Computer:A Boon or a Bane

 "Computer is not a magical device. It possesses no I.Q. or intelligence of its own. Its I.Q. is zero. It has to be told what to perform and in what sequence.
Hence only the user can determine what task a computer will perform. A computer can't take any decision at its own until it is programmed to do so. These are some mechanical deficiency of the computers, but in addition to these technical flaws,the invention of computer has adversely effected the human func-tion, the social economic fabric of the nations."

Today hardly any corner of our life is left unaffected by the computers. In

schools, banks, shops, hospitals, restaurants, post offices, government offices,

railway or bus reservation counters, travel companies and all such utility service

departments, we find the computers working everywhere.

For the last two decades, the world seems to have undergone a computer

revolution. Initially, computers were designed to solve the complicated scientific

problems, but now-a-days, computers are becoming indispensable day-by-day.

Necessity is the mother of invention, the saying holds true for computers, as it was

initially invented for fast and accurate calculations. The word computer comes from

the word "Compute", that means to calculate. So a computer was normally

considered to be a calculating device that can perform arithmetic calculations at an

enormous speed and with perfect accuracy. But now-a-days more than 80% of the

work done by computers is of non-mathematical or non-numerical nature. Hence to

define a computer merely a calculating machine does not hold good in present day

situation. To be correct and more precise, a computer may be defined as a device that

operates upon information or data. The fact that the computers process data is so

fundamental that many people have started calling it a data processor. The name data

processor is more comprehensive as it covers not only the computing work but also

performs other functions with the data like, processing, merging, sorting, printing etc.

Today the computer has become cornerstone of our industrial and scientific

development. The computers have shrank the world into a room. In all walks of life

from manufacturing of a small item, to exploration of ocean and space, computers are

being used extensively. Robots are being used in study of volcanoes in space research,

in medical science, remotely commanded by the computers. This omnipotent device

has taken entry into such diverse areas like sports, agriculture, medicine, business,

space, ocean that has become an indispensable gadget.

Is computer a boon or a bane ?

No works of art or any great scripture or the Shakespearean tragedies have had so spasmodic effect on human society than the computer, making the present world

totally dependant on it. Rightly said by someone that since the existence of human on

earth, it has never encountered anything as complex and ingeniously designed, as

computer. "Computer is a person, unable to walk, but its mind transcends the

barriers of space", retorted Dr. Stephen. It is indeed an example of the excellence of

human mind, which had done wonders and made the creator himself slave to a great

extent.