The Uses of Computer
Science has given birth to many wonders and computer is one of them. Computer was not invented overnight. It took a long time and hard labour to invent computer.
Pascal first invented the theory of “Digital Calculating System” in 1642. Though his attempts were not crowned with success, he initiated the research which paved the way to the invention of computer. Finally Mr Haward Akin, an American scientist, invented such a machine in 1937 that could do difficult sums. After seven years, in 1944 electric computer was used in Harvard University. After that many other computers were invented such as EDSAC in 1945 and ENTACE in 1946.
There are five major components in a computer such as the input unit, the output unit, the memory unit, the control unit and the arithmetic unit. A computer performs three functions (i) it receives data (ii) it processes data by various computations and (iii) it emits data. Computer is really of great use to us. It renders great service to mankind. It is like Aladdin’s lamp or magic wand. It has lessened our workloads and made our life easy and comfortable. It is used in all spheres of human life like—education, medical science, agriculture, commerce, printing and electronic media, mills and factories etc.
Computer is a source of income for many. Many developed and advanced countries export software and hardware and earn a lot foreign currency. There are no unmixed blessings on earth. Everything has its dark sides too. Computer has its own merits and demerits. It causes weakness of the eyesight of the operators. It also causes other physical complexities.
In Bangladesh, many government and non-government offices, educational institutions are also using computers. A course on computer has been introduced at secondary and higher secondary levels. The day is not far to come when computers will be used in every sphere of life in our country. In fact computers have become the driving force of the modern civilization.