How HTML5 may become the standard for apps (Inside Apps)

The mass adoption of HTML5 as a way to create applications may be coming sooner than you think.

Rob Chandhok, president of Internet services at Qualcomm.

(Credit: Qualcomm)

At least, that's what Rob Chandhok, president of Qualcomm's Internet services division, thinks. He recently sat down with CNET to talk about where apps are headed. And the direction solidly points to HTML5.

"We see HTML5 and Web-based mobile applications as the way it will end up," Chandhok said.

Companies such as Pandora and LinkedIn already use HTML 5 as the basis for their applications. He said in the next 18 to 24 months, the standard will reach mass adoption among developers.

HTML5, unlike other codes used for the development of apps, is a Web-based standard, so sophisticated programs can be run using a browser, rather than as a native program on the phone. The major advantage is that, in theory, a developer can build one HTML5 app and have it run on any phone with a good browser. That also means the app isn't stuck in just one platform such as iOS or Android.

Apple's Steve Jobs once touted HTML5 as the next big Web standard, when he opted to keep Adobe Flash out of iOS. But now developers are using HTML5 to create programs that can get around iOS's requirement to distribute apps through its App Store, which also means getting out of paying Apple a cut of the app revenue.

 Related links:
• Adobe dives into HTML with new Edge software
• Windows 8 and anxiety over HTML5
• HTML5 spec set for 2014 completion

Chandhok, meanwhile, knows a thing or two when it comes to where mobile trends are headed. As part of his responsibilities, he runs Qualcomm's innovation center. The Internet services division originally delivered data services to feature phones but has since transitioned to focus on services designed for sophisticated smartphones.

In regard to HTML5, Chandhok said it's just easier to build apps using that standard. It takes a lot of work to update and tweak an app, which also requires the consumer to download a new version. Because it's browser based and works like a Web site, the HTML5 app could be changed on the fly.

"It's economically important for people to do," Chandhok said.

With the PC moving to browser-based programs and services, Chandhok said he sees a similar migration on the wireless side. Despite running on a browser, it feels like an app, he said.

One obstacle for HTML5 right now is the inability for such programs to take advantage of a phone's different features, including the camera, global positioning system, or accelerometer. A native application has access to the phone's software development kit, allowing it to work with the hardware to provide different services such as augmented reality or directions to a shop.

Other people are just getting up to speed on HTML5 and figuring out what they can do with the code.

"You'll see a smoothing out of the experience," he said.

While HTML5 will become more popular, Chandhok said he doesn't see native applications going away. Instead, he expects there to be a mix of native and Web-based apps.

Which, thankfully, means plenty more fodder for this column.

Information and Communication Technology

Computing  : Information And Communication Technology

1.1 Development of Information Technology

A.Data, information and knowledge.

i.Data – is a collection of unorganized facts, which can include words, numbers, images and sounds.

ii.Information – is a data that is organized, has meaning and is useful. Example : are reports, news letters, a receipt or a check.

iii. Knowledge - is information and understanding about a subject, which someone has in their mind.

(b) Meaning of information technology and the components of information technology.

• Information system is a collection of hardware, software, data, people and procedures that are design to generate information to supports the day-to day, short range and long range activities of users in an organization.
• Information systems generally are classified into five categories :office information system, transaction processing systems, management information system, decision support systems and expert systems.

(c) Types of computers

• The four major categories of computers are personel computers, minicomputers, mainframe computers and supercomputers. The categories are based on the differences in the size, speed, processing capabilities and price of computers.

1.Personel computers.

PC -  is a computer that can perform all of its input, processing, output and storage activities by itself.

PC are categories into two:

1. Desktop computers

§   PC is to design so the system unit, input devices, output devices and any other devices fit entirely on or under a desk or table.

§   All-in-one computer : less expensive, desktop computer that combines the monitor and system unit into a single device.

§   Workstation : powerful desktop computer, more expensive, designed for work that requires intense calculations and graphic capabilities.

2. Stand alone computer :

1.  not connected to a computer.

2.  Has the capability of performing the information processing cycle operation (input, process, output and storage)

Server :

1.            is a computer that manages the resources on a network.

2.            Desktop computer also can function as a server on a network.

3.            Server control access to the software, printers and other devices on the network as well as provide a centralized storage area for the software programs and data.

Portable computer

• Is a personel computer that is small enough to carry.
• Two types of portable computer are (1) laptop (2) handheld

1.Laptop computers

§         Design for mobility also called a notebook computer.

§         It is a personel computer small enough to fit on your lap. Thin, lightweight, can be just as powerful as the average desktop computer and expensive.

2.Handheld computers

• Designed to fit in your hand.
• Do not have disk drive,
• Programs data stored on chip inside the system unit.
• Can be connected to a larger computer for the purpose of exchange data.

