Definiiton of Technology

The word technology comes from Greek technología ; from téchnē,  meaning "art, skill, craft", and  logia  meaning "study of-". The term can either be applied generally or to specific areas: examples include construction technology, medical technology, and information technology.

Throughout the twentieth century the uses of the term have increased to the point where it now encompasses a number of classes of technology; Technology as objects (tools, machines, instruments, weapons, appliances-the physical devices of technical performance), technology as knowledge (the know how behind technological innovation), technology as activities (what people do-their skills, methods, procedures, routines), technology as a process (begins with need and ends with a solution), technology as a sociotechnical system (The manufacture adn use of objects involving people and other objects in combinations).

There is certainly a relationship between technology and scince, there is, except in certain high technology industries, very little technology that could be classified as applied science. Technology is marked by different purpose, different processes a different relationships to established  knowledge and a particular relationship to specific contexts of activity. Change in the material environment is the explicit purpose of technology, and not, as is the case with science, the understanding of nature, accordingly its solutions are not right or wrong, verifiable or falsifiable, but more or less effective from different points of view.

At the centre of technology lies design. That "design is the very core of engineering" is affirmed by the requirement that all degree engineering courses should embody it. The design process in technology is a sequential process which begin with the perception of need, continues with the formulation of a specification, the generation of ideas and a final solution, and ends with an evaluation of the solution.

The motivating factor behind all thechnological activity is the desire to fulfill a need. For this reason all designs shoul be made or realised whether that be through prototype , batch- or mass-production or some form of three dimensional or computer model, if the need is to be truly fulfilled, the design is to be legitimately evaluated, and the design activity is to have been purposeful and worthwhile.

Technology is informed by values at every point. Value decisions may be called for not only in relation to the specific design criteria (i.e. aesthetic, ergonomic and aconomic judgements, suitability for purpose and ease of manufature) but also in relation to the rightness or wrongness of a particular solution in etnical terms.

There are some technological systems, they are manufacturing systems, construction systems, communication systems, and transportation systems.