Figure 1.2 – The structure of modern informatics

Theoretical informatics - section of informatics that includes mathematical logic, discrete mathematics, information theory, system analysis, theory of decision making (fig. 1.2).

Theoretical informatics includes methods of solving scientific and applied problems on computers using algorithms and programs.

Computer technology - section of Informatics, which developed the general principles of building a computer.

In 1946 in the University of Pennsylvania, the American engineer J. Eckert and physicist J. Mouchli have constructed the first electronic computer - "ENIAC" (fig. 1.3),

Figure 1.3 – The first electronic computer - "ENIAC"

Specifications:

- mass: 30 t.;

- the number of lamps: 20 thousand;

- performance: 500 operations per second;

- power - 150kW.

Programming – section of Informatics associated with the development of computer software.

Specialists in this sphere are divided into system and application programmers.

Software can be divided into the following classes:

- System software;

- Instrumental software;

- Application software.

Applied Informatics

The achievements of modern informatics are widely used in various fields of human activity:

- automated systems for scientific research;

- automated design systems;

- automated information systems;

- automatic control systems;

- automated learning systems.

Artificial intelligence - the field of computer science, specializing in modeling the intellectual and sensory abilities of a person.

This section of informatics solves the most complicated problems associated with mathematics, medicine, psychology, technology and other sciences.

Artificial intelligence and robotics are two areas that are now the most actively developing areas of science and technology. New technologies provide many benefits to a number of industries, not just the manufacturing sector where they are already used.

Companies that think in the future are entering a new scientific and technological revolution (Industry 4.0) and are adopting artificial intelligence and robotics. For example, virtual interlocutors (chatbots). Organizations are increasingly using artificial intelligence so that computers can understand the requests from customers and respond to them. At the same time, financial institutions use automation to handle increasing amounts of data.

According to international reports, 5.1 million jobs will be replaced by robots by 2020, and companies using automation and new technologies will be able to free up resources for the development of innovative ideas.

The British research organization RSA has published a study on how automation and artificial intelligence can affect the industry in the future. On the one hand, modern technologies can lead to higher unemployment and lower wages. On the other hand, artificial intelligence and robotics should improve productivity by making British enterprises more competitive, encouraging higher wages and a gradual reduction in routine, dangerous and harmful jobs.

ICT Standards

Standardization - the adoption of an agreement on the specification, production and use of hardware and software of computing equipment, the establishment and application of standards, norms, rules, etc.

Standardization in the field of ICT is aimed at increasing the degree of conformity to its functional purpose of the types of information technologies that make up their components and processes. At the same time, technical barriers to international information exchange are eliminated.

The standards provide an opportunity for information technology developers to use data, software, communication tools from other developers, to integrate various components of information technology.

For example, interprogram interface standards are intended for regulating the interaction between different programs (one of them is the standard of OLE technology (Object Linking and Embedding). Without such standards, software products would be "closed" to each other.

User requirements for standardization in the field of information technology are implemented in standards for the user interface, for example, in the GUI (Graphical User Interface) standard.

Standards occupy an increasingly important place in the direction of the development of the information technology industry. More than 1000 standards have already been adopted by standardization organizations, or are in the process of development. The process of standardizing information technology is not yet over.

In 2009, the initiative of the European Commission led to the fact that mobile phone manufacturers were able to harmonize a standardized charger using the micro-USB connector.

Standards can contribute in principle to improving the impact of the information and communication technologies (ICT) sector on sustainable development.

ICT standards contain requirements for computer hardware, networks, software, databases, information systems, information coding and security.

With the advent of new generations of technical devices and software, there is a problem of compatibility, including functional, technical, information and communication.

This problem is solved by the methodology of open systems, currently supported by major computer equipment manufacturers, for example, such as Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Sun Microsystems.

An open system is a system that consists of components that interact with each other through standard interfaces.

The history of the concept of open systems starts from the moment when there was a problem of portability (mobility) of programs and data between computers with different architectures.

One of the first steps in this direction, which influenced the development of computer technology, was the creation of IBM 360 series computers that have a single set of commands and can work with the same operating system.

Mobility was also ensured by the fact that these standards were adopted by many manufacturers of various platforms.

The solution to the problems of compatibility and mobility has led to the development of a large number of international standards in the field of application of information technology and the development of information systems.

The notion of an "open system" became the basic, basic concept in the use of standards.