3. minicomputers

• More powerful and larger than a workstation computer.
• Can support up to 4000 connected user at the same time.
• User often access a minicomputer via a terminal which is a device with a monitor an keyboard.
• Such terminal – sometimes called dumb terminal because they have no processing power : cannot act as stand – alone computers and must be connected to the minicomputer to operate.

4. Mainframe computers

• It is large, expensive and very powerful.
• Can handle hundreds or thousand of connected users simultaneously.
• Can act as a server and store tremendous amounts of data, instructions and information, which user can access with terminals or PC.

5. Supercomputers

• It is the fastest, most powerful computer and the most expensive.
• Capable of processing more than 64 billion instruction in a single second.
• It is used for application requiring complex, sophistificated mathematical calculation. Eg: weather forecasting, nuclear energy research and petroleum exploration.

(d)System software and applicaton software

1.  System software consists of programs that control the operations of the computer and its devices, serves as the interface between a user and the computer ‘s hardware.

2.Two types of system software:

            i. Operating system : 
Operating System (OS) : contains instructions that coordinate all of the activities of hardware devices.  ex: Windows 95, Window 98, Window 2000.

            ii. Utility programs :

Utility program : UP is a type of system software that perform specific task, usually related to managing a computer. Its devices or its programs. ex: Winzip, antivirus.

                       

                   

Application software

App. Software : consists of programs design to perform specific task for users.

Popular app. Software include word processing software, spreadsheet software, database software and presentation software.

(e) Copyright software, shareware,  groupware, freeware and suite software

1)Shareware

•shareware is software that is distributed free for a trial period.

•User are used a shareware program beyond that period of time, they need to send a payment to the person or company that developed the program.

•Upon sending this small fee, the developer register they to receive service assistance and update.

2)Freeware

•Freeware is software that is provided at no cost to a user by an individual or company.

•Although free, freeware is copyrighted, meaning you cannot resell it as your own.

3)Suite software

•Application software is an example of suite software.

•It is consists of  four application often are sold together as a single unit called a suite

•The price is less when buy is a packed than buy individual application.

( f ) Uses of software packages such as word-processing, electronic spreadsheet, database and graphics packages.

• Word processing is used to create, edit and format documents that consist primarily of text.
• Electronic Spreadsheets organizes numeric data in a worksheet made up of row and columns.
• Database is used to create database, an organized of data that can be accessed, retrieved and used.
• Graphics packages creates documents called presentations that communicate ideas, massages and other information into a group. 

(h) Describe the generations of computer from the first generation to the last generation



 
COMPUTER GENERATIONS

FIRST GENERATION (1940-1956)

The first generation of computer were huge, slow, expensive and often unreliable. In 1946, two Americans, Presper Eckert and Willian Mauchly build the ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer). It use vacuum tube instead of mechanical switches of the MARK 1.

UNIVAC – UNIVERSAL AUTOMATIC COMPUTER

In 1951, Eckert and Mauchly build the UNIVAC, which could calculate at the rate of 10,000 addition per seconds. 

Hardware Technology

New invention of hardware were needed with the new computer technology.

Technology	Details
VACUUM TUBE	The vacuum tube was an extremely important step of the advancement of computers.In a computer, a vacuum tube which is an electronic tube about the size of light bulbs, was used as the internal computer components. Thousands of them were used.
PUNCHED CARD	Punched card was used to store data.
MAGNETIC TAPE	Magnetic tape was introduced in 1957. It was a faster and a more compact method of storing data. Using magnetic tape became more reliable and cost-effective.

Problems

• the vacuum tubes generated a great deal of heat causing many  problems in temperature regulation and climate control
• the tubes also burnt out frequently
• people operating the computer did not know that the problem was in the programming machine
• the second generation computer scientists invented something new due to lots of problem created by vacuum tubes

SECOND GENERATION (1956-1963)

The famous computer scientists during the second generation era were:

The creation of transistor spark the production of a wave of second generation computer. Transistor was small devices use to transfer electronic signals across a resister. Transistors had many advantages compared to other hardware technology.

• transistors were smaller than vacuum tubes
• they needed no warm up time
• consumed less energy
• generated much less heat
• faster and more reliable
  
  THIRD GENERATION (1964-1971)

In the third generation era, the IBM 370 series were introduced in 1964. It came in several models and sizes.It was used for business and scientific programs. Other computer models introduced were CDC 7600 and B2500.

The development of integrated circuit (IC), signal the beginning of the third generation computers. Silicone chips were manufactured in 1961 at the Silicone Valley. Then came the integrated circuit technology, which had reduced the size and cost of computers.

It is a complete electronic circuit on a small chip of silicone. Which is also known as semi conductor. Other than that, the Magnetic Core Memory was replaced by a device called the microchip. Also the first 256 bit RAM was introduced and it was the basis for development of 1K bit RAM.

