Computer and its uses

Introduction :-
A COMPUTER is "defined as an electronic machine which accepts data as input,
processes and finally gives information as output." A Computer is the single & greatest
invention. The computer is essentially a machine that enables humans to complete tasks that may
be time consuming or very repetitive in nature. Thus, it achieves by imitating human thought
processes. In much, the same way, that humans think using pathways in their brains that conduct
minute electrical currents, computers too use tiny electrical circuits, which tell it what to do. The
difference being that computers do this at incredible speeds.

Modern age :-
In this modern age, man has grown to be heavily dependent on computers to carry out all
kinds of jobs that were done manually before. In banking, for example, computers allow for
millions of transactions to be carried out involving large sums of money , which would otherwise
require thousands of bank tellers. Computers do the job in a much shorter time and practically
free of any errors. Computers are responsible for air traffic control and the running of trains to
ensure that travel is made as smooth as possible. In factories now-a-days, computers operate
mechanical devices that produce goods we require for everyday living, in such quantities that
would be otherwise impossible to achieve, if these factories were run by humans alone.

Greatest advancements :-
All of us are by now familiar with the "Internet." The internet is "a collection of computer
systems and individual terminals linked up worldwide through telephone lines and other
channels." It offers a cheaper alternative to communicating with people within a country and
internationally through computers. It has also been described as an immense pool of knowledge
just waiting for applications it has given rise to a new means for countries to carry on trade with
each other through "E-Commerce". It must however be kept in mind that as useful as computers
are. They are not capable of independent thought and still require human input. In recent times
scientists have developed "Artificial Intelligence" (AI in short) in computers that may enable
them to function independently of man in the future.

Why Computers are used widely?

The computers process information's that come in all shapes and sizes from any fields so
accurately that, some people may call these "Informatics"— The Science of Informal ion Processing,
i.e. the methods of recording, manipulating and retrieving information's. It may be from a
mathematical equation to a company's work-force necessary to produce a payroll or from
meteorological department to forecast tomorrow's weather or from space research to project a new
space craft. Whatever may be the case, why computers are used widely?

The following characteristics that make the computers very popular for its multifarious uses may give
the befitting reply.
(i) Speed
First, the computers are regarded as high speed calculators. They can process voluminous data
within a fraction of second which no human being could do earlier. If we want tomorrow's forecast
today, meteorologists can use the computers for necessary calculations and analyses. The units of
speed of a computer are the microsecond, the nano (10)-9 second and even the picot second.
(ii) Storage
As human brain can store the knowledge in memory and can able to recall it, the Central
Processing Unit (CPU) of a computer can do the same job without any failure. But the internal
memory of CPU is only large enough to retain a certain amount of information. So, to store each and
every information inside the computer, an Auxiliary or Secondary Storage Device is being attached
outside the memory of the CPU.
(iii) Accuracy
The computers are much popular due to their high speed along with consistently very high
accuracy. Sometimes, the machinery may give errors, but due to increase in efficiently error-
detecting techniques, these seldom lead to false results. Most of the errors in computers are due to
human himself.
(iv) Automation
Once a programme is in the computer's memory, it will start processing the input
information's; thus leading to automation.
(v) Versatility
The computers are versatile in nature. They can perform any task given to them provided they
are well programmed,
(vi) Diligence
Being a machine, a computer is very diligent in its duties. It never suffers from human fatigue
and tiredness or lack of concentration. It can perform thousands after thousands calculations with
exactly same accuracy and speed as the first one without any rest.

Conclusion :-
Perhaps the greatest advancements have been made in the field of communications. All of us
are by now familiar with the "computer."