The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to information technology:

Information technology Information technology (IT) is a set of related fields within information and communications technology (ICT), that encompass computer systems, software, programming languages, data processing, data and information processing, and storage. Inf ...

(IT) – microelectronics based combination of

computing Computing is any goal-oriented activity requiring, benefiting from, or creating computer, computing machinery. It includes the study and experimentation of algorithmic processes, and the development of both computer hardware, hardware and softw ...

and

telecommunications Telecommunication, often used in its plural form or abbreviated as telecom, is the transmission of information over a distance using electronic means, typically through cables, radio waves, or other communication technologies. These means of ...

technology Technology is the application of Conceptual model, conceptual knowledge to achieve practical goals, especially in a reproducible way. The word ''technology'' can also mean the products resulting from such efforts, including both tangible too ...

to treat

information Information is an Abstraction, abstract concept that refers to something which has the power Communication, to inform. At the most fundamental level, it pertains to the Interpretation (philosophy), interpretation (perhaps Interpretation (log ...

, including in the acquisition, processing, storage and dissemination of vocal, pictorial, textual and numerical information. It is defined by the Information Technology Association of America (ITAA) as "the study, design, development, implementation, support or management of computer-based

information system An information system (IS) is a formal, sociotechnical, organizational system designed to collect, process, Information Processing and Management, store, and information distribution, distribute information. From a sociotechnical perspective, info ...

s, particularly toward software applications and computer hardware."

Different names

There are different names for this at different periods or through fields. Some of these names are: * ICT –

Information and communication technologies Information and communications technology (ICT) is an extensional term for information technology (IT) that stresses the role of unified communications and the integration of telecommunications (telephone lines and wireless signals) and compute ...

* IT –

* DCT – Data Communication & technology * CDT – Creative digital technology * DT – Design & technology *

Communication technology Telecommunication, often used in its plural form or abbreviated as telecom, is the transmission of information over a distance using electronic means, typically through cables, radio waves, or other communication technologies. These means of ...

Hacker A hacker is a person skilled in information technology who achieves goals and solves problems by non-standard means. The term has become associated in popular culture with a security hackersomeone with knowledge of bug (computing), bugs or exp ...

Underlying technology

MOSFET upright=1.3, Two power MOSFETs in amperes">A in the ''on'' state, dissipating up to about 100 watt">W and controlling a load of over 2000 W. A matchstick is pictured for scale. In electronics, the metal–oxide–semiconductor field- ...

(MOS transistor) ** Semiconductor device fabrication ** PMOS (p-type MOS) ** NMOS (n-type MOS) ** CMOS (complementary MOS) ** Floating-gate MOSFET (FGMOS) ** Silicon-gate transistor (SGT) ** Power MOSFET ** Multi-gate field-effect transistor (MuGFET) *** FinFET (fin field-effect transistor) ** Thin-film transistor (TFT) *

Integrated circuit An integrated circuit (IC), also known as a microchip or simply chip, is a set of electronic circuits, consisting of various electronic components (such as transistors, resistors, and capacitors) and their interconnections. These components a ...

(IC) ** Hybrid integrated circuit (HIC) ** Monolithic integrated circuit (IC) chip *** Planar process *** MOS integrated circuit (MOS IC) *** Silicon-gate technology (SGT) MOS IC ** Three-dimensional integrated circuit (3D IC) *

Computer memory Computer memory stores information, such as data and programs, for immediate use in the computer. The term ''memory'' is often synonymous with the terms ''RAM,'' ''main memory,'' or ''primary storage.'' Archaic synonyms for main memory include ...

** Semiconductor memory ** Random-access memory (RAM) *** Static random-access memory (SRAM) ***

Dynamic random-access memory Dynamics (from Greek language, Greek δυναμικός ''dynamikos'' "powerful", from δύναμις ''dynamis'' "power (disambiguation), power") or dynamic may refer to: Physics and engineering * Dynamics (mechanics), the study of forces and t ...

(DRAM) *** Synchronous DRAM (SDRAM) ** Nonvolatile memory (NVM) *** Read-only memory (ROM) *** Programmable ROM (PROM) *** Floating-gate memory *** EPROM (erasable PROM) *** EEPROM (electrically erasable PROM) ***

Flash memory Flash memory is an Integrated circuit, electronic Non-volatile memory, non-volatile computer memory storage medium that can be electrically erased and reprogrammed. The two main types of flash memory, NOR flash and NAND flash, are named for t ...

** Magnetic-core memory *

Microprocessor A microprocessor is a computer processor (computing), processor for which the data processing logic and control is included on a single integrated circuit (IC), or a small number of ICs. The microprocessor contains the arithmetic, logic, a ...

Central processing unit A central processing unit (CPU), also called a central processor, main processor, or just processor, is the primary Processor (computing), processor in a given computer. Its electronic circuitry executes Instruction (computing), instructions ...

