A computer is a man-made, programmable electronic machine that can store, retrieve, and process data according to a given set of instructions. Whatever information given to a computer is termed input. The computer input typically comprises of two things: Data and instructions. The data are the facts, which are to be processed, and the instructions describe how the computer should process the data. The data which has been converted or organized into a more useful or intelligible form for direct utilization or helps human beings in their decision making process is typically termed information.
The heart of the computer is a microprocessor chip. Today microprocessors are embedded inside various every-day machines such as cars, television sets and washing machines. These microprocessors usually control some function of the machine and are hidden from the user. The term computer can virtually be applied to any such device that has a microprocessor in it. However most people describe a computer as a device that comprises of a keyboard, mouse, a
central processing device and a screen.
The main characteristics of computers are:
Speed
A computer can perform tasks very fast. For example, the amount of work that a human being can do in an entire year - if he worked day and night and did nothing else, can be accomplished by a computer within a few minutes.
Diligence
Unlike human beings, a computer is free from monotony, tiredness, lack of concentration, etc., hence a computer can work for hours without making any errors or complaints. Even 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
A computer is capable of performing almost any task provided that the task can be reduced to a series of logical steps (i.e. a computer program)
Power of Remembering
Every piece of information that a user ‘stores’ on a computer can be retained as long as is needed and can be recalled when necessary. Even after several years, the information recalled would be identical to what was fed to the computer. A computer will never ‘lose’ stored information on its own; a user has to ‘remove’ (or delete) the information from it.
No I. Q.
A computer can only perform tasks which a human being can. The difference is that it performs these tasks with unmatchable speed and accuracy. It possesses no intelligence of its own. Its I.Q. is zero, at least till today. It has to be told what to do. Hence, only the user can determine what tasks a computer will perform.
No Feelings
Computers are devoid of emotions. They have no feelings and no instincts because they are machines. Although human beings have succeeded in building a memory for the computer, a computer does not possess the equivalent of a human brain. Based on our feelings, taste, knowledge and experience, we often make certain judgments in our day-to-day life, but computers cannot make such judgments on their own. Their judgment is based on the instructions given to them in the form of programs by someone.
