Definition and Objectives

Computer-based communication refers to the movement of data and information generated by computers from one location to another via various types of communication lines. Computer-based communication systems often are called communication networks. The networks allow users to collect data and information from and transmit these to powerful central computers or terminals.

The objectives of communication networks are:

• To offer more timely interchange of information and data among users.

• To reduce the effort and cost required to collect and transmit business data and information.

• To support better performance of tasks and improved management control over an organization especially with several remote locations.

Information society dominated by computers and communications is in front of us. In this society, the strategic resource is knowledge and information, and the value of that resource will be increased by the movement through the information pathway. A communication network is the pathway that allows information, data, and knowledge to be spread. Thus, the mainstream of the information age is communication.

Communications involve many technologies. In addition, many new communication technologies are being incorporated into the fabric of the information society as fast as people can learn how to maintain and use the technologies. This may be the most important reason for users to study communications.

Computer users who work in this society need to know technology incorporated into the communication networks. Although they use only applications involved in the communication networks, they still need to know how the communication networks work to improve their performance by using networks more efficiently and effectively.