first time. These generations of computers could only perform single task, and they had no
operating system.

Second Generation: 1947 1962 This generation of computers used transistors instead of vacuum
tubes which was more reliable. In 1951, the first computer for commercial use was introduced to the
public; the Universal Automatic Computer (UNIVAC 1). In 1953, the International Business Machine
(IBM) 650 and 700 series computers made their mark in the computer world. Over 100 computer
programming languages were developed, computers had memory and operating system during this

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generation of computers. Storage media such as disk and tape were in use also were printers for
outputs.

Third Generation; 1963 present The third generation of computers was brought by the invention of
integrated circuit to us. With this invention computers became smaller, more powerful, reliable and
they are able to run many different programs at the same time. In 1980, Microsoft Disk Operating
System (MS-dos) was born and in 1981 IBM introduced the personal computer (PC) for home and
office use. Apple gave use the Macintosh computers with its icon driven interface three years later and
the 90s gave us Windows operating system.

As a result of the various improvements to the development of the computer we have seen the
computer being used in all areas of life. It is very useful tool that will continue to experience new
development as time passes.

2.3 Information Processing Cycle

IPO+ S Model

Input Process Output

Storage

Diagram 2.3

Diagram 2.3

Description

Input: Entering data into the computer

Process: Transforming data into information

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Output: Preserving the results

Storage: Saving data, programs, or output for future use.

3.0 Category of Computer

3.1 Category of Computer

Types of computer:

- Supercomputer
- Mainframe
- Personal Computer
- Mobile Computer
- Mobile Device
- Embedded Computer

3.2 Supercomputer
A supercomputer is the fastest, most powerful, most expensive computer and used for very complex,
sophisticated job such as nuclear research, calculating weather patterns, petroleum exploration, online
banking and military research centers.

Characteristic:

- Could execute multiple calculations simultaneously through its parallel architecture

- Consist of several processors running together
- Powerful and faster

Example:

- IBM Blue Gene/L

- Sunway Taihulight

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3.3 Mainframe
A mainframe computer is a large, expensive, powerful computer that can handle hundreds or thousands
of connected users simultaneously (multi-users) and storing tremendous amount of data, instructions
and information.

Characteristic:

- Could process a very large volume of input and output

- Have massive storage of data
- High processing speed
- Centralize security

Example:

- Hitachi Z800
- IB System z

3.4 Personal Computer

Personal computer is a computer that can perform all its input, processing output and storage activities
by itself.

Characteristic:

- Include desktop computer workstations

- Based on microprocessor technology

Example:

- Apple iMac with 4K Retina display (21.5-inch, Late 2015)

- Dell Inspiron 3000

3.5 Mobile Computer

Mobile computer is a personal computer that can be carrying from place to place.

Characteristic:
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 - Mobile computer include laptops, notebooks and tablet
- Suit for individuals needs

Example:

- Acer Aspire E 14
- ASUS X455L

3.6 Mobile Device

Mobile device is a computing device that is small enough to hold in hand.

Characteristic:

- Very small
- Useful as personal information manager, a portable media player and web client

Example:

- Samsung Galaxy S6

- iPhone 6S

3.7 Embedded Computer

Embedded computer is a special purpose computer that functions as a component in a larger product
and performs various functions depending on the product.

Characteristic:

- Dedicated to specific task

- Based on microcontroller
- Low power consumption
- Small size
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 Example:

-LG GC M247UGLB 679L Side by Side Door Refrigerator

- Canon printer PIXMA MG5520 Black Wireless

4.0 Table 1 The category of computer

Category/ Size Purpose User Memory Processor Storage
Criteria speed
Supercomputer Full room Cutting edge Task A hundred Ten of Extremely
of processing oriented: over thousands of large storage
equipment speed for Focus is thousands processors at
numerically solving a Gigabytes clock speed
complex 3.83 GHz,
problem, delivering
not the 33.86 Peta-
number FLOPS
of users
Mainframe Partial Fast batch Hundred A few Dozens of Very large
room to a processing millions hundred processors and addable
full room capable of Gigabytes storage
of processing
equipment millions of
records per day
Personal Fixed on Desktop- Single A few Single to Large
Computer desk Interactive user Gigabytes multiple
general processors
purpose (1.5-2.5 GHz)
computing
Workstations-
High-end
machine for
professional
tasks.
Mobile Fixed on Portable Single A few Single Large
Computer the lap general user Gigabytes processors
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 purpose (possibly
computing and multi-core)
communicatio
n.
Mobile Device Fixed on Portable Single A few Single Moderate
the lap, general user Gigabytes processor storage with
palm and purpose (possibly optional
pocket computing and multi-core) cloud storage
communicatio
n
Embedded Small and Sensing, Single A few Single Limited
Computer hidden automation and device Megabyte processor
communicatio s to (possibly
n Gigabytes multi-core)

Conclusion
Early computer were large, expensive and can only be afforded by huge organisations. The revolution
of Information Technology has seen simple and dumb terminals connected to a powerful mainframe
computer evolved through time to personal or mobile computer.

Later, personal computing became very famous due to some reason which includes the dropping cost of
computers. Besides, technological advancement helped the personal computing became very famous
because of the shrinking of the size of computers. The reason why personal computing became very
famous is because computers have been designed for ease to use.

The boom of networks and the Internet allowed different types of computer to connect and exchange
information, making Information technology a popular communication technology.

References
- Yew, K. H., Low, T. J. Computer Science for Matriculation Semester 1. (2th Edition) Oxford
Fajar Sdn. Bhd. 2016.
- Merriam-Webster (2015). Information Technology. Retrieved from: http://www.merriam-
webster.com/dictionary/information%20technology
- Useoftechnology.com (2016). Advantages and Disadvantages of Information Technology.
Retrieved from: http://www.useoftechnology.com/advantages-disvantages-information-
technology/
- Farlex, Inc (2013-2016). Information Technology. Retrieved from:
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/information+technology
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- Beverly Steitz (2006). Breif History of Computer. Retrieved from:
http://people.bu.edu/baws/brief%20computer%20history.html
- Cambridge University (2016). Computer Meaning in the Cambridge English Dictionary.
Retrieved from: http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/computer
- Oxford University Press (2016). Computer definition of computer in the Oxford University
Dictionary. Retrieved from: http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/computer

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