| 1. |
Introduction to Computers |
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| (a) |
Computer hardware |
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Classification of computers – personal computer, workstation, servers and super computers
Computer components – CPU, input output devices, storage devices |
| (b) |
BUS, I/O CO processors, ports (serial, parallel, USB ports), expansion slots, add on cards, on board chips, LAN cards, multi media cards, cache memory, buffers, controllers and drivers |
| (c) |
Computer software |
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Systems software – operating system, translators (compilers, interpreters and assemblers), system utilities |
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General purpose software/ utilities - word processor, spread sheet, DBMS, scheduler / planner, internet browser and e-mail clients |
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Application software – financial accounting, payroll, inventory |
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Specialised systems – Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), artificial intelligence, expert systems, decision support systems – an overview |
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| 2. |
Data Storage, Retrievals and Data Base Management Systems |
| |
| (a) |
Data and information concepts: bits, bytes, KB, MB, GB, TB |
| (b) |
Data organization and access |
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Storage concepts : records, fields, grouped fields, special fields like date, integers, real, floating, fixed, double precision, logical, characters, strings, variable character fields (Memo); key, primary key, foreign key, secondary key, referential integrity, index fields. |
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Storage techniques: sequential, block sequential, random, indexed, sequential access, direct access, random access including randomizing |
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Logical structure and physical structure of files |
| (c) |
DBMS models and classification: |
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Need for database, administration, models, DML and DDL (query and reporting); data dictionaries, distributed data bases, object oriented databases, client server databases, knowledge databases |
| (d) |
Backup and recovery – backup policy, backup schedules, offsite backups, recycling of backups, frequent checking of recovery of backup |
| (e) |
Usage of system software like program library management systems and tape and disk management systems – features, functionalities, advantages |
| (f) |
Data mining and data warehousing - an overview |
|
| 3. |
Computer Networks & Network Security |
| |
| (a) |
Networking concepts – need and scope, benefits |
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Classification: LAN, MAN, WAN, VPN; peer-to-peer, client server |
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Components - NIC, router, switch, hub, repeater, bridge, gateway, modem |
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Network topologies – bus, star, ring, mesh, hybrid, architecture : token ring, ethernet |
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transmission technologies and protocols – OSI, TCP/IP, ISDN etc. |
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Network operating system |
| (b) |
Local Area Networks – components of a LAN, advantages of LAN |
| (c) |
Client server technology |
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Limitation of single user systems and need for client server technology |
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Servers – database, application, print servers, transaction servers, internet servers, mail servers, chat servers, IDS |
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Introduction to 3-tier and “n” tier architecture (COM, COM+) |
| (d) |
Data centres: features and functions, primary delivery centre and disaster recovery site |
| (e) |
Network security need; threats and vulnerabilities; security levels; techniques |
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| 4. |
Internet and other technologies |
| |
| (a) |
Internet and world-wide web, intranets, extranets, applications of internet, internet protocols |
| (b) |
E-commerce - nature, types (B2B, B2C, C2C), supply chain management, CRM, Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), Electronic Fund Transfers (EFT), payment portal, e-commerce security; |
| (c) |
Mobile commerce, bluetooth and Wi-Fi |
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| 5. |
Flowcharts, Decision Tables. |
