IT Basics for MBA

© Oxford University Press 2009. All rights reserved.

Dr. Gaurav Kapoor

Slides compiled from my own knowledge, the text “IT for Management” by Ramesh Behl, “IT for Management” by B. Muthukumaran and material created by Dr. Kane and Prof. Daulatkar


A collection of ◦ Hardware (Computers, Routers, Peripherals)◦ Software and◦ PeopleTo solve a business problem or provide a service

Hardware◦ Computers, Network Routers, Databases

Software◦ “Apps” and Tools

People◦ Analysts, Programmers, Testers, Users, Managers


Webster's Dictionary defines Computer◦ A programmable electronic device that can store,

retrieve, and process data◦ Processed data generates information◦ Information may consist of numbers, words, or

both


Computers are available in ◦ different shapes, ◦ sizes, ◦ processing capacities and weights,

Due to these different shapes and sizes they perform different types of jobs and have different functionalities.◦ Supercomputer (IBM Deep Blue, CRAY XE 6)◦ Mainframe (IBM System Z)◦ Micro-computer / Desktop / Notebook◦ Smartphones / Tablets



Computer Hardware consists of ◦ printed circuits ◦ CPU (Central Processing Unit) (Intel, AMD, Apple) ◦ memory chips ◦ storage devices ◦ connection ports

Pieces of hardware connected to the main unit, which houses the CPU, are called peripherals◦ keyboards, printers, scanners, and monitors.


Processor ◦ processor acts as the controller of all actions or

services provided by the system. ◦ Executes fetch-decode-execute cycle

Fetch an instruction from the memory; Decode the instruction Execute the instruction

◦ basic types of processor design philosophies: reduced instruction set computers (RISC) and complex instruction set computers (CISC)


Processors have registers to hold data, instructions, and state information.◦ Divided into general-purpose, special-purpose◦ For example, Pentium has 10 32-bit and 6 16-bit

registers grouped into general, control, and segment registers.

◦ The general registers are further divided into data, pointer, and index registers.


Basic types of memory are the ◦ read-only memory (ROM)◦ read/write memory (Random Access Memory)

ROM◦ allows only read operations◦ are nonvolatile and are generally factory-programmed.

Random access memory (RAM).◦ Allows read write operations◦ Divided into static and dynamic RAM. ◦ SRAM retains the data, once written. ◦ DRAM is a complex memory device that uses a tiny

capacitor to store each bit.



Computer storage fundamentals (continued)◦ Bit

The smallest element of data May have a value of either one or zero

◦ Byte Basic grouping of bits Typically, a byte consists of 8 bits and represents

one character of data


Software is a collection of “code” i.e. a specific way of giving instructions ◦ sold in packages that are designed to perform

different tasks


General-PurposePrograms

General-PurposePrograms

Application-SpecificPrograms

Application-SpecificPrograms

SystemManagementPrograms

SystemManagementPrograms

System DevelopmentPrograms

System DevelopmentPrograms

ApplicationSoftware

ApplicationSoftware

ComputerSoftware

ComputerSoftware

System Software

System Software


SYSTEM SOFTWARE: Controls and supports the operations of a computer system (E.g. operating system)

Characteristics? APPLICATION SOFTWARE: Consists of

programs that direct the processing activities of a particular use of computers by end users. (sales analysis programs, payroll, word processing)

Characteristics?


Windows, Unix, Linux, Oracle, SQL are examples of System Management Software

C++, Assembly Language, Compilers are examples of System Development Software

General Purpose programs are things like MS-Office, and Web browsers

Application Specific programs are things like banking software


The first generation (1940s) of software was the machine language, which used the 0s and 1s of binary language and was the only way in which programmers could communicate with the computer.

The second generation (1950s) of software was the development of assembly language - using mnemonic codes.

The third generation (1950-70s) of software was the development of first high level languages - more sophisticated extensions of assembly language and used more English like sentences.

Fourth generation (1970s) of software development was of packaged software programs that perform limited functions. These programs reduced the need of writing and compiling small routine applications.

Fifth generation (1990s) of software development was of integrated software, animations software and multimedia technology. Natural languages is also treated as part of fifth-generation languages


A server is a machine with a specific configuration and specific set of programs that offer different types of service, which accept request from clients to do certain tasks.

Server programs generally receive requests from client programs, execute database retrieval and updates, manage data integrity and dispatch responses to client requests.


Blade servers are stripped down computer servers with a modular design optimized to minimize the use of physical space.

Blades come with management software that automates the initial setup, provisioning, and re-provisioning of the multiple blades within a blade system.

A blade enclosure, which can hold multiple blade servers, provides services such as power, cooling, networking, various interconnects and management


Virtualization is a concept that allows a computers resources to be divided or shared by multiple environments simultaneously.

These environments can inter operate or be totally unaware of each other.

A single environment may or may not be aware that it is running in a virtual environment.

Advantages of Virtualization?

Documents

IT Basics for MBA