Functionalities of a Computer
If we look at it
in a very broad sense, any digital computer carries out the following five
functions:
Step 1 - Takes data as input.
Step 2 - Stores the data/instructions in its memory
and uses them as required.
Step 3 - Processes the data and converts it into
useful information.
Step 4 - Generates the output.
Step 5 - Controls all the above four steps.
Advantages of Computers
Following are certain advantages of
computers.
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
to perform 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 the input is correct.
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, etc.
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 perform
repeated tasks with the 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.
Automation
· Computer is an
automatic machine.
· Automation is the
ability to perform a given task automatically. Once the computer receives a
program i.e., the program is stored in the computer memory, then the program
and instruction can control the program execution without human interaction.
Reduction in Paper Work and Cost
· The use of
computers for data processing in an organization leads to reduction in paper
work and results in speeding up the 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.
· Though the
initial investment for installing a computer is high, it substantially reduces
the cost of each of its transaction.
Disadvantages of Computers
Following are certain disadvantages of
computers.
No I.Q.
· A computer is a
machine that has no intelligence to perform any task.
· Each instruction
has to be given to the computer.
· A computer cannot
take any decision on its own.
Dependency
· It functions as
per the user’s instruction, thus it is fully dependent on humans.
Environment
· The operating
environment of the computer should be dust free and suitable.
No Feeling
· Computers have no
feelings or emotions.
· It cannot make
judgment based on feeling, taste, experience, and knowledge unlike humans.
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