2. Data: A collection of raw facts and figures. It may consist of numbers, characters, symbols or pictures. Information: Organized and processed form of data.

3. The process of converting data into meaningful information. It consists of following steps: DataProcessingInformation

4. A computer is a machine that can be programmed to accept data, processed data into useful information and store it for later use. Computer components are :  Input devices  Processing device  Output Devices  Storage Devices

5. IT is the technology that uses computing with high speed communication links to spread information from one place to another. The interconnection of computers enable people to send and receive information. The world has become a global village due to advancement in information technology.

6. Information plays an important role in every field. IT applications are:  Internet  E-commerce  Mobile Commerce  Multimedia etc.

7. Software is a set of instruction that tells a computer what to do. The physical parts of a computer are called hardware. the user can see and touch the hardware.

8. Software is a set of instructions that tells the computer hardware what to do. Hardware cannot perform any task without software. Software cannot be executed without hardware.

9.  System software  Is a set of programs required to implement certain functions in a computer system. it controls the operation of computer system.  Examples are  Operating system  Utility programs  Device drivers

10.  Application software  It is used to perform various applications on the computer.  It helps a computer user to perform specific tasks.  People use app s/w according to their use.  E.g it provides audio, video and multimedia entertainment to users.

11. Examples of Application software are: Spreadsheets Computer Graphics Word Processors Databases Etc:

12. Input Anything given to the computer is known as input such as data and instructions. Input devices is a hardware component that is used to enter data and instructions into a computer. Examples Keyboard Mouse Scanner Microphone etc

13. Output: The data has been processed into useful information is called output. Output Devices: The hardware component that are used to receive information from the computer. Examples: Monitors Printers Speakers