Computer Essentials:
Introduction and Key Characteristics
Welcome to our comprehensive guide on Computer Essentials: Introduction and Key Characteristics. In today’s digital age, understanding the fundamentals of computing is essential. Our guide provides a thorough introduction to the world of computers, catering to beginners and enthusiasts alike.
Starting with the basics, we delve into the core components and functions of computers, demystifying complex concepts in an accessible manner. From hardware to software, peripherals to processing power, we cover it all.
Moreover, we highlight the key characteristics that define modern computers, including their versatility, speed, and ability to process vast amounts of data. By understanding these characteristics, you’ll gain valuable insights into how computers function and their impact on daily life.
Whether you’re a student, professional, or simply curious about technology, this guide is your gateway to computer literacy. With clear explanations and practical examples, you’ll build a solid foundation in computing, empowering you to navigate the digital landscape with confidence.
Join us on this journey as we explore the essentials of computers, equipping you with the knowledge you need to thrive in today’s tech-driven world.
Introduction of Computer
The word “computer” comes from the word “compute” which means to calculate. So, a computer is normally considered to be a computer calculating device that can perform arithmetic operations at enormous speed.
In fact, the original objective for inventing the computer was to create a fast-calculating machine. But more than 80% of the work done by computers today is of non-mathematical or non-numerical nature. Hence, to define a computer merely as calculating device is to ignore over 80% of its work.
More accurately, a computer may be defined as a device that operates upon information or data. Data can be anything like biodata of various applicants when the computer is used for recruiting personnel, or the marks obtained by various students in various subjects when the computer is used to prepare results, or the details (name, age, sex, etc.) of various passengers when the computer is employed for making airline or railway reservations, or numbers of different types in case of application of computers for scientific research problems, etc.
Thus, data comes in various shapes and sizes depending upon the type of computer application. A computer can store, process, and retrieve data as and when desired. The fact that computers process data is so fundamental that many people have started calling it a data processor.
The name data processor is more inclusive because modern computers not only compute in the usual sense but also perform other functions with the data that flow to and from them. For example, data processors may gather data from various incoming sources, merge (process of mixing or putting together) them all, sort (process of arranging in some sequence – ascending or descending) them in the desired order and finally print them in the desired format. None of these operations involve the arithmetic operations normally associated with a computing device but the term computer is often applied anyway.
Characteristics of Computer
- Speed: A computer is a very fast device. It can perform in a few seconds the amount of work that a human being can do in an entire year – if he worked day and night and did nothing else. To put it in a different manner, a computer does in one minute what would take a man his entire lifetime. While talking about the speed of a computer, we do not talk in terms of seconds or even milliseconds. Our units of speed are the microseconds, the nanoseconds, and even the picoseconds. A powerful computer is capable of performing about 3 to 4 million simple arithmetic operations per second.
- Accuracy: The accuracy of a computer is consistently high and the degree of accuracy of a particular computer depends upon its design. But for a particular computer, each and every calculation is performed with the same accuracy. Errors can occur in a computer, but these are mainly due to human rather than technological weaknesses, that is, due to imprecise thinking by the programmer (a person who writes instructions for a computer to solve a particular problem) or due to inaccurate data.
- Diligence: Unlike human beings, a computer is free from monotony, tiredness, lack of concentration, etc., and hence can work for hours together without creating any error and without grumbling. Due to this property, computers obviously score over human beings in doing routine type of jobs which require great accuracy. If ten million calculations have to be performed, a computer will perform the ten millionth calculation with exactly the same accuracy and speed as the first one.
- Versatility: Versatility is one of the most wonderful things about the computer. One moment, it is preparing the results of particular examination, the next moment it is busy preparing electricity bills, and in between, it may be helping an office secretary to trace an important letter in seconds. All that is required to change its talents is to slip in a new program (a sequence of instructions for the computer) into it. Briefly, a computer is capable of performing almost any task provided that the task can be reduced to a series of logical steps.
- Power of Remembering: As a human being acquires new knowledge, the brain subconsciously selects what it feels to be important and worth retaining in its memory and relegates unimportant details to the back of the mind or just forgets them. With computers, this is not the case. A computer can store and recall any amount of information because of its secondary storage (a type of detachable memory) capability. Every piece of information can be retained as long as desired by the user and can be recalled as and when required. Even after several years, the information recalled will be as accurate as on the day when it was fed to the computer. A computer forgets or loses certain information only when it is asked to do so. So it is entirely up to the user to make a computer retain or forget a particular information.
- No I.Q.: A computer is not a magical device. It can only perform tasks that a human being can. The difference is that it performs these tasks with unthinkable speed and accuracy. It possesses no intelligence of its own. Its I.Q. is zero, at least till today. Hence, only the user can determine what tasks a computer will perform. A computer cannot take its own decision in this regard.
- No Feelings: Computers are devoid of emotions. They have no feelings and no instincts because they are machine. Although men have succeeded in building a memory for the computer, but no computer possesses the equivalent of a human heart and soul. Based on our feelings, taste, knowledge, and experience, we often make certain judgements in our day-to-day life. But computers cannot make judgements on their own. Their judgement is based on the instructions given to them in the form of programs that are written by us. They are only as good as man makes and uses them.
Q1- What is a computer? Why is it also known as a data processor?
Q2- List out and explain some of the important characteristics of a computer.
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