(CPU) ** Graphics processing unit (GPU) ** Digital signal processor (DSP) ** Image signal processor (ISP)

History of information technology

* History of computing ** History of computing, by subject ***

History of computing hardware The history of computing hardware spans the developments from early devices used for simple calculations to today's complex computers, encompassing advancements in both analog and digital technology. The first aids to computation were purely mec ...

***

History of computing hardware (1960s–present) The history of computing hardware starting at 1960 is marked by the conversion from vacuum tube to solid-state electronics, solid-state devices such as transistors and then integrated circuit (IC) chips. Around 1953 to 1959, discrete transistors ...

*** History of computer hardware in Eastern Bloc countries *** History of artificial intelligence *** History of computer science *** History of operating systems *** History of programming languages *** History of software engineering *** History of the graphical user interface ***

History of the Internet The history of the Internet originated in the efforts of scientists and engineers to build and interconnect computer networks. The Internet protocol suite, Internet Protocol Suite, the set of rules used to communicate between networks and devi ...

*** History of personal computers *** History of laptops ***

History of video games The history of video games began in the 1950s and 1960s as computer science, computer scientists began designing simple games and simulation video game, simulations on minicomputers and mainframe computer, mainframes. ''Spacewar!'' was develop ...

*** History of the World Wide Web ** Timeline of computing *** Timeline of computing hardware 2400 BC–1949 *** Timeline of computing 1950–1979 *** Timeline of computing 1980–1989 *** Timeline of computing 1990–1999 *** Timeline of computing 2000–2009

Information technology education and certification

IT degrees

* BSIT or B.Sc IT – Bachelor of Science in Information Technology * M.Sc. IT, MSc IT or MSIT – Master of Science in Information Technology * BCA – Bachelor of Computer Applications * MCA –

Master of Computer Applications A Master of Science in Information Technology (abbreviated M.Sc.IT, MScIT or MSIT) is a master's degree in the field of information technology awarded by universities A university () is an educational institution, institution of tertiar ...

Vendor-specific certifications

Amazon Web Services Amazon Web Services, Inc. (AWS) is a subsidiary of Amazon.com, Amazon that provides Software as a service, on-demand cloud computing computing platform, platforms and Application programming interface, APIs to individuals, companies, and gover ...

has 5 certifications * Apple Inc. – sponsors the Apple certification program * Avaya Professional Credential Program *

Cisco Systems Cisco Systems, Inc. (using the trademark Cisco) is an American multinational corporation, multinational digital communications technology conglomerate (company), conglomerate corporation headquartered in San Jose, California. Cisco develops, m ...

– sponsors the Cisco Career Certifications program * Citrix Systems – sponsors the Citrix Certified Administrator program *

Hewlett-Packard The Hewlett-Packard Company, commonly shortened to Hewlett-Packard ( ) or HP, was an American multinational information technology company. It was founded by Bill Hewlett and David Packard in 1939 in a one-car garage in Palo Alto, California ...

– sponsors the HP-CP certifications related to HP Technologies *

Dell Dell Inc. is an American technology company that develops, sells, repairs, and supports personal computers (PCs), Server (computing), servers, data storage devices, network switches, software, computer peripherals including printers and webcam ...

– sponsors the Dell Certified Systems Expert program with Associate and Master levels *

Huawei Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. ("Huawei" sometimes stylized as "HUAWEI"; ; zh, c=华为, p= ) is a Chinese multinational corporationtechnology company in Longgang, Shenzhen, Longgang, Shenzhen, Guangdong. Its main product lines include teleco ...

– sponsors certifications *

IBM International Business Machines Corporation (using the trademark IBM), nicknamed Big Blue, is an American Multinational corporation, multinational technology company headquartered in Armonk, New York, and present in over 175 countries. It is ...

– sponsors certifications *

Juniper Networks Juniper Networks, Inc. is an American multinational corporation headquartered in Sunnyvale, California. The company develops and markets networking products, including Router (computing), routers, Network switch, switches, network management so ...

– sponsors the Juniper Networks Technical Certification Program * LANDesk – sponsors the Certified LANDesk Administrator and Certified LANDesk Engineer program *

Microsoft Corporation Microsoft Corporation is an American multinational corporation and technology company, technology conglomerate headquartered in Redmond, Washington. Founded in 1975, the company became influential in the History of personal computers#The ear ...

– sponsors the Microsoft Certified Professional program *

MySQL MySQL () is an Open-source software, open-source relational database management system (RDBMS). Its name is a combination of "My", the name of co-founder Michael Widenius's daughter My, and "SQL", the acronym for Structured Query Language. A rel ...

(as part of Oracle Corporation now) – sponsors a certification program * NetApp – sponsors the NetApp Certification program * Nortel – sponsors the Nortel Certifications program *

Novell Novell, Inc. () was an American software and services company headquartered in Provo, Utah, that existed from 1980 until 2014. Its most significant product was the multi-platform network operating system known as NetWare. Novell technolog ...