Advantages

A new concept  in this generation was that of a family of computer which allowed computer to be upgraded and expanded as necessary.

·        Silicone chips were reliable, compact and cheaper.

·        Sold hardware and software separately which created the software industry.

·        customer service industry flourished (reservation and credit checks)

FOURTH GENERATION (1971-PRESENT)

It took only 55 years for the 4 generations to evolve. The growth of the computer industry developed technologies of computer inventions. There are many types of computer models such as:

• Apple Macintosh
• IBM
• DELL
• ACER

In 1971 Intel created the first microprocessor. In 1976, Steve Jobs built the first Apple computer. Then, in 1981, IBM introduced its first personal computer.

During the fourth generation,  hardware technology such as silicone chips,  microprocessor and storage devices were invented. A microprocessor is a specialized chip which is developed for computer memory and logic.

                   

			Silicone Chips
	Microprocessor

The microprocessor is a large-scale integrated circuit which contained thousands of transistors. The transistors on this one chip are capable of performing all of the functions of a computer's central processing unit.

Advantages

• Computers became 100 times smaller than ENIAC  (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer) the first computer
• Gain in speed, reliability and storage capacity
• Personal and software industry boomed

FIFTH GENERATION (PRESENT & BEYOND)

The fifth generation computers are technologically advance and are still being development to become more efficient.

The inventions of new hardware technology in the fifth generation have grown rapidly including many other modern computer devices such as :

• silicone chips
• processor
• robotics
• virtual reality
• intelligent systems
• programs which translate languages

NEW ERA COMPUTER

After the fifth generation computer, the technology of computer has become more advanced, modern and sophisticated. The latest invention in the era of computers are :

• Super Computers
• Mainframe Computers
• Mini Computers
• Personal Computers
• Mobile Computers

In the new era of computers, expert system such as teleconferencing and speech-recognition system have been invented as part of modern world communication tools.

(J) .Distinguish between stand alone computers, computer networks and the Internet

Computer Network (CN)

•         A variation on the personal computer

•         A limited piece of hardware with a cpu and minimal memory

•         In the office is also called a thin client and relies on the processing and storage capabilities of the company’s network servers.

•         In the home, people can use computer network to connect to the Internet

•         Most computer network cannot operate as stand alone computer

•         CN relies on the network for storage, it typically does not have a hard disk or CD-ROM drive

Internet

•         Sometimes called simply “the Net”

•         Connecting users worldwide

•         Not really a single network but a loosely organized collection of thousands of networks

•         No central headquarters

•         No centrally offered services

•         No comprehensive index to tell you what information is available

•         Developed by the U.S government to connect libraries, college campus, research lab, businesses and any other organization or individual

•         The world’s largest network

•         A worldwide collection of networks that links together millions of computers by means of modems, telephone lines, wireless technology, other communications devices and media

Stand alone computer

•         A computer is not connected to a network and has the capability of performing the information processing cycle operations (input, process, output, storage)

(Perkakasan atau perisian yang boleh melakukan fungsinya tanpa disambung dengan sebarang komponen lain)

(k) Distinguish between centralized and distributed processing

Centralized processing

§         Centralised Processing is the processing of all data at one single central location by large mainframe computer.

•         All processing material had to be picked up and delivered to the users.

•         All output data had to be phsically transported to the computer.

•         Place everything-process ,hardware ,software,computer Access in one central location.

Remote terminal

•         A terminal placed in location other than where the primary host computer is located.

•         Enable users to access the host computer without being in front of the computer.

Distributed Processing

Distributed Processing is the dispersion of computers and distribution of computer processing among multiple geographically separate sites where local computers handle local processing needs and are linked by communications network. 

Function:

•         Business with many locations or office use this.

•         Allow both remote access and remote processing.

•         Processing can be done by the central computer.

The way to organized;

Distributed Data Processing Systems can be organized in different ways. In the case study, processing takes place at 2 levels: the local manager's office and Head office.

Host computer.

•         A computer system that is accessed by a users working at a remote location.Has  a unique is adress .

•         Connect by moderm and telephone line

(L) Distinguish between Wired Communication and wireless communications.

Communication Channel

·        An Important aspect of communications is the channel, which is the communications path between two devices.

·        A communications channel is composed of one or more transmission media

·        Transmission media consists of materials or techniques capable of carrying one or more signals.

Physical Transmission media

·        Physical Transmission media used in communications include twist-pair cable, coaxial cable and fiber optic cable.

·        These cable typically are used  within buildings or underground. 

Wireless transmission media

·        Wireless transmission media used in communications include broadcast radio, cellular radio, microwaves, communications satellites and infrared

·        Many wireless devices that access the Internet now used the WAP (Wireless Application Protocol)

·        Which is a standard set of communications specifications that help to ensure successful communications.