Computer – Definition, Functions and Advantages

Today’s world is an information-rich world and it has become a necessity for everyone to know about computers.

Functionalities of a computer

Any digital computer carries out five functions in gross terms:

• Takes data as input.
• Stores the data/instructions in its memory and use them when required.
• Processes the data and converts it into useful information.
• Generates the output
• Controls all the above four steps.

Definition

Computer is an electronic data processing device which

• accepts and stores data input,
• processes the data input, and
• generates the output in a required format.

Advantages

Following list demonstrates the advantages of computers in today’s arena.

High Speed

• Computer is a very fast device.
• It is capable of performing calculation of very large amount of data.
• The computer has units of speed in microsecond, nanosecond, and even the picosecond.
• It can perform millions of calculations in a few seconds as compared to man who will spend many months for doing the same task.

Accuracy

• In addition to being very fast, computers are very accurate.
• The calculations are 100% error free.
• Computers perform all jobs with 100% accuracy provided that correct input has been given.

Storage Capability

• Memory is a very important characteristic of computers.
• A computer has much more storage capacity than human beings.
• It can store large amount of data.
• It can store any type of data such as images, videos, text, audio and many others.

Diligence

• Unlike human beings, a computer is free from monotony, tiredness and lack of concentration.
• It can work continuously without any error and boredom.
• It can do repeated work with same speed and accuracy.

Versatility

• A computer is a very versatile machine.
• A computer is very flexible in performing the jobs to be done.
• This machine can be used to solve the problems related to various fields.
• At one instance, it may be solving a complex scientific problem and the very next moment it may be playing a card game.

Reliability

• A computer is a reliable machine.
• Modern electronic components have long lives.
• Computers are designed to make maintenance easy.

Automation

• Computer is an automatic machine.
• Automation means ability to perform the given task automatically.
• Once a program is given to computer i.e., stored in computer memory, the program and instruction can control the program execution without human interaction.

Reduction in Paper Work

• The use of computers for data processing in an organization leads to reduction in paper work and results in speeding up a process.
• As data in electronic files can be retrieved as and when required, the problem of maintenance of large number of paper files gets reduced.

Reduction in Cost

• Though the initial investment for installing a computer is high but it substantially reduces the cost of each of its transaction.

Disadvantages

Following list demonstrates the disadvantages of computers in today’s arena

No I.Q

• A computer is a machine that has no intelligence to perform any task.
• Each instruction has to be given to computer.
• A computer cannot take any decision on its own.

Dependency

• It functions as per a user’s instruction, so it is fully dependent on human being

Environment

• The operating environment of computer should be dust free and suitable.

No Feeling

• Computers have no feelings or emotions.
• It cannot make judgement based on feeling, taste, experience, and knowledge unlike a human being.