THE COMPUTER

The computer is a fast electronic

computational device operating under the
control of instruction stored in its own
memory unit that can accept data (input),
perform prescribed operations on the data
(processing), produce result from the
processing (output), and store the results
for the future use (storage).

A computer is an electronic device that can
store and manipulate data.
BASIC OPERATIONS OF COMPUTING
INPUT
PROCESSING
OUTPUT
The term computer is derived from
the word compute that suggests
computation and calculation. But this
idea is misleading, although this is one
of the functions of a computer. A
computer can work efficiently if given a
proper instruction trough a PROGRAM.
A program is a set of instructions
that tells the computer what to do. This
program will not work effectively inside
the computer unless somebody
(computer user) will manipulate it
correctly.
Advantages of a Computer:
1. Generates information at a high speed

The computer can manipulate a huge
amount of data in nanoseconds (1 x 10
-9
seconds); with this the computer user can
be more productive because of the
tremendous amount of time that can be
saved.



Advantages of a Computer:
2. Processes data accurately

A computer is reliable. It rarely makes
errors. Computer errors are often caused by
enormous input of data.



Advantages of a Computer:
3. Saves and retrieves information

In todays computer technology, a
computer can store a large amount of data
through hard disks, external hard drives,
CD/DVD ROM (Read Only Memory), or flash
memory cards (SD cards), flash drive (USB flash
drives), etc.


Advantages of a Computer:
4. Performs logical operations

A computer can be a great help in solving
complex problems that require a certain
decision. It can logically manipulate data using
logical operators (> , < , + , / , x , =).


Advantages of a Computer:
5. Communicates with other users or with
the machine

A computer can actually instruct the
user how to debug his work. A certain message
is shown on the screen when the other user
commits an error and doesnt know what to
do.
Limitations of Computers :
1. Cannot generate information of its own

A computer cannot produce information
unless it is fed with correct data or sequence
of instructions. The common term in the world
of computer is GIGO (Garbage In, Garbage
Out).
Limitations of Computers :
2. Inability to derive its own meaning from
objects.
Although computer can perform arithmetic
and logical operations. Hence can produce output
in terms of numbers of letters , it has no capacity
to interpret the results. A computer cannot
respond to human emotions, it needs human
thinking to analyze the output. For computers, the
data fed into are meaningless. Only the user can
evaluate what the computer produces.
Limitations of Computers :
3. Cannot come up with original decisions.

All information produced by the
computer are based on the sequence of
instructions fed into it. Nobody can dictate
what the computer should produce according
to his personal interests.
Limitations of Computers :
4. Cannot correct wrong instruction

A computer is not capable to filter as it
executes only the correct instructions and discards
the erroneous ones. It can only prompt the user that
the errors has been committed in the process of
executing the program. Typographical errors can be
determined by the computer it cannot change them
as much as it cannot tell a wrong sequence of
instructions. It does only what is tasked to do
regardless of what it means.

Limitations of Computers :
5. Subject to occasional breakdown

Most storage devices, such as hard
drives are mechanical devices, which can
become worn out and thus are prone to
failure. A storage device is often the first
component to malfunction in a computer.
When a storage device fails, all the date
stored on the device may get lost.
End of Lesson 1