Lecture 10-Computer Science and Information Technology

Question 1

What is information technology?

Answer 1

the study of using computers and existing technologies to store and process information (data)

Question 2

Information Communications technology

Answer 2

extends this by telecommunications for receiving and transmitting data

Question 3

Information technology involves

Answer 3

Collection, gathering, accessing of information  Storing, processing, manipulation, analysis of information 
Dissemination, transmission of information through the use of any computers, storage, networking and other physical devices, infrastructure

Question 4

Examples of Information Technological Devices

Answer 4

Telephone and radio equipment
* Video conferencing equipment
* Personal computers

Question 5

Two important parts of Information Technology

Answer 5

which hardware comprises all the physical parts of a computer system but the software is set of instructions which enable the hardware to perform a specific set of tasks.

Question 6

Hardware

Answer 6

Physical device which is capable of operating tasks and executions based on software, Examples Monitor, mouse, keyboard, hard drives, routers, printers, scanners, Made up on electronic components, If damaged, it can be replaced with a new one, Not affected by virus , Cannot perform any operation without software, Failure Wear out over time, Physical device

Question 7

Software

Answer 7

Set of instructions given to the computer to perform operations, examples are : Chrome browser, antivirus, windows, Microsoft office, vlc media player, photoshop, Writing instructions using a programming language, If damaged, can be replaced with a backup copy, affected by virus, Cannot be executed without a hardware, Do not wear out over time, bugs can affect it, cannot be touched

Question 8

What is Computer science?

Answer 8

a study of using computation to solve problems, focuses on finding answers for which problems can be solved using computation, how to solve these problems and how to solve them efficiently. Groups problems in these areas:
-Distributed systems
-Networks
-AI
-Computation theory
-Data Science

Question 9

What is computer science ? longer definition

Answer 9

-Focus on computers and computing as well as their theoretical and practical applications ▪ -Applies the principles of mathematics, engineering, and logic to a plethora of functions, including algorithm formulation, software and hardware development, and artificial intelligence -Study of the design of algorithms, their properties and their linguistic and mechanical realization

Question 10

What does linguistic realization

Answer 10

translates algorithms into a program

Question 11

What is a computer programme?

Answer 11

consists of a set of instructions which enables the computer to perform the tasks the programmer requires.
-Designing programming languages and translating algorithms into these languages so that they can be executed by hardware -Identifying important problems and designing correct and efficient software packages to solve these problems

Question 12

Mechanical Realization

Answer 12

Process of executing steps in an algorithm, designing and building computer systems that are able to execute algorithms

Question 13

What are Algorithms?

Answer 13

-is a set of rules to obtain the expected output from the given output
Finite Sequence of unambiguous executable steps to accomplish a task
- It is the central concept behind computer science

Question 14

Two parts of algorithm

Answer 14

Input and output

Question 15

Properties of algorithms

Answer 15

Series of steps executed in a sequence Unambiguous Done in a finite period of time Assist in problem solving

Question 16

Properties of algorithms-Unambiguity

Answer 16

Operation that is understood and carried out by the compiling agent without needing further simplification or explanation

Question 17

Example of Algorithm: Purchasing Items at a Grocery Store : Two Streets Away

Answer 17

Write a grocery list.
Leave the house.
Drive to the store.
Pick up a grocery basket.
Go to the aisle where every item you have on your list is and put them in the basket.
Go to the checkout point to pay for your items. Drive back home

Question 18

Additional Examples of Algorithms:

Answer 18

Use of a bankcard at an ATM machine Following a Cooking Recipe Process of doing laundry

Question 19

Relation between information technology and computer science
Artificial Intelligence

Answer 19

Wide-ranging branch of computer science concerned with building smart machines capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence.
While AI is an interdisciplinary science with multiple approaches, advancements in machine learning and deep learning, in particular, are creating a paradigm shift in virtually every sector of the tech industry.
Allows machines to model, or even improve upon, the capabilities of the human mind. Development self-driving cars to the proliferation of generative AI tools such as Chat GPT

