Computer System Concepts

Introduction

A computer is an electronic device that manipulates information, or “data.” It has the ability to store, retrieve, and process data.

Computer is electronic device that provide facility of inserting data, processing on data and display meaningful information.

The term computer is derived from the word ‘compute’, which means ‘to calculate’. The impact of computers in our day to day life is tremendous and visible in all fields. Similarly in modern libraries, various activities are performed with the help of computers.. In this lesson, you will learn about works, and functions of a computer.

Objectives

After completing through this lesson, you will be able to:

• define a computer, identify its characteristics and functions;
• list types of computers;
• explain hardware and software;
• recognize Input and Output units and devices;
• and list types of operating systems;

What is a Computer

Computer is an electronic device which is capable of receiving information or data and perform a series of operations in accordance with a set of operations. This produces results in the form of data or information. Computer is a machine capable of solving problems and manipulating data. It accepts and processes the data by doing some mathematical and logical operations and gives us the desired output.

Therefore, we may define a computer as an electronic device that transforms data into information. Data can be anything like marks obtained by you in various subjects, it can also be name, age, sex, weight, height, etc. of all the students in your class or income, savings, investments, etc. of a country.

Applications of Computer (Area of Use)

• Computers are used in every field of life, such as homes, businesses, educational institutions, research organizations, the medical field, government offices, entertainment, etc.
• Today we cannot imagine growing our technology without computers.
• The various fields where the computer is very essential are Education, Business, Agriculture, Banking Sector and Financial Company, Medicine, Tourism, Communication, Entertainment, and a lot more.

Application of Computer in Education

• Teaching and Learning Online, Result Processing, Student Data Processing, Question Preparation, Handouts and Notes Preparation.

Application of Computer in Business

• Salary and Payroll Calculations, Budgeting, Sales Analysis, Financial Forecasting, Managing Employee Database, Maintenance of Stocks, etc.

Application of Computer in Accounting

• Computers are extensively used for accounting purposes to manage daily and financial accounts and inventory management using various accounting software.
• Some of the popular accounting software available in the market is Tally, Busy Accounting Software, etc.
• With computers, maintaining accounts becomes very easy and convenient. Users can also retrieve the data based on various patterns or requirements very easily.

Application of Computer in Agriculture

• Farmers can use computer systems to guide their vehicles and agricultural equipment to perform specific tasks and jobs like planting and harvesting.
• Also, farmers can use GPS (Global Positioning System) to map factors and areas that might affect crop yields, such as weed patches and wet
• Smart Agriculture

Application of Computer in Banking

• Online Banking (e-banking)
• Reading and sorting cheques with the help of MICR ( Magnetic Ink Character Reader)
• Additionally, ATM (Automated Teller Machine) is used to either deposit or withdraw cash in/from banks.

Application of Computer in Healthcare

• A computer plays an important role in the medical field also.
• For example in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in the hospital, the computer keeps track of everything going inside the patient’s body such as blood pressure and heartbeat etc.
• Keeping a record of patients and medicines also becomes easy through the use of the computer.
• Diagnostic System – The computer is used to collect data and identify the cause of disease and illness.
• Lab-diagnostic System – All tests can be done and the reports are prepared by computer.
• Patient Monitoring System – Computers are also used to check the patient’s signs for abnormality such as CT Scan, ECG, etc.
• Pharmacy Information System – Computers are used to check medicine labels, expiry dates, harmful side effects, etc.
• Surgery – Computers are used in performing surgery.

Application of Computer in Engineering

• Structural Engineering – Requires stress and strain analysis for the design of buildings, ships, budgets, spaceships, airplanes, etc.
• Industrial Engineering – Here computers deal with the design, improvement, and implementation of integrated systems of people, materials, and equipment.
• Architectural Engineering – Computers help in planning cities and towns, designing apartments and buildings using both 2D and 3 D drawings.

Application of Computer in Communication

• Chatting, Instant Messaging, E-Mail, FTP, Video-conferencing etc.

Application of Computer in Entertainment

• Watching Movies, Watching Videos, Listening Songs, Viewing Photos, Playing Online Games, etc.

Application of Computer in Science and Research

• Scientific research was the first application of computers as it was first used to perform scientific research. From that time to now, the speed and accuracy of computers are helping scientists in the fields of space research and analysis.

Application of Computer in Military

• Missile Control, Nuclear Weapon Control
• Security and Army Communication
• Military Operation and Planning
• Smart Weapons Control

Application of Computer in Insurance

• Procedure to continue with policies
• Starting date of the policies
• Next due installment of a policy
• Maturity date
• Interests due
• Survival benefits
• Bonus

Application of Computer in Government and Private Offices

• Budget Planning
• Sales Tax Department
• Income Tax Department
• Computation of Male/Female Ratio
• Computerization of Voters Lists
• Computerization of PAN Card

Characteristics of computers (Advantages)

1. Automatic: – Computers are automatic machines because once started on job, they carry on, until job is finished.
2. Speed: – It can perform in a few seconds, may be milliseconds (10- 3 ), microseconds (10- 6 ), nanoseconds (10-9 ), picoseconds (10-12) and a powerful computer perform several billion (109 ) operation in a second.
3. Accuracy: – Large calculations in a few seconds accurately without any interruption, for this reason computer are used in banks, aircrafts, and remote senescing for accurate results.
4. Reliability: – Computers are reliable, unlike humans, computer simply do not get bored or tired.
5. Memory/storage capabilities: – It has large amount of memory which is capable to store large amount of data for time being.
6. Perfectionist: – A computer is diligent it never loose concentration. It can work for hours without committing any mistake and getting irritated. Performed millionth calculation with the same accuracy and speed.
7. Flexibility: – It can switch from one application to another means one moments play a song can be sketch to print out any letter / report or may be another work.
8. Artificial intelligence: – A computer has no I.Q. all intelligence is incorporated in the computer as programs. So it cannot take decision of its own.
9. Numbness: – computer has no emotions and feeling because they are machines. It can work for hours in extreme weather condition.
10. Diligence
11. Experience less
12. User friendly

Limitation of a computer (Disadvantage)

Computer have the major limitation is that it is not intelligent enough to take its own decisions and it can be easily crashed which would result in data or information.

1. Computer cannot take over all activities simply because they are less flexible than human.
2. Computers do not have the potential to try out various alternative to solve the unexpected.
3. It does not have the capability to learn from experience.
4. It has to be given every details instruction and every steps of its operation has to be described.
5. They are always a threat to personal privacy.
6. They are manufactured using hazardous chemicals hence harming the health of people working and also contributing in pollutions.
7. Discarded computers are real junk and consume lot of space.
8. They are failure prone. A failure in a nuclear power station or airplane etc. can endanger many lives and resources.