INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER

INTRODUCTION
The term “Computer” is derived from Latin word Computare, which means to calculate. Computer is also a digital operating device. But, the computers originated with a huge size and extreme processing capabilities. Computer has become very powerful device to aid the development in the field of data processing and research.
So what is a Computer?
"A computer is an electronic machine which does things to information it is given and supplies us with the results." Therefore, it has become almost indispensable in the modern technologies. Computer capabilities can be summarized in points as follows:
Computer.
–Is a device capable of calculating very fast and accurately?
–Is a device, which is capable of accessing data from a remote workstation?
–Is a device capable of storing millions of data and information in a small storage device?
–Is a device, which can give logic and follows the instructions, given in program.
–Never gets tired and it can perform repeated calculations.
–Helps in the logical development of human mind and in precise work.
–Takes data as input and after processing gives out the processed result, which is called output.
–Enable us to retrieve stored data.
In other words, computer is a fast and accurate electronic symbol (or data) manipulating system that’s designed to automatically accept and store input data, process them, and produce output results under the direction of stored program of instructions. Computers are very fast because data and instructions are represented as pulses within electronic circuits and they travel at the speed of light. One day’s work on a computer would take a person with a hand calculator, more than 2700 years. People who contributed to make this possible were philosophers, inventors, mathematicians, programmers, etc. It has come to this stage because of their tireless effort.