– sponsors a certification program * Object Management Group – sponsors the Certified Professional program for the Unified Modeling Language *

Oracle Corporation Oracle Corporation is an American Multinational corporation, multinational computer technology company headquartered in Austin, Texas. Co-founded in 1977 in Santa Clara, California, by Larry Ellison, who remains executive chairman, Oracle was ...

– sponsors the Oracle Certification Program * Red Hat – sponsors the Red Hat Certification Program * SAP – sponsors individual training and certifications * SolarWinds – sponsors the SolarWinds Certified Professional Program for network management By Shamus McGuillicuddy, SearchNetworking.com
SolarWinds offers network management training and certification
." June 24, 2009. Retrieved August 20, 2009. *

Sun Microsystems Sun Microsystems, Inc., often known as Sun for short, was an American technology company that existed from 1982 to 2010 which developed and sold computers, computer components, software, and information technology services. Sun contributed sig ...

– sponsors the Sun Certified Professional program * Sybase – sponsors the Certified Sybase Professional program * VMware – sponsors certification programs (VCP & VCDX) *

Zend Technologies Zend, formerly Zend Technologies, is a Minneapolis, Minnesota-based software company. The company's products, which include Zend Studio, assist software developers with developing, deploying, and managing PHP-based web applications. The company w ...

– sponsors the Zend Certified Engineer program

Third-party and vendor-neutral certifications

Third-party commercial organizations and vendor neutral interest groups that sponsor certifications include: * XML Certification Program - XML Master * Certiport – sponsors the Microsoft Office Specialist and IC3 certification (Internet and Computing Core). * CompTIA (Computing Technology Industry Association) – offers 12 professional IT Certifications, validating foundation-level IT knowledge and skills. * European Computer Driving License-Foundation – sponsors the European Computer Driving License (also called International Computer Driving License) (ICDL) * International Information and Communication Technology Council Certification Program * (ISC)² – sponsors the CISSP, SSCP and other security certifications * Linux Professional Institute * Majinate sponsors the Accredited Symbian Developer scheme for Symbian OS * NACSE ( National Association of Communication Systems Engineers) sponsors 36 Vendor Neutral, knowledge specific, Certifications covering the 5 major IT Disciplines which are: Data Networking, Telecomm, Web Design & Development, Programming & Business Skills for IT Professionals. * The Open Group – sponsors TOGAF certification and the IT Architect Certification (ITAC) and IT Specialist Certification (ITSC) skills and experience based IT certifications. * Planet3 Wireless – sponsors the Certified Wireless Network Administrator (CWNA) certification * SAGE (organization) – sponsors the cSAGE program * SANS Institute – operates the Global Information Assurance Certification program

General certification

General certification of software practitioners has struggled. The ACM had a professional certification program in the early 1980s, which was discontinued due to lack of interest. Today, the

IEEE The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) is an American 501(c)(3) organization, 501(c)(3) public charity professional organization for electrical engineering, electronics engineering, and other related disciplines. The IEEE ...

is certifying software professionals, but only about 500 people have passed the exam . * The

IEEE Computer Society IEEE Computer Society (commonly known as the Computer Society or CS) is a technical society of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) dedicated to computing, namely the major areas of hardware, software, standards and people ...

– sponsors the Certified Software Development Professional as well as membership designations, "Senior" and "Fellow" which reflect experience and peer review qualification. * The IET – sponsors the Chartered Engineer and Incorporated Engineer, which can be ratified into the European Engineer * The BCS – sponsors the Chartered IT Professional (CITP) programme. * The Institute for Certification of Computing Professionals sponsors the Certified Computing Professional (CCP) and Associate Computing Professional (ACP) certifications * The BDPA IT Institute – sponsors the BDPA IT Associate (BITA), the BDPA IT Professional (BITP), and the BDPA IT Master (BITM) certifications * The Canadian Information Processing Society – sponsors the Information Systems Professional certification in Canada. * The

American Institute of Certified Public Accountants The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) is the national professional organization of Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) in the United States, with more than 428,000 members in 130 countries. Founded in 1887 as the Americ ...

– sponsors the Certified Information Technology Professional program. * APICS – establishes operations management standards and sponsors certification for Logistics

Information technology and society

* E democracy *

Software Testing

British Computer Society image:Maurice Vincent Wilkes 1980 (3).jpg, Sir Maurice Wilkes served as the first President of BCS in 1957. The British Computer Society (BCS), branded BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, since 2009, is a professional body and a learned ...

* National Software Testing Laboratories * * ISTQB * CSTE

References

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information technology Information technology (IT) is a set of related fields within information and communications technology (ICT), that encompass computer systems, software, programming languages, data processing, data and information processing, and storage. Inf ...