Introduction to Computer

Introduction to Computer

Definition of Computer:

• “A Computer is an electronic machine that can solve different problems, process data, store & retrieve data and perform calculations faster and efficiently than humans”.

OR

• A computer is programmed device with a set of instructions to perform specific tasks and generate results at a very high speed.

Description:

• Computer is an electronic device that is designed to work with Information.
• Computer is derived from a Latin word “computare” which means to “to calculate”, “to count”, “to sum up” or “to think together”.
• Computer cannot do anything without a Program.
• It represents the decimal numbers through a string of binary digits.
• The Word 'Computer' usually refers to the Center Processor Unit plus Internal memory.
• The literal meaning of computer is a device that can calculate. However, modern computers can do a lot more than calculate.

Characteristics ofComputer

Characteristics of Computer:

The characteristics of computer are as follows:

Automatic: 

• Given a job, computer can work on it automatically without human interventions.

Speed: 

• Computer can perform data processing jobs very fast, usually measured in microseconds (10-6), nanoseconds (10-9), and picoseconds (10-12).

Accuracy: 

• Accuracy of a computer is consistently high and the degree of its accuracy depends upon its design. Computer errors caused due to incorrect input data or unreliable programs are often referred to as Garbage- In-Garbage-Out (GIGO).

Diligence: 

• Computer is free from monotony, tiredness, and lack of concentration. It can continuously work for hours without creating any error and without grumbling.

Versatility: 

• Computer is capable of performing almost any task, if the task can be reduced to a finite series of logical steps.

Power of Remembering: 

• Computer can store and recall any amount of information because of its secondary storage capability. It forgets or loses certain information only when it is asked to do so.

No I.Q: 

• A computer does only what it is programmed to do. It cannot take its own decision in this regard.

No Feelings: 

• Computers are devoid of emotions. Their judgement is based on the instructions given to them in the form of programs that are written by us (human beings).

Advantages of Computer

Advantages of Computer:

Following are the certain advantages of computers:

High Speed:

• Computer is a very fast device. 

• It is capable of performing calculation of very large amount of data.
• The computer has units of speed in microsecond, nanosecond, and even the picosecond.
• It can perform millions of calculations in a few seconds as compared to man who will spend many months to perform the same task.

 Accuracy:

• In addition to being very fast, computers are very accurate. 

• The calculations are 100% error free. 

• Computers perform all jobs with 100% accuracy provided that the input is correct.

Storage Capability: 


• Memory is a very important characteristic of computers. 

• A computer has much more storage capacity than human beings. 

• It can store large amount of data. 

• It can store any type of data such as images, videos, text, audio, etc.


Diligence:

• Unlike human beings, a computer is free from monotony, tiredness, and lack of concentration. 

• It can work continuously without any error and boredom. 

• It can perform repeated tasks with the same speed and accuracy. 


Versatility:

• A computer is a very versatile machine. 

• A computer is very flexible in performing the jobs to be done. 

• This machine can be used to solve the problems related to various fields. 

• At one instance, it may be solving a complex scientific problem and the very next moment it may be playing a card game.


Reliability:

• A computer is a reliable machine. 

• Modern electronic components have long lives.
• Computers are designed to make maintenance easy.

Automation:

• Computer is an automatic machine. 

• Automation is the ability to perform a given task automatically.
• Once the computer receives a program i.e., the program is stored in the computer memory, then the program and instruction can control the program execution without human interaction.

Reduction in Paper Work and Cost: 


• The use of computers for data processing in an organization leads to reduction in paper work and results in speeding up the process. 

• As data in electronic files can be retrieved as and when required, the problem of maintenance of large number of paper files gets reduced. 

• Though the initial investment for installing a computer is high, it substantially reduces the cost of each of its transaction. 


Disadvantages of Computers: 


Following are the certain disadvantages of computers which are as follows:

No I.Q: 


• A computer is a machine that has no intelligence to perform any task.
• Each instruction has to be given to the computer.
• A computer cannot take any decision on its own. 

Dependency: 


• It functions as per the user’s instruction, thus it is fully dependent on humans.

Environment: 


• The operating environment of the computer should be dust free and suitable.

No Feeling:

• Computers have no feelings or emotions. 

• It cannot make judgment based on feeling, taste, experience, and knowledge unlike humans.

Applications of computer:

 The applications of computer are as follows:

Education:

• Computer is a very effective tool which can be used for teaching and learning, result processing, student data processing, question preparation, handouts and note preparation, etc and also online education.
• Many universities provide online education through internet.
• The learning materials are packed in CD-ROM with interactive multimedia. The CAL (Computer Aided Learning), CAI (Computer Aided Instruction), multiple choice examination paper, result processing is done through internet. 

Industries:

• Industrial research, budgeting, process control, all are computer based.
• The robotics are also computer based. Nowadays robots are used in complicated industrial process which is dangerous for human.

Entertainments:

• Different types of entertainment fields such as multimedia, film making with animation, graphics, audio and visual design are done with the help of computer.

Hospital:

• The research in health is done with the help of computer.
• It is applied to medicine, surgery and research.
• The multimedia kits for surgeon are also available to learn surgery on virtual patients.
• The concept of expert system is also introduced in computer system which is a computer program designed to operate at the level of expert in particular field.

Data Processing:

• All the types of data processing like as word, data, salary, income tax, database processing, etc are processed through computer.

Science and Engineering:

• For every branch of engineering, computer is considered as a strong tool like civil, electrical and computer to aeronautic, ceramics, chemical, and leather technology.
• The study of electric circuit, motherboard, building models, machine designs and models are taught very effectively through computers.

Offices:

• Computers are used in small offices as well as large offices.
• It is used for preparing reports, storing/deleting reports, updating reports etc.
• Most of the offices use word processing package, spreadsheet package, graphics package, presentation package, database package etc.

Advertisement:

• Computers are used in the different fields of advertisement such as business advertisement, film advertisement, education advertisement etc.

Communications:

• E-mail, e-fax, internet, etc. are computer based communications.
• The computer and Internet integration is the backbone of recent communication. 

Library:

• Computer software is used for management of library.
• It is used for keeping the records of book, updating book records, and records of books issued or submitted.
• The computerized system enables to know whether a given book is issued or not.