What is a Computer?What are the Characteristics of the Computer?
https://www.computersprofessor.com/2017/10/what-is-computerwhat-are.html
Definition:
The word “computer” comes from the word “compute”, which means, “to calculate”. Hence, people usually consider a computer to be a calculating device that can perform arithmetic operations at high speed . In fact, the original objective for inventing a computer was to create a fast calculating machine. However, more than 80% of work done by computers today is of non-mathematical or non-numerical nature. Nowadays, computer are an integral part of our lives. They are used for the reservation of tickets for airplanes and railways, payment of telephone and electricity bills, deposit and withdrawal of money from banks, processing of business data, forecasting of weather conditions, diagnosis of diseases, searching for information on Internet etc. Computers are also used extensively in schools, universities, organisations, music industry, movie industry, scientific research, law firms, fashion industry etc.
Definition
- A computer is a machine that can solve problems by accepting data, performing certain operations and presenting the results of those operations under the direction of detailed step by step instructions.
- A computer is an electronic machine, devised for performing calculations and controlling operations that can be expressed either in logical or numerical terms.
Characteristics
- Speed
The computer can process data very fast, at the rate of millions of instructions per second. Some calculations that would have been taken hours and days to complete otherwise, can be completed in a few seconds using computer.
- Accuracy
Computers are very accurate. Accuracy of a computer is consistently high and the degree of its accuracy depends upon its design. A computer performs every calculation with the same accuracy. However, errors can occur in a computer. These errors are mainly due to human rather than technological weaknesses.
- Reliability
Computer output is generally very reliable, subject to the condition that the input data entering the computer should be correct and the program of instructions should be reliable and correct.
- Storage capability
Computers can store large amount of data and can recall the required information almost instantaneously. The main memory of the computer is relatively small and it can hold only a certain amount of information, therefore, the data is stored on secondary storage devices such as magnetic tape , disks etc.
- Versatility
Computer is versatile in nature. It can perform different types of tasks with the same ease. As one moment, you can use the computer to prepare a letter document and in the next moment you can play music or movies or print document.
- Diligence
When used for a long period of time, the computer does not get tires or fatigued. It can perform long and complex calculation with the same speed and accuracy from the start till the end.
- Resource sharing
Apart from device sharing, data and information can also be shared among groups of computers, thus creating a large information and knowledge base.
- Reduced cost
With ever increasing advances being made in the state of the art, the cost of computer equipment has dropped drastically over the years. Hardware costs have been decreasing at an estimated annual rate of 25%. Thus companies that at one time could not justify the cost of acquiring their own computer system may now find it not only feasible to acquire a system but cost effective as well.
- Power of Remembering
As a human being acquires new knowledge, his/her brain subconsciously selects what it feels to be important and worth retaining in memory. The brain relegates unimportant details to back of mind or just forgets them. This is not the case with computers. A computer can store and recall any amount of information because of its secondary storage (a type of detachable memory) capability. It can retain a piece of information as long as a user desires and the user can recall the information whenever required.
- No I.Q.
Its I. Q. is zero, at least until today. It has to be told what to do and in what sequence. Hence, only a user determines 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 machines. Although men have succeeded in building a memory for computer, but no computer possesses the equivalent of a human heart and soul.