Applications of Computers
19 1 |
INTRODUCTION
Over the past 60 years or so, computers have affected the lives of all human beings in
one way or the other. If we look around ourselves, we will realise that many of
our routine tasks are directly or indirectly dependent on computers. Be it
paying utility bills online, booking train tickets, shopping using credit
cards, or even starting your own car (whose fuel injection is
controlled by a small computer) everything seems to be driven by
computers.
In this chapter, we will describe the characteristics of computers,
identify the capabilities and limitations of computers and explore how
computers are used across different domains, such as offices, banks,
etc.
129 || CHARACTERISTICS OF
COMPUTERS
Some typical characteristics of computers
are given below:
1. Speed A computer can solve complex problems in a matter of a
few seconds. The speed of a computer is directly dependent on the
underlying hardware configuration, most importantly its processor.
2. Accuracy
A computer can generate results with a high
degree of accuracy.
3. Diligence Unlike humans, a computer does not get tired. It solves a
problem with the same level of accuracy, no matter how many times you
repeat the operation.
putere
4. Versatility Computers are highly versatile; they can be used to
perform completely dift. tasks. For example, you can develop a C
program while listening to music on your computer at any point of time
you can also switch over to the Internet to check your e-mail.
5. Reliability Computers are considered quite reliable as far as correctness
of the result i concerned. You can always be sure with computers that
the produced result is correct and error free. However, if any error is
detected in the output then chances are that the error was caused due to
humans at the time of entering the input data.
6. Storage Capability Computers have the capability of storing large
amount of data for long periods. You can retrieve and use the data
years after storing it on a computer.
123 || WHAT CAN COMPUTERS
DO?
Computers have revolutionised the way various tasks are
performed in our day-to-day lives. We may not realise it but computers play
an important role in the way we perform our routine tasks. For example,
computers are used at billing counters at shopping centres; they are
used at the toll plaza for collecting toll and generating receipts, and
Internet services are used for booking tickets, transferring funds across
bank accounts, [Link] avail oqmo. 10 en 0
The following are some of the key application areas of computers:
boots Boole
obras 1.
Business Computers are used across different business functions to
reduce manual effort. For example, a salesperson can store the
sales-order information in a computer; an accountant can keep track of
payables and receivables using a financial software while an engineer can use a
dedicated computer for design and research work. 2. Communication
A computer acts as an important communication medium these days. You
can use a computer to
• Communicate with remote users via
e-mail 0
DAR
• Instantly interact with remote users through messenger or
chat applications
• Conduct virtual meetings through video
conferencing
• Make calls using Voice Over Internet
Protocol (VOIP)
2.
3. Education and Training Computers have revolutionised the way
knowledge is imparted to learners these days. While animated
presentation slides aid in classroom teaching, innovative teaching methods like
e-learning and virtual classrooms provide learners with the opportunity of
anytime, anywhere learning.
4. Health Care All modern health-care equipment make use of computers which
give doctors a better chance of handling a patient's case.
12.4
WHAT COMPUTERS CANNOT DO
While it is difficult to imagine anything that a computer cannot do, there are certain known
constraints associated with computers. These are the following:
A computer performs only those tasks for which the user programs it. It does not perform a
task on its own. Though the field of Artificial Intelligence (AT) is working on making computers think
like human brains, it is still dependent on the instructions given by the user. A
computer cannot
take care of itself. For instance, if some hardware or software component is
not working then it is resolved only after human intervention. A
computer does not have any feelings. One cannot replace a computer
with a human brain.
APPLICATION OF COMPUTERS
Computers find application in various
domains, such as
Offices
• Book publication
• Ticket reservation
• Banks
12.5.1 Application of Computers in Offices Computers are
extensively used in offices these days. The exact usage of a
computer at a particular office depends on its type of business. However,
in general, computers are used in offices for
• Storing and maintaining HR information such as employee details,
payroll and attendance
information, etc.
• Creating official documents like invoices, memos, bills,
purchase orders, sales orders, etc.
• Collaborating with employees of different branches through
e-mail, chat, Web conferencing
etc.
Sharing data and information across the organisation
Maintaining financial records of the organisation such as journals,
ledgers, balance sheet reports, etc.
12.4
Demystifying
Computers
12.5.2 Application of Computers in Book Publication
Publishing a book requires performing a number of tasks such as
typesetting and page setting. A lot of effort is invested in ensuring that the
text has correct typefaces, margins, justifications, graphic alignment, etc.
All these tasks are performed with the help of computers.
A generic word-processing tool like Microsoft Word is not enough
for performing these tasks. Dedicated software applications like
PageMaker, InDesign, Quark Express, etc., are used for
performing these
publishing tasks.
12.5-3 Application of Computers in Ticket Reservation
Unlike earlier times, air, rail and bus tickets can now be booked while
sitting at home. You can simply log on to the website of the operator, fill your
booking details and book the ticket by making payment through credit or debit
cards. For example, the online booking of train tickets in India is done through
the website of IRCTC, which is [Link]. You can view the train
schedules, seat availability, route information, etc., through this website,
and make your booking as per your requirement.
12.5.4 Application of Computers in Banks These days, banking
operations are heavily reliant on computers. Both bank officials as well as
customers rely on computers for performing many banking activities. All
the records related to cash deposit, withdrawal, cheque processing, etc.,
are maintained in computers.
The use of computers for banking operations has ensured that
customers are not required to visit the bank premises for performing common
banking transactions like cash withdrawal and funds transfer. These activities
can simply be performed from an ATM or by using the Internet banking facility.
