What is a computer? This is a basic question that has become increasingly in our modern world.

In today’s world, computers have brought revolutionized the way we live, work, and communicate. Wherever we go, we are surrounded by a variety of modern computers.

For example, when we withdraw cash from an ATM, actually, we use a computer that allows the ATM to take instructions and dispense cash accordingly.

Another familiar example of a computer is your smartphone that you use throughout the day for messaging, calling, browsing, watching videos, listening to music, etc.

In banks, computers keep the record of customer transactions and account balance. They store customers’ money deposited in the account as a digital currency.

Today, modern computers enable us to send or receive data from any region of the world with a single click of a mouse.

We can play games, write e-mails, listen to music, watch television, watch video lectures, work on data in our office, and do endless things with the help of computers. Hence, we find them in almost every aspect of our lives.

In this tutorial, we will understand what exactly is a computer, the importance of it in our daily lives and its basic components, and more.

What is a Computer?

The term computer comes from the Latin word “compute” which means to calculate. It is an electronic device or machine that takes data as input, processes data with a set of instruction, stores data, and produces a result as an output.

In other words, a computer is a programmable electronic machine that receives raw data as input, processes it with a set of instructions (a program) and generates the desired result as output.

Data is a collection of raw information that contains text, numbers, sound, images, and video. A programmer is a person who inputs the data into the computer in order to get a desired result.

A computer produces the output just after performing mathematical and logical operations. It processes data and perform works that would be difficult or impossible for humans to do on their own. For future use, it can also save the data output.

A computer device consists of a combination of hardware and software components that work together to perform proper functions. The hardware component contains transistors, circuits, hard disks, RAM, ROM, buses, etc. Software, on the other hand, contains instructions (i.e. programs) and data.

In today’s modern world, computers come in a variety of shapes and sizes like desktop, laptop, palmtop, PDAs, etc.

Charles Babbage is known as the father of the computer. In 1837, he invented the first computer named “Analytical Engine” by using punch card as read only memory.

Understand the Importance of Computers

Computers are everywhere in our lives. In the modern society, they have become an integral part of our daily lives. Here are some ways by which you can understand how computers are important in your daily life:

(1) Communication: Computers have changed the way we communicate. With computers, we can send text messages and communicate with people all over the world.

On a regular day, we use our smart phone to send a text message to the best friend about meeting for lunch. Although, you have not realized of it, your smart phone is a type of handheld computer.

(2) Information Access: Computers have made it easier for us than ever to get information on a wide range of topics. Through the internet, we can easily access news, research, and other information from anywhere in the worldwide.

(3) Education: Many students are using computers as an important tool for education in all over the world. They are using computers to access educational materials, give online examination, conduct research, collaborate with others on projects, and many more works.

(4) Work: Today, every industry uses computers for a variety of tasks. They help in business to manage finances, communicate with clients, and conduct research.

(5) Entertainment: We are using computers for entertainment, including listening to music, gaming, streaming movies, and watching TV shows.

(6) Medical Advances: Medical researchers and practitioners use computers in the medical field for research, analysis, and treatment. Computer system helps doctors and researchers to analyze data and develop new treatments on a wide range of critical conditions.

(7) Efficiency: Computer machine help us complete works faster and more efficiently that we can not do without them. It can automate repetitive tasks and perform complex calculations in seconds.

(8) Storage: Computers allow us to store a large amount of information or data. For example, we can store our projects, eBooks, documents, songs, movies, images, and many more things.

(9) Organized Data and Information: A computer device not only allows us to store data but also enables us to organize our data. For example, we can make separate folders to store different data and can search for them easily and quickly.

Overall, a computer system became incredibly important in our daily life as well as also has had a profound impact on our society. It made our tasks so easy that we can easily communicate, access information, learn, work, and even entertain ourselves.

As technology continues to advance, computers are going to continue to play an increasingly important role in our daily life.

