Concept, Importance and Characteristics of Computer

This note describes the importance, characteristics and classification of the computer, however, the main focus is on characteristics of the computer. It also contains the various work system of a different computer.

Summary

Things to Remember

Computer is a multi-tasking programmable electronic machine which performs the calculations and processes information with astonishing speed.
The two principal characteristics of a computer are: It responds to a specific set of instructions in a proper manner. And it can execute a prerecorded list of instruction (a program)
One of the most difficult and most important jobs performed by computers is the solution of complicated problems involving numbers.
A digital computers operates on binary digits i.e 0 and 1.
A binary digit is called a bit. a group of 8 bits is called a byte.
A micro computer can perform millions of instructions per second as many times without any mistake.
Computer has main memory and auxiliary memory.
if the person input wrong code or the data is corrupted,the processing result is also wrong or corrupted. So if wrong input is given, the output also will be wrong- GIGO (Garbage In Garbage Out)
Computers can perform activities ranging from simple calculation like arithmetic calculation, to a complex calculation like launching a missile, which it makes computer a versatile machine.
Computer is an automatic machine, capable of functioning automatically once they are an appropriate set of instruction and data provided to the computer.

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Subjective Questions

Q1:

Discuss the process of controlling.

Type: Long Difficulty: Easy

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Answer: Control is a continuous process. It is an integral part of management. The process of control consists of the following elements:
 
<ol>
<li>Setting of control standards</li>
<li>Measurement of performance</li>
<li>Comparing actual and standard performance</li>
<li>Taking corrective action</li>
</ol>
1. Setting of Control Standards The first step in any control process is to set the control standards against actual performance so the results can be controlled. Standards represent the criteria against which actual performance is measured. The standard of control may be quantitative or qualitative. The standards which are measured and expressed is known as measurable standards. The standard must be achievable. The standard must be set up keeping in mind the resources of the organization and as far as possible standards must be set up in numerical or measurable terms. The achievement of various targets can make the specific persons responsible. The levels of achievement are also decided in advance. The Control standards should also be consistent with the organizational goals. 
2. Measurement of Performance After the establishment of standards, the next step is the measurement of actual performance. Finding out deviations becomes easy through measuring the actual performance. The measurement of performance should be accurate and reliable with the standards. It should be clear, simple and objective. The tangible standards can be measured in an easy way as it can be expressed in units, cost, money terms, etc. If the performance of manager has to be measured the quantitative measurement becomes difficult. The Performance of a manager cannot be measured in quantities.The measurement of qualitative performance such as human relations, employee morale, etc. can be done through psychological tests and surveys. The Measurement of performance is an important part of the control process.
3. Comparing Actual and Standard Performance The third step in control process is the comparison of actual performance with the standards set. It is very important to compare the actual performance with the planned targets. Such comparison will reveal the deviation between actual and desired results. Quantitative standards are easy to compare but qualitative standards are complex to measure. Direct personal observation and reports may be used to identify the deviation in performance where results are intangible. The deviation may be positive or negative. Positive deviation implies that actual performance is higher than the standards. Negative deviation means actual performance is less than the standards. But, if the performance matches the standards, management may assume that everything is under control.
4. Taking Corrective Action The last step of controlling process is to take corrective action on the result of the comparison. The purpose of control is not only to analyze the deviation but also to initiate remedial measures to take corrective actions. If actual performance does not meet the standard, the manager must initiate corrective action. Such corrective action may be (a) revision of standard if they seem to be unattainable, (b) revision of strategies, policies and procedures, (c) additional employee training, (d) greater motivation, (e) change in the existing technique of direction, (f) product design improvement etc. No remedies are needed when there is a balance between actual and standard performance.

Q2:

Explain the essential requirement of effective control.

