Essay Sample on Computer: Automated Device for Data Processing

A computer is an automated device that is designed to function with data. The name computer is obtained from a term in Latin 'computare' which means programmable machine or calculation. In short, a computer cannot perform anything without an installed program. The word computer usually means center processing units plus internal memory. A computer has become very useful, and it has quite a several usages ranging from health care and medicine, education, business, science, entertainment and recreation, and finally, in official use in the government.

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In education, computers have been helpful, especially to distant learners; studies can be done when one is not enclosed in a classroom. Also, computers have aided in research work since the students who are in college, as indicated by research, spend 6-7 hours on the internet. Moreover, the computer has significantly improved the performance of the students. In medicine and health, computers are radically altering the tools of medicine. All the information in medicine has now been digitized. In health care, a computer can perform various functions, including screening, implantation of organs, and many other functions. Also, a computer can be used to offer a wide range of entertainment and recreational activities. For instance, in movies, the computer produced graphics offer freedom to designers so that imaginary characters and special effects can play a vital role in a film. Also, in sports, the computers create training programs, sell tickets, and compile statistics for the game hence improving on accuracy and speed.

Computer classification can also be done based on information processing abilities. Computers are classified according to functionality, purpose, and data handling. According to purpose, the computers are either specific purpose or general-purpose. General-purpose computers are meant to carry out several tasks. General computers can store many programs, but they do not have the efficiency and speed. Specific computers are designed to perform a particular task or deal with a specific problem. According to the handling of data, computers can be classified as a hybrid, digital, or analog computers. An analog computer performs its tasks on the principle of measuring; this is where the acquired measurement is translated into information. The modern analog computers usually employ electrical parameters like currents, resistance, and voltage to represent the quantities that are being manipulated. A digital computer is a computer that operates with information; it could be numerical or otherwise expressed in a digital form. Digital computers process information into a digital value that is in 0s and 1s. Digital computers produce results in a faster and accurate manner hence eliminating all or having very minimal errors. Finally, on data handling, the computer can be classified as hybrid computers. This kind of computer integrates the measuring features of counting digital computers and features of an analog computer. For computational determinations, these computers apply analog mechanisms, and for the storage purpose, the computer uses digital memories.

Based on the size, computers can be classified as supercomputers, mainframe computers, minicomputers, and personal computers or microcomputers. The mainframe computers are usually very large in size, and they are very expensive. This kind of computer can support hundreds or even thousands of uses at the same time. The supercomputer is very powerful, and they are very fast. Usually, supercomputers are used in very complicated tasks. The minicomputers are mini-sized in power, and in size, minicomputers lie between mainframes and workstations. Finally, micro or personal computers, these ranges from desktop computers, laptops computers, palmtop computers. These kinds of computers are usually helpful for personal use and data storage. They are generally small in size and can be potable.