Characteristics of Computer

Characteristics of computer

The computers are different types, sizes, capabilities but they have similar features. They possess the ability to perform complex, untiring, tedious and monotonous tasks continuously without rest.The various characteristics of the computer can be described below:

Speed: Computers are capable of carrying out the task with enormous speed. They can calculate, process and produce output in fractions of second. Today’s computers can perform with the speed ranging 4 MIPS (Millions of instructions per second) to 100MIPS. The computers can perform within few hours, the manual calculation which can take more than a day. The information signal travels at incredible electronic speed inside the computer. The high-speed calculation capability of a computer has successfully enabled the natural and environmental scientists to forecast the weather and natural conditions.

Millisecond ( KHZ Kilo Hertz ) – a thousandth of a second.

Microsecond ( MHZ Mega Hertz ) – a millionth of a second.

Nanosecond ( GHZ Giga Hertz ) – a billionth of a second.

Picosecond ( THZ Tera Hertz ) – a trillionth of a second.

Storage: Computers can store enormous quantity of information. The unit to measure this quantity of information is Kilobytes (or) Mega Bytes (MB) or GigaBytes (GB). It is achieved through its main memory, data are entered into the main memory and then transferred to auxiliary memory for permanent storage. The computers have vast storage facilities these days which can occupy numerous data of users. The Hard disks, Floppy disk, Compact Disc (CD) and Magnetic Tape storage are examples of secondary storages. Large volumes of storage capacity occupy much lesser space compared to paper documents and this aspect of computers makes them more powerful.

Accuracy: The accuracy of a computer is consistently high. This means the computers perform all functions with very high correctness. In fact, this quality of the computers makes them indispensable in various fields such as space research, scientific research, weather predictions and many other areas where the accuracy of high order is required. The accuracy of the computer is best achieved by programming them in the most efficient manner. The computer’s accuracy has no substitute when complex mathematical or scientific problem arises. The users may get error result due to the error in the input data or programs. The human factor contributes to the inaccuracy in data or in programs rather than machine. Sometimes, error in hardware may occur but internally it has error detection and control mechanism.

Versatility: Computers are versatile as they can perform almost any task, provided they are given appropriate logical steps. They can perform simple calculation, complex engineering design, modeling, simulation, navigating missiles, satellites, communication and so on. For example, they are capable of performing wide range tasks such as hotel billing, construction of payroll, hospital management, inventory management in a factory, banking sectors and any imaginable task in every day of life. It is as useful in business as in science, education, engineering, music, medicine, art, communication, research, design, space study, and networking.

Automation: Computer is said to be an automatic machine. The biggest advantage of computers is that it is automatic in its operation. Once a programming logic is started the computer performs repeated operations, without human interventions until program completion. Computer stores a set of instructions as well as data and one instruction is enough for the computer to complete tasks without any further instruction. The computers can start and close the power automatically, process the programs in strict sequence, maintain the records without the interference of human beings.

Diligence: Computers do not suffer from human traits of tiredness and lack of concentration. They are robust and careful. Computers are machines and they do not lose concentration like human beings. The computers are capable of working 24 hours a day, 365 days a year without interruption, loss of energy and always productive. They do not get tired due to overwork or overload, neither get bored nor neglect any processing steps. They are always precise in work. If large number of calculations say million calculations are to be performed the result and output will remain exactly the same even if operations are repeated various times. But  if human being does the same job, this consistency never can be achieved. Today, people want to replace men with machines because of this feature of the computer.

Reliability: The computers can give 100% accurate results with predetermined values. They can automatically correct and modify the parameters, giving signals on it. They provide formatted outcome with the high degree of precisions.

Resource Sharing: In the initial development stages, computers used to be inaccessible machines. With the tremendous growth in computer technologies, today computers have the ability to connect with each other. This has made the sharing of costly resources like printers, scanners even CPU possible. Thus creating a large information and knowledge base, data and information can also be shared among groups of computers.

Acceptability: The computers accept data through different types of input devices in the form of text, voice, image, sound, etc. Internally, computers perform in binary digits based on 0s and 1s. The users are relieved of the internal complexity of a computer and facilitate them to provide information in the forms, types, categories and languages they can understand. It is a great help for the people and society.

Retrieval: Computers are very fast not only in processing input data but are equally fast in getting back the piece of information from the storage. For example, dictionaries and encyclopedias are available in computers to help students and others. You can search and find documents and files whether simple or complex, the result will be instantly displayed on your computer. This feature of a computer is very important when the task is to search some materials from the internet and from vast data.

Reference

Ghishing, Er.Ashim. Computer Science. Kathmandu, Nepal: Benchmark , 2008.