Type: Long Difficulty: Easy

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Answer: The essential requirement of effective control are as follows:
1. Simple A good control system should be easy and clear to understand and operate. Control system that is not easily understood by the users is of no value. The instruction should be unambiguous to follow. The controlling techniques which are complicated such as complex mathematical formula, charts, graphs, advanced statistical method should be as far as possible avoided because such techniques may fail to communicate the meaning. 2. Timeliness
The information of management should be get in proper time so that corrective actions can be taken in time. There are many problems in the organization which require immediate attention. If the information about such problems is not evaluated in  a right time, then such information may become useless and damage may occur. The means of information must be collected, processed, and evaluated quickly.
3. Flexibility It is important that controlling system should be flexible enough to keep pace with changing conditions of the business. The effective control system must be flexible enough to adjust to any adverse changing conditions of the business. Flexibility in control system can be introduced by preparing alternative plans for varios solutions of problems.
4. Focus on strategic plan
An effective control system focus on those critical areas where deviations from standards are most likely to occur or would do the greatest damage. The control system should also concentrate on those areas where corrective action can be most effectively applied.
5. Integration
The people work in harmony with organizational policies when the controls are consistent with corporate values and culture. The control system has become an integrated part of the organizational environment. It has become effective in every organization.
6. Economic feasibility
The controlling system should be economical and worth its costs. The controlling system should be economical to operate. It should be easy to comprehend and apply by the concerned person. It should never be too costly in terms of both financial and human resources.
7. Suitability:
The control system should be appropriate according to the nature, needs and circumstances of the organization. It must be adjustable according to type, nature, needs and requirements of the organization.
9. Corrective action
A good control system should be able to take proper corrective actions to avoid the gap between standard and actual performance. It helps to improve future performance. An effective control system not only checks and identifies deviation. It also helps in programming the solutions in correcting such a deviation.

Q3:

Describe any six essential requirement of effective control.

Type: Short Difficulty: Easy

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Answer: 1. Simple A good control system should be easy and clear to understand and operate. Control system that is not easily understood by the users is of no value. The instruction should be unambiguous to follow. The controlling techniques which are complicated such as complex mathematical formula, charts, graphs, advanced statistical method should be as far as possible avoided because such techniques may fail to communicate the meaning. 2. Timeliness
The information of management should be get in proper time so that corrective actions can be taken in time. There are many problems in the organization which require immediate attention. If the information about such problems is not evaluated in  a right time, then such information may become useless and damage may occur. The means of information must be collected, processed, and evaluated quickly.
3. Flexibility It is important that controlling system should be flexible enough to keep pace with changing conditions of the business. The effective control system must be flexible enough to adjust to any adverse changing conditions of the business. Flexibility in control system can be introduced by preparing alternative plans for varios solutions of problems.
4. Focus on strategic plan
An effective control system focus on those critical areas where deviations from standards are most likely to occur or would do the greatest damage. The control system should also concentrate on those areas where corrective action can be most effectively applied.
5. Integration
The people work in harmony with organizational policies when the controls are consistent with corporate values and culture. The control system has become an integrated part of the organizational environment. It has become effective in every organization.
6. Economic feasibility
The controlling system should be economical and worth its costs. The controlling system should be economical to operate. It should be easy to comprehend and apply by the concerned person. It should never be too costly in terms of both financial and human resources.

Q4:

Write short notes on setting of control standard and measurement of performance.

Type: Short Difficulty: Easy

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Concept, Importance and Characteristics of Computer

COMPUTER

The full form of COMPUTER is Common Operating Machine Particularly Used for Trade, Education and Research. Technically speaking, the term computer doesnot have a full form. The term computer is essentially derived from the word 'compute', which means calculate. Nevertheless, there is a hypothetical full form of computer, which is said to be Commonly Operated Machine Particularly Used for Trade, Education and Research

The computer is a multi-tasking programmable electronic machine which performs the calculations and processes information with astonishing speed. It can calculate thousands of informations with flash speed and almost unfailing accuracy. The computer can perform both computation and logical action at enormous speed. The two principle characteristics of a computer are:

It responds to a specific set of instructions in a proper manner.
It can execute a prerecorded list of instruction (a program)

In other words, acomputer is an electronic device that manipulates information, or data. It has the ability to store, retrieve, and process data.

Before we talk about different types of computers, let's talk about two things all computers have in common: hardware and software.

Hardware is any part of your computer that has a physical structure, such as the keyboard or mouse. It also includes all of the computer's internal parts, which you can see in the image below.
Software is any set of instructions that tells the hardware what to do and how to do it. Examples of software include web browsers, games, and word processors. Below, you can see an image of Microsoft PowerPoint, which is used to create presentations.

IMPORTANCE OF COMPUTER

The computer is important in a variety of ways. For example, a difficult and time-consuming task can be done in no time and in an easy way. The computer provides better and effective way to manage a large amount of information to every individual, organization, business, government and institution. The value of computer lies in the ability to perform quickly and accurately. The computer can help in producing better quality products, help in teaching and assist in elimination human error.

a.) Solving numerical problems

One of the most difficult and most important jobs performed by computers is the solution of complicated problems involving numbers. computers can solve those problems amazingly and quickly. The computer can perform a simple numerical problem to complicated numerical problem.

b.) Storing and retrieving information

People use computers to store large quantities of information. information stored on a computer is sometimes called a database. The database can be enormous. For example, a country's entire census might be contained in a single database. A computer can search a huge database to find a specific piece of information. In addition, the information can be changed easily and quickly. The efficiency with which computers store and retrieve information makes them valuable in a wide range of professions.

c.) Creating and displaying document and picture

Computers can store a huge number of words in a way that make it easy to manipulate them. For this reason, word processing is one of the most important and widespread uses of a computer. Computers are also important in the publishing industries. For example, most books and magazine are typed on a computer. Graphics is the use of a computer to make pictures.