Question 20

Advantages of Artificial Intelligence

Answer 20

-Wide range of applications in healthcare and medicine, from improving patient diagnosis and treatment to enhancing drug discovery and development
-Banking and Finance- Transformation of the banking and finance industry by improving customer experience, reducing costs, and enhancing security. For example, chatbots powered by AI can help customers with routine banking tasks, such as checking account balances and transferring funds, without the need for human intervention.
-Transportation - making transportation safer, more efficient, and more sustainable. Self-driving cars, for example, use AI-powered sensors and algorithms to navigate roads and avoid collisions. This technology has the potential to reduce traffic accidents and fatalities, as well as improve traffic flow and reduce congestion.
-Improvement in the efficiency and productivity across a wide range of industries. Through the automation of routine tasks and analyzing data, AI can help businesses identify inefficiencies and streamline processes, leading to cost savings and improved performance.
-Better decision making facilities – Improvement in the decision-making capabilities by analyzing large amounts of data and providing insights and recommendations. This can help businesses make more informed decisions and reduce the risk of errors or biases.

Question 21

Disadvantages of Artificial Intelligence

Answer 21

Job Displacement– Jobs are expected to be replaced with technologies. This could cause significant disruption in jobs likely cause an increase in unemployment as AI systems can perform work of multiple human workers at once
-Economic Inequality.-Reduction in the relative amount of income going to low-skilled labour, which will increase inequality across society People who are technologically unemployed lose their ability to earn an income, which creates more inequality in a society of otherwise increasing incomes.
-Legal and Regulatory Challenges– Data Privacy ( AI systems rely on vast amounts of data to train and improve their algorithms which interferes with other privacy issues); Intellectual Property rights (AI systems can generate new works of authorship, such as software programs, artistic works, and articles which has potential of interfering with other people’s rights); AI systems can inadvertently perpetuate bias and discrimination, particularly if they are trained on data that reflects historic biases or inequalities.
-Increases human dependency on machines which can lead to laziness
-Requires businesses to invest in advanced infrastructure and training the employees which is costly
-Loss of Human Connection- As more people rely on AI for social interactions, the amount of human contact is reduced. This can lead to a feeling of alienation and isolation from friends and family.
-Misinformation and Manipulation. … the emerging risk is that consumers will unwittingly engage in real-time dialog with agents that can skillfully persuade them to buy particular products, believe particular pieces of misinformation, or fool them into revealing sensitive personal data. Fake accounts on social media platforms

Question 22

What does Information Technology and Computer Science?

Answer 22

• Information Technology involves working both with hardware (e.g. CPUs, RAM, hard-disks) and software (e.g. operating systems, web browsers, mobile applications)
• Computer Science deals with the development and testing of software and software systems.

Question 23

Difference between Computer Science and Information Technology

Answer 23

Computer Science
-Entails designing and building computers and computer programs.
-Pertains to the development and testing of software and software systems
-Research Oriented, deals with the principles of computing and how computers solve problems -Study of the principles of computing and how the computers solve problems
-Deals with programming computers using mathematical algorithms and includes concepts like computational complexity theory
-Computer Scientists design these tools/software

Information Technology
-Entails the maintenance and troubleshooting of computers and their networks, systems, and databases to ensure they run smoothly.
-Involves working both with hardware (e.g. CPUs, RAM, hard disks) and software (e.g. operating systems, web browsers, mobile applications)
-Academic discipline, mostly deals with industry oriented learning
-Study of current tools, computing techniques that can be used for the technological needs of a particular organisations
-Information systems professionals apply these tools/software
-More practical concepts that have more real world applications such as database management, networking

Question 24

What is the internet?

Answer 24

Global network that connects computer systems across the world to provide wireless interactive communication (transmission of data) for a variety of information such as the World Wide Web and email

Question 25

Purpose of the internet

Answer 25

-Provides global access to data and communications -Advancement of research in science, medicine, engineering and design - Maintains global defense and surveillance

Question 26

Protocols leading to the growth of the internet

Answer 26

The invention of DNS (Domain Name Server: www.amazon.com ); common use of TCP/IP (Transmission Control; Protocol/Internet Protocol); Hypertext Markup Language (HTML); and the popularity of email caused an explosion of activity on the internet

Question 27

Protocol Leading to Growth of Internet (Domain Name Server)

Answer 27

-translates human readable domain names (for example, www.amazon.com to machine readable IP addresses (for example, 192.0.2.44) -DNS : Known as the Phonebook of the Internet

Question 28

Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)

Answer 28

-Communications standard that enables application programs and computing devices to exchange messages over a network. -It is designed to send packets across the internet and ensure the successful delivery of data and messages over networks.

