Applications to teach information technology have risen by 69% - and this is in part believed to reflect the uncertainty within the computer industry.

BBC: Teaching attracts more recruits

MySQL's lighter-weight database system may also fit into Sun's ambitions of becoming a major player in "utility computing, " a model of information technology infrastructure that pipes in software applications, processing and storage over the Internet rather than from a company's own data centers.

FORBES: Sun Snaps Up Database Firm, MySQL

The onset of government-led information, communication and technology strategies gave way to applications like mobile money.

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Coming in second on the ranking of listed up-and-coming companies was Longmaster Information and Technology, a supplier of online telephony applications.

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The continent is home to countless tech applications that use information, news media and technology .

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Because most of the cyber threats today are coming through IT software products (such as applications and operating platforms) and consumer information technology services, such as social media sites, email, and web sites.

FORBES: Obama's Cybersecurity Action Reaches Too Far

Information technology is changing at blinding speed, and new e-readers, new applications, new file formats, and new ways of presenting the wisdom of the ages are opening up a whole new literary universe.

FORBES: iAm Resolved: e-Reading the Bible

There are many other qualifications, such as the Diploma in Digital Applications (Dida) taken in many schools in place of an information technology GCSE, which counts as equivalent to four GCSEs in the school league tables in England.

BBC: Qualifications glossary