A computer Is a machine with an Intricate network of electronic circuits that operate switches or magnetite tiny metal cores . The switches like the cores , are capable of being in one of two possible states , that is , on or off; magnetized or diamagnetism . The machine is capable of storing and manipulating numbers , letters, and characters. The basic Idea of a computer Is that we can make the machine do what we want by inputting signals that turn certain switches on and turn others off that magnetized or do not magnetite the cores .However , most amputees, whether large or small have three basic capabilities . First , computers have circuits for performing arithmetic operations , such as : addition , subtraction , division, multiplication and exponentiation .
Second , computers have a means of communicating with the user . After all , If we couldn't feed Information In and get results back , these machines wouldn't be of much use -However , certain computers ( commonly minicomputers and microcomputers ) are used to control directly things such as robots , aircraft navigation systems , medical instruments , etc . 4] Some of he most common methods of inputting information are to use punched cards magnetic tape , disks , and terminals . The computer's Input device ( which might be card reader , a tape drive or disk drive , depending on the medium used In Inputting Information ) reads the Information Into the computer . For outputting information , two common devices used are a printer which prints the new information on paper , or a CRT display screen which shows the results on a TV-like screen .
[5] Third , computers have circuits which can make decisions .The kinds of decisions which computer circuits can make are not of the yep : Who would win a war between two countries? ' or "Who Is the richest person In the world? ' unfortunately , the computer can only decide three things, namely : Is one number less than another ? Are two numbers equal ? And, Is one number greater than another ? [6] A computer can solve a series of problems and make hundreds , even thousands , of logical decisions without becoming tired or bored . It can find the solution to problem in fraction of the time it takes a human being to do the Job .A computer can replace people in dull routine , tasks , but It has no alee Judgments . There are times when a computer seems to operate like a mechanical 'brain' , but its achievements are limited by the minds of human beings .
A computer cannot do anything unless a person tells it what to do and gives it the appropriate information ; but because electric pulses can move at the speed of light , a computer can carry out vast numbers of arithmetic-logical operations almost instantaneously . A person can do everything a computer can do , but in many cases that person would be dead long before the Job was finished .
