BIT Introduction to Information Technology

Definition and use of computers. Characteristics of computer (Speed, accuracy,diligence, storage capability, versatility) History of computing of how computers evolved from their humble beginnings to the machines of today. Generations of computers from first to fifth with varying hardware and software technologies. Definition and uses of digital and analog computers with example. Differences between digital, analog and hybrid computers. Classification of computers based on size and type: super-computer, mainframe-computer, minicomputer, micro-computer. Characteristics of each class. The computer system and their components (Hardware, software, data, users) Applications of computers in different sectors like education, health, agriculture, entertainment, scientific research, sports etc.

A. Introduction CPU and its functions. Different components of CPU (arithmetic logic unit, registers, control unit). What is instruction format? Concept of operation code and operand code. Definition and example of instruction set. What is Instruction cycle? Fetching, decoding, executing, and storing steps of instruction cycle. RISC and CISC based architecture. Concept of pipeline and parallel processing. Concept and types of bus. Concept of expansion slots and ports. Different components inside a computer cabinet like motherboard, ports and interfaces, expansion slots, memory chips, processor, hard disk etc. B. Computer memory Description of bit, byte, kilobyte, megabyte, gigabyte and terabyte and Concept of memory organization as a linear array of locations for storing data. Memory hierarchy from registers to magnetic tape. Description of CPU registers as working memory. Description cache memory and its levels. What is primary memory? Different types of primary memory. Secondary memory and their types. Working characteristics and features of Magnetic Tape, Magnetic Disk, Optical Disk, Magneto-Optical Disk, Flash Memory Device. Definition and characteristics of Sequential access and direct access devices. C. Input and Output Devices Definition, uses of input/output devices and how it works. Definition of Human Data Entry Devices and Source Data Entry Devices. Features and description of Human data entry devices (Keyboard, pointing devices—Mouse, trackball, joystick, digitizing tablet, Pick devices—Light pen, touch screen). Features and description of Source data entry devices (Audio input device (microphone, sound card, speech recognition), Video input device (video camera, digital camera), Optical input devices—Scanner (hand held, flat bed), OCR, MICR, OMR, barcode reader). Definition, uses of output devices and how it works. Classification and functional details of Output devices (Hard copy and soft copy devices). Use of I/O ports, types I/O ports. Explain the working of I/O system—I/O devices, device controller, device driver, Application Programs.

A. Introduction Classification of software (System software and Application software). Functionality and purpose of system software. Function and example of Device Drivers and Utility software. Definition and categories of Programming Languages. Different Generations of Programming Languages. Different kind of translator software (Assembler, Compiler, and Interpreter) and function of each. Functionality and purpose of application software. B. Operating System Explain the need of operating system in the computer system. Main key Objectives of Operating System. Single user and single task, single user and multitasking, multiuser, multiprocessing, real time, embedded OS. Process management, memory management, file management, device management, protection and security, user interface. Process states (new, ready, running, waiting, terminated). CPU scheduling Scheduler, scheduling algorithms (FCFS, SJF, RR). Process synchronization Concurrent processes, race condition. DeadlockDeadlock conditions, deadlock prevention, deadlock avoidance. Memory allocation Multiple partition allocation, paging. Virtual memory Demand paging. Files, directory structure. Device drivers, I/O scheduling, buffering, spooling. Protection mechanism of programs, processes, users and to the resources. CLI, GUI. MS-DOS, Windows family of OS, Linux. Licensing policy concept of software. Definition and benefits of using Open-Source software. Difference between Unix and Windows operating system in various aspects.

What are various kinds of data stored in computer (Numeric, Alphabetic, Alphanumeric, symbol. Different number systems (Decimal number system, Binary number system, Octal number system, and Hexadecimal number system. Representation of various number systems. Method used for Conversion from Decimal to Binary, Octal, Hexadecimal. Method used for Conversion of Binary, Octal, Hexadecimal to Decimal. Method used for Conversion of Binary to Octal, Hexadecimal. Method used for Conversion of Octal, Hexadecimal to Binary. Binary arithmetic operations addition, subtraction of signed and unsigned numbers.

A. Computer Network Brief background about data communication and the computer networks and their importance. Resource sharing, information sharing, as a communication medium, back-up and support. Twisted pair, coaxial cable, optical fiber, RF transmission, microwave transmission, satellite transmission. Transmission modes Simplex, half-duplex, full-duplex. Transmission speed Bandwidth, throughput, attenuation, distortion. Fundamentals of transmission Electromagnetic waves, signals: Analog and digital signals; Modulation and demodulation Amplitude, frequency, phase shift; Multiplexing FDM, WDM; Asynchronous and synchronous transmission. Switching - Circuit switching, message switching, packet switching. Network types LAN, MAN, WAN. Network topologies Bus, ring, star. Communication protocol The seven layers of OSI model. Network devices—NIC, repeater, bridge, hub, switch, router, gateway. Bluetooth technology, wireless LAN, wireless WAN. B. Internet TCP/IP, Internet applications, WWW, browser. TCP/IP. Client, local ISP, regional ISP, backbone. ISOC, IAB, IETF, IESG, IRTF, IANA, InterNIC, W3C. Dial-up access, leased line, ISDN, DSL, cable modem. WWW, Domain Name System. WWW Web browser, URL, Internet search engines, WWW development languages. Electronic mail E-mail address, e-mail message format, e-mail services (application based e-mail, webmail), how email works (client-server model). File transfer protocol How FTP works (client-server model). Terminal network. News. Internet relay chat. What is Web? Explain web2.0. What is Internet of Things (IoT)? What is Wearable computing? Cloud computing and it's importance. Smart cities vs ICT and it's importance. Case Study: ISP in Nepal and their services.

What is Database, DBMS and RDBMS? File-oriented approach and database approach. Characteristics of database approach. Data models, schemas and instances. Conceptual data model Entity, attribute, relationship, and E-R model. Representation data model Hierarchical, network, relational data model. Low level, or physical data model. Components of database system Users, software, hardware, and data. Architecture of database system Internal level, conceptual level, and external level. Data independence Logical data independence, physical data independence. Data dictionary, Database Administrator (DBA). Database languages DDL, and DML. Centralized DBMS architecture, client-server architecture, and distributed database. Different purposes like (1) personal databases; (2) workgroup databases (3) departmental databases and (4) enterprise databases. Concept of Data Warehouse. Concept of Data mining. Concept of BigData.

Background about why we require Computer security with different types of security attacks, mechanism available and various services provided by a system. Difference between Security Threat and Security Attack. Types of security attack. Virus, worm, trojan horse, JavaScript, java applet, ActiveX control. Confidentiality, integrity, authentication, non-repudiation. Cryptography Secret key cryptography, public-key cryptography, hash function. Digital signature Digital signature algorithms. Firewall Functions of firewall, working principle, types of firewall (packet filter firewall, circuit filter firewall, proxy or application-level firewall). Users' identification and authentication User name and password, smart card, biometrics. Other security measures Intrusion detection systems, virus protection software, data and information backups, SSL, IPsec protocol. Security awareness to enhance the security of the organization's resources by improving the awareness of the need to secure the system resources. Formulating a security policy.

Describe what is IT and explain various areas where IT can use. Explain how technology and information systems are essential to maintaining, supporting, and enriching many aspects of the lives of individuals, operations of organizations. Explain both Positive and negative impact. Explain society and how technology and information systems influencing many aspects of societies. Explain the concept of organization Strategic Planning and IT strategic planning to meet organization strategic objectives and business goals. Explain how IT Operational or tactical (getting technology in place) align with the business objectives and to drive business results.