Meaning Of The Word “Computer”
Computer is derived from a Latin word
“computare” which means to “to calculate”, “to count”,“to sum up” or “to
think together”. So, more precisely the word computer means a “device
that performs computation“.
Computer is an Electronic device which is used to store data,
as per given instruction it gives results quickly and accurately.
OR
“A Computer is an electronic machine that can solve different
problems, process data, store & retrieve data and perform calculations
faster and efficiently than humans”.
Terminology used in Definition of Computer:–
💢 Data
:– Collection of facts orfigures
💢 Information:–
Processed data is known Information. Data and
💢 Input:-
instructions given to computer. Manipulation of
💢 Process:-
Data
💢 Output:-Information
obtained after processing of data
Characteristics of Computer:-
💢 Speed: - A computer is very fast device. It can perform large amount of work in a few seconds. Where human being worked a particular work for whole day, computer does the same in very short time. Today, computers can perform 100 million computations in one second. The speed of computers are measured in terms of microseconds, Nano seconds and even in Pico seconds. Where 1 second=10-6 micro second =10-9 nano second =10-12 Pico second
💢 Accuracy :– The computer is 100% accurate and capable to perform
arithmetical calculation and logic operations with the same accuracy. It can
never make mistakes. All mistakes are done by users. The cause of errors may be
due to inaccurate feeding data or due to wrong setting of the programmer. The
accuracy of a computer is Illustrated well by the term GIGO; i.e. Garbage In
Garbage Out, which means if faulty instruction are provided for processing the
data, obviously wrong answer will be given.
💢 Diligence :– A computer can operate twenty four hours continuously without
taking any rest. It has no feelings or no emotions, if you work continuously
for 3 hours, you feel lack of concentrate but a computer is free from these and
you will get the result you want with the same speed and same accuracy.
💢 Versatility :– Versatility is one of the most wonderful features about the
computer. One moment, it is preparing the results of a particular examination,
the next moment it is busy in preparing electricity bills, and in between it
may be helping an office secretary to trace an important letter is seconds. It
can do multiple works at a same time. It also used in data processing jobs,
weather fore casting, ticket reservation purpose, multimedia designing,
animations, accountancy etc.
💢 Solve Complete Problems :– Computer solved those problems which are not solved by
human being computer solved the computer solved the problems in seconds.
💢 Automation :– Computers are automatic in
operation. It means once the data and instructions are fed to a computer, human
interventions are not required. The computers manipulate the data according to
the instructions and continue doing so till the last instruction is executed.
💢 Superiority of Manufacture :– Computer hardware is manufactured with the best
materials by the most sophisticated processor. It has superiority of
manufacture as compared to other machines.
💢 High Memory :– computer has made more memory or storage capacity than human
beings. It can store millions of data and instructions, which can be retrieved
and recalled even after a number of years. This is not possible in case of
human brain.
Limitations of Computer:-
The
main limitations of computers are as follows :–
💢 Dependency :– Fully Dependent upon human beings.
💢 Lack of Intelligence :– Computers do not have their own Intelligence and hence
cannot think for example, a computer can create music but cannot tell its
quality. In other words, computer has no brain.
💢 Lack of Detecting Errors :– Computer can detect only syntax error, it cannot
detect flaw or errorin logic.
💢 Lack of Capability :– It has no Capability to take any decision by itself,
like a human being, it cannot judge by itself for any valid or non-valid data.
💢 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. It I.Q. is zero, at least
today.Acomputer cannot take its own decision in this regard.
💢 No Feelings :– Computers have no feelings and no emotion because they are
machine.
💢 Lack of Creativity and imagination :– It does not have
intuition and cannot draw conclusion without going through all the intermediate
steps.
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