Applications of Computers
Computers have their application or utility everywhere. We find their applications in almost every sphere of life–particularly in fields where computations are required to be done at a very fast speed and where data is so complicated that the human brain finds it difficult to cope up with.
As you must be aware, computer now-a-days are being used almost in every department to do the work at a greater speed and accuracy. They can keep the record of all the employees and prepare their pay bill in a matter of minutes every month. They can keep automatic checks on the stock of a particular item. Some of the prominent areas of computer applications are:
1. Tourism:
Hotels use computers to speed up billing and checkout the availability of rooms. So is the case with railways and airline reservations for booking tickets. Architects can display their scale models on a computer and study them from various angles and perspectives. Structural problems can now be solved quickly and accurately.
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2. Banks:
Banks also have started using computers extensively. Terminals are provided in the branch and the main computer is located centrally. This enables the branches to use the central computer system for information on things such as current balance, deposits, overdrafts, interest charges, etc. MICR encoded cheques can be read and sorted out with a speed of 3000 cheques per minute by computers as compared to hours taken by manual sorting. Electronic funds transfer (EFT) allows a person to transfer funds through computer signals over wires and telephone lines making the work possible in a very short time.
3. Industry:
Computers are finding their greatest use in factories and industries of all kinds. They have taken over the work ranging from monotonous and risky jobs like welding to highly complex jobs such as process control. Drills, saws and entire assembly lines can be computerized. Moreover, quality control tests and the manufacturing of products, which require a lot of refinement, are done with the help of computers. Not only has this, Thermal Power Plants, Oil refineries and chemical industries fully depended on computerized control systems because in such industries the lag between two major events may be just a fraction of a second.
4. Transportation:
Today computers have made it possible for planes to land in foggy and stormy atmosphere also. The aircraft has a variety of sensors, which measure the plane’s altitude, position, speed, height and direction. Computer use all this information to keep the plane flying in the right direction. In fact, the Auto–pilot feature has made the work of pilot much easy.
5. Education:
Computers have proved to be excellent teachers. They can possess the knowledge given to them by the experts and teach you with all the patience in the world. You may like to repeat a lesson hundred times, go ahead, you may get tired but the computer will keep on teaching you. Computer based instructions (CBI) and Computer Aided Learning (CAL) are common tools used for teaching. Computer based encyclopedia such as Britannica provide you enormous amount of information on anything.
6. Entertainment:
Computers are also great entertainers. Many computer games are available which are like the traditional games like chess, football, cricket, etc. Dungeons and dragons provide the opportunity to test your memory and ability to think. Other games like Braino and Volcano test your knowledge.
7. Health Care:
Computers are making health care more efficient and accurate while helping providers bring down costs. Many different health care procedures now involve computers, from ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging, to laser eye surgery and fetal monitoring. Surgeons now can use robotic surgical devices co perform delicate operations, and even to conduct surgeries remotely. New virtual-reality technologies are being used to train new surgeons in cutting-edge techniques, without cutting an actual patient.
8. Small Business:
Many of today’s successful small companies simply could not exist without computer technology. Each year, hundreds of thousands of individuals launch businesses based from their homes or in small-office locations. They rely on inexpensive computers and software not only to perform basic work functions, but to manage and grow their companies. These tools enable business owners to handle tasks— such as daily accounting chores, inventory management, marketing, payroll, and many others.
9. Communications:
Electronic mail (e-mail) continues to be the most popular use for computers, because it allows family members to communicate with one another, and to stay in contact with friends and coworkers.
10. Graphics and Multimedia Products:
Complex graphics and page-layout programs require a great deal of system resources, and a desktop system's large monitor reduces eye fatigue. Even though many portable computers have multimedia features, you can get the most for your money with a desktop system. Large screens make multimedia programs easier to see, and stereo-type speakers optimize sound quality.
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