CHARACTERISTICS OF COMPUTER

Every computer has certain common characteristics irrespective of their type and size. The computer is not just adding machines; they are capable of doing complex activities and operations. They can be programmed to do complex, tedious and monotonous tasks. Computers are what they are because of the following characteristics:

i.) Word length

A digital computer operates on binary digits i.e 0 and 1. It can understand information only in terms of 0s and 1s. A binary digit is called a bit. a group of 8 bits is called a byte. The number of bits that a computer can process at a time in parallel is called its word length. Commonly used word length are 8,16,32 or 64 bits. Word length is the major of the computing power of a computer. When we talk of a 32-bit computer, it means that it's word length is 32 bits.

ii.) Speed

The calculation in the computer is at very high speeds. For example, a micro computer can perform millions of instructions per second as many times without any mistake. The speed increases, as the power of computer increase. For example, a super computer can operate at speed measures on nanoseconds and even picosecond.

iii.) Storage

The computer has main memory and auxiliary memory. The computer can store a large amount of data. With more and more auxiliary storage devices, which are capable of storing huge amounts of the data, the storage capacity of a computer is virtually unlimited. The reason that makes computer storage unique is not that it can store huge amount of data, but the fact that it can retrieve the information that the user wants in a few seconds. For example, computer dictionaries are available and the contents of this software version are the same as that of the printed dictionary.

iv.) Accuracy

The accuracy of a computer is very high unless the input is given correctly. In most cases, the error is because of human factor rather that technology mistake. For example, if the person input wrong code or the data is corrupted,the processing result is also wrong or corrupted. So if wrong input is given, the output also will be wrong- GIGO (Garbage In Garbage Out)

v.) Versatility

Computers can perform activities ranging from simple calculation like arithmetic calculation, to a complex calculation like launching a missile, which it makes a computer a versatile machine. some application area of computers like a business, bank medical diagnosis, science and technology,communication and astronomy, so it is a versatile machine.

vi.) Diligence

Diligence means being constant and determined in effort and application. The computer can perform the repetitive task without being a bore and it never gets tired. It can work continuously for several hour or day without getting bored and tired. Unlike human beings, a computer is free from tiredness, weakness, lack of concentration and monotony. Computers can perform activities ranging from simple calculation like arithmetic calculation, to a complex calculation like launching a missile, which it makes a computer a versatile machine.

vii.) Automation

A computer is an automatic machine, capable of functioning automatically once they are an appropriate set of instruction and data provided to the computer. Once the task is initiated on a computer it can proceed continuously. The computer can be programmed to perform a series of a task involving multiple programs. Computers are capable of these levels of automation if the instruction is provided correctly.

viii.) Reliability

Computers are used widely as they are reliable. The computer never gives the wrong result as long as the input is given correctly. The probability of error in the computer is negligible. A Huge amount of verities of data like monetary transaction, banking account, personal information is stored in a computer with the strong reliability to the computer.

The computer has become an integral part of our lives and is helping us in improving the standard living, enhancing the quality products, providing better healthcare, assisting in teaching and learning and other however computer have many limitations like lack of intelligence, lack of reasoning capabilities and other.

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF COMPUTER

ADVANTAGES

The computer can perform a complex operation in a short time.
The computer can process a large volume of data.
Computer can work continuously for a long time
A single computer can perform multiple tasks such as watching a movie, playing games, listening song and others.
The computer does not make a mistake.
Computer increases the curricular performance of the student.

DISADVANTAGES

The computer does not have a brain and cannot decide itself.
It does not have its own intelligence.
The computer does not have emotion and feelings.
It needs electricity to operate.
It cannot operate itself, unless, a human command is given.

Bibliography

Shrestha, Prachandra Ram, et al. Computer Essentials. Kathmandu: Asmita's Publication, 2014.

Gurung, Juddha Bahadur et.al.,Computer Science-XI, Bhundipuran Prakashan,Ktm

Lesson

Introduction to Computer

Subject

Computer Science

Grade

Grade 11

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