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com

Professional Diploma in
Introduction to Technology

Mobile and Web

Development
Lesson 2: Summary Notes

PROFESSIONAL DIPLOMA IN INTRODUCTION TO TECHNOLOGY

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Contents
3 Lesson outcomes

Mobile Technologies

5 Web Technologies

7 Networks and Distributed Processing

8 References

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Lesson outcomes
In this lesson, you will learn about mobile technologies, smartphone
devices, operating systems, software development for smartphones and
synchronous versus asynchronous programming. We will further explore
web technologies, the origin of the internet, how it works, client server
architecture and web programming languages. You will also learn about
networks and distributed processing, network types, basic processing
alternatives, network typologies and intranets and extranets.

Mobile technologies
History of mobile technologies
• In 1983, Motorola releases the first
commercial mobile phone – valued at
roughly $4000
• In 1999, Nokia launches the first mobile
phone with WAP capabilities
• Along with 3G, RIM rolled out mobile email
with the popular BlackBerry devices
• In 2019, EE Network launches first 5G The changing landscape
network in the UK
• In 2003, Nokia released the world’s best-selling mobile
(Tigermobiles.com)
phone of all time, selling 250+ million devices
• Up until 2010, Blackberry dominated the smartphone
market with a global market share of 20%
(Hankin, 2019)
• In 2019, Q4 Samsung and Apple hold the majority
of smartphone market share 17.3% and 17.1%
respectively
(BusinessTech, 2020)

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Smartphone operating systems

A smartphone operating system (OS) is an important engine installed on a mobile device which helps to run the
device smoothly. The OS of a smartphone manages both the software and hardware to create a seamless user
experience.

Android operating system: The Android OS is Google’s open and free programming stack that incorporates a
middleware

iOS operating system: The iOS operating system is accessible only in Apple gadgets as the organization does not
permit the OS for outsider equipment

(www.transparencymarketresearch.com)

Software development for smartphones

There are a number of programming languages and tools you could choose from to develop software for either OS.
Often you will develop natively or cross-platform.

Android Native: Cross-Platform:

- Java - React Native
- Kotlin - Flutter
- Android Studio - Xamarin
- IntelliJ IDEA
Factors to consider when choosing a development approach:
iOS Native: • Audience
- Swift • Timeline
- XCode • Desired features
- AppCode • Budget for maintaining your app
• Revenue goal

NOTES

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Web technologies

The origin of the internet

• The Internet makes it possible to perform e-commerce tasks online, the ability to transact online
• The Internet started as a direct networking model used by the Defense Department to coordinate research files
and weapon installations – namely ARPANET
• As the Internet evolved, the potential for various other activities have also come about in earlier days
• IP/Addressing
• Domain names
• Uniform Resource Locator (URL)
• Packet switched network

Client server architecture

• Client/server architectures are used in LANs, WANs, and the Web

• Client typically request services, information retrieval, and database access, from the server

(Schneider, 2013)

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Web programming languages

Client-side scripting: Server-Side scripting:

• Software operates on the client (browser)
• Code instructs client to make request from the
server
• Popular languages include JavaScript, HTML, CSS
and jQuery
• Software operates on the server
• Response from server is shaped based on user
input
• Often queries database
• Includes popular languages such as PHP, Python
and Node.JS

NOTES

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Networks and distributed processing

Network types

A network is a set of communications media, devices, and software needed to connect two or more devices:
• Local Area Network (LAN)
• Personal Area Networks (PAN)
• Wide Area Network (WAN)

Basic processing alternatives

There are generally three-processing alternatives which an organisation can implement when there is a need for
more than one computer system within an organisation:
• Centralised
• Decentralised
• Distributed

Intranets and extranets

As networking technologies became less expensive and easier to deploy, organisations started building more and
more interconnected networks:

Intranet
• A private network where access does not extend beyond the organization that created it.
• For example, an HR Payroll system

Extranet
• Similar to intranet, but also extended to stakeholders outside the boundaries of an organization
• For example, suppliers or business partners of an e-commerce company
(Chesney, Stair and Reynolds, 2017)

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References
• BusinessTech (2020) Smartphone market share: Samsung vs Apple vs Huawei. Available at: https://businesstech.
co.za/news/mobile/378723/smartphone-market-share-samsung-vs-apple-vs-huawei-2/.
• Chesney, T., Stair, R. M. and Reynolds, G. W. (2017) Principles of Business Information Systems. Cengage Learning.
Available at: https://books.google.co.za/books?id=gow8swEACAAJ.
• Hankin, A. (2019) Three Companies the iPhone Killed. Available at: https://www.investopedia.com/news/three-
companies-iphone-killed/.
• hostingtribunal.com (2020) Mobile and Desktop Operating Systems Market Share. Available at: https://
hostingtribunal.com/blog/operating-systems-market-share/#gref.
• Schneider, G. (2013) Electronic Commerce, 10th Edition. Cengage
• Tigermobiles.com (no date) Evolution of the Mobile Phone - History and Timeline - TigerMobiles.com. Available at:
https://www.tigermobiles.com/evolution/#eighthPhone.
• www.transparencymarketresearch.com (no date) Smartphone OS Market - Global Industry Analysis and Forecast |
2025. Available at: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/smartphone-os-market.html.

NOTES

PROFESSIONAL DIPLOMA IN INTRODUCTION TO TECHNOLOGY