Introduction to Computer
Concept, Definition and Application.
Computer is an electronic device, which can perform mathematical calculations,
logical operations and process alphanumeric data at very high speed. The word computer
comes form the word “Compute” which means to calculate. Initially computer was invented
to perform arithmetic operations at high speed. It was considered as a calculating device.
Before invention of computer calculator was used for arithmetic operations. But
the limitation of calculator is :
(1) It can process only numbers from 0 - 9.
(2) It is able to perform only mathematical operations like +, -, *, / etc.
(3) It does not have storage capacity.
(4) Its display is limited to one line (10 digits)
Whereas computer can process any type of data like numbers (0-9), alphabets
(A-Z, a-z), special symbols, pictures, photos, graphic images, charts, architectural drawing
etc. Hence today 80% of work done by computer is of non-mathematical / non-numerical
in nature. So today the computer can define as,
Computer is an electronic device, which accepts raw data as input,
processes it and produces useful information as output.
Computer is a device, which operates on a large volume of data at very high
speed. Data can be any thing like Name of a person, his address, telephone number,
Marks of students, Customer’s name, Supplier name, Invoice number, Cricket score etc.
The data very according to the application. A computer can store, process and retrieve
data, as and when desired. So, now a days instead of computer the more suitable name
for the computer is “Data processor”.
