Why Are Computers So Important?

The reasons computers are so important is that, in general, almost everything in our lives has some connection to a computer. 

Most people would be lost if all the computers in the world went down at the same time. You probably couldn’t get gas for your car, do your banking, dine out, apply for a job, or go shopping. You also couldn’t get online to chat, e-mail, instant message, blog, tweet, or check the weather.

It seems computers are a huge part of our lives. The computer can store large amounts of data and that makes it a very useful tool for schools and big business. It can perform complex calculations in a split second and saves the user a lot of time.   

Computers

The definition for “computer” is:

a device used for computing; specif., an electronic machine which, by means of stored instructions and information, performs rapid, often complex calculations or compiles, correlates, and selects data; now, esp., digital computer

Computers are made up of hardware and software. The hardware is the physical parts of the computer, like the keyboard, mouse, speakers, and monitor. Software is the programs and languages the computer uses; it basically tells the computer what to do.   

Microprocessing

Two of the main things that a computer can do, that makes it so important, are storing data and doing operations rapidly.

Computers would not be so widespread were it not for the invention of the microprocessor. A company called Intel was asked to make 12 chips to control different processes in a computer, like keyboard scanning, printer control, display control and other functions. They decided they could make one chip that could do all that.

In November of 1971, the world’s first single chip microprocessor was introduced, the Intel 4004. It is a single-chip CPU (central processing unit). It was 1/8th inch wide by 1/6th inch long and did the same amount of work that the huge, 3000 cubic foot ENIAC did, even with all its semi-conductors and vacuum tubes. This paved the way for the personal computer.    

Important Computer Roles

Computers play an important role in many aspects of our lives. These are just a few:

• Business: Computers can tabulate bills, calculate profit and loss, and predict the future of business. Things can be sold and bought online, and computers are a major part of the stock market.
• Communication: Email allows instant communication all over the world.  Computers save time and give you information at your fingertips. The Internet provides a fast and easy way to research any topic.  
• Education: Everyone needs computer skills to get a job, their use is so widespread. You can also get a diploma or degree online.  
• Media: There is software for every kind of editing and audio-visual composition. Special effects rely heavily on computers. 
• Medical Science: Computers can help with a diagnosis, and there is special software which assists doctors during surgery.
• Sports: Computers can help referees and umpires make decisions. Also, simulation software can help an athlete improve his or her skills.
• Weather: Super computers take data from observations and give meteorologists “models” to help them predict weather

Brain Versus Computer

The computer is an amazing machine that can handle a lot of work at extreme speeds, but it is built to primarily do four things:

1. Accept information, both raw data and instructions
2. Store information in its memory (bytes) and holds it as long as you wish
3. Process information; in other words it does something with information, like comparing, sorting, or solving problems
4. Give out the processed information or the results of the instructions it has followed

A lot of people think a computer is like your brain. Well, not really. Computers cannot do anything without a person telling them what to do.