2.2 An ICT system and its components

What is data?

Data are raw facts and figures that are meaningless without context

What is ICT?

Information and Communication Technologies.

What is the definition of ICT?

Information and Communication technology is the use of technology for the input, processing, storage and transfer of data and the output of information.

What is information?

Information is data that has been processed and is the output from an ICT system.

What is output?

Output is the information produced when data has been processed, all information systems produce output and it is in a form that a user can understand and finds useful.

What are procedures?

Procedures have to be undertaken to make sure that the system can run smoothly, such as: - security procedures such as using passwords to secure systems - backup procedures to ensure data is kept safely - instructions on how to operate system correctly

What is processing?

The act of changing/manipulating the input data to give meaningful context.

What is input?

Where data is input systems using a device eg. Keyboard, chip reader, magnetic strip, near field communication (NFC), barcodes, OCT, OMR.

What is an ICT system?

An ICT system consists of hardware and software being used to input data and output information for use by people who use procedures.

What is a system?

Any activity or set of activities that involves input, processing and output is called a system.

What are the components of ICT?

People - ICT systems cannot work without people ie. they input data. Data - raw facts and figures without context have no meaning. Information - data that has been processed. Software - packages are the programs that make the computer a useful tool. Hardware - the physical components that make up the ICT system. Procedures - security procedures such as using passwords to secure systems.