Definition of ICT
ICT stands for Information and Communication Technology. This is similar to
Information Technology (IT), but focuses mainly on communication technology
like the Internet, wireless networks, cell phones, and other communication media.
In the last few
decades, information and communication technology has given the public a
variety of new communication capabilities. Social networking sites like
Facebook allows users from all over the world to stay in touch and communicate
regularly.
Modern
information and communication technology has created a "global the village," where people can communicate with others throughout the world as
if they live next door. For this reason, ICTs are often studied in the context
of how modern communication technologies affect society.
ICT Components
ICT include
fields that are supported by the internet and also mobile ones powered by
wireless networks. This also includes ancient technology, such as landline
telephones, radio and television broadcasts, all of which are still widely used
today along with the latest ICT developments such as artificial intelligence
and robotics.
ICTs are
sometimes used synonymously with IT or information technology, but ICT is
generally used to represent a broader, more comprehensive list of all
components related to computers and digital technology than IT.
Some components,
such as computers and telephones, have been around for decades. While
information technology, such as smartphones, digital TVs and robots, is newer. ICTs
are generally more than just components. But it also includes the application
of these components. The following is explained which includes ICT components.
Computer Hardware
This is physical
technology that functions with information. The hardware can be as small as a
smartphone that fits in a pocket or as big as a supercomputer that fills a
building. Hardware also includes peripheral devices that work with computers,
such as keyboards, external disk drives, and routers. With the rise of the
Internet, where everything from household appliances to cars to clothing will
be able to receive and transmit data, sensors that interact with computers soak
into the human environment.
Computer Software
Besides hardware, there is also software in ICT systems. The main part of system software is the
operating system, such as Windows or iOS, which manages hardware operations.
Application software is designed for certain tasks, such as handling
spreadsheets, creating documents or designing Web pages.
Telecommunication
This component
connects the hardware with the ICT system software to form a network.
Connections can be via cables, such as Ethernet or fibre optic cable, or
wireless, such as via Wi-Fi. Networks can be designed to bring together
computers in a specific area, such as an office or school, through a local area
network (LAN). If the computer is more spread out, the network is called a wide
area network (WAN).
Database and Data Warehouse
This component is
where the "ingredients" used by other components work. A database
is a place for collecting data and from which data can be retrieved by asking
it using one or more specific criteria. The data warehouse contains all data in
whatever form the organization needs. Databases and data warehouses have
assumed greater importance in information systems with the emergence of
"big data," a term for very large amounts of data that can be
collected and analyzed.
Human Resources and Procedures
The last
component of ICT that is perhaps the most important is the human element.
People are needed to run the systems and procedures they follow so that
knowledge in large databases and data warehouses can be transformed into
learning that can interpret what happened in the past and direct future
actions.
Such is the explanation of the definitions and components of information and communication technology or commonly abbreviated as ICT.