Computer its & Characteristics_DAIBB_ICT

What is a computer? What are its major characteristics?

Definition: The term computer has been borrowed from compute that means to calculate. A computer is an electro mechanical device which has capacity to accept, store, process and retrieve data, according to the user requirements. Technically, a computer is a programmable machine. This means it can execute a programmed list of instructions and respond to new instructions that it is given.

Characteristics of a computer:

The following are the characteristics of a typical computer:

·         Speed: Present day computers operate at a very high speed. A computer can perform several million instructions in one second. For example, it can add or multiply 2,000,000 numbers in a second. There are several different types of computers and they all have different speeds ranging from high to very high. The speed of computers is specified in MIP (Million instructions per second).

·         Accuracy: Computers perform with a very high degree of consistent accuracy. Errors may occur due to a program logic error. These are human errors. Hardware errors are usually detected by the computer system itself. The probability of computer error is small and often traceable to faulty data. Computers rarely make mistakes and can accurately perform all kinds of complex computations.

·         Reliability: Computer systems are particularly adept at repetitive tasks. They do not take sick days and coffee breaks and they seldom complain. Computer systems are widely accepted because of their exceptional reliability. Unlike most humans they are capable of operating under most adverse conditions for extended periods of time without showing any signal of fatigue. Computers consistently provide the same accurate results under all operating conditions.

·         Memory Capabilities: Computer systems have total and instant recall of data and an almost unlimited capacity to store these data. A typical mainframe computer system will have many billions of characters, thousands of graphic images, stored and available for instant recall.

·         Versatility: The same computer can be used for various applications. For instance, a PC can be used to prepare a letter, prepare the balance sheet of company, store a database of employee, send/receive fax message etc. For a computer to perform a new job, all it needs is a program.

Computer now a days has become a driving force of way of life. None we can live a civil life without a computer. With trust and accuracy, this device run, protects, and revive the major systems in our daily life.