CHARACTERISTICS AND LIMITATIONS OFCOMPUTERS

There are many kinds of computers in the world today but their basic functions are usually the same and hence, the competition is stiff. We might find it easy to adjustto a person who has contracted some incurable deformity, but a computer with irreparable deformity of malfunctions becomes an outdated and useless machine, which is subsequently pushed aside and ignored for some better machine. If the thinking, talking and reasoning powers make a human being different from other living creatures, what makes a Computer so special?Let us first compare the computer with another similar but less versatile calculating machine viz-the Calculator. Almost all of us have seen a calculator, if not a computer. They are used extensively at any place dealing with a fair amount of calculations.

CALCULATOR COMPUTER

1. Electronic/Mechanical. 1. Electronic/Automatic.

2. Performs mathematical calculationsonly.

2. Performs mathematical andlogical operations.

3. Operates at a high speed. 3. Operates at an incredibly high speed.4. Small temporary memory. 4. Large temporary memory.5. No facility for a secondary storagedevice.

5. Facility for large secondary storagedevices.

6. Needs an operator continuously. 6. Once initiated, is capable of functioningautomatically.

7. Handles small and uncomplicatedcalculations.

7. Handles volumes of simple and highlycomplex operations.

CHARACTERISTICS OF A COMPUTER So we see, that to define a computer merely as a calculating device is to ignore 80% ofits functional capabilities which include non-mathematical and non-numeric operationas well. The major characteristics that make the computer such a powerful machine canbe enumerated as speed, storage, accuracy, ability to operate automatically, diligence, scientific approach, versatility and connectivity and networking. Let us look at each of these characteristics briefly:-SPEEDJust as we can measure the speed of moving device e.g. a car traveling in terms ofKm/hours or Miles/hours, the speed of a computer too can be measured.This speed however is incredibly faster than what man can possibly record or calculate normally. The computer’s speed at performing a single operation can be measured in terms of milliseconds (A thousandth of a second or 10-3), microseconds (A millionth of a second or 10-6), nanoseconds (A thousand millionth of a second or 10-9), picoseconds (A million millionth of second or 10-12).

They are also mentioned sometime as Kilo Instructions Per Second (KIPS), Million Instructions Per Second (MIPS) and Trillion Instructions Per Second (TIPS), etc. Further, the most popularly used units of speed in Personal Computers are MHz and GHz (i.e. related to clock frequency).STORAGEOne of man’s failings is perhaps his inability to remember and ‘store’ large volumes ofInformation is his brain. The computer is capable of overriding this deficiency as it can storea) Larger volumes of information being processed simultaneously within its own temporary memory, andb) larger volumes of data to be maintained more permanently on secondary media, such as – floppy disks, magnetic disks and tapes, punched cards, microfilms, Hard Disks, Mini Hard Disks (external), CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs, Pen Drives, Zip Drives, MO Drives. etc.The storage capacity of any media or item can be measured in terms of certain units. e.g. a 1 litre bottle or a 5kg sack or a 1500 cubic litre water tank etc. The storage capacity of a computer is measured in terms of Bytes, Kilobytes and Megabytes, Gigabytes and Terabytes.BIT - Binary digit i.e. 0 and 1Byte - A string of fixed no. of bits is one Byte but in general 8

Bits form one Byte.1024 Bytes - 1 Kilo byte (KB)1024 KB - 1 Mega byte (MB)1024 MB - 1 Giga byte (GB)1024 GB - 1 Tera byte (TB)ACCURACYThe amount of research that has gone into developing the computer to functionOptimally has created a device that operates at near 100% level of accuracy. Almost all the errors that arise while it is operational, are a result of illogical programming or incorrect provision of data or information. A very small percentage of its errors are due to component malfunctions, which again may arise due to misuse and improper handling of the equipment.AUTOMATICAs stated earlier, the computer is quite capable of functioning automatically, oncethe process has been initiated. It does not require a prompt from an operator at each stage of the process. Like a calculator it does not require a user continuously/interactively. Rather the computer chip has made many-2 other devices as automatic.DILIGENCEMan suffers from physical and mental fatigue, lack of concentration and laziness which do not permit him to carry on his task at the same level of speed and accuracy through the entire day. The computer, on the other hand, is capable of operating at exactly the

same level of speed and accuracy even if it has to carry out the most voluminous and complex operations for a long period of time.SCIENTIFIC APPROACHThe entire approach to solving problems is highly scientific, objective andsequentially carried out, leaving no room for emotional and subjective evaluations made by man, which are sources of potential errors and unjustified results.VERSATILITYThe wide use of computers in so many areas of man’s daily life is ample evidenceof its versatility. It can carry out processes ranging from simple mathematical calculations to highly complex and logical evaluations.LOGICAL DECISIONSApart from computation a computer has a capability to take decisions, which imparts it some intelligence. These decisions called Logical Decisions depend upon certain conditions. By a logical decision we mean that computer is capable of deciding the path it is to choose, out of various alternatives available to it. For example, a computer can execute instructions such as, if a purchase is worth Rs. 2000 or above allow a discount in the bill of 15%, otherwise a discount of 10%. In this case, the computer has two alternatives and in order to select the correct alternative, it compares the purchase bill amount with Rs. 2000 and depending upon the result it computes a discount of 15% or 10%.In short, a computer is capable of comparing data and depending upon the results of this comparison, it can take appropriate actions. It must be borne in mind that data to be compared need not necessarily be numerical, a computer can handle non-numerical data also.CONNECTIVITY AND NETWORKINGThe computers can be connected with each other and processing of data/information on a centralized computer through terminals is possible. Using the concept of networking we can contact with the computers located away at very long distances. In other words we can share information’s and resources at distances ranging from a few hundred meters to as far as overseas, if the systems are connected through networks.

LIMITATIONS OF A COMPUTERBesides so many characteristics or capabilities of computers, here are listed belowsome limitations of computers.i) Doesn’t have much intelligence or I.Q. and judgment. ii) Heavily dependent on human beings.iii) Need for special languages to perform. Time taken in planning, designing of system and writing of programs.iv) Needs controlled environments.v) Needs overall efficiency of all human beings involved in the system.vi) Strict quality control for cards, floppies, tapes, papers etc. is required.

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