Computer Concepts and Fundamental
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The Computer
As the name implies the word computer comes from the term to compute, meaning to calculate. It is one word which is used frequently these days, and it is common knowledge that the widespread use of computers is having a tremendous effect on all aspects of human life, both from an individual and a social point of view. Once the exclusive realm of scientists and large businesses, computers are now coming into the household and making themselves known on a personal basis. However, there are still a great many people to whom the word computer carries the implication of strange, unnecessary, and expensive machines.
With good reason, the computer is often compared with the human brain. Like the brain that devised it, a computer can take in data and process it. It can store the data eitherin raw form or in the form of processing results, and can deliver the raw or processed data to the outside world on demand
But there is a very important distinction between the human brain and a computer: the human brain can think and make decisions for itself, while the computer can only perform its feats when it has been instructed, or programmed, to do so. And the instructions it receives must be prepared by humans, using the organization and problem solving abilities of the human brain.
The computer's storage capacity, or memory, does not yet equal that of the human brain, but computer capacity is rapidly increasing. In the future, it will undoubtedly exceed that of the human memory.
So, just what are these devices called computer? In general, a computer is an electronic system designed to manipulate data. They are machines for storing, moving, adding and subtracting, and evaluating data. All computers, have basic functions in common: input, processing, storage and output. This is true of all computers, from the largest general main frame to the smallest personal computer.
Since computers are, after all, only machines, thay have no initiative and cannot do any useful work until they have been properly prepared. This is done by providing them with sequences of instructions called a program. These instructions control the manner in which the computer carries out its operational functions. Again, a computer will perform only what it is told to do; it does not have the ability to eveluate information and take appropriate action on its own. In fact, if a computer does do something other than instructed, it means that one or more of its components is defective. This characteristic of computers means that human beings must prepare detailed instructions outlining the exact operations which are to be performed; the computer then carries out these instructions at high speed and with great accuracy.