Information technology (IT) is the design, development, implementation, support, and management of computer hardware and software applications. An IT professional is knowledgeable about computer systems and operating systems. This chapter will review IT certifications and the components of a basic personal computer system.

After completing this chapter, you will meet these objectives:

• Explain IT industry certifications.
• Describe a computer system.
• Identify the names, purposes, and characteristics of cases and power supplies.
• Identify the names, purposes, and characteristics of internal components.
• Identify the names, purposes, and characteristics of ports and cables.
• Identify the names, purposes, and characteristics of input devices.
• Identify the names, purposes, and characteristics of output devices.
• Explain system resources and their purposes.