Advantages & Disadvantages of using computers
Now a day’s computer is playing a main role in every field of life. It has become the need of people just like television, telephone or other electronic devices at home. It solves the human problems every quickly as well as accurately. There are also has some advances and disadvantages of using computers.
Advantages of using Computers
Some important advantages of using computers are as follows:
Speed
The computer is a very high speed electronic device. The operations on the data inside the computer are performed through electronic circuits according to the given instructions. The data and instructions flow along these circuits with high speed that is close to the speed of light. The computer can perform millions or billions of operations on the data in one second. The speed of a computer is usually measure in Mega Hertz (MHz) or Giga Hertz (GHz). It means a million cycles units of frequency is hertz per second. Different computers have different speeds.
Arithmetical and Logical Operations
A computer can perform arithmetical and logical operations. In arithmetic operations, it performs the addition, subtraction, multiplication and division on the numeric data. In logical operation, it compares the numerical data as well as alphabetical data.
Accuracy
In addition to being very fast, the computer is also a very accurate device. It gives accurate output result provided that the correct input data and set of instructions are given to the computer. It means that output is totally depended on the given instructions and input data. If input data is in-correct, then the resulting output will be in-correct. In computer terminology, it is known as garbage-in, garbage-out.
Reliability
The electronic components in modern computer have very low failure rate. The modern computer can perform very complicated calculations without creating any problem and produces consistent (reliable) results. In general, computers are very reliable. Many personal computers have never needed a service call.
Storage
A computer has internal storage (memory) as well as external or secondary storage. In secondary storage, a large amount of data and programs (set of instructions) can be stored for future use. The stored data and programs are available any time for processing. Similarly, information downloaded from the internet can be saved on the storage media.
Retrieving data and programs
The data and program stored on the storage media can be retrieved very quickly for further processing. It is also very important feature of a computer.
Automation
A computer can automatically perform operations without interfering the user during the operations. It controls automatically different devices attached with the computer. It executes automatically the program instructions one by one.
Versatility
Versatile means flexible. Modern computer can perform different kind of tasks one by one of simultaneously. At one moment you are playing game on computer, the next moment listening music & you are composing and sending emails etc.
Communications
Today, computer is mostly used to exchange messages or data through computer networks all over the world. For example the information can be received or send through the internet with the help of computer.
Diligence
A computer can continually work for hours without creating any error. It does not get tired while working after hours of work it performs the operations with the same accuracy as well as speed as the first one.
No Feelings
Computer is an electronic machine. It has no feelings. It detects objects on the basis of instructions given to it based on our feelings, taste, knowledge and experience: we can make certain decisions and judgments in our daily life. On the other hand, computer cannot make such judgments own. Their judgments are totally based on instructions given to them.
Disadvantages of using computers:
Although there are many advantages of using computer but it has some disadvantages too. The main disadvantages are as follows:
Health Risks
Improper computer use can lead to disorders of eyes, hands, elbows, neck, and back. The continual pain and/or weakness have increasingly become a major health hazard for computer users. Computer users can protect themselves from these health risks through proper workplace design, and proper use of the computer.
Data Security Problems
Almost all departments and organizations collect and maintain their data on computers. Most of the data of an organization stored inside the computer is very important. In some organizations, confidential and important data is not protected properly. So this data can be accessed by unauthorized person through computer network. Similarly, valuable websites can be damages by hackers and your valuable data might be deleted.
Wastages of time
Many people use computer and internet only for entertainment. For example, they play games and watch movies or listen to the music etc. in this way; they waste a lot of time.
Immorality
Today some young people watch immoral/ corrupt movies through computer. Some websites also contain immoral materials in the form of text, pictures and movies etc. these websites damage the character of our new generation.
Computer viruses
Today, internet is the most common source of spreading viruses. Most of the viruses transfer from one computer to another through email or when information is downloaded on the internet. These viruses create different kinds of problems in a computer. For example, they can affect the performance of a computer and damage valuable data and software stored in a computer.
Unemployment
Suppose a particular task is performed by many persons. The same task can be performed by a single person using a computer. It means that by using computer, the need of people is reduced for performing different activities. So unemployment in our society is increased.
History of computer
For many centuries, people used their own brain power to perform calculations. They always searched easy and efficient ways for performing calculations. They also invented different calculating devices. but now people use computers for calculations.
