How Computers Have Changed Our Lives? - Research Paper Example

Introduction

In today's world, computer networks have enabled instant access to information from anywhere at any time and in any format. With the massive flow of information in the cyber world through well connected global networks, networking has brought in a digital society which now affects individual's daily lives. To a certain extent, computer technology relates to information technology. Computer technologies encompass the use of computer networks, computer language, and database to solve specific problems or to say the issues. It is important to note that computer technology also involves the use of hardware and software, in which a combination of the two components leads to the formation of a system that solves specific functions. According to Turkle (3), computer technology equally involves human interactions, and interactions are seen as a technique to give a command to the computer. Over decades, computers have been considered as the most life-changing and successful innovation that offers a solution to human life challenges. Computers and its uses have gradually grown across the globe. Computers are used to accomplish a number of tasks due to its potential. In essence, computers are crucial when it comes to solving daily human problems; thus computers have a significant impact on our lives today. Interestingly, computers are used in quite a number of areas. It is a crucial component for individuals, especially those who run firms, businesses as well as organizations. Nearly everything we know or think of is run or made by computers, for instance, jets and automobiles were designed using computers, traffic signals are operated with the help of computer programs and so forth. Essentially, the majority of jobs today requires the knowledge of computers. Turkle (16) notes that computers are mechanical brains which impact significantly on our today's modern society. Although we do not encounter computers directly, forms of modern conveniences, for instance, digital watches, micro oven as well as VCRs are used virtually on a daily basis. Take a close look at the educational, health and transportation sectors, the impacts of computers is very evident. On this note, in today's modern world, it is impossible to run a business without incorporating computer usage, in other words, computers are directly or indirectly applied in various business operations. The essential computer technologies that we used during the study included: programming, networking and database design. These particular technologies enabled us to develop quite a number of software programs as well as devices.

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Programming

Programming is one of the critical computer technologies that are used by developers and analytics'. Generally, programming refers to the act of designing and writing various instructions for a computer in languages that can be understood by the computer, for instance, designing of software required to monitor or forecast weather relies on the concept of computer programming. In programming, one has first to analyze a particular problem or equally as a system in order to design a solution. This process of analysis involves essential concepts which include but not limited to: logical reasoning, decomposition, abstraction and algorithms among others. Essentially, the expression of ideas and concepts in a particular programming language requires coding. According to Comer (32), coding which a critical component in computer programming gives us an opportunity to test ideas and obtain immediate feedback as to whether a design works or not. Since programming involves the writing of sets of codes, the programming language is written in a language that the users understand, then the expressions are translated by the computer into machine code of instructions that are only recognized by the computers. Programs constitute precise and sets of unambiguous instructions, and in this case, there is no space for interpretations about the meaning of a specific line of computer code. In programming, the codes can only be written using a well-defined vocabulary and grammar of that particular programming language.

The fact of the matter is that we cannot do without technology: and technology does exist due to programming. In one way or the other, we are connected to the use of technology in our daily activities. People can watch movies, contact other persons across the globe or equally work from any place, thanks to the programming technology. With the increasing number of challenges and complexity, programming as a tool enables people to obtain solutions by giving the repetitive computer task; in turn, this leads to automation. Programming as a fact has impacted on our society, several Universities, thousands of teachers and score of students as well as teaching practitioners, can attest to this fact. From conceptualization, programming has greatly impacted on the industrial and social aspects. With the ever-growing demands of the rising population, programming comes into place as it satisfies the needs for rapid production, which is beyond the ability of a normal human being. As examined by Swingle (37), Artificial Intelligence does take the works places of repetitive duties, decrease human intervention up to the end of the cycle. Additionally, AI has resulted in minimum supervision as well as management for various production units. Achievement of rapid production requires Artificial Intelligence (AI), and it is essential to keep in mind the fact that artificial intelligence is just but a mere illusion without programming. In addition, the robots which use AI have played a significant role in assembling parts of airlines. We say for the fact that the world we live today is dependent on the ability of the machines which generally act in an intelligent manner; this is sufficient proof of how programming has changed the lives of people.

Indeed, in the near future, the programming technologies are expected to change in many aspects. With an increase in generated data, the languages will shift from new languages to functional programming. In essence, the functional programming will be used in writing of various java scripts. Swingle (71), noted that in the near future programmers will be expected to write higher-order tasks by combining the various fundamental functional programming tools. I firmly believe that programming has an impact on my personal life. During summer holidays, as a family, we do spend leisure times playing computer games. The PlayStations and consoles are aided or instead designed through programming. I do enjoy playing virtual football on our television sets, thanks to programming technology.

Networking

Computer networking is another crucial computer technology that has an impact on the lives of people. In essence, computer networking analyzes the various communication processes within computing devices. With computer networking, computing devices can be able to exchange as well as share information/resources. A computer network comprises of a collection of computers, printers and other computing devices which are linked together so that they can be able to communicate with each other. Necessarily, the routers, network cards, and protocols are the most important pillars in which the computer networks are formed. It is important to note that computer networks are the basis of modern-day communication, for instance, the public switched telephone networks usually lies upon the actions of the computer systems. The majority of telephone services do work with an IP. With the ever-increasing demands for communications in today's world, the concept of computer networking cannot be undermined. Swingle (39), noted that increased communication has resulted in the advancement of the networking field and equally the growth in hardware and software functions. To enable effective operations, the computer network needs have the following components: minimum of at least two computers, cable which allows connection of the computers to each other, network interface devices which are typically installed in each computer, switches, and hubs as well as network operating system software. Computer networks cannot be discussed without mentioning the three broad networks namely: Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN) and Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN). Typically, the LAN is a set of computing devices which allows any two communicating devices to exchange frames through a given data link layers. Usually, the LAN is used to serve a smaller number of individuals located within a specific geographical location or space, Peer-to-Peer and Client server networking are considered appropriate in LAN. The WAN is applicable in a larger geographical area, in which computers are connected within a particular periphery to enable sharing of information. In the case of WLAN, wires are not used in connections; instead physical media are used to connect the various hosts to the servers, and in addition, data information is transmitted over the radio transceivers. The WLAN is considered to be reliable and efficient due to a number of reasons, to begin with, WLAN; it's immensely easier to offer connectivity in regions where it is quite challenging to put up a cable. Consequently, the installation of the WLAN is quicker thus limiting the time taken to network all computers within an organization.

In today's world, computer networks have enabled instant access to information from anywhere at any time and in any format. With the massive flow of information in the cyber world through well connected global networks, networking has brought in a digital society which now affects individual's daily lives. Moreover, networking has positively impacted on the globalization of production and capital markets; this has resulted in a reduction in the cost of information and communication. Through computer networking, organizations and firms are able to coordinate various international marketing campaigns and equally spread production facilities across the globe. Consequently, computer networks enhance human communication through electronic mails, chat rooms, newsgroups as well as audio and video transmission; this has improved collaborations of people from different regions. This computer technology also enhances access to digital information by the majority of applications, for instance, the World Wide Web. The internet has proved to be an essential component in the world we live today; there has been a rise in the number of e-businesses. E-business has allowed organizations to sell and offer their services through the internet, and this cannot be possible without networking. Furthermore, the computer networks have a majority of resources which can enable people to improve their learning skills. With computer networking, people can browse across catalogs, periodicals, websites, and databases; this, in turn, increases their knowledge and skills.

Seamlessly, the future computer network will interconnect quite a number of terminals, devices, machines as well as smart objects. With a few innovations taking place in wireless electricity and communications, in addition to the currently advances taking center stage in the processing of tiny chips, an individual can, therefore, think that computer networks in the near future will no longer need fiber optic cables or even server. The current internet backbone and huge network data centers would eventually be replaced by a fully decentralized open air and even free-power communications (Giddens 18). As a student, networking technology has a direct impact on my daily life. To begin, occasionally I do use my laptop to access the internet without necessarily connecting my device to Ethernet, thanks to computer networking technology. I am able to share notes with other students at the comfort of my room, this d...