Computer is a wonderful invention of modern science. It is an ultra modern (ren) electronic device for storing and analysing information fed into it. It has no capacity to do anything by itself. It works on the basis of commands given by the operator.
Computer was not invented overnight. It took long time and hard labour to invent computer. Many votaries of science worked hard.
First of all Pascal 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 ums. So the credit for the invention of modern computer goes to Haward Akin. After seven years difficult sums. electric computer was used in Harvard University in 1944. After that many other computers have been invented such as EDSAC in 1945 and ENTACE in 1946.
A computer consists of five major components. They are the input unit, the output unit, the memory unit, the control unit and the arithmetic unit.
A computer performs three functions, such as it receives data, processes data by various computations and emits data. Computer is of great use to us. It renders great service to mankind. It is like Aladin's magic lamp or magic wand. It has lessened our work loads and made our life easy and comfortable. It is used in our daily life for various purposes. Computer is a medium of education in the developed countries. The students of the developed countries use computer to prepare their study materials. They learn many things within the shortest possible time. Results of various examinations are prepared accurately with the help of computer within the shortest span of time. Nowadays in developed countries computer is used to diagnose a disease. A newer process of operation has been invented by computer as an alternative of surgery. It is used to grind stones in normal pathological tests.
Today computer is used in the fields of agriculture in the developed countries. Nowadays business, commerce and trade can not be thought of without computer. It is used to prepare documents, to make lists of goods, store information and to prepare budget etc. The value of currency and price of any share can be known instantly (1) by the computer.
Today printing can not be thought of without computer. It is an indispensable part of printing. Thousands of books are composed with the help of computer within a very short time. In the developed countries computer is used to run mills, factories and industries. Trains and planes are run by the computer. Computer is a source of great income. Many developed and advanced countries export software and hardware and earn a lot.
Of late computer has been introduced in Bangladesh. Many government and non-government offices, educational institutions are using computer. A course on computer has been introduced in secondary and higher secondary levels. The day is not far to come when computers will be used in every sphere of life. Computer is of great use to us. We can not go a single moment without computers. It is now a part and parcel in our daily life.
