Page 7 - Informatics_Practices_Fliipbook_Class12
P. 7
PREFACE
In class XI, we learned the basics of computer systems and core concepts of programming with a focus on
documentation. To process the organisational data efficiently, we learnt about database management systems
(DBMS) and structured query language (SQL) that enable us to store and retrieve the data with ease.
A lot of data is generated daily from various sources, like Indian satellites sending data to multiple departments,
social media, e-commerce, and financial transactions. Educational institutions, hospitals, governments, and
organisations also contribute to this data pool, which must be analysed for informed decision-making. Python’s
Pandas, developed by Wes McKinney, is a popular open-source tool for tabular data analysis. The two data
structures, Series and the Data Frames, provided by Python, enable us to process business data, and these topics
are covered in the first two chapters. Matplotlib—a comprehensive library for creating beautiful plots is discussed in
Chapter 3.
In Chapter 4, we review the DBMS concepts studied in Class XI and learn some advanced features of SQL that enable
us to answer queries on data aggregates. Towards this end, we provide several examples involving mathematical,
date, and text functions. In Chapter 5, we demonstrate the power of SQL in expressing the organisational constraints
and answering queries involving multiple tables.
Modern computing devices, such as smartphones, are seamlessly interconnected through local networks and the
Internet. In the final stretch of our book, encompassing Chapters 6 and 7, we embark on a journey to unravel the
intricate realm of computer networking. This exploration spans a spectrum of essential topics, including transmission
media, encompassing wired and wireless technologies. Along the way, we will encounter diverse network devices,
explore various network topologies and protocols, and unveil the world of web services, including HTTP, FTP, and
the robust framework of TCP/IP.
While automation of services has made our lives comfortable, serious concerns have been raised about the security
of IT infrastructure and the privacy rights of individuals. In Chapter 8, we discuss these issues and related laws
enacted to address security and privacy concerns.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We are grateful to Drashti Varshney and Nimish Kumar, undergraduate students at Dyal Singh College of the
University of Delhi, Mr. P.K. Hazra, Dr. Manoj Agarwal and Dr. Neeraj Kumar Sharma, colleagues at the University of
Delhi for reviewing different sections of the book.
We are grateful to the Orange Book team, especially Ms. Nidhi Gupta, who was readily available for help during
the book’s preparation. Last but not least, we would like to express our gratitude to our family members for their
support and patience.
Naveen Kumar
Ankit Rajpal
Sheetal Rajpal
Mohini Arora
(v)