Question 29

HTML (HyperText Markup Language)

Answer 29

-Computer language that facilitates website creation. -The language, which has code words and syntax just like any other language, is relatively easy to comprehend -Increasingly powerful in what it allows someone to create Wikipedia

Question 30

Intranet

Answer 30

is a private network contained within an enterprise that is used to securely share company information and computing resources among employees. An intranet can also be used for working in groups and teleconferences. Intranets encourage communication within an organization.

Question 31

Examples of Intranet

Answer 31

-Educational Intranet: generally found in a school, college, etc Allows teaching staff to communicate with each other and get information about upcoming updates such as exam dates, schools functions, holidays, etc. Employees also remain up to date with important events like meetings, training, sessions, etc. -Real Estate Intranet: Allows its sales team to have access to all important brochures, templates, forms that they may need to close a sale. -Health Care Intranet: In big hospitals, the Intranet helps health care professionals to work as a team to provide proper care and treatment to their patients. Doctors can share reports, treatment procedures, bills and claims can be settled easily without moving from one department to another department. -IT Sector Intranet: Information is shared with all the employees at one go. It may be related to a project that needs to be completed within the given time frame, such as guidelines, terms and conditions, and rules that are to be followed while working on a project

Question 32

Difference between Internet and Intranet

Answer 32

Internet -Global system of interconnected computer networks that use the internet protocol to link devices worldwide - Public Network -Anyone can access information -Less Secure -Global system and it has a large number of users -More traffic because it is a worldwide network Intranet -Private network that is contained in the enterprise - Private Network -Only users of the organisation can have access -More Secure -Small network with a limited number of users -Minimum traffic because it has less number of users

Question 33

Relation between internet and information technology

Answer 33

-Internet is a component of information technology and is utilized in the transmission of data and information from one device to another - Based on internet protocols (TCP/IP) and is protected from unauthorized access with firewalls and other security systems -Firewall monitors the incoming and outgoing data packets to ensure they don't contain unauthorized requests (users on the intranet can access the internet, but the internet users can't access the intranet if they are not authorized for it) -to access the intranet, the authorized user is required to be connected to its LAN (Local Area Network).

Question 34

Relation between internet and computer science

Answer 34

-Information technology takes various forms from databases and communications software to computer networks and Personal Digital Assistants. The Internet is a widely distributed network of computer servers, which allow users to communicate and exchange data.

Question 35

Relation between Computer Science and the Internet

Answer 35

-Computer science also covers Internet technologies -Includes Internet protocols, telecommunications and networking concepts -Includes practical applications, such as web design and network administration

Question 36

Positive Impacts of Information Technology on Individuals

Answer 36

-Enhanced Communication – Instant Messaging, Email, Social Networking (people can communicate with one another in anywhere around the world through Internet) monitored  -Education – Online Courses (Online Courses at different educational institutions are accessed through the internet) - Health- improved quality of health, safety and efficiency of health care delivery Through app download on smartphones, calorie intake and physical activity can be -Access to information - Latest news from all over the world without dependency on television or newspaper, affordability of information

Question 37

Negative Impacts of Information Technology on Individuals

Answer 37

Relationships and Social Skills Issues (addiction to devices promotes isolation, distraction) * Health Problems - Eyestrain (Vision Issues) Cybersecurity Issues * Reduced Sleep Quality (Social Media Overuse negatively affect sleeping habits)

Question 38

Positive Impacts of Information Technology on Organisation

Answer 38

-Improved Efficiency – Increases workflow by increased productivity considerably through accelerated automation of specific tasks -Globalization - Economic globalization. The high speed of global communications has also allowed trade and collaboration in real time and has increased international trade -Reduced cost of operation – through reduced developmental cost and training within the organisation -Greater Information Retrieval – through the internet systems

Question 39

Negative Impacts of Information Technology on Organisations

Answer 39

-Decrease in face to face communication – due to interaction through virtual mode -Distraction in the performance of tasks -Reduction in the number of jobs and job opportunities (Many individuals became redundant in the organization due to their inability to accept the new challenges of technology) - Increased risk of hacking and stealing of data/information through lack of privacy Violation of privacy is threatened by the violation of privacy of individual or work group or organization.

Question 40

Positive Impacts of Information Technology on the Society

Answer 40

-Communication – Email and instant messaging - Business – Improves business interactions, transactions saving time, improves production - Quality of life – Facilitates online shopping -Promotes globalization – Interconnections of the world - Finance – Online banking - Access to information – Access latest news from all over the world without dependency on television or newspaper, affordability of information - Education-Access online courses through the internet -Health – Electronic Records, Diagnosis

Question 41

Negative Impacts of Information Technology on the society

Answer 41

-Relationships and Social Skills Issues - Health Problems: Increased anxiety and depression - Browsing Online Can Be Dangerous - Mobile Device Overuse Reduce Sleep Quality

Question 42

Benefits of Information Technology on Economic Development

Answer 42

-E-commerce - system of buying and selling products or services that is carried out exclusively through the internet; collections and payments are done online - Marketing tactics - promotion of a product or service to influence specific marketing goals - Facilitation of globalization– Facilitates economic growth through the access to new markets, lower costs of products -Effectively Monitor Health: Precise diagnosis of medical issues is made easier which allows doctors to prescribe the right course of treatment with limited information -Electronic Health Records: Doctors, technicians, and nurses can upload the data to digital form allowing for quick and easy access (provide quick access to comprehensive medical history. With this information at their fingertips, diagnosis and treatment has never been easier) -Remote Access : Commute time to and from the hospital can be very lengthy. Even for minor health issues, some people spend their entire day travelling to a doctor and back (Telemedicine healthcare solutions has revolutionized this process which allowed millions of people in remote areas to access affordable and convenient healthcare) - Promotes Productivity and Efficiency: Improved health expands beyond direct healthcare (Due to the accessibility of data)

Question 43

Negative effects of Technology on HealthCare

Answer 43

-Hacking of Medical Records :Concerns over medical record privacy has increased as data has become more centralized ( Millions of people’s medical records have been hacked over the last 10 years. Beyond this, there have been cases of people use fake IDs to buy prescription drugs and medical equipment and fake insurance claims)

Question 44

Ethics in Information Technology

Answer 44

-Public concern about the ethical use of information technology includes: -E-mail and Internet access monitoring -Peer-to-peer networks violation of copyright -Unsolicited e-mail –Hackers and identify theft -Plagiarism –Cookies and spyware

Question 45

Negative impacts of Information Technology on Intellectual Property Rights

Answer 45

-Information stored in electronic media can be easily replicated and reorganized in a new format making it difficult to prove that it is a theft. -Internet is used to transmit information in any form freely around the world. It does not distinguish copying information and other information (With web technology, copying, altering and configuring different information objects and creation of altogether new information object is easily possible) -Intellectual Property : Products such as business rule, business model, pattern, layout, diagram or specific compilation in certain format - Viewed, copied and distributed on network- During distribution it can change in structure, content, and matter with loss of its original identity. It requires protection provisions from trade secrets, copyright and patent acts -Trade secrets Software, if it is unique in design, architecture, process and it is a creation from within the organization then software is a trade secret. In the trade secret act ‘Idea’ behind uniqueness is a trade secret and prevents its copying by law –includes its presentation, implementation and storage.

Question 46

Negative Impacts of Information Technology on Copyright

Answer 46

-Copyrights protect original creative expressions or works of authorship. Text, artwork, designs or combinations of these items created by a company are copyrights which can be registered -With the advent of new digital systems – there are more infringements, greater difficulty in detecting infringers because of privacy interests, and a continued public acceptance of unauthorized copying (Effective measures to deal with such infringement are not in place since online infringement is difficult to detect. Due to privacy interests and laws, along with continued public acceptance of digital copying)

Question 47

Negative Impacts of Information Technology on Trade Mark

Answer 47

-Type of intellectual property consisting of a recognizable sign, design, or expression that identifies products or services from a particular source and distinguishes them from others -Through information technology, infringement of trademarks could be promoted (Identical or confusingly similar to a trademark owned by another party)

Question 48

Effect of Information Technology on Patents

Answer 48

Patent - Exclusive right granted for an invention, which is a product or a process that provides, in general, a new way of doing something, or offers a new technical solution to a problem (To get a patent, technical information about the invention must be disclosed to the public in a patent application) Information technology overrides this right