Welcome to the digital era! Where we cannot imagine our lives without computers. They have become an irreplaceable part of our lives. If we look around us, we would find that every one of us is so very dependent on computers today, in one way or the other. Now, what defines a computer? Let us begin with the characteristics of a computer. According to computerhope.com, “a computer is a device that can be programmed to ‘store, retrieve, and process data’. The term “computer” was first applied to people (human computers) who used mechanical calculators like the abacus and slide rule to conduct numerical calculations. The modern computer is an electronic device that accepts data (input), processes that data, generate output, and stores the output (IPOS).”
As a result of technological growth, computers are now used in many of our daily tasks. This makes it crucial that we comprehend the various uses and characteristics of computers. Certain characteristics of a computer that make it dependable, are listed below:
Characteristics of computer:
Without further ado, let us explain the integral features and characteristics of computers.
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Speed:
Perhaps the most important characteristic of a computer is its speed. The quality of function of a computer depends on its speed. A computer can complete a complex problem 10 times faster than the human mind. An average computer can process one million instructions per second. The tasks are completed in a matter of micro- and nanoseconds. This speed enables the completion of time-sensitive operations and the prompt delivery of the final product.
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Accuracy:
The second most important characteristic of a computer is its accuracy. Speed carries the burden of correct findings. A computer can perform any difficult calculation with no errors. If a mistake is made, it is so because the user supplied incomplete or inaccurate data. A computer can work reliably while preserving speed and accuracy without sacrificing either.
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Reliability:
The next major characteristic of a computer is its reliability. Everyone has switched to using computers for work, from smartphones to every single machine, from large corporations to banks to individuals. Our data must remain secure as a result The computer network delivers all data securely. Computers are used to hide and manipulate data by several large corporations. All of the calculations for large transactions are done by computers. Therefore, one can not doubt the reliability of a computer unless it is attacked by a virus.
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Consistency:
Being consistent is one of the key characteristics of the computer. It will produce the same results no matter how many times you feed it the same data. As long as electricity and the internet are supplied like blood and oxygen, the computer continues to function. However, the device may ware down over time but the 0s and 1s saved in form of data shall never fail to cease.
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Versatility:
Another essential feature of a computer is versatility, which is the “Ability to adapt or be adapted to many various functions or activities.” A computer is a flexible device. It is capable of more than merely intricate calculations. Nowadays, computers can be found in offices, banks, schools, malls, grocery stores, etc. And they complete various jobs at each location. This demonstrates how adaptable computers are and how they can complete different tasks quickly and precisely.
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Multitasking:
A very necessary characteristic of a computer is its feature of multitasking. Although we are aware of the versatility of computers, they are also capable of performing multiple jobs simultaneously. They can complete multiple jobs at once without sluggishness or error. They are multitaskers, in other words. For instance, while downloading a video from another website and playing a game at the same time, you can have YouTube running in the background. And every application will run smoothly and flawlessly. A computer is capable of handling this task quickly and effectively. Because they can perform multiple jobs at once, computers are multitaskers. saving a significant amount of time as a result.
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Remembrance Power:
Over time, the human mind tends to forget things readily. If maintained for a long time, even printed information deteriorates. However, computer data does not age or disappear. Random access to any information is simple. Whatever information is entered into the computer remains there for years; it is up to the user to decide when to access, edit, or delete it. Hence, storage is the key feature of any computer-driven device.
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No IQ:
Unlike many sci-fi movies, computers do not act with insights or IQ of their own, the necessary characteristic of computers is of being under human command. Even Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a product of human creation. Long, complex problems might potentially be solved by the computer all by itself. It only functions when a person feeds it with some data or instructions. Interestingly, reality has turned into a paradox as the features of computers are entered via codes designed by humans, but as technology advances, human brains are getting controlled via computers.
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Automation:
While the final control remains in human hands, a computer is a robotic device. This is so that the computer may finish the task after receiving the instructions. A computer also works according to a set schedule. It is beneficial to create daily reminders, run timely virus scans, run self-contained software upgrades, or do system diagnostics. None of this requires a person to remind the computer each day. In large plants, a computer helps in product packaging and shipping. Once a computer is given clear instructions, it can assist with all of this.
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Memory:
Memory is a feature of computers. The first is primary memory, often known as volatile memory or RAM (Random access memory) until a power supply is attached to the machine. As soon as the power source is cut off, the data in RAM is destroyed. The other memory is permanent or secondary. All of the data is stored in secondary memory, which is secure even when the power source is turned off. Consequently, the computer’s memory feature is a very useful one.
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Storage:
Computers also have the capacity of storing data, which is a crucial characteristic. Due to their enormous storage capacity, computers can store large amount of data. A computer may store any type of data, including games, music, videos, photographs, text documents, and more. Modern computers have many storage options up to 1TB. The amount of storage is unlimited. To store data, one can use external storage devices such as CDs, pen drives, external hard drives, etc. The volume of data that can be stored has no upper bound. The ability to randomly access any of this data without any hassle is the largest benefit. Computers are a terrific technique to safely keep our data for the longest time.
We must acknowledge the integration of human lives with computers. Hence, we must know what we are mingling with, hence it is important for us to be thorough with the characteristics of computers.
