Introduction
The term Computer is derived from ‘compute’ which means ‘to calculate’.
We are all familiar with calculations in our day-to-day life. We apply
mathematical operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, etc. and many
other formulae for calculations. Simple calculations take less time. But complex
calculations take much longer time. Another factor is accuracy in calculations.
So man explored with the idea to develop a machine, which can perform this
type of arithmetic calculation faster, and with full accuracy. This gave birth to a
machine called ‘computer’.
What is a Computer
You have already experienced the impact of computers in our day to-day
life. Reservation of tickets in Air Lines and Railways, Payment of telephone and electricity bills, Deposits and withdrawals of money from banks, Business data
processing, Medical diagnosis, Weather forecasting, etc. are some of the areas
where computer has become extremely useful.
But as you will see later it does much more than that. It can be compared to
a magic box, which serves different purpose to different people.
Computer : It is an electronic device which processes given data to derive
the required and useful information. During the processing the computer has to
perform various functions like receives data(input) processes data(process)
produces output(information) stores results (storage).
Characteristics of Computers
The characteristics which make computer make indispensable are
1. Speed
The computer is able to process the data and gives the output in fractions
of seconds, such that required information is given to the user on time enabling
the user to take right decisions on right time. A powerful computer is capable of
executing about 3 million calculations per second.
2. Accurancy
The accuracy of computers is consistently high enough which avoids any
errors. If it all there are errors, they are due to errors in instructions given by the
programmer.
3. Reliable
The output generated by the computer is very reliable, but it is reliable only
when the data, which is passing as input to the computer and the program,
which gives instructions are correct and reliable.
4. Storage Capacity
The computer has a provision to store large volumes of data in the small
storage devices, which have capacity to store huge amounts of data and help
the retrieval of data an easy task.
5. Versatile
Computers are very versatile machines. Computers are capable of
performing almost any task ,provided the task can be reduced to a series of
logical steps.
6. Automation
Once the instructions fed into computer it works automatically without any
human intervention until the completion of execution of program or meets logical
instructions to terminate the job.
7. Diligent
A computer is free from tiredness, lack of concentration, fatigue, etc. It
can work for hours without creating any error. If millions of calculations are to
be performed, a computer will perform every calculation with the same accuracy.
Due to this capability it overpowers human being in routine type of work.
No comments:
Post a Comment