BCS,Intro to IT

Whatever brings you here, you are here now!

Monday, August 17, 2009 @ 10:23 PM

The Internet, The Web and Electronic Commerce

HTML
HTML, which stands for Hypertext Markup Language, is the language for web pages. It provides a means to create structured documents by denoting structural semantics for text such as headings, paragraphs, lists etc as well as for links, quotes, and other items. It allows images and objects to be embedded and can be used to create interactive forms. It is written in the form of HTML elements consisting of "tags" surrounded by angle brackets within the web page content. It can include or can load scripts in languages such as JavaScript, which affect the behavior of HTML processors like Web browsers, and Cascading Style Sheets(CSS) to define the appearance and layout of text and other material. The use of CSS is encouraged over explicit presentational markup.

Javascript
JavaScript is a scripting language used to enable programmatic access to objects within other applications. It is primarily used in the form of client-side JavaScript for the development of dynamic websites. JavaScript is a dialect of the ECMAScript standard and is characterized as a dynamic, weakly typed, prototype-based language with first-class functions. JavaScript was influenced by many languages and was designed to look like Java, but to be easier for non-programmers to work with.

Applets
An applet is any small application that performs one specific task; sometimes running within the context a larger program perhaps as a plug-in. However, the term typically also refers to programs written in the Java programming language which are included in an HTML page.

Business-to-Consumer E-Commerce
Business-to-consumer (B2C, sometimes also called Business-to-Customer) describes activities of businesses serving end consumers with products and/or services.
An example of a B2C transaction would be a person buying a pair of shoes from a retailer. The transactions that led to the shoes being available for purchase, that is the purchase of the leather, laces, rubber, etc. as well as the sale of the shoe from the shoemaker to the retailer would be considered (B2B) transactions.

Consumer-to-Consumer E-Commerce
Consumer-to-consumer (C2C) (or citizen-to-citizen) electronic commerce involves the electronically-facilitated transactions between consumers through some third party. A common example is the online auction, in which a consumer posts an item for sale and other consumers bid to purchase it; the third party generally charges a flat fee or commission. The sites are only intermediaries, just there to match consumers. They do not have to check quality of the products being offered.

File Transfer Protocol(FTP)
File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is a standard network protocol used to exchange and manipulate files over an Internet Protocol computer network, such as the Internet. FTP is built on a client-server architecture and utilizes separate control and data connections between the client and server applications. Client applications were originally interactive command-line tools with a standardized command syntax, but graphical user interfaces have been developed for all desktop operating systems in use today. FTP is also often used as an application component to automatically transfer files for program internal functions. FTP can be used with user-based password authentication or with anonymous user access.

Filters
A filter is a computer program to process a data stream. Some operating systems such as Unix are rich with filter programs. Even Windows has some simple filters built in to its command shell, most of which have significant enhancements relative to the similar filter commands that were available in MS-DOS.

Monday, August 3, 2009 @ 10:27 PM

Career in IT

Webmaster

Basically, webmaster is also called a web architect or site author. Webmaster actually do more than simply write computer codes or update links, their tasks also include make sure the server and browsers can properly handle e-mails, transmit news and download files. Due to the differences operating system such as Windows or Macintosh, webmaster also require to keep up changing technical standards in areas such as HTML, HTTP and XML. The webmaster must also maintain a "firewall" that protects the client's information from hackers or others who may try to steal or destroy it electronically.

Computer support specialist

Computer support specialists help people use computers. When something goes wrong, support specialists figure out why. Then, they try to fix it. Some assist companies' customers, while other provide support inhouse to corporate or institutional staff. Those who provide help over the phone, via online chat or email, are called help desk technicians.

Technical Writer

A technical writer is tasked with writing documentation that explains

technical issues in ways that non-technical people can understand. A technical writer might be responsible for writing the how-to manual for a software application. Technical writers are often copy writers and vice-versa. A good technical writer can write about a complicated technical subject or task in ways that almost anyone can clearly understand. At the same time, precision in technical writing tends to be critical because if anything is described incorrectly, readers may act improperly on what is said, causing mistakes and problems at work.

Software Engineer

A software engineer researches, designs and develops software systems to meet with clients requirements. Once the system had been fully designed software engineers then test, debug, and maintain the systems. Due to the wide variety of work that they can be involved in, they need to have knowledge of a variety of computer programming languages and applications. Software engineering is one of the most popular professions in IT in terms of the numbers employed.

Network Administrator

Network Administrator is a modern profession in charge of the maintanance of computer hardware and software systems that comprises a computer network. This includes activities such as the deployment, configuration, maintanance and monitoring of active network equipment. A relatend role is that of the network specialist or network analyst.

Database administrator

A database administrator (DBA) is responsible for the performance, intergrity and security of a database. The role of a database administrator has changed according to the technology of database management systems (DBMSs) as well as the needs of the owners of the database. A DBA may be tasked to perform database design, although those duties traditionally are duties of a database analyst or database designer.

System Analyst

A systems analyst designs new IT solutions to improve business efficiency and productivity. The work might be for an external client or an internal client (such as a department within the same organisation). Working closely with the client, analysts examine existing business models and flows of data, discuss their finding with the client, and design an appropriate improves IT solution. They produce outline designs and costings of new IT systems, specifying the operations the systems will perform, and the way data will be viewed by the user, present their design to the client and, once it is approved, work closely with the client team to implement the solution.

Programmer

A programmer is someone who writes computer software. The term computer programmer can refer to a specialist in one area of computer programming or to a generalist who writes code for many kinds of software. One who practices or professes a formal approach to programming may also be know as a programmer analyst. A programmer's primary computer language (Lisp, Java, Delphi, C++, etc.) is often prefixed to the above titles, and those who work in a web enviroment often prefix their titles with web.