Characteristics of Computers

Spreading popularity of computers has proved that it is a very powerful and useful device in our lives. The power and usefulness of this popular electronic device are mainly because of its following characteristics:

1. Automatic: A computer is an automatic machine that works by itself without human intervention. Once it started tasks, it carry out the task without human help until it is finished.

2. Speed: A computer is a very fast electronic machine. It is able to perform the difficult tasks in a few seconds. Today’s modern computer can do hard tasks in microseconds, nanoseconds, and even picoseconds. A powerful computer is able to perform several billion simple arithmetic calculations per second.

3. Accuracy: Computers generates the results with very high accuracy besides being very fast. It performs calculation with accuracy. However, errors can occur on a computer. These errors mainly occur because of human rather than technological weaknesses. For example, errors may occur if the user enters incorrect input data.

4. Diligence: Unlike human beings, a computer never tiredness and does not lose its concentration. It can continuously work with a great accuracy for hours, creating no error and without rumbling.

For example, if hundred million calculations have to be performed, a computer machine will perform the last one with exactly the same accuracy and speed as it did the first one.

5. Versatility: Versatility is one of the most marvelous characteristic about a computer. It is capable of performing multitasks at a time simultaneously. For example, we can use it to play music, as well as write a letter in the MS Office simultaneously.

6. Power of Remembering: Computers have the power of storing any amount of data or information. We can store any information for several years, and recalled when we need it.

7. No Feeling: A computer is an electronic device that does not have any feelings, emotions, taste, knowledge and experience. It does not get exhausted even after long hours of work.

8. Storage Capability: A computer has huge storage capability to store the information for a long time. It has two types of storages: primary storage and secondary storage.

Primary storage is the main memory of a computer that stores the data temporarily. While secondary storage is a permanent storage for storing data.

Basic Components of a Computer Device

A computer device consists of several components. Each component of the computer plays an important role in the overall function. The basic components without which a computer device cannot work are as follows:

(a) Central Processing Unit (CPU): This is the “brain” of the computer and is responsible for processing information and executing instructions from the software and hardware.

(b) Random Access Memory (RAM): It is the primary memory of a computer used to transfer data between CPU and storage device.

(c) Hard Disk Drive (HDD): It is the secondary memory of computer used to store programs, files, and other data permanently.

(d) Motherboard: This is the main circuit board of the computer that connects all of its parts or components together.

(e) Input device: It allows us to communicate with the computer or to enter data as input. For instance, a keyboard is an input device.

(f) Output device: It allows us to see the output. For instance, monitor is an output device.

Types of Computers

There are several types of computers available in the marketplace. Each one has its own features and capabilities. Some of the most common types of computers are as:

(a) Personal computer (PC): It is the most common type of computer used by individuals for personal and professional purposes.

(b) Laptop: It is a portable computer that we can carry anywhere and use on the go.

(c) Tablet: It is a smaller, more portable device that is primarily used for browsing the internet, listening music, watching videos, playing games, etc.

(d) Server: It is a special type of computer used to manage and store data for businesses and organizations.

(e) Supercomputer: It is an extremely powerful computer used for scientific research and other complex jobs.

Google FAQs About Computers

Q. What is the fundamental difference between hardware and software?

A: Hardware denotes to the physical components of a computer, such as the CPU, RAM, ROM, and hard drive. While software denotes to the instructions that the computer uses to get the task done, and data that we store on the computer.

Q. Can a computer work without an operating system?

A: No, a computer cannot work without an operating system. The operating system controls the hardware and software components of the computer as well as providing a user interface for the user to interact with.

Q. What is the difference between a desktop computer and a laptop?

A: A desktop computer is typically less portable and bigger than a laptop. It is placed on the desk and connected with a monitor, keyboard, mouse and UPS from outside.

While a laptop is small and more portable than a desktop. You can carry anywhere it. A laptop includes a built-in monitor, keyboard, touchpad or trackpad for input, and batteries.

In this tutorial, you have known about what exactly is computer, and its importance in our daily lives, and basic components. Hope that you will have understood all the basic points related to computers.
Thanks for reading!!!

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