Lecture#2-Featuers of Computers in modern technology and its benefits
- 1. COMP1116-Applications of ICT Lecture # 02 Computer – The Features Instructor: Dr. Aftab Akram (PhD CS) Assistant Professor BSCS/ BSIT Semester 1
- 2. Computer – Inspiration & Features • Computer is a machine that was inspired by Human Brain • Similar to Human Brain, the purpose of the Computer was to build a machine that can perform calculations and processing • But, faster and accurately • Most often comparison is made between Human Brain and the Computer • So many factors related to human ability are used to draw a comparison between human and computer
- 3. SPEED oComputer is a very high speed electronic device i.e. it can perform tasks at very high rate oIt can do complex calculation in fractions of seconds which human can take even years to complete oA computer can process millions or even billions of instructions in a second oFor example, human brain can take 40,000 instructions per second while computer can take upto 140,000 millions or more instructions oHuman brain transmits binary pulses (signals) ten billions times slower than a computer oWhereas inside computer electronic pulses almost travel with the speed of light
- 4. ACCURACY oComputers are highly accurate even then they work at very high speed oComputers are 100% accurate machines o The logic gates which are basic building blocks of processing inside the Computer are carefully designed and tested oIt is almost impossible that any computation or processing by the Computer is wrong oHuman can make errors if they work quickly oIf computer make any error it is due to some human error which they make during programming
- 5. CONSISTANCY oComputers are highly consistent machines o Because the electronic circuit inside the computer cannot be changed o Once built and tested, the circuitry last till computer is working oThey can work at high speeds very accurately again and again without any error oHuman are prone to errors, if they perform a task accurately once chances of error increase next time oComputers on the other hand perform the same task accurately again and again
- 6. DATA STORAGE o Storage capacity of computers is very high o It can store large amount of data on a very small place o In case of more need of storage, more devices can be added very easily to extend storage capacity of computer o Moreover, the prices of storage devices are decreasing day by day, which makes it even convenient to extend storage capacity o Whereas human brain storage capacity is very low, it tends to lose data when new data is stored in it. o Estimated storage capacity of human brain is 2.5 PetaBytes (equivalent of 3 millions hours of TV shows)
- 7. MEMORY-Power of Remembrance o 100% power of remembrance o Computer storage devices are extremely reliable, i.e., 0.9% failure rate in one year (only 9 disks will fail in 1000 if used for 24 hours for a whole year) o Which makes them very reliable for storing data for longer periods of time o A man can forget as the time passes o Computer never forgets o It would produce the data stored in it whenever recalled o It will never say “Sorry I forgot”
- 8. AUTOMATION oComputer can work automatically oOnce instructions are stored in its Memory, it can work according to these instructions oNo need to tell him again and again what to do next oProgramming Languages have been developed to write Software (or programs) for the computers oLearning Programing Languages is easy oMoreover, no-code tools are available which can be used to write Software without writing any code o“instructions have to be provided to computer, it cannot generate instructions by it self”
- 9. ACTIVENESS oComputer is a machine, it barely has moving parts oComputers can work for longer hours oMainframe Computers have downtime of 0%, which means they never shutdown oIf correct conditions are available, a zero value of Mean Time to Failure (MTTF) can be achieved oComputers do not feel tiredness and carelessness oHuman lose concentration when they work for long hours they need rest and recreation oComputers never demand rest or show laziness
- 10. Multitasking oCPU processes instructions sequentially oIn old single core processors, it can switch between tasks rapidly oGiving an impression of performing multiple task at a time oHowever, today multi core processors are available, which have the ability to processes multiple instructions at a time oHuman can concentrate only at one task at a time oComputer can do multiple task with same accuracy oHowever, speed can be affected due multiple tasks
- 11. VERSATILITY oComputer’s enormous speed, memory and accuracy has made it most popular machine oDue to programmability, it can do a variety of jobs oMost of machines have limited use they can only be used for specific purpose oComputer is only machine that is used in vast conditions and circumstances oIt can be used to convert any machine intelligent by controlling its functions oWe see many such example around us, e.g., automobiles, airplanes, etc.
- 12. Limitations of Computers • Lack of Intelligence o Although, Computer’s CPU is thought of similar to human brain, but it does not have conscious o It cannot think it self o Computer works under the control of instructions that has been given to it by human o If any error occurs during its working it cannot detect and correct it, it would simple stop running or would produce incorrect results o However, some modern computers have Artificial Intelligence ability, i.e., they can simulate intelligence through programming o But their intelligence is much more simpler than human intelligence
- 13. Limitations of Computers • Lack of senses o Computer has no senses o It can only do predefined jobs o It cannot jump instructions without executing them o It has to execute instructions whether right or wrong o It also cannot learn from its experience o Exceptions: Robots are computers that have senses. They can see, listen some can even smell or taste.