114 COMPONENTS OF APC
A personal computer makes use of various hardware components.
Some of the main PC components are explained in the subsequent
sections.
11.4.1 CPU The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the main processing
unit of a computer. All the input/output operations, processor-related
tasks, memory storage tasks, etc., are performed inside the CPU of a
computer. Some of the typical components contained in a CPU are
• Motherboard: Mounts all the electronic
components
and
circuitry
• Microprocessor: Main component of a
computer that
processes the instructions and generates the
desired
result
• Random Access Memory (RAM): Main
memory of
the computer that stores the currently
running
applications and its
related data
• Hard-Disk Drive: Secondary memory of the
computer
that stores all the computer's
data
• Power Supply Box: Controls the
electrical power
supply to the
computer Figure
11.6
shows the CPU.
Fig. 11.6
CPU 11.4.2 Monitor
The monitor is the output unit of a computer which displays the generated output.
It is connected to the motherboard through a video card. This card controls the video
signals sent to the monitor
Classification and
Components of Computers
11.51
for display purposes. Depending on its size and the underlying
technology, monitors are classified into two categories:
1
920 1.6 top
1. CRT
Monitors
tom
• Are based on Cathode Ray Tube technology dobo
• Are bulky and
occupy more space 2. LCD
Monitors
globalning
• Are based on Liquid Crystal Display
technology otro
• Are lightweight and occupy less space
bis zu Figure 11.7 shows two types of
monitors:
bsdiodes sining bilion i
16 timing 19 6 tovo
sobowe
ada
CRT Monitor
LCD Monitor
Fig. 11.7
Monitor
11.4.3 Printer The printer is an output device that prints the output generated by
the computer on a sheet of paper. Depending on the type of a printer, print
outputs of different size and quality can be generated. The various types of
printers are given below:
1. Dot Matrix In a dot matrix printer, the print head moves across the
piece of paper and hits an ink-soaked ribbon to create a print impression on the
paper. The output generated by such a printer is not of high quality. As a
result, such printers are mainly used for mass printing jobs like printing
of invoices, cash registers, etc.
8.
2. Inkjet It works by propelling droplets of ink on a piece of paper.
The quality of out generated by an inkjet printer is better than that of dot
matrix printer.
3. Laser It uses the laser-beam technology for generating print output on
a piece of paper. The quality of output generated by a laser printer is the
best among all types of printers.
Out of the three types of printers listed above, inkjet is the most
commonly used printer type. It uses a series of nozzles to spray tiny droplets
of ink on a sheet of paper. Magnetised plates control the direction of the ink's
path to draw the required image on the paper.
Inkjet printers can generate both black-and-white as well as
coloured output. However, for generating the coloured output, it must use
a cartridge that supports multiple colours. Such cartridges are costlier than
normal cartridges.
When compared to a laser printer, the inkjet printer has both
advantages as well as disadvantages. The main advantages of an
inkjet printer over a laser printer are
• Better
portability
• Reduced cost The obvious disadvantage of an inkjet printer over
a laser printer is related to the quality of the generated print output.
However, when we do a cost and quality trade-off for both the printers then
the inkjet printer has an edge. This is the reason why it is the most popular
and widely used printer type.
Figure 11.8 shows an inkjet
printer:
Fig. 11.8 Inkjet
printer
11.4-4 Scanner The scanner is an
input device that scans text or images
printed on a piece of paper to generate
the corresponding image files. A
scanner can be considered quite similar
to a photocopier machine with the only
difference being that instead of creating
another copy of the page, it creates the
corresponding image file. Scanning
devices differ from each other on the basis of
various factors like resolution, scan size
and scan technology. The quality of the
scanned document depends mainly on
these factors.
Figure 11.9 shows a
scanner.
Fig. 11.9
Scanne
r
11.4.5 Modem The modem (modulator-demodulator) is a device that
converts digital data into analog signals and vice versa. A modem is used for connecting
a computer to the Internet. It first receives the data in digital format from a
computer and then modulates that data into an analog carrier signal. The
analog signal is then transmitted through an analog communication channel.
At the receiving end, another modem receives the analog signal and
demodulates it back into the digital format. The receiving computer then
responds
Fig. 11.10
Modem as per the digital message.
Figure 11.10 shows a
modem.
11.4.6 Memory Memory is the storage location where a
computer stores its data. It is of two types: 1. Primary Memory It is the
main memory where the computer stores its programs and data. It is
also referred as Random Access Memory (RAM). The data stored in
RAM gets deleted as soon as the computer is switched off. 2.
Secondary Memory It includes all the external storage devices where
the computer stores its data permanently. The data gets deleted only
when the user chooses to do so; otherwise, it persists
the memory even when the computer is switched off. The
various secondary memory storage devices are hard disk, floppy disk,
CD, DVD, USB, etc.
111.8
ulugo
Demystifying
Computers
Figure 11.11 shows the computer memory (hard disk and RAM):
1952
o
d poivob s ong of Toques
on A Tigolo
od grid 900
s
odilo
2. to ziando has one o bonso di loilop
tolon brodt noen RAM
Hard Disk
Hard Dis Fig.
11.11
Computer memory (Hard disk and RAM)
mebom
11.4.7 Sound Card Sound card is a hardware device that allows a
computer to playback or record sound. It is of two types: internal and
external. An internal sound card is integrated into the motherboard of a computer while
the external sound card is plugged into one of the expansion slots of the
motherboard.
If you want to play audio using your computer's speakers then you
must have a sound card configured in your PC. The main task of a sound
card is to convert the digital sound data into analog sound.
logo
