Introduction to Computer

A computer is an electronic device that can perform a variety of operations in accordance with a set of  instructions called program. 

• It is essentially a data processor. 
• It can store, access and process data millions of times faster than humans can. 
• Computers can do a lot of different tasks such as playing games, weather forecasting, error detection and controlling a flight of space aircraft etc. 

Data in computer terminology means raw facts such as name of a person, name of a city, amount of a thing etc. For eg: Deepak, 1991, 60 are data.
A processed data is called information. That is, data are aggregated and summarized in various meaningful ways to form information.

Characteristics of Computers:

1. Speed: Computers are much faster as compared to human beings. A computer can perform a task in a minute that may take days if performed manually. Usually the speed of computers are expressed in microseconds or nanoseconds.

2. Accuracy: The accuracy of a computer is consistently high. It can perform all the calculations and comparisons accurately provided the hardware does not malfunction.

3. High storage Capacity: Computers can store a large amount of information in very small space. It can store and recall any amount of information because of its secondary storage capability. Every piece of information can be retained as long as desired by the user.

4. Reliability: Computers are immune to tiredness and boredom or fatigue. Thus they are more reliable than human beings.

5. Automation: A computer is much mre than just a calculations in which we need to give the instructions at every step.It is an intelligent device and if programmed for an activity.It keeps doing it till finishes,without any human intervention.

6. Deligence: Computer being a machine ,does not show any signs of fatigue,tiredness,lack of concentration or lost interest.The speed accuracy and the quality would be absolutely same in the first and the last calculation.even if millions of calculations are done by computer.

7. Versatality: Computers can perform repetitive jobs effecntly .They can solve labour problem or do hazardous jobs in hostle enviornment .They even can work in the areas where human brsin can error for instance observing motion of very fast moving articles.

8. Others:  No Feelings